The difference between a low G and a high G ukulele comes down to a single string, but that one string completely changes how your uke sounds. Better still, you do not need to buy a new ukulele to try it. It is just a case of swapping one string over.
On a traditional high G uke, the top string is tuned higher than the two next to it, and that is what gives the ukulele its bright, jangly sound. Switch to a low G and that same string becomes the deepest on the uke, which gives your playing a fuller, warmer tone and a few extra low notes to play with.
If you want to sound like the many brilliant players who swear by a low G, stick with me and we will go through exactly what changes, how the two compare, and how to make the switch yourself.
Low G vs High G at a Glance
Here is how the two stack up side by side before we get into the detail.
| Low G | High G | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | Fuller, warmer, a bit more guitar-like | Bright, jangly, the classic ukulele sound |
| Tuning | Linear (low to high) | Re-entrant (the G is higher than the C and E) |
| Best for | Fingerpicking, solos, blues and jazz | Strumming, traditional and Hawaiian playing |
| Range | Gives you a few extra low notes | Standard ukulele range |
| To get it | Just change one string, the top G | The standard setup on most ukes |
Is It The Same As A High G?
A low G ukulele has similarities to a high G in that they both produce the same note. If you were to put your tuner on the uke and pluck both a high and low G string, it would tell you that you are playing a G note.
So what’s the difference then? The low G is tuned an octave lower than a high G, producing a much lower sound. Imagine you are sitting in front of a piano. A G note played to the left is going to sound deeper than a G played to your right.
The second difference is the thickness of the strings. Thicker strings produce deeper notes that tend to ring out longer.
A quick visual check will tell you if a ukulele has a low or high G string. If it’s thicker than the C string below it, it’s going to be a low G.
How Do They Sound
We know the difference and the benefits of both; now the important part: what does a low G sound like compared to a high G? The following videos are examples of me using both of them. I’m playing a Kala Exotic Tenor for the low G and a Kala Comfort Edge for the high G.
Low G
Chords played with a low G ukulele.
Fingerpicking with a low G ukulele.
High G
Chords played with a high G ukulele.
Fingerpicking with a high G ukulele.
Can I Use The Same String?
The short answer is no. In fact, let’s make that a capital NO! If you try to tune your high G ukulele string to a low G, it’s going to sound terrible. It will be like playing the ukulele with shoelaces. It won’t be able to hold any kind of tension and almost certainly won’t stay in tune for any length of time.
It’s also not going to be the correct thickness to produce the lovely low notes we are looking for. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING THIS.
So, Which One Is Best?
Ultimately, it all boils down to opinion and preference. The traditional sound of a ukulele really leans towards using a high G. Yet, its popularity is growing at a rapid rate. The “rules” of what’s right and wrong are becoming blurred, and you can do whatever you like with it. Let’s discuss the benefits of each one.
- Deeper, fuller sound
- Five extra low notes, so you transpose songs less
- Lets you play chord progressions that accent a bass line
- Chords sound fuller
My take: the best bit is those extra low notes. I often end up playing guitar riffs on the uke. The one downside is that fewer people play low G, so tabs and arrangements can be harder to find.
- The traditional ukulele sound
- Very common, so songs are easy to find
- Most music shops stock the strings
- Pick out a melody on the G string while strumming
My take: learning new songs is easier. If you are following a YouTube tutorial, chances are they are on a high G, so it will sound exactly like your uke.
Low G Strings
My personal recommendation for low G strings is Living Water. They are made from pure fluorocarbon and sound great on any ukulele. They are made by Ken Middleton in England, but he ships worldwide.
Summary
The thing to bear in mind when deciding to change your G string is that it’s not permanent. It’s very important to try new things and new ways of playing. If you don’t like it, cool, change it back. It’s really not a big issue in the grand scheme of things.
It’s the trying that counts; that way, you can form your own opinion and get a greater perspective of it. However, this could be a great opportunity to tell your partner that you require ANOTHER ukulele!
Low G ukulele: common questions
Can any ukulele take a low G string?
Most can. You can usually switch a standard concert or tenor uke to low G just by changing that one string. Sopranos can do it too, but because they are so small it can sound a little tight, so concert and tenor tend to suit it best.
Is a low G harder to play?
Not really. Your fingers do exactly the same thing and the chord shapes are all the same. The only real change is the sound. The one place you might notice it is in songs arranged around the bright high G, where a few notes will land an octave lower than you expect.
Do I need a special wound string for low G?
You can get both wound and unwound low G strings. Wound ones give a richer, more guitar-like tone but can feel different under the fingers and sometimes squeak. Unwound ones feel and look like the rest of your set. It is worth trying both and seeing which you prefer.
Can I switch back to high G later?
Absolutely. Nothing about fitting a low G is permanent, so if you decide it is not for you, just pop a high G string back on.