Thank you so much for playing songs I actually recognize! It helped so much knowing what the song was supposed to sound like! I really like the Oasis. Thank you :)
I agree 100% with your assessment! I have Living Water (high G) on my Kala Koa concert and love them. I just put on a fresh set yesterday. I will caution to let them stretch for a several hours before making a judgment. In my experience, the initial tonal quality is disappointing but changes after stretching.
Hi Jodi, I have used Di'Addario Rectified Black Nylon Ukuklele strings. So I had a good idea before I saw this review what was going to happen. To me Di'Addario's Rectified Black Nylon Ukulele strings simply are not very loud and do not resonate as well when compared with other Ukulele strings. This gives them a nice articulate sound for finger picking but leaves them sounding sort of dull when strumming or playing pieces that need extra resonance and sustain. Particularly with composite instruments. One other thing this comparison did was drive home to me that Ekoa ukuleles are nice sounding composite ukuleles and they will never be able to escape physics. They are composites and have that composite sort of one dimensional sound compared with real nice wooden instruments. To me they have a nice "wood like" sound, just not a true wood sound.
I prefer the low G Oasis! I like the depth and tone you get with the low G. The high G just sounds too quiet and just lacking in fullness. I think the Blackbird really is a ukulele that is best with a low G! It is much like my Fender Montecito. It just sounds so sweet with a low G! Love your review, and your playing, as always, was terrific!! That Blackbird is a thing of beauty!
Between this and your video featuring the Martin carbon strings, there is no doubt in my mind/ear that they sound so much better than nylon. It is all preference at the end of the day, but nylon has an toylike quality to me vs. carbon or traditional gut (with all due respect of course to those who feel differently). Your videos have made it easy for me to decide. The Martins sound the best (although I wish they had a wound low g version) of all I have heard thus far. Thank you for doing such a great comparison.
Oasis are my favorite brand of strings so I may be biased, but I liked them much better. On my tenor ukes I use Oasis Strings, but instead of the Oasis low G I add a wound Fremont low G string. It is quite a balanced, nice sound. That Blackbird is an amazing instrument and you do it justice. Excellent review!
Wow! Absolutely beautiful looking and sounding instrument. You play it really well. As a beginner struggling just to learn simple chords and strum patterns on my low-end ukes, I am in awe. Not sure, but I think I like the low G better. Rick
Thanks so much, Rick. This instrument leaves me in awe. Keep practicing. It’s amazing how much you can progress if you dedicate a little slice of time each day to practicing. 😊
@@girlmeetsuke2980 You're welcome. You are an inspiration. I am working on getting better almost every day. And I am looking forward to seeing another video with your daughter with the lovely and amazingly expressive face. Rick
Hey Jodie, If I might make a suggestion, you may want to give the Fremont Black Line with a low g a try. After hearing what you were looking for in a string these as well as both Living Waters and Pepe Romero w/ low g’s are all hard to beat. It’s funny but the same strings will often sound different on different ukuleles. So until you hear them on your own ukulele it’s only speculation as to what has the sound you’re looking for. I will be curious to hear, after you’ve tried several sets, which you settled on. Good luck, Wes P S. I love your ukulele!!
Thanks. I did buy some Fremont Black Lines based off of several suggestions. But I put Living Waters in first and really like those too... Definitely prefer the low G. (New sound comparison coming soon. 😊)
Hello Jodie, interessting comparison. I did not like the D'Addario Black Nylon Set so much. I think the Projektion is not as good - it feels/sounds like as the tone does not come out, if someone hold it back and don't push it through the audience in front of it. I wrote that I have the Clara Blackbird. I have it with the Flurocarbon Oasis Bright stinrgs with a high G - and for me this sounds really nice too. The Projektion is nice, the Sound is very clear. The Oasis strings are the original ones which are on it from the factory of Blackbird Guitars.Thanks for this Video and have a nice week!!!With Kind regards and be blessed from Germany!!!
Oasis low g for sure! I've tried D'adario black nylon before and I thought they were good for fingerpicking but sounded a little to dull when strumming.
Hi Jodi, your friendly neighbourhood polar bear here. An excellent demonstration of why just one Uku will not do-ku 😊. You play a piece that I think is a jazzed up version of amazing grace and to me that sounds better with the high g set. With the low G configuration it kinda sounds wrong -ish . That aside the blackbird was made for low G as it really has that hum rather than the ring of Koa or Acacia. I know if you email Ken he'll put together just what you want but yes I'm sure you're right if you order low G you get a spare high g as well. World of Ukes have taken to doing the same with their own branded fluorocarbons. Don't know if there's any difference overall in price though. Keeping an eye out for further developments from you and both paws on my favourite Ukus, one high and one low. 😊
Nigel Davey Good point. This is a really good argument for multiple ukes. And yes, I think the Clara was made for low G. They even recommend it in their website.
