Converting a uke to low-G tuning

[Dave Hicks]

I bought a new uke and am considering converting the old one to low-G tuning. (It's a Lanikai MA-T, like this: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...i-ma-t-natural

What physical modifications are needed? Will I need to widen the nut slot and/or the bridge?

Thanks!

D.H.

[bendandsnap]

Originally Posted by Dave Hicks

I bought a new uke and am considering converting the old one to low-G tuning. (It's a Lanikai MA-T, like this: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...i-ma-t-natural

What physical modifications are needed? Will I need to widen the nut slot and/or the bridge?

Thanks!

D.H.

Modifications are only needed if you go with an “unwound” low G string since it has a thicker diameter. I use the Thomastik CF30 flat wound low G. Many consider it the best low G string for uke. You can read about it here: https://theukulelesite.com/thomastik...le-string.html or the Fremont Soloist Flat Wound Low G: https://theukulelesite.com/fremont-s...le-string.html

They sell both single strings at Strings by Mail. They have the same flat wound diameter so no modifications needed. The Thomastik has a silver color and the Fremont has a brass color. They both feel and sound the same to me, but some prefer the Fremont Soloist.

[Dave Hicks]

Originally Posted by bendandsnap

Modifications are only needed if you go with an “unwound” low G string since it has a thicker diameter. I use the Thomastik CF30 flat wound low G. Many consider it the best low G string for uke. You can read about it here: https://theukulelesite.com/thomastik...le-string.html or the Fremont Soloist Flat Wound Low G: https://theukulelesite.com/fremont-s...le-string.html

They sell both single strings at Strings by Mail. They have the same flat wound diameter so no modifications needed. The Thomastik has a silver color and the Fremont has a brass color. They both feel and sound the same to me, but some prefer the Fremont Soloist.

Thanks! I'll check them out.

D.H.

[Dave Hicks]

Originally Posted by Dave Hicks

Thanks! I'll check them out.

D.H.

I had a credit at Elderly, and I used it to try some Labella 100Ws (https://www.elderly.com/products/la-...or-ukulele-set), which have a rather thin low G.

D.H.

[bendandsnap]

There were rumors that Labella makes the Fremont Soloist Low G string so you should be good to go!

[Dave Hicks]

The LaBellas worked fine. The Lanikai method of stringing the bridge is a bit complicated, but I checked my wife's concert and it came out OK. Someday I will be back in tune.

D.H.