L.R. Baggs Five.O Ukulele Pickup Full Review
April 2, 2012 at 12:59 am | Posted in L.R.Baggs, Pickup | 4 CommentsTags: Full review, NAMM, pickup, posts, review, uke, ukulele
For this review We are changing things up a little. Instead of hearing what I think, I recruited a friend to do a review.
Why did I not to this review you may ask, and it is simple.
1. I don’t have a uke worthy of putting it in
2. Colin Helped me out big time with the last NAMM show, Taking thousands of pictures
3. Colin has a really nice uke that he wanted to put one of these buggers in
4. Colin is a billion times better player than me, and I figured it would be cool for y’all to see him, if you have not already.
Here is his review
Info about Pickup
http://lrbaggs.com/uke/
I want to thank Colin for doing an awesome job with this review. It must have taken a ton of time to get all the video down and edited. MAke sure to ask him about the it when you see him at Ukulele world Congress or any other uke thing you might run into him at.
Info about Colin (Because I know you want more)
Colins YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/user/CoLmesUke
Places to Buy on the Web
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PegHed Tuners Full Review
March 20, 2012 at 3:45 am | Posted in General, PegHed, Tuning machines | 13 CommentsTags: Full review, posts, review, tuning pegs, uke, ukulele, wood pegs
I knew that when I ordered my custom Boat Paddle 5-string that it had to have PegHeds (I originally wanted the old style wood pegs, but figured out pretty quickly that it would be a pain). I loved the look mostly, but also knew that in my mind, a high end ukulele had to have PegHeds to be truly perfect. I know a lot of players prefer geared tuners, and that is great, but for me it had to be PegHeds.
What makes PegHeds so unique? They have the looks of classic peg tuners, but they are actually geared. They use a planetary gear configuration, meaning that there is a center gear with a few other gears that spin around it. Since I cannot take one completely apart, I can’t truly verify how many it uses.
Here is how I imagine PegHeds came about.
I could give the history, but really it is not that exciting. John Herin created them for the violin, viola, cello, and they were adopted by uke players. Now we see them on a lot of ukuleles, both high end and lower end. But why is the real question. Are they really that awesome to command $50 – $80?
This will be a little different review since this is not a ukulele. I will use as many of the measures as I can.
Specs:
Weight: 0.2 oz
Button: Plastic or wood
Shaft: Metal
Finish: Matte
Full Specs:
http://pegheds.net
Looks
First look: (5) So many people have played my Boat Paddle and are blown away when I tell them that the tuners are geared. Upon first inspection you would think they are old fashioned peg tuners. That is the beauty of them, they look like old fashioned pegs but have the ease of geared tuners..
Fit and Finish: (5) These tuners are so simple looking and clean. There are no screws, and no collar where the post sticks out on the front of the head. the only markings you might see would be if you had the plastic buttons, you can see a little line where it was injection molded. I have ebony buttons on my uke and they are super smooth and very well crafted.
Plastic Button
Feel:
Tuning: (5) In my opinion these are the most responsive tuners on the market. With a 4:1 gear ratio they move just enough, and they stay.
Ebony Button
Comfort: (5) I went to my local post office and weighed several tuners.
Normal friction tuners: 0.30 oz
Old Banjo style: 0.60 oz
Grover geared all metal: 0.80 oz
Waverly with wood buttons: 0.67 oz
PegHeds: 0.20 oz.
Why does that matter? I have played and reviewed a ton of ukes where the head is so heavy and it makes the uke feel unbalanced or head heavy. Also the ukulele is a small instrument, lighter tuners make a big difference when it come to weight. My 5 tuners on the Boat Paddle weigh 1.0 oz, that is 1/3 the weight of an average letter. Lighter tuners can make for a lighter and more comfortable ukulele.
Smell: Mine smell minty, not sure why.