@@girlmeetsuke2980 , Me again. I checked and living water strings cost extra with high and low g but the Fluorocarbons from WoU come with an extra high g all in. The price actually works out the same though. From experience the ones from WoU ( Clarity strings by name ) are little less taut so if I were you I'd order according to your own playing preferences. Matt Warnes says he specified these for the preference of finger pickers but that he feels they are good strummed too. Excuse the pun but " take your pick " . 😊 bed time now. Mmmm, hunny in my tea 😋.
I'm not always good at explaining what I'm hearing. I can say I did not care for the sound (tone?) of the black nylon strings at all. It may have been the compression, but at times the nylon sounded like they were quieter too. A random question popped into my head about the comparison....if the sound samples were nylons first, would the outcome be the same?🤯😂 Your playing was great and I would happily listen to you play either set.
@@JodyM2 I agree, I like a warm tone, yet not at the expense of responsiveness, sustain, and tonal quality. To me these Di'Addario's compromise in all three areas. That is why I switched to Fremont Blackline's on most of my Ukuleles. I use the Fremont Soloist flat wound low G for my low G string. If you want to really accentuate the warmth of your Clara try Oasis warm Low G or Fremont Blackline with a Soloist flat wound low G.😊
Well. The black nylon strings certain LOOK better! :-) I mean, AWESOME. I was wondering if there were fret markers on the side, though. I am pretty sure I'd get really lost really quick with barre chords! No kidding. They look great. Sadly, I do also like the Oasis strings better, at least on that instrument, at least most of the time. I thought there might have been a little buzzing or something weird somewhere just after 5 minutes in (Shallow?) on the Oasis, and I didn't notice it on the nylon strings when you were playing the same thing. Maybe I'm imagining it. I also like the low G on the uke better, and I think I would regardless of which strings you chose. Maybe that uke just cries out for the low g. I'm eager to hear the Living Waters strings. People rave about them. I can't get them here, and it would be useful to know whether it's worth the time and effort to order them from elsewhere. Can you get them in black? ;-) As ever, thanks for the video and all the work that goes into doing that.
I’m sure any buzzing was user error. 😉 And yes, there ARE side fret markets. Lastly, no I do r think you can Licing Waters in black, but I’ll check. 😉 Thanks for tuning in, Cate.
This review is flawed, please redo this review because i think this review is unfair. Black nylon is very bright (almost fluorocarbon bright) on the first day. But it mellows down very quickly after a week. Black nylon is by far the most mellow string i have tried (i've had Aquila nyglut (white, red, black), Martin fluorocarbon, Addario titanium.... you name it).
Thanks for your insight. Every time I do string comparison reviews, I wait at least one week before recording the sound samples, however, I recognize that it can be difficult to get an accurate sound depiction with so many variables including recording devices, TH-cam compression etc. thanks again, for your comment though. I did not know that bright strings could mellow so considerably.
yep, low G wins. You can really hear the sustain. Not that I have tons of comparison experience but when I have played the black strings I've never been impressed. I've just always used Aquila strings
I love your thoughtful reviews. Thanks for this one.
i like the sound of Oasis Brights low G better. Could you do a comparsion with
an Oasis Warm low G vs Oasis Brights low G?
Thank you so much for playing songs I actually recognize! It helped so much knowing what the song was supposed to sound like! I really like the Oasis. Thank you :)
I agree 100% with your assessment! I have Living Water (high G) on my Kala Koa concert and love them. I just put on a fresh set yesterday. I will caution to let them stretch for a several hours before making a judgment. In my experience, the initial tonal quality is disappointing but changes after stretching.
Hi Jodi,
I have used Di'Addario Rectified Black Nylon Ukuklele strings.
So I had a good idea before I saw this review what was going to happen.
To me Di'Addario's Rectified Black Nylon Ukulele strings simply are not very loud and do not resonate as well when compared with other Ukulele strings.
This gives them a nice articulate sound for finger picking but leaves them sounding
sort of dull when strumming or playing pieces that need extra resonance and sustain.
Particularly with composite instruments.
One other thing this comparison did was drive home to me that Ekoa ukuleles are nice sounding composite ukuleles and they will never be able to escape physics. They are composites and have that composite sort of one dimensional sound compared with real nice wooden instruments.
To me they have a nice "wood like" sound, just not a true wood sound.
