Aquila Soprano Sugar Strings (High G)
Review by Vic S. on 17 Mar 2018 review stating Aquila Soprano Sugar Strings (High G) I received three sets of the sugar strings last Friday. I decided to put a set on one of my new ukes, a Kala KA-FMSG. I purchased it from HMS. It has a solid spruce top, laminated spalted maple back and sides and is a soprano. It came with the Aquila Nylgut strings.
It sounded and played good out of the case and I had already been at a jam with it a couple days before the strings arrived. I had a jam scheduled for yesterday so I was interested to see how the Sugar's would compare.
Let it me said that for the most part I have Martin M600's and Living Water strings on my ukes. I was interested in the Sugar's because as I understand it they are somewhat of a mixture between the Nylgut and a fluorocarbon string. I can't remember what the percentage is of sugar they contain but I purchased them with an open mind.
Upon opening they look similar to a clear fluorocarbon string. They don't feel as thick as the Nylgut. The big difference I initially noticed after installing is that they don't stretch like the Nylgut. They were playing in tune by the end of Friday night. That would never happen with the Nylgut strings.
I am playing mostly soprano ukes now which are not known for their sustain. This was one of the reasons I wanted to try the Sugar strings as they were supposed to produce more sustain.
Having said all of this what is the verdict? They are SWEET! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
In all seriousness they sound fantastic! The sustain is better and the instruments, more on that later, all sound fuller, better volume, tone and sustain.
I had ordered three sets of strings so I put the other two on my other new ukes: a Kiwaya KTS-7 and Koaloha soprano pikake.
First the Kiwaya. I bought it used but it is like new. It came with Worth clears and sounded okay. I immediately put on Oasis brights which sounded better but not fantastic. After putting on the Sugar's all I have to say is, WOW! Awesome volume, tone and sustain coming from that uke.
Second the Koaloha. Koaloha sopranos send to be little cannons but after removing the stock strings and putting on the Sugar's this things is unbelievable. It has even more volume, tone and sustain. Excellent!
Honestly, the first time I noticed the squeak was not when playing but when running my fingers up and down the strings to stretch them. When, I play and slide, which I do a lot of, they don't squeak at all. Shouldn't that be expected though? They do have sugar in them and sugar tends to be a little tacky, if you know what I mean. For me, all it does is confirm they do indeed have sugar as part of their makeup.
All in all, I love these strings. I have ordered six more sets form Strings By Mail and will be converting my other ukes immediately.
I feel like they are a winner and a great value at only a few dollars per set. I highly recommend them.
On Aquila Sugar 150U Soprano Ukulele Strings High G, Full Set