Aquila Strings - Vicenza, Italy - Factory Tour - Bosko & Honey's UKULELE SAFARI 2008

[@guywolff]

This family has changed my life ... Not kidding here ..I have played clawhammer banjo for nearly 50 years and using Nylgut strings means I can have higher action and a much more traditional attack that is more percussive . They have made a real game changer for the clawhammer banjo world ... I am talking to one of the larger banjo manufacturers to make a banjo set up specifically for thier Nylgut strings .. We are working on this this winter ... Very exciting to see the family business .. Give them a big thank you for me ..Yours Guy

[@boskohoney]

Thanks Swingbossa, Mimmo and Daniela have basically revived a dying art, and have extensively documented the history and process of string-making... they told us many fascinating stories.

[@SoCalOski]

Very nice! Not only that Aquila still (basically) makes the strings by hand, but how welcoming and friendly Mimmo and Daniela are. Thanks for sharing this!

[@boskohoney]

Thanks so much Ken - it was such a whirlwind: the day after the festival and a storm brewing, everyone excited and tired - we're really pleased the footage turned out so well - it made it a pleasure to edit! The only difficulty was keeping so much interesting stuff under 10 minutes!

[@boskohoney]

Everybody loves YOU, Fabio! Grazie mille!

[@DrShambano]

This tugged at my heart strings (bad pun). I was in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Caserma Carlo Ederle in Vicenza from 1973-1976. I spent 33 wonderful months there, and I loved every bit of it. My son was born there in '76, and one day we want to return to Vicenza so he can see the city of his birth. I must say, I never saw or heard a Ukelele while I was there. I was in a band while I was there, and although it was more of a hobby than anything else, we did end up playing at some trattorias on weekends. I would never have imagined that ukelele strings were made right in the city of Vicenza, Italy, but nothing really surprises me. Maybe some of my bass guitar strings came from there. Thanks for this wonderful video showing the entire process of making strings. It is very interesting.

[@eltiburongrande]

I am in awe with how passionate Mimmo and Daniela are with their craft, almost giving away trade secrets in their eagerness to share. Still a beginner, but I will insist on Aquila strings at the first opportunity. Thanks for the video.

[@krouk]

One more pleasure you share with us. So interesting. Thanks a lot B&H.

[@boskohoney]

Nice to hear from you again... Thank you, it's our pleasure!

[@verrecchia805]

Awesome!!!! Thank you for that. What sweet people and how fun to see your visit.

[@boskohoney]

Hey DJB! Thank you - it was our pleasure!

[@boskohoney]

Thank you very much Suz, we're glad you're enjoying the series!

[@GrumpyCoyoteTunes]

Just fantastic... Nylgut strings make me happy, and to see where they (and their gut kin) come from was amazing. Great company and they look like wonderful people. Thanks for that you two!

[@bossasuz]

What a great vid...thanks for documenting this rare process. It's good to see that hand-craftsmanship is still treasured. Love your films...all are entertaining and well done.

[@hoosierhiver]

Very cool video. Nice to see Mimmo and Daniela working.

[@boskohoney]

M. Krouk, how nice to hear from you! We're very glad you enjoyed it, and you are most welcome!

[@99AJN]

One of Mimo's machines was manufacured in the 19th century. He found it in a barn "down the road apiece." Mimo is surely the world's greatest expert on musical strings.

[@boskohoney]

Haha, thanks very much! Love the "hammy cat"! Mimmo and Daniela are lovely people, and were very kind and generous to us (and yes - their strings are excellent!)

[@wininboy]

That was great! I visited Aquila myself some 6 or 7 years ago, so this really was a trip down memory lane. People at Aquila are all very friendly, very inviting and it was wonderful to meet Daniela at our second BUF (Belgian Uke Fest) last May. Eviva Aquila!!! And thank you, B&H!

[@boskohoney]

The storm was very exciting! Glad you liked the video, thanks!

[@dagada]

A lovely and most interesting film - Many thanks for this.