Installation: (Professional) These are not the simplest tuners to install. Unlike your basic friction tuners where you can usually just unscrew a little screw and they come apart, and you just put new ones in, these require that the hole be reamed to a precise size. These screw into the hole. Most sets have 2 Left and 2 right tuners. Since there are no screws to install them the shafts have threads that screw into the carefully prepared hole, and the different sides are threaded so that the pull of the sting will pull it tighter, instead of possibly loosening them. A little glue is recommended to keep them from backing out from the hole also. I know that if you asked Elderly to install them they charge $120, and that is after you purchase the PegHeds for $80. Most people who are ordering a uke where they can choose tuners, and PegHeds are available, I tell them to do it then.
Final Thoughts
Would I put these on a Makala Dolphin, Hell No. I would say that a uke that is $300 and above would benefit from having these and it would justify the extra cost. I know that Bradford Donaldson makes a $350 all koa uke that he puts them on, and it is perfect since it is so small and light the Pegheds don’t weigh it down at all. As I said before, I would want these on every uke I own, or have built. I asked Chuck Moore of Moore Bettah Ukes why he uses them on a lot of his ukes, he said;
“Honestly, The primary reason I install Pegheds is because people ask for them. There must be a reason. In my mind there are a few.
The weight, (or lack of it) is a definite plus in my book and they are excellent quality and craftsmanship. I find the 4:1 geared ratio to be adequate for fine tuning although I would prefer something closer to 6:1. They hold the tuning well though once you get used to the tension adjustment. But there is also a definite advantage for the inlay artist. Pegheds are visually the most unobtrusive tuner on the market, hardly noticeable surrounded by inlay work. If I’m doing an especially nice inlay on a head stock i will always opt for the Pegheds. Personally I love the styling.”
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 5 |
| Tuning | 5 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Smell | Minty? |
| Installation | Professional |
Places to buy on the web:
PegHeds.net $48-$60 and he has choice of sizes and wood buttons
Gallery:
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- Ebony Button
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- Plastic Button
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G7th Ukulele Capo Full Review
February 7, 2012 at 6:45 pm | Posted in Capo, G7th, General | 10 CommentsTags: Capo, Full review, jamming, NAMM, Play, posts, review, uke, ukulele
I learned something new while researching this capo, yes I do research and not just pull the whole thing out of my butt. At least most of it any ways…
capo (short for capotasto, Italian for “head of fretboard”)
I had no idea that capo was short for something, I guess you can learn new things when you get old!!
Any who…I actually was able to convince G7th to give me this capo at NAMM 2011 and I figured I should actually write about it instead of just keeping it around staring at me all accusingly like.
A capo is a capo is a capo right? well I don’t know, this one is very different from the others I have used. For many years I used one of those spring loaded ones, kind of like a clothes pin design, and it worked fine. I have also had the elastic kinds to when I played more guitar. Both worked, but you had very little control of how hard they squeezed the neck and fret board.
This is different since it has no springs and you can put it on at whatever pressure you choose, and that is most defiantly different than any other I know of, at least for a ukulele.
So you know this is sold as a banjo capo, so when you go searching for one you will not be driven crazy looking for the ukulele version.
Specs:
Fits Soprano – Baritone
Finish: Matte
Weight: 1.9 OZ
Span: 1 5/8″
Full Specs:
http://www.g7th.com/capos/performance
Looks
First look: (5) It looks like a little bird skull, I like that in a sick way. It is very sleek and looks very well made. When it is on a uke it also looks really nice and almost hidden from the front view
Fit and Finish: (5) I have had this for a year sitting on my desk. I play with it all the time, by that I mean I am opening and closing it and pulling on it, and it has not broken yet. Since it is heavy it seems to be built really strong. No failures yet.
Sound:
Sound Type: I found that it does not change the sound, except pitch. I was a little worried since it had pretty soft rubber.
Intonation: (Depends) You can mess with intonation. if you press it to tight it will throw some ukes off. That being said, that is the best feature. you can make it as tight or soft as you need it to be
Sustain: (Depends) Seemed to not do anything to sustain.
Feel:
String Height: (Low) since it will bring the strings down to the fretboard the strings are super low the closer you get to the capo.
Neck Radius Depth: (1.5″) it can accommodate a 1.5″ thick neck. Most are less than 1″ at the thickest.