I prefer the low G Oasis! I like the depth and tone you get with the low G. The high G just sounds too quiet and just lacking in fullness. I think the Blackbird really is a ukulele that is best with a low G! It is much like my Fender Montecito. It just sounds so sweet with a low G! Love your review, and your playing, as always, was terrific!! That Blackbird is a thing of beauty!
I prefer the Oasis low G from this comparison. It sounds fuller to me. I'm looking forward to the Living Waters strings comparison!
Between this and your video featuring the Martin carbon strings, there is no doubt in my mind/ear that they sound so much better than nylon. It is all preference at the end of the day, but nylon has an toylike quality to me vs. carbon or traditional gut (with all due respect of course to those who feel differently). Your videos have made it easy for me to decide. The Martins sound the best (although I wish they had a wound low g version) of all I have heard thus far. Thank you for doing such a great comparison.
Nice Shallow intro. When are you going to do a complete cover? 🙏please
Oh gosh, I can play it but singing it is another story...
I don't understand all that you're talking about but I love to hear your picking, strumming, playing ~ it's a great instrument #totalbeginnerhere
Oasis are my favorite brand of strings so I may be biased, but I liked them much better. On my tenor ukes I use Oasis Strings, but instead of the Oasis low G I add a wound Fremont low G string. It is quite a balanced, nice sound. That Blackbird is an amazing instrument and you do it justice. Excellent review!
Scott Bryant thanks so much. I do think I prefer a wound low G over the unwound. I might have to try that combination.
totally like the low G on that beautiful sounding uke!!
Wow! Absolutely beautiful looking and sounding instrument. You play it really well. As a beginner struggling just to learn simple chords and strum patterns on my low-end ukes, I am in awe. Not sure, but I think I like the low G better. Rick
Thanks so much, Rick. This instrument leaves me in awe. Keep practicing. It’s amazing how much you can progress if you dedicate a little slice of time each day to practicing. 😊
@@girlmeetsuke2980 You're welcome. You are an inspiration. I am working on getting better almost every day. And I am looking forward to seeing another video with your daughter with the lovely and amazingly expressive face. Rick
It amazes me how much marketing nonsense goes into string technology. I’m in full agreement with you. The D’addario strings sounded bright.
Very good show and you playing it
If you want warm and dark try Worth Browns. Too much so for me. They have high and low G sets.
Hey Jodie,
If I might make a suggestion, you may want to give the Fremont Black Line with a low g a try. After hearing what you were looking for in a string these as well as both Living Waters and Pepe Romero w/ low g’s are all hard to beat. It’s funny but the same strings will often sound different on different ukuleles. So until you hear them on your own ukulele it’s only speculation as to what has the sound you’re looking for.
I will be curious to hear, after you’ve tried several sets, which you settled on.
Good luck,
Wes
P S. I love your ukulele!!
Thanks. I did buy some Fremont Black Lines based off of several suggestions. But I put Living Waters in first and really like those too... Definitely prefer the low G. (New sound comparison coming soon. 😊)
Love the low G sound. I just started playing the uke last month. I just ordered an enya tenor and think I need to try a low G!! I love the sound of it
I especially love low G’s in tenors. Have fun!!
I have black nylon strings for my concert ukulele Di'Addario
Hello Jodie, interessting comparison. I did not like the D'Addario Black Nylon Set so much. I think the Projektion is not as good - it feels/sounds like as the tone does not come out, if someone hold it back and don't push it through the audience in front of it. I wrote that I have the Clara Blackbird. I have it with the Flurocarbon Oasis Bright stinrgs with a high G - and for me this sounds really nice too. The Projektion is nice, the Sound is very clear. The Oasis strings are the original ones which are on it from the factory of Blackbird Guitars.Thanks for this Video and have a nice week!!!With Kind regards and be blessed from Germany!!!
There’s a good chance I will end up for Oasis Strings again because I really, really loved the sound of those.
Can i use the concert blacknylon in a tenor uke?
Oasis low g for sure! I've tried D'adario black nylon before and I thought they were good for fingerpicking but sounded a little to dull when strumming.
The high G makes it Bright!! I like the low G better on that ukulele!! I always use a high G on my ukulele!! 😊😊😊
Hi Jodi, your friendly neighbourhood polar bear here. An excellent demonstration of why just one Uku will not do-ku 😊. You play a piece that I think is a jazzed up version of amazing grace and to me that sounds better with the high g set. With the low G configuration it kinda sounds wrong -ish . That aside the blackbird was made for low G as it really has that hum rather than the ring of Koa or Acacia. I know if you email Ken he'll put together just what you want but yes I'm sure you're right if you order low G you get a spare high g as well. World of Ukes have taken to doing the same with their own branded fluorocarbons. Don't know if there's any difference overall in price though. Keeping an eye out for further developments from you and both paws on my favourite Ukus, one high and one low. 😊
Nigel Davey Good point. This is a really good argument for multiple ukes. And yes, I think the Clara was made for low G. They even recommend it in their website.
