Picture nr. 1 : How to stretch the New Nylgut for a fast & stable intonation
Picture nr. 2, 3, 4, 5 : Aquila ukulele envelopes
Picture nr. 6 : Ukulele method of 1914; detail about the string choice

to learn more: read our FAQ

How to prounance Aquila

New! The Aquila strings harvest:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF5C9tNeTbA

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Coming soon! (March 2013)

RED SERIES UKULELE SETS

The RED SERIES sets: a unique look and a strong, consistent sound.

Until now, it was necessary to increase a string’s gauge to reach lower frequencies. But increasing the string’s diameter also increases internal dampening. That make the string less bright, less responsive and more muffled; the thicker the string, the duller the sound. Our revolutionary new approach—never introduced before us—changes the specific weight of the material, increasing it progressively to leave the gauge unchanged.

 

The result is amazing—the instrument sounds brighter, more powerful and more responsive through the entire range of the fret board. The strings also maintain their intonation better (because thicker strings need to be fretted harder, pulling them farther out of tune). Until now, this result was reached only with harps where the scale of the strings is continuously varied.

RED SERIES sets provide superior performance over traditional strings for musicians who love clear, sharp sounds and powerful voicing across the full scale of the instrument.

You never heard a sound like this before, simply because before it did not exist.

-SOPRANO REGULAR, Key of C  GCEA 7.30  Euros, Code 83U

-SOPRANO LOW-G, key of C  GCEA 7.80 Euros, Code 84U

-CONCERT REGULAR, Key of C  GCEA 7.30 Euros,  Code 85U

-CONCERT  LOW-G key of C  GCEA 7.80 Euros, Code 86U

-TENOR  REGULAR, Key of C, GCEA 7.30 Euros, Code 87U

-TENOR  LOW-G, key of C GCEA 7.80 Euros, Code 88U

-BARITONE 4 DGBE tuning low D,  8.40 Euros, Code 89U (attention! 1st & 2nd are REDS; 3rd & 4th are wound: all RED  are totaly unbalanced)

-BANJO UKULELE  GCEA, 7.30 Euros, Code 90U

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 SINGLE  'RED SERIES' UNWOUND LOW G  and 3rd C AQUILA STRINGS

Low G New Red Series on a Tenor ukulele

C & G Red Series on a Baritone Ukulele

Who never dreamed of tuning the ukulele in low G, without using a fourth wound string type?

Wound strings indeed, together with the quality of sound power shows problems that in ukulele are very considered:

1) shorter lifetime than the treble strings

2) sound power too bright and intrusive compared to the plastic treble strings

3) excessive sustain

4) noise caused by the fingers of the left hand

5) rapid oxidation of the metal wire in case of acid sweat

The only alternative solution used today is the use of a fluocarbon string. Its performance, however, is never entirely satisfactory because a low string, to be really good, must not only use materials with high density but also a bit flexible. Fluorocarbon is unfortunately a very stiff material.

Density, is indeed the secret for the sound quality of a low string.

We are happy to announce that we managed to won a difficult technological challenge (already tried by many others but without success):

unwound fourth strings now finally exist.

From now, you will finally be able to tune your ukulele in Low G ensuring sound power,sound quality and intonation on frets better than the fluorocarbon strings fully integrated with that of the upper treble strings.

NEWS!!   IMPROVED RED SERIES VERSION

Main Features:

Technical solution adopted: Nylgut made firstly elastic and then added with red copper powder in order to increase the density to about twice that of standard white Nylgut

-Color: red-brown

-Surface: slightly rough; this texture has eliminated the squeak that sometime hapen with the Nylguts.

-Elasticity/Elongation: like the common white Nylgut!

Performances: better than the first elastic version! They do not breacks under stretching. fast and stable   tuning!

-Intonation: accurate past the 12th fret

-Pressing strongly the string on the frets, the note does not became sharper

-It is not necessary to file the nut slot wider to accommodate it like hapen with the fluocarbon G strings

-Density: about twice than standard white Nylgut

Attention! The Red Series strings smust be stretched by  your fingers in a gentle way. Not too much. The settle up in tune in 2-3 days.