Tuning: (No) I would say no to tuning with it on. it has no way for the strings to slide under, like some capos that use rubber wheels per string.
Comfort: (3) This thing is heavy for its size, but once on the ukulele it is fine. My issue is that it can be a little bulky to play with when you need to get to frets near it. I have to angle it a little to make it so that I am not moving it to much. I may have big hands to.
Smell: Rubber and Metal Plating.
Final Thoughts
Someone said to me when I told them that the capo retails at $40 “I paid less for my first ukulele than that capo!!” Granted that is a low end uke, it does say something about how much it is, but………..You get what you pay for. This is a heavy duty, road ready capo. I am going to buy one when this one leaves my house (It goes to the winner of the Going Acoustic Ukulele Challenge)
Truly a nice capo that I have really enjoyed having in my case when I was too lazy to switch keys of a song, or it just was too hard to play in a key that sounded good with my voice. Take it or leave it. for some it is worth the money, for others they may have a hard time justifying the cost.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 5 |
| Sound Type | No Change |
| Intonation | Depends |
| Sustain | Depends |
| String Height | Low |
| Neck Radius Depth | 1.5″ |
| Tuning | No |
| Comfort | 3 |
| Smell | Rubber and Metal Plating. |
Places to buy on the web:
Hard time finding places that sell this uke. Found one lace that has a case just like it, but I know Ohana does not put their name on the cases.
Amazon $40.68
Elderly $39.95
Video:
Gallery:
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Fusion F1 Soprano/Concert Ukulele Limited Edition 2011 Full Review
December 13, 2011 at 5:11 am | Posted in Cases, Concert, Fusion Bags, General, Reviews, Soprano | 3 CommentsTags: Care, Full review, NAMM, posts, review, uke, ukulele
In the nature of full disclosure, I purchased this case and bag for a really good price. The idea is that how would I review it then send it back. They would never be able to sell a used bag as new and they don’t do seconds. Who would want a second on a case?
This case is the final piece of a long journey I have been on this summer in getting my Custom Boat Paddle 12 fret. I felt that I could not just put it in a plain Jane, vanilla case. It is way to cool for that. So why not the most obnoxiously colored thing I could find? Right?
Every year Fusion Bags chooses a different instrument to do a limited case for with all the bells and whistles. This year it was the ukulele!! Lucky us.
I saw prototype last year at NAMM and have been trying to get one for review all year, and it finally happened. I was really excited about the extra backpack thingy, I did not realize at the time that you can attach another whole case to it also. long story short, I got a little over a week ago and they really wanted the review quickly so they could possibly reference it, that is if they like the review.
We shall see. Read on to see my thoughts……and concerns.
Specs:
Color: Navy Blue & Lime Green
Padding: 30mm high density foam padding for all round protection
Outer material: Jacquard hard wearing, water resistant polyester, rip stop material, fashionable piping with no visible webbing. Commuter friendly reflective panels, segment piping and print
Inner material: Soft non scratch, non fibrous quality foam backed velvet and linen interior
Inner protection: Adjustable velvet padded headstock pillow with security strap and adjustable 5mm padded strip that can be molded to shape of instrument
Pockets: 2 x A4 zipped pockets to front of bag, bottom front pocket with organizer pockets and organizer compartments
Zips: Rubber zip pulls to prevent scratching of instrument, inverted zips for slick appearance
Carry system: Ergonomic adjustable backpack straps that can be stored in the rear zipped cushioned compartment. Integrated MP3 player/mobile phone pocket in backpack strap. Padded adjustable waist belt
Handles: 2 x Chunky riveted carry handles
Fuse-on: Fuse-on system on front of bag that can attach the Limited Edition Concert Ukulele case or Limited Edition 2011 Medium Backpack
Base: Hardwearing rubber base with floor studs
Branding: Limited Edition uniquely numbered metal badge with a Union Jack rubber badge at rear of bag. Rubber logos and screen printed Fusion branding
Dimensions: (Converted for us silly Americans)
External length: 31.5″ including top handle
External width: (at widest point) 14.2″
Internal length: 28.4″
Internal width upper bout: 9″
Internal width lower bout:10.2″
Weight: 4.4 lb
Full Specs:
http://www.fusion-bags.com/products-in-ukulele-gig-bags/f1-soprano-concert-ukulele-limited-edition-2011-69774
First look: (4) If they wanted to have something go gang busters in Japan, then they did it right. The bright green and flowers are a little much for me. When I carry a ukulele around I tend to not get noticed much, with this monster, big, blue and green bag on I will noticed for blocks. Will they know It is a ukulele? I doubt it since it is pretty large and does not really have the shape of a “normal” ukulele case.