@@girlmeetsuke2980 , Me again. I checked and living water strings cost extra with high and low g but the Fluorocarbons from WoU come with an extra high g all in. The price actually works out the same though. From experience the ones from WoU ( Clarity strings by name ) are little less taut so if I were you I'd order according to your own playing preferences. Matt Warnes says he specified these for the preference of finger pickers but that he feels they are good strummed too. Excuse the pun but " take your pick " . 😊 bed time now. Mmmm, hunny in my tea 😋.
Nigel Davey Thanks for checking that for me!
No contest, I think. Low G wins. This uke looses almost all its depth with the high G. Love this comparison. Thanks, Jodi.
I'm not always good at explaining what I'm hearing. I can say I did not care for the sound (tone?) of the black nylon strings at all. It may have been the compression, but at times the nylon sounded like they were quieter too.
A random question popped into my head about the comparison....if the sound samples were nylons first, would the outcome be the same?🤯😂
Your playing was great and I would happily listen to you play either set.
Thanks. Good question. I wonder if your opinion is swayed at all by what’s played first. Hmmmmm...
I liked the low G for sure.
Are the D'Addario Black Nylon the same as the Rectified?
Yes D'Addario Black Nylon Ukulele strings are called D'Addario Pro-Arte' Rectified Nylon and they say Black Nylon on the package.
@@DanielFlores-ku8os I tried these on my SCG did not like them they are D'Addario's most mellow
@@JodyM2 I agree, I like a warm tone, yet not at the expense of responsiveness, sustain, and tonal quality. To me these Di'Addario's compromise in all three areas. That is why I switched to Fremont Blackline's on most of my Ukuleles. I use the Fremont Soloist flat wound low G for my low G string.
If you want to really accentuate the warmth of your Clara try Oasis warm Low G or Fremont Blackline with a Soloist flat wound low G.😊
Thanks for these suggestions, Daniel!
@@girlmeetsuke2980 Agree Try Fremont Black Lines for us
Well. The black nylon strings certain LOOK better! :-) I mean, AWESOME. I was wondering if there were fret markers on the side, though. I am pretty sure I'd get really lost really quick with barre chords! No kidding. They look great.
Sadly, I do also like the Oasis strings better, at least on that instrument, at least most of the time. I thought there might have been a little buzzing or something weird somewhere just after 5 minutes in (Shallow?) on the Oasis, and I didn't notice it on the nylon strings when you were playing the same thing. Maybe I'm imagining it.
I also like the low G on the uke better, and I think I would regardless of which strings you chose. Maybe that uke just cries out for the low g. I'm eager to hear the Living Waters strings. People rave about them. I can't get them here, and it would be useful to know whether it's worth the time and effort to order them from elsewhere. Can you get them in black? ;-)
As ever, thanks for the video and all the work that goes into doing that.
I’m sure any buzzing was user error. 😉 And yes, there ARE side fret markets. Lastly, no I do r think you can Licing Waters in black, but I’ll check. 😉 Thanks for tuning in, Cate.
This review is flawed, please redo this review because i think this review is unfair. Black nylon is very bright (almost fluorocarbon bright) on the first day. But it mellows down very quickly after a week. Black nylon is by far the most mellow string i have tried (i've had Aquila nyglut (white, red, black), Martin fluorocarbon, Addario titanium.... you name it).
Thanks for your insight. Every time I do string comparison reviews, I wait at least one week before recording the sound samples, however, I recognize that it can be difficult to get an accurate sound depiction with so many variables including recording devices, TH-cam compression etc. thanks again, for your comment though. I did not know that bright strings could mellow so considerably.
I think the Oasis strings were definitely brighter and sounded better than the black strings.
I was going to edit my comment but it appears to have been deleted.
You know what am gonna say ......
Low G always rules!
Haha! I’m inclined to agree with you today!
yep, low G wins. You can really hear the sustain. Not that I have tons of comparison experience but when I have played the black strings I've never been impressed. I've just always used Aquila strings
You might want to try some clear fluorocarbon strings. I think it would sound really good with some of the instrumental songs you play.
I prefer oasis strings
my names clara heheheheheh
Oasis
Low G for sure...