'RED SERIES' PRICES

-Single packaged 4th unwound Soprano Low G tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 70U (gauge: .95 mm) .37 inches

-Single packaged 4th unwound Concert Low G tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 71U (gauge:.97 mm) .38 inches

-Single packaged 4th unwound Tenor Low G tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 72U (gauge: 1.00 mm)  .39 inches

-Single packaged 4th D unwound Baritone DGBE tuning 2.50 Euros, Code 74U (gauge: 1.28 mm)  .49 inches

-Single packaged 1st A unwound Tenor 6 strings,  2.30 Euros, Code 75U (gauge:  .94 mm) .38 inches

-Single packaged 4th G unwound Tenor 8 strings, 2.30 Euros, Code 76U (gauge: 1,00 mm)  .39 inches

Third strings:

-Single packaged 3rd unwound Concert High G/Low G tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 77U (gauge: .82 mm);    .32 inches

-Single packaged 3rd unwound Tenor High G/Low G tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 78U (gauge: .84 mm);    .33 inches

-Single packaged 3rd G unwound Baritone, DGBE tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 73U (gauge: .90 mm);  .35 inches

-Single packaged 3rd unwound Banjouke, 2.30 Euros, Code 79U (gauge: .82 mm);    .32 inches

-Single packaged 3rd unwound 6 string Tenor 2.30 Euros, Code 80U (gauge: .82 mm);    .32 inches

-Single packaged 3rd unwound 8 string Tenor 2.30 Euros, Code 81U (gauge: .82 mm);    .32 inches

The RED SERIES on a Baritone Uke DGBE tuning

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Aquila ukulele gut strings (Remco, Ukulelezaza)

Genuine gut uke set

Since the Ukulele appeared (approx. in 1874), gut strings was the only choice available. The gut strings initially used were those of the Violin (first and second string) and then in the '30s, appeared the specific set for Ukulele. By the production of modern synthetic materials and in particular of Nylon (1938), the strings to use music finally ensured a low cost, a good long life and high stability to climate changes. Despite this, with the decline of gut something important was lost: its special feel and its ability to imitate at best human voice, this quality for decades could not be recovered.

Made by hand as before, the gut strings of these sets allow you to enjoy the authentic sounds of the 'Roaring Twenties'.

We would like to stress the word 'authentic'. As researchers of strings and historical f set-up of the past (see ' Strings for Early Music) not because we are interested in proposing a set up of gut strings made by modern standards, i.e. stiff varnishes gut strings. This solution give a better lifetime but do the sound duller and different than those of natural gut. On the contrary, we are interested in a recovery as exact as possible not only of the string technology of the time when the instrument was developed but especially the forgotten sounds that we can now enjoy only in old records. To achieve our goal we had to undertake a research that can be described as 'archaeological' which included the collection and measurement of Ukulele gut strings of different set up of that time.

We are the first to present again to the world these set up exactly reconstructed

-SOPRANO REGULAR TUNING, Key of C (all true gut strings) GCEA Code 1U

22.00 Euros

Bionylon® Ukulele sets

About Bionylon®

We are proud to introduce the Bionylon® , the first eco-friendly synthetic string in the world. These Ukulele strings are made of rounded, smooth Bionylon® monofilaments of a pearl colour - a new material discovered by us- that also boasts excellent acoustic and mechanical properties. Bionylon® is 100% a plant’s derivate (castor oil); this allows a reduction of more of 50% of carbon dioxide's emissions in the atmosphere during the polymer- synthesis than the other common Nylons employed for musical strings. Warm and mellow perfomances!