on first glance I would have to say this thing looks huge and cumbersome with the huge straps, especially so with the additional bag on it, it looks insanely big. once you get closer to the bag you can tell that it is not your usual instrument case, I could mistake it for some kind of hiking bag with the waste straps and all the pockets.
Fit and Finish: (5) This is an expensive case, no way around that, and you really do get what you pay for in so many ways. Some will only see these cases online and not be able to see all the thought that went into it. Every zipper (all 9 of them on just the case) is super nice and hardcore. Almost everything zips out or off when it comes to the inside of the case. The straps that hold the neck down are attached, but the neck rest has Velcro on it to keep it down but it has a zipper to get to the padding if you want to mod it, also all the harder plastic type foam that makes the case somewhat rigid is also assessable by way of zippers. not sure how useful that is, but still nice that you can configure it beyond the normal case. One drawback might be when I travel to NAMM with this case and the TSA see all the crazy zippers and hiding places. should be fun.
With all the zippers, the stitching and construction is perfect. you will be hard pressed to find anything wrong with it. This thing was built to last. Also any zippers that could come in contact with the instrument are kept under a piece of stretch cotton so that it will not harm anything. It is the little things like that that show the craftsmanship in the case
One neat feature is the movable neck rest and also the movable padding. I found it great for my custom Boat Paddle, since it is such a weird shape I was able to make sure it does not move, keep stuff with it, and a humidifier next to it without it touching the wood itself.
When it comes to the truly unique thing about this case, the Fuse-On system, I find it a mixed bag. I love the fact that you can buy multiple cases and attach them together. The backpack parts of the case hideaway nicely so that it can be attached to another case. I am always carrying more than one uke (3-9 depending on the event) and having a nice package I can just put on my back is sweet. I was only sent one case and the additional backpack to test, but I may have to get another case so I can have 2 with me.
One of the parts I do not like is the backpack thing that you can also buy that attaches to these cases. It is weirdly designed and awkward to use. The way it attaches is very secure and that is what I base my assumption that another case would be awesome. The bag has 2 main compartments that are not all that deep and one, the deepest, is not accessible unless it is unattached from the case completely. Also the straps don’t seem to have as nice hiding place as the case does for its backpack straps. Don’t get me wrong, it is awesome that there is a bag that attaches to the case, and it is comfortable to wear and seems to not weigh the pack down when wearing both as a set. I filled it with a ton of books, binders, sheet music, capo, tuners, stickers, and case tags. It was very full and it was really nice having it attached to the case and just throwing the whole deal on my back. There is a bigger pack and it may be better. I have not seen one.
The other thing I am not a huge fan of is how much Velcro is on the sides. I wish they would have just used clips for the Fuse-on stuff. It leaves this weird, long, stabby Velcro thing on the edges and I think it looks weird, and I also trust clips more than I would the way that they attach the bag. It seemed really secure, but I am not fan.
One last note about the case and the additional pack. even without a full frame (Like a hiking pack) this is super comfortable and configured to be worn for a long haul.
