D'Addario vs. aNueNue String Comparison

[@JonHancockUK]

One thing that makes a big difference and doesn't often seem to be discussed is the type of music people generally play. My ideal ukulele is a mahogany soprano with black nylon or gut strings, but that's because I listen to and play a lot of Tin Pan Alley stuff; obviously most people don't. Even so, I've tried Titaniums and found them a bit odd, almost as though they're trying to be more like fluorocarbon and not quite getting there. In your test I thought they fared much better picked than strummed, but the Clearwaters had a more consistently good tone and would be my choice of the two, for similar ukuleles at least. The fact that you suggest things like different strings, without it being a "Can I interest you in our 5 year warranty?" sort of up selling, is one of the reasons I like shopping with you.

[@WorldofUkes]

Yes I sometimes get asked about what strings on a uke are like... 'they're good for vintage music', I might say. Actually very often that's a plus for the customer. Not sure you're in as much of a minority as you think.

[@stevencaudill7282]

Anuenue for me. Beautiful sound with a richness to the tone.

[@MustDote]

I am in the minority here as I preferred the mellow attack (to my ears) nylon, but the fact that you care enough to offer to change strings for people speaks volumes about your customer service, Matt.

[@mxm7593]

The anuenue flouros have clearly a richer sound, to my ears! Thanks for the video!

[@MulaMusic67]

With the usual caveat about not being in the room to hear the instruments, I was surprised how different the strings sounded, and I definitely preferred the aNueNues. Thanks. 😎

[@WorldofUkes]

Yes, an imperfect exercise but I think a decent indication.

[@suepinder4026]

AnueNue for me … I was deliberately not looking at the video - they were the strings that made me look up from what I was doing every time ❤️

[@suepinder4026]

P.S. Thanks for doing these videos - you must currently be the hardest working guy in Ukedom! 🤣

[@wylancslass]

aNueNue are the winners for me. The clarity of each note shines through to my ear. I have used D'Addario Titatium strings a couple of times and always end up changing them to D'Addario Fluoro's but as you quite rightly say, it's personal preference. I haven't tried aNueNue Clear Water so I may give them a go. Nice comparison Matt and thanks for doing the video 😄

[@jacquietouchwood]

I'm with you and everyone else, Matt. You're right to recommend the ANueNue Clear Water strings. The nylon strings do fall a bit flat; not ringing out as clearly as the Clear Water, but also not having that nice complexity where the notes harmonise more beautifully. I gotta confess tho, I'm SO gonna call my next cat or dog, 'ANueNue'... I might be a wee bit biased. Oh, and I did check if you maybe, subconsciously, used a heavier thumb on the D'Addario's 🤩 ... You didn't.

[@SmallUkeBigWorld]

Enya does have they own branded fluorocarbon strings. Wonder why they did't put them on these.

[@Teeum5]

In some of your melodies (fingerpicking parts) I was surprised to really like the titaniums though the Anuenue strings overall sounded better to me.

[@WorldofUkes]

Interesting. I always thought if you were playing laid back, jazzy style music, the softness of the Titaniums might work well. (Though that's just no my style).

[@hazelpurls]

Despite the fact that we're not there in person - I really preferred the Clear Water strings. Definitely (to me at least) a clearer and more chime-like sound. I have titaniums (I think) on my Nova Pro and and I really don't like them - quite thick and chunky - though I haven't checked with other tenor strings to compare. I really must get around to changing them. Thank you for the comparison!

[@WorldofUkes]

I agree it is hard to definitely know you'll like something on a video. But I think what you can establish is there IS a difference, so it could well be worth the experiment of trying something different when you come to change strings anyway.

[@joycefleming1422]

Interesting comparison Matt & it’s definitely the aNueNue for me. The titaniums aren’t too bad sounding but the extra clarity & sustain of the fluorocarbon strings make them the winner! (Also, my experience of nylon strings is that they don’t hold their tuning well & I dislike the general feel of them!) 🤨

[@WorldofUkes]

Titaniums are pretty chunky I find, yes.

[@tjbissues5889]

Thanks Matt, I prefer the aNueNue for sound, I also think they feel better. Cheers 👍

[@stuartbarlow2615]

Can I add my comment. I prefer the aNueNue strings which I think give a purer, sweeter sounds. I have changed all my ukes to aNueNue strings and they all sound better. Only use D'darario on my baritone, which were the type on it when I bought it from WoU, which do sound fine. Can you get fluorocarbon strings for baritones?