Soprano (string length of 60 cms)

-SOPRANO REGULAR TUNING, Key of C (all Bionylon ® strings) GCEA 4.90 Euros, Code 57U

-SOPRANO LOW-G TUNING, key of C (1 x silvered copper wound string) GCEA 5.10 Euros, Code 58U

Concert (string length of 76 cms)

-CONCERT REGULAR TUNING, Key of C (all Bionylon® strings) GCEA 4.90 Euros, Code 59U

-CONCERT LOW-G TUNING, key of C (1 x silvered copper G wound string) GCEA 5.10 Euros, Code 60U

-CONCERT REGULAR TUNING, key of C (1 x alluminium C wound string) GCEA 5.10 Euros, Code 61U

-CONCERT LOW-G TUNING, key of C (2 x wound string) GCEA 5.70 Euros, Code 62U

Tenor (string length of 76 cms)

-TENOR REGULAR TUNING, Key of C (all Bionylon® strings) GCEA 4.90 Euros, Code 63U

-TENOR REGULAR TUNING, key of C (1x alluminium C wound string) GCEA 5.10 Euros, Code 64U

-TENOR LOW-G TUNING, key of C (1 x silvered copper G wound string) GCEA 5.10 Euros, Code 65U

-TENOR LOW-G TUNING, key of C (2 x wound string) GCEA 5.40 Euros, Code 66U

Baritone (string length of 85 cms)

-BARITONE 4 strings, DGBE low D tuning, 5.70 Euros, Code 67U

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About the New Nylgut®

* International Mark - (888261) NYLGUT

INTRODUCTION

Until the mid-20th century Ukuleles were mounted exclusively in gut, a material that had been used for thousand of years and that combines excellent promptness of attack with brilliance of timbre - very different, in other words, from modern nylon strings. And until recently the typical sound quality of gut has been a constant point of reference for luthiers, composers and performers alike.
A fundamental aim of our research has therefore been to make a new synthetic product having the same acoustic properties as gut - but without its typical defects - (high cost, limited duration and high instability under varying climatic). The New Nylgut® has precisely these qualities: allowing one, on the one hand, to rediscover the sonorities familiar to the great 19th and 20th century Uke masters; and guaranteeing, on the other, a stability of tuning higher even than that of the best gut and nylon strings.

Notice!

Just like gut, the New Nylgut® is liable to suffer from cutting edges. Before stringing the instrument do make sure the nut and bridge are free from sharp edges and the nut grooves not too deep and perfectly smooth.
You can get rid of sharp edges with very fine grit sandpaper (600, for example) or the finest steelwool (000).

-The best sound quality develops when the strings have completely set, which may ordinarily take sometime. To achieve a stable intonation in just a few minutes you can repeatedly pinch each string at midlength with your fingers, pull it decidedly sideways and tune it up again. Stop when the string does not pull out of tune anymore.

To learn more about the New Nylgut:

www.geocities.co.jp/HeartLand-Himawari/9169/genkonjaku3_E.html

this is the black nylon sound ... (418 KB)
...and this is the New Nylgut sound (321 KB)

New Nylgut Ukulele Sets

Soprano (string length of 60 cms)

-SOPRANO REGULAR TUNING, key of D (all new Nylgut® strings) ADF#B 6.80 Euros, Code 33U

-SOPRANO LOW-A TUNING, key of D (1 wound string) ADF#B 7.20 Euros, Code 34U

-SOPRANO REGULAR TUNING, key of C (all Nylgut® strings) GCEA 6.80 Euros, Code 4U

-SOPRANO LOW-G TUNING, key of C (1 wound string) GCEA 7.20 Euros, Code 5U

-SOPRANO FIFTHS TUNING GDAE like mandolin (1x G wound string) 7.20 Euros, Code 30U

-Single packaged 4th Soprano mandolin fifths tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 44U

-Single packaged 4th Soprano Low G tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 6U

-Single packaged 4th Soprano Low A tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 35U

Concert (string length of 76 cms)

-CONCERT REGULAR TUNING, key of C (all New Nylgut® strings) GCEA 6.80 Euros, Code 7U

-CONCERT LOW-G TUNING, key of C (1 wound string) GCEA 7.20 Euros, Code 8U

-CONCERT REGULAR TUNING, key of C (1 alluminium wound string) GCEA 7.20 Euros, Code 55U

-CONCERT LOW-G TUNING, key of C (2 wound string) GCEA 7.90 Euros, Code 36U

-CONCERT FIFTHS TUNING CGDA like viola da braccio, (2 wound string) 7.90 Euros, Code 31U

