Baritone Uke strings

[Bruce McC]

I have just finished a baritone uke using the Georgia Luthier Supply plans for a 14 fret baritone.
I built this uke for my wife who has a soprano uke and we decided to string the baritone uke
in re entrant tuning high gCEA as per the soprano using Aquila 23U strings. These particular strings
are for specifically for baritone ukes in the re entrant high g tuning. In stringing up the uke I have
found that they stretch to the extent that I am running out of post on the uke tuners (Grover long post)
to get the strings in tune. This is even after I pull the strings tight at the start of winding the strings on.
Has any one else had this issue with Aquila Nylgut strings?

[kiwigeo]

Ive got Aquila nylgut strings on a lute I made a couple of years back. They do stretch a bit more than nylon classical strings. Lute pegs generally have a bit more winding area than a uke tuner post so tuning up has never been an issue

[johnparchem]

I have run into that on Aquila nylgut strings. A lot of the stretch is permanent, so I unwind cut and wind again.

[routout]

I think the nylagut are pretty good almost the same as Dupont harp strings and they all stretch a few days for the harp to come up to pitch .You have the knot end tightening add the normal stretch I guess ,as Mr Kiwigeo mentioned the wound strings a lot less because they are wound floss .Those Aquila strings are pretty responsive just my compearo .

[Allen]

Many uke strings will strech an incredible amount and the strech is usually permanent, so slack the strings off and pull up that slack and retune. You will probably trim off several turns of the post afterwards.

[Bruce McC]

Thank you Martin, John, routout and Allen for your comments.
Will unwind and retune again.

[Clancy]

Hi Bruce,

As the others have said, they stretch a lot. Unwind & re-tighten. Leave some length after the post until they've truely settled - it makes it easier to get a good grip when tightening the string up again.

Don't get impatient and try to artificially stretch Nylgut strings. They won't stretch evenly so you'll end up with thinner & thicker sections. They'll sound terrible (don't ask me how I know). Just let them stretch & settle themselves.

Btw, have you heard from our Melbourne friend recently?

[Bruce McC]

Hi Craig

Good to hear from you, thanks for the advice, have unwound and re-tightened, unfortunately
the bridge lifted, Luckily I was able to remove it cleanly without
damage to soundboard. If at first you don't succeed.............
Spasmodic communications from mutual friend in Melbourne.