Convert Your Tenor Ukulele to Baritone Tuning with Aquila AQ11U Strings

Are you looking to explore the rich, warm sound of a baritone ukulele while still playing on your tenor instrument? The Aquila AQ11U Tenor Ukulele Strings, tuned to DGBE, provide the perfect solution for converting your tenor ukulele into baritone tuning. This set of strings is expertly crafted from Aquila's proprietary New Nylgut material, offering a unique tonal experience that's both traditional and modern. Here’s why you’ll love these strings and the benefits of making the switch:

Why Choose Aquila AQ11U Strings?

• Baritone Tuning on a Tenor Ukulele: The AQ11U strings are specifically designed to tune your tenor ukulele to the standard baritone tuning (DGBE). This gives you the flexibility to enjoy the deeper, fuller sound of a baritone ukulele while maintaining the playability of a tenor.

• Superior Tone and Stability: Made with Aquila's New Nylgut material, these strings offer a rich, warm tone that closely mimics traditional gut strings. Unlike nylon strings, New Nylgut strings have much better tuning stability and a smoother, more consistent sound, with moisture absorption reduced to an incredible 0.1%. This means fewer tuning adjustments and more reliable playability over time.

• Enhanced Durability and Comfort: The red G string, part of Aquila’s Red Series, provides added tension and elasticity, giving you the feel of high-quality strings that won’t stretch out easily. New Nylgut is also less susceptible to wear, so you can enjoy a durable and long-lasting sound with minimal maintenance.

• Smoother Playability: One of the biggest advantages of these strings is the enhanced playability they offer. The New Nylgut material has a smooth texture that makes it easier on the fingers, especially for players who are transitioning from nylon or gut strings. The lower moisture absorption ensures that the strings stay in tune longer and resist stretching, making them ideal for long practice sessions and performances.

• Easy Installation & Setup: To ensure optimal sound quality, the AQ11U strings settle in beautifully over time. For quick results, simply pinch and gently pull each string at its midpoint to speed up the settling process, allowing for stable tuning right out of the gate.
  
  

  Aquila Corde Armoniche and Mimo Peruffo

• Mimmo Peruffo, an Italian chemist and the founder of Aquila Corde Armoniche, established the company in 1991 with a focus on preserving and advancing the tradition of gut string making. His interest in historical string-making techniques, particularly for Renaissance and Baroque music, led to the creation of Nylgut® in 1997, a synthetic material that replicates the tonal qualities of gut strings while offering improved durability and tuning stability.

  Peruffo's work has contributed to the study and analysis of historical string materials, including the bass strings of the 16th and 17th centuries and those used by violin virtuoso Nicolò Paganini. Under his leadership, Aquila has expanded its product line to include over 60 ukulele sets and continues to innovate with new string technologies, maintaining a strong presence in the musical instrument market.

• Aquila's New Nylgut is a groundbreaking material, developed and patented by the company. Unlike common materials such as Nylon, Carbon, or mixes like Fluorocarbon fishing line, New Nylgut is a unique plastic compound made from three distinct components. This composition allows it to outperform standard Nylon strings, producing a richer sound and improved tuning stability. With an impressive moisture absorption rate of just 0.1%, compared to Nylon's 2.0%, New Nylgut remains more stable under varying humidity levels.

  The higher density of New Nylgut, similar to that of natural gut (1.30 gr/cm3), results in a sound that’s fuller and more resonant than Nylon, without the metallic tone often associated with Fluorocarbon strings. In essence, New Nylgut is the closest synthetic material to genuine gut strings.

  Key benefits of New Nylgut include:

  • Superior sound quality compared to Nylon or Fluorocarbon, closely resembling the warmth of gut strings.
  • More precise fret intonation due to the carefully gauged material.
  • Stable tuning performance, even with moisture fluctuations.

  Colour: White

  Aquila’s sets are crafted using cutting-edge materials, developed through extensive research and testing in their laboratory. This process has led to the creation of a highly advanced synthetic material that is setting a new standard for ukulele strings.

  Important Notes:

  • As with natural gut, New Nylgut is sensitive to sharp edges. Before installing the strings, ensure that the nut and bridge are free from any rough spots. You can smooth these areas with fine-grit sandpaper (600 or finer) or very fine steel wool.
    
    
  • To achieve optimal sound quality, allow the strings to settle. For quicker tuning stability, gently pinch each string at its midpoint, pull it sideways, and retune until the string remains stable.
    

  New Nylgut Tenor Set (11U)
  Tuning: DGBE
  Description: High D Tenor Set
  Set Composition: Includes the Red Series G string for added tension and elasticity.

Why Convert to Baritone Tuning?

• Deeper, Richer Sound: Baritone ukuleles are known for their fuller, deeper tone compared to their soprano or concert counterparts. By converting your tenor ukulele to baritone tuning, you can access these rich, resonant tones without needing to invest in an entirely new instrument.

• Greater Versatility: Baritone tuning (DGBE) is very similar to the top four strings of a guitar, making it a perfect choice for guitar players who are learning the ukulele. It opens up new possibilities for fingerpicking and chord shapes that may feel more familiar, allowing for greater musical exploration.

• Broaden Your Repertoire: Many ukulele players who switch to baritone tuning find that they can explore a wider range of songs, especially in genres like folk, rock, and blues, where the deeper tones of a baritone ukulele really shine.

Get the Best of Both Worlds

With Aquila AQ11U strings, you get the versatility of your tenor ukulele paired with the rich, resonant sound of baritone tuning. These strings not only enhance your playing experience with their superior stability and tone but also open up new possibilities for musical exploration and creativity. Whether you're an experienced player or a beginner, converting your tenor ukulele to baritone tuning is a simple, affordable way to unlock a new sonic world.

Order your Aquila AQ11U Tenor Ukulele Strings today and transform your playing experience!