UKE Republic Ukuleles

Have Your Low G and High G, and Play Them Too! Hey there, fellow uke enthusiast! So, you’ve been strumming away on your ukulele and loving it, but now you’re wondering about that big question: should you go with Low G or High G strings? It’s a common dilemma for us uke players, and I’m here to help you figure it out. What’s the Deal with Low G and High G? High G Strings High G strings are the traditional choice for the ukulele. When you’re tuned to High G, the fourth string (that’s the G string) is tuned higher than the third string (C). This setup gives you that classic, bright, and jangly ukulele sound that makes everyone think of sunny beaches and palm trees. Why High G Rocks: Super bright and happy sound Perfect for strumming chords Gives you that iconic uke vibe Lightweight and easy to play But…: Not great for lower melodies and solos Can feel a bit limited for more complex music Low G Strings Low G strings are a bit different. Here, the fourth string (G) is tuned lower, below the...

I was intrigued when I first heard about these ukulele strings, especially when I understood they were being produced by a friend Ken Middleton.  You may already be familiar with Ken Middleton from YouTube , or perhaps you have seen or met him at a ukulele festival somewhere around the world. Ken is a fantastic player and instructor giving workshops and explaining songs online. Ken is also one of those persons with high standards for musical instruments and their complements, such as strings, so when Living Water Strings were made available, I knew it would be something wonderful. I quickly popped an email over to Ken in England asking if we might be able to carry the strings at UKE Republic, and the next day I received a phone call. Ken and I have known each other for a while, and he told me that if he did decide to have dealers carry, I would be the first to have the option of stocking them. Fast forward to May 2014, and I'm honored to say UKE Republic is currently the...

Variety in strings is a wonderful thing. Often times a fresh set of strings helps a ukulele come to life, especially when they are quality strings. LaBella has been making ukulele strings for a while but has honed their skill improving and making some wonderful sets. Their Uke Pro Series line is a notable offering. They tend to add warmth and clarity to many ukuleles. The strings are rectified nylon giving consistent quality and tonal clarity. This isn't an inexpensive process as the strings are ground to give a precise diameter. The process also gives a little texture to the strings and a cloudy appearance. The texture gives your fingers a little grip when playing and reminds us of real gut string texture. This process is done on LaBella's well-respected Argento classical strings as well. LaBella has quite a pedigree. The company has roots that date back to Italy in the 17th century. Established in the 1640s in Salle, the Mari family became the suppliers of violin strings to...