[@WorldofUkes]

You can yes, Worth, D'addario and Martin are some. I don't mind these on a baritone - a bit more tension in that longer scale. I have to say though I am still searching for my favourite baritone string - trickier as I don't regularly play a baritone myself so haven't had the long experience that I have with other sizes to really work out what I like. I am expecting aNueNue UB-200 Moon Bird baritone ukuleles at some point today - I'll be interested to see what strings they have on!

[@PeteJones666]

I use Uke Logic hard tension fluorocarbons on my baritones, with a D’addario wound low D. Good combination of tension and tone. My credit card has just started to twitch at the news of the UB 200……. Heeeeeeelp

[@WorldofUkes]

@@PeteJones666 It's only the first production models in the Western World... so nothing special ;)

[@PeteJones666]

@@WorldofUkes 😱

[@WorldofUkes]

@@PeteJones666 Do NOT look at this channel this weekend, is all I'm saying!

[@JimCarty-lh8nx]

Clearwater gets my vote

[@ScottishJohn-x8s]

Definitely the Anuenue clearwater strings far better tone ! but maybe im biased as they are all I use now they are great 😂 thanks Matt . Oh and nice looking ukes too 👍🎼🎶🎵🤙 cheers John

[@kithg]

I like the Anuenue ones. More mid range, more sustain, not so tinny. The only uke that I don’t mind the nylon original is the Kamaka. And even them, I prefer fluorocarbons.

[@mikek4708]

AnueNue strings so suit the mango wood. Clarity winning through. May be Enya should look at the comments and change the strings choice, as it seems a majority consensus. I think after viewing all your videos this week, you deserve a chill and drink. Do you change these strings for free at point of purchase? If so, may be in this day of such cost increases, I know it’s the little things that matter, but a lot of little things can then suddenly have an impact and if string choice and changing at point of purchase is a pressure on your wonderful service and store. Then we as customers should be considering this. Just a thought. Have a great week.

[@WorldofUkes]

I do offer it for free - not on everything - if it is an Enya Nova U Pro Tenor at £140ish, I can't - but on something like this (or the Snail S60T is another), I have been offering, after the purchase, if I can put them on. It's not all from the good of my heart - if I think it is as good as it can be, there's less chance of it coming back! (Oh I'd add on some, like the Millar JA-260GB, I change the nylon strings the moment they come in and advertise them as having fluorocarbon, so some there's no choice in the matter!)

[@mikek4708]

@@WorldofUkes Hi Matt, I can only think of one thing to say, above and beyond, which is why a specialist is the best way to buy any Uke, it’s your passion. I hope plenty of people read this. It is appreciated.

[@terryswartt7287]

Plleeease, Anuenue clear all day long . And nice sounding ukes. now take a break

[@WorldofUkes]

I'll take a break until the Millar custom cedar and ebony concert ukes arrive on Wednesday, then I'll be back at work trying to tempt you ;)

[@krunoslavmajdak8658]

Anuenue💪

[@judynpeterjones3307]

Anuenue sound a lot more defined and warmer to me Matt

[@D0hle]

The Titanium strings are a very specific type of monofilament which - at least to me - sound somewhat different to regular nylon strings. They have a very peculiar honky or clanky tone, quite hard to describe. They sound absolutely horrible on most sopranos and probably concerts as well but can be decent on tenors. I thought they sounded quite nice on the Enya but obviously the fluorocarbons have more sustain and clarity and typically better intonation. I often prefer black or clear nylon strings on tenors but not the Titaniums.

[@WorldofUkes]

Yes I understand. I assumed it was monofilament nylon. Certainly the issue I hear (although it might just be my ears), is common with these and other nylon strings.

[@WorldofUkes]

Yes I understand. I assumed it was monofilament nylon. Certainly the issue I hear (although it might just be my ears), is common with these and other nylon strings.

[@carolyntucker9610]

Anuenue clear water sound better - more clarity and sustain

[@chrishinks46]

Anuenue are easier on my ear.

[@grantsmith8502]

Worth browns. Fc low G used for 10 years now

[@WorldofUkes]

They must need changing by now ;)

[@dianevolpe1943]

The anuenue are so much brighter and joyful. But what’s the difference in feel? Do the fluorocarbon strings feel better on the fingers? Just wondering…

[@WorldofUkes]

@@dianevolpe1943 They do feel better to me, thinner but not too thin... The D'addarios are quite thick, particularly the C string. They feel, to me, like the action is higher than it actually is - I suppose because there's more string, so technically the top of the string is higher away from the fingerboard than a thinner string. I am a bit like the princess and the pea in this matter I realise!

[@dianevolpe1943]

@@WorldofUkes Not surprising. Don’t really like D’Addario. Thanks!