-Single packaged 3rd Concert GCEA tuning (2 & 1 wound) 2.30 Euros, Code 37U

-Single packaged 4th Concert Low G tuning (2 & 1 wound) 2.30 Euros, Code 9U

-Single packaged 3rd Concert viola fifths tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 45U

-Single packaged 4th Concert viola fifths tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 46U

Tenor (string length of 76 cms)

-TENOR REGULAR TUNING, key of C (all New Nylgut® strings) GCEA 6.80 Euros, Code 10U

-TENOR REGULAR TUNING, key of C (1 wound string) GCEA 7.20 Euros, Code 13U

-TENOR LOW-G TUNING, key of C (1 wound string) GCEA 7.20 Euros, Code 15U

-TENOR LOW-G TUNING, key of C (2 wound string) GCEA 7.60 Euros, Code 39U

-TENOR High D Tuning (1 wound string) DGBE 7.20 Euros, Code 11U

-TENOR 6 strings, key of C, 1 wound string (LILI'U) GCEA 8.80 Euros, Code 17U

-TENOR 8 strings, key of C, 1 wound string (LILI'U) GCEA 9.80 Euros, Code 19U

-Single packaged 3rd Tenor GCEA High G tuning (1 wound) 2.40 Euros, Code 14U

-Single packaged 3rd Tenor GCEA Low G tuning (2 wound) 2.40 Euros, Code 40U

Single packaged 4th Tenor GCEA Low G tuning (2 wound) 2.40 Euros, Code 41U

-Single packaged 3rd Tenor DGBE tuning 2.30 Euros, Code 12U

-Single packaged 1st 6 str -Tenor GCEA tuning 2.40 Euros, Code 18U

-Single packaged 4th Tenor Low G tuning (1 & 2 wound) 2.40 Euros, Code 16U

-Single packaged 4th 8 str -Tenor GCEA tuning 2.40 Euros, Code 54U

Baritone (string length of 85 cms)

-BARITONE 4 strings, GCEA tuning 6.80 Euros, Code 23U

-BARITONE 4 strings, DGBE low D tuning, 7.90 Euros, Code 21U

-BARITONE 4 strings, DGBE high D tuning, 7.00 Euros, Code 56U

-BARITONE 6 strings DGBE tuning 11.00 Euros, Code 24U

-BARITONE 8 strings DGBE tuning 13.60 Euros, Code 26U

Single packaged 3rd Baritone EBGD Tuning 2.50 Euros, Code 49U

Single packaged 3rd 6 str Baritone 2.50 Euros, Code 50U

Single packaged 3rd 8 str. Baritone 2.50 Euros, Code 51U

Single packaged 4th Baritone EBGD Tuning 2.50 Euros, Code 22U

Single packaged 4th 6 str Baritone 2.50 Euros, Code 25U

Single packaged 4th 8 str Baritone 2.50 Euros, Code 27U

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Banjo Ukulele (Banjouke) (string length of 85 cms)

-BANJO UKULELE (all gut strings) GCEA tuning 35.00 Euros, Code 43U

-BANJO UKULELE (all New Nylgut + Red SERIES 3rd) GCEA tuning 6.80 Euros, Code 42U     NEW!!  WITH RED SERIES 3RD INSTEAD NYLGUT

-BANJO UKULELE (1 wound) GCEA tuning 7.60 Euros, Code 28U

-Single packaged 3rd wound: 2.50 Euros, Code 29U

+ IVA - VAT - TVA - (except for non-EU customers)

For calculations:
Soprano=13 5/8 scale
Concerto= 14 ¾ scale
Tenors= 17 scale
Baritones= 20 1/8 scale
Banjo uke= 17 scale
a-pitch = 440 Hz
tension= in Kg
Nylgut density= 1.3 gr/cm³

Our ukulele sets are all made from utterly innovative materials, discovered and perfected at our laboratories after a long period of research and testing carried out on the newest synthetic discoveries of high technology.