r/BaritoneUkes

As you guys can see she is a tad crippled. I bought her last year and she plays like a dream -when she has all her strings that is. I got her re-strung by the shop I bought her from with D'adario Arte fluorocarbon/silver wound strings so I don't have to deal with the stretchy stock strings.

After a few weeks the thread-through bridge ate my wound low D string. Assuming it was a fluke or a manufacturing error in the winding of the string I bought a new set of the same strings and re-strung my low D.

In a few weeks the same thing happened. Now I am no luthier so I'm not about to go at my bridge holes with a file to smooth it out.

Do you guys have any recommendations for a low D string set that does not include a wound string since my fluorocarbon strings have not snapped.

I prefer the sound of fluorocarbon but I'll take any recommendations at this point.

I live in the UK so getting Uke Logic strings imported is extortionate or really hard to hunt down in shops.

( Also before anyone asks no I do not store her tuned, I always reduce the tension before putting her either back on the wall or in the case. )

For those who prefer reading instead of watching: 

Reverse Fan Strum: Do a fan strum, but in reverse. 

More technically, its about leaving a gap between your pointer (main strumming accent) and the middle and/or ring finger to create a doubling, drag, or "flam" effect. It offers a different tone and opens up options that are not as accessible with thumb strokes.

2 String Rake: Quickly drag your finger over two strings for a half rake or half strum effect. This creates grace notes that can resonate while playing on other strings. It can be done with any finger for a variety of options.

A "rake" is when you strum slow enough to hear the attack on individual strings, versus a "strum" where the attacks are combined to create a chord.  This technique can be used to produce either sound, but I consider it more of a "rake" because it requires a similar type of finger control to the full rake. That's how I came across it: I was doing a rake and got interrupted halfway!

I haven't cross-referenced these to the technique compendium so I don't know what the proper names are, but this is just what makes sense to me. If you do know the right terms, please let me know. And if you know anything similar and fun, I'm all ears too!