[@deach69]

Very cool. I had no idea how much work was involved. Thanks for sharing this.

[@kaburto1966]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this enthusiastic, informative and fun tour.

[@zeppmusic]

Mimmo, I love your strings! What a tremendous effort!

[@removedapproval]

Your strings are on my Ukulele, I work in a music store and now having seen this vid I will recommend no other:)

[@yoppykyabetsu]

Fascinating look into the world of strings. Thanks!

[@fo76]

Aquila strings are great indeed... nice to see that it's a small, privately operated business.

[@marcelvark]

This is amazing material, but also brilliantly produced... You guys are artists, in any way.

[@assa123assa123]

amazing! what fine artisans of their trade! thanks for sharing

[@ChrisBakerGuitar]

Wonderfully informative video! I had no idea about the rich history and tradition of string making. I love Nylguts and use them on my uke!

[@boskohoney]

We're glad you got something out of it, thank you!

[@KenMiddletonUkulele]

One of your most interesting videos to date. Really fascinating. Thanks so much. KEN

[@boskohoney]

Thank you - it's our pleasure!

[@YESFILMS]

OK...so I can now see why Aquila are the best! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@marcoscharango]

Amazing, I myself am a Charango performer. And to see how top quality strings are made is the best thing ever. Amazing!

[@boskohoney]

It's our pleasure - thanks, we're glad you liked it!

[@fourteentwelve]

Thank you for sharing this! It's really cool to see how they are made. Great video!

[@russbuss415]

that was a fascinating tour. i love that they use such a hands on approach to string making. very cool stuff B&H!

[@boskohoney]

Cheers, Mr. Baron!

[@mohammadasiri4728]

Makes me appreciate their strings even more. Just bought three sets for my Arabic Oud.

[@boskohoney]

It was really interesting - hard to fit it all in one episode though, and we had to leave out a lot! Thanks Russ (loved your collaboration with Keonepax by the way!)

[@윤-s7h6x]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing this on my blog. Now I know why aquila strings are best.

[@therealzilch]

Aloha. Nice work all around. I can testify that Aquila strings are very good. Nice to see the people behind them. cheers from cloudy Vienna, Scott

[@dukeuke1]

JUST THEE Best Classical Guitar Strings EVER !

[@boskohoney]

That's true - it was amazing really - we were very lucky to meet them!

[@boskohoney]

Thank you - we're glad you found it interesting!

[@boskohoney]

It really opened our eyes... You're welcome!

[@boskohoney]

G'day Nige - glad you liked it!

[@Shevayeb]

thats just beautiful, so much passion into making strings and giving a quality product. im gonna have to try nylgut one day :)

[@FloydBlue]

Wow! I'm really impressed. It's a fascinating insight.

[@boskohoney]

Very interesting! Love the gentle warm pluckiness... those instruments mightn't be inexpensive for much longer once people hear your playing! Thanks, and yes there's plenty more videos to come...

[@uking]

thanks dear B&H!

[@boskohoney]

Thank you very much, you're most welcome!

[@boskohoney]

Hi - it's 2 ukes. We've put a link to a recording of it with 2 ukes and a guitar in the video description. Glad you like it!

[@MyYearsWithEarlyMusic]

Very good strings for the viola da gamba and I am waitng for their rosin too now

[@swingbossa]

Great video; what a good idea to take advantage of a factory tour! I had no idea that all the Italian stringmakers came from the same place. I've never used actual gut strings, but now I'm interested to try just to see. The Nylgut are really good; much better than standard nylon. I know that "early music" players of all stringed instruments like to use gut strings, so I'm sure those go on many different instruments, like cello, viola da gamba, etc, as well as lutes!

[@boskohoney]

You're welcome Harry - and yes they are really lovely people! Glad you liked it!

[@pacodegarcia]

That was so cool guys.. loved the historical part at the end, really interesting:)

[@spoonido]

Great video and sooo interesting! All my ukuleles wear Aquila strings or they wear nothing at all! Thanks for posting.

