A Hawaiian ukulele relies on taut strings to create rich sounds. Although the nylon strings used on these instruments are more durable than the materials used on regular guitars, the oils and grease on your fingers can cause the strings to degrade over time. This guide will help you identify when it’s time to replace those strings and demonstrate how to do it.

How to Tell When It’s Time to Restring Your Hawaiian Ukulele

A telltale sign is damage to the strings, such as nicks, grooves, or flat spots, which can change the sounds your musical instrument creates. More importantly, these are the early signs that your strings are about to break.

Additionally, having to frequently re-tune your Hawaiian ukulele is another sign of warped strings. If you have tuned the instrument and it quickly loses its tuning, replacing the strings will likely solve the problem.

How to Restring Your Ukulele 

Change each string one at a time. Slack the string by loosening the tuners. Once it loosens, use a string winder to release the bridge pin.

Using the bridge pin, you’ll be able to remove the string from its notch. Gently pull the string out and use the bridge pin to release the knot on the end of the string.

With the old string released, you can install the new one. Take one end and tie a surgeon’s knot by forming a loop and putting the string through it twice. It will create a ball at the end of the string to prevent it from slipping. Tighten the knot by using needle-nose pliers. Cut the remaining string protruding from the knot to a quarter of an inch. Place the knot end into the bridge hole. Use the bridge pin to keep the string in place.  

Carefully feed the other side of the string through the tuner’s hole twice. This will prevent the string from coming out. Once fed, tighten the string using the tuner. The excess string should come toward the outside of the tuning key.

Instead of restringing your ukulele, it may be time to buy a new Hawaiian ukulele instead. Kanile'a 'Ukulele in Kaneohe, HI, is a family-owned business that has been selling quality musical instruments for more than two decades. They encourage each customer to find their own sound and sponsor local musicians. To learn more about them, visit their website. To speak with a representative, call (808) 234-2868.