[@boskohoney]

Cheers, Earl!

[@boskohoney]

Glad you liked it!

[@boskohoney]

You're welcome Deach... They seem to enjoy their work!

[@boskohoney]

Cheers, Vince - it's our pleasure!

[@boskohoney]

Thanks Brian!

[@boskohoney]

Thanks Ville, it was news to us too! love, b and h

[@JohnSalmon]

So are the Nylgut ukulele actually made with real gut combined with nylon? I don't understand how you could do that.

[@fugdefano]

wow this is great to see. i have their strings on mu ukelelle. going to order some for my yamaha classical guitar. hand made with love.

[@funkyyeti]

Very Cool. I'm going to go orders some of these....

[@boskohoney]

You're welcome! They really are lovely (and hard-working!) people...

[@boskohoney]

Thank you!!

[@boskohoney]

Thanks wwelti... yes, Mimmo said he polishes them for "early music" - I guess he means for Lutes etc...

[@boskohoney]

Thanks!

[@russbuss415]

thank you!

[@boskohoney]

Thanks for watching!

[@boskohoney]

Avec plaisir!

[@BaronK69]

Very interesting vid!

[@yannigk]

@ryanjerusalem me too~ i didn't know there had to be so much work done into my little uke strings~~ how lovely the sounds they make.. i guess it comes from the heart of their hardwork and dedication!

[@bubsbarney3340]

amazing the open wound string, now thats skill

[@DrShambano]

I agree. What a skillful eye and hand it must take to wind a string so evenly at such a high rate of speed.

[@bunnydrumming]

wow - really interesting video

[@boskohoney]

Haha, we're glad you caught that bit!

[@ofalltheothers]

Is anyone else as fascinated by the music at the beginning as i am? Are there two people playing it, or is possible to play on one uke?

[@boskohoney]

You're welcome!

[@boskohoney]

Wow, Rob! You're everywhere playing everything! Love the classic banjo! Are you using gut strings on those videos?

[@abdelhamidlabsir8574]

thank you, very beautiful video , plz let me know where to find that village SALEVECCHIA ,I search for it on the maps on google, but find nothing at all .. ??

[@DelTangBrav]

That's a video I must save for anyone who moans about the price of their ukulele strings, if you want the best expect to pay a bit more for them. Amazing that the owner of the firm is so contactable - I emailed with a query and was amazed that my email was answered by Mimmo. I had imagined the set up was ginormous until I saw the video. He sounds and looks a very pleasant person. Nice video thanks ☺ Best Wishes David

[@lukulelesu]

wow, it's not everyday you get to see the people who make your strings.

[@megadeth22885]

i think im going to try these on a classical guitar.. and a cello

[@llx2o1]

that explain why Aquila cost more than others. its definitely worth the money. and wow, its hot but hail when it rain.. amazing.

[@AUDREYLIGHTING]

I was surprised! I made a studio look good. Perhaps I think like a rare thing.

[@UKISOCIETY]

Wow. Those strings should cost a hundred dollars apiece! Thanks for this!!! And I want that doggie!

[@brucelevine6517]

I still don't know what nylagut is is it gut or nylon mix

[@boskohoney]

"Gutsy" is how I'd describe it! ;) Thanks! - Bosko

[@rashni]

do they make gut strings for classical guitar??

[@boskohoney]

Thanks Keonepax - but don't ask us about how to say "Aquila" - Bosko does a wonderful job of mispronouncing his way around the world!

[@boskohoney]

That was what we thought too!

[@bpedaci]

Somehow I suspect their operations have expanded quite a bit since 2009.

[@boskohoney]

We want the cat! You're welcome, and those strings are worth every penny!

[@bapechiqa]

Wonderful{:

[@jakemeyer991]

If anyone is asking my Aquila strings are soft. Don't get the metal laced ones they are hard but Aquila is a great brand

[@ukuleletim]

Wow. I had no idea..