Smell: (New Shoes) Weird I know, but it reminds me a little of new shoes like the ones at target or Wal-Mart. Not overpowering,
Final Thoughts
people go gaga over the Reunion Blues cases since they are soft sided and all that jazz, and they are $115, spend a little more and you get a lot more, in my opinion. Over all this case seems like it is a bit over kill and crazy big, but if you love your ukulele and want to protect it, but not have some heavier case, then this thing plain rocks. Sure it is a little over the top, but it is a limited edition case, it is meant to be special and not like the others. I thought at first it was a waste of money, but I get it now. Sure I look like a weirdo with a reflective/lime green/navy case with a backpack attached to it (I play ukulele, I am use to it), but it is really nice and worth the money. Just know that these are not a permanent thing in the catalog for Fusion. they choose a new instrument to do this to every year. They will only be available for a limited time before they move on, and that is it. I am happy to say that it is permanent home for my Boat Paddle.
Please know that this is not the end of the review. After NAMM I will edit this with how it did, and if it is one carry-on or two.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 4 |
| Fit and Finish | 5 |
| Smell | New Shoes |
Places to buy on the web:
Elderly $135 for the case
Elderly $80 for the bigger pack
Gallery:
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UkuleleChordChart.Com Chord Chart
December 2, 2011 at 4:20 am | Posted in Products | 12 CommentsTags: cheap, Chord Chart, jamming, learning, posts, uke, ukulele
It is rare that I will write something like this, but I felt that I should get the word out about this really great ukulele chord chart that just came out.
I was approached to critique this a few weeks ago, and I had just a few small things, and I checked it for mistakes (I think I missed one, but not an issue, it is was found before it went to production) When I saw it I was blown away by how it was laid out. The front has all the chords first positions and the back has a great fretboard map, a basic key helper that I really love since it makes it super easy to change keys. It does not have all the chords in a key, but it is still really awesome. Also it has a little section of all the chords you should just know.
Some people said that they are sad that it does not have second or 3rd positions on it, but I say “Stop being lazy, there is a fretboard map, Figure it out”
The great thing about this is that although he is selling it super cheap, there is also a free PDF of it. How cool is that?
For your $4.95 (shipped) copy you get a professionally printed, laminated, and folded Ukulele Chord Chart. I would be carrying a dry erase marker so you can mark up the fretboard map with the other chord positions.
Get yours TODAY:
UkuleleChordChart.com
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Cooperstand Pro-Mini Ukulele Stand Full review
November 30, 2011 at 9:08 pm | Posted in Cooperstand, General, Reviews, Stands | 11 CommentsTags: Care, Full review, laser, NAMM, posts, review, Stand, uke, ukulele
If you have ever seen my wall of ukes you know I hang them by the neck. I have found that it more secure, and frankly it looks cool to boot. But when I am out playing I do not have my lovely wall or any of my large stands with me. What am I to do? That is when I rely on stands that are small enough to travel with. It has to be compact and also keep my uke from falling over and that jazz.
Last year at NAMM I was walking by a booth that had a ton of people gathered around it. I had to see what it was all about, so I elbowed my way in to see these little stands. I did not understand why they were so cool, there ukulele and guitar stands, big deal. “Cool, they fold” so what. I talked to someone and took some info on them and left. When I got home I sat down and looked at all the stuff I had taken from all the vendors and came across the flyers that I took on these stands, read a little and felt stupid for not investigating a little more. So the short of it is that I contacted them and after a bit of e-mail tag and waiting for them to catch their breath they sent me one to review. I have not had it long, but I have been traveling with it, and since this is not a ukulele I really had to shorten up the review criteria. Who cares about how the stand sounds right?
Read below for what I thought.
Specs:
Fits Soprano, Concert, and Tenor.
African Sapele construction
Inert silicon pads at contact points
Closed cell neoprene padding at exposed areas
Hard neoprene in support areas
Finish: Satin
Case: Velvet Bag
Measures 5 3/4″ x 3″ x 1 1/4″
Full Specs:
http://cooperstand.com/buypro-mini.html
First look: (5) The stand is actually pretty. I can’t say I notice music stands very often, but this one is made of really nice wood and is very different from those metal tube with foam on them. At the same time is also very unassuming since it is so small. The wood and finish are like that of a nice ukulele and it looks very expensive.
Fit and Finish: (5) Have you ever looked at something and said “OK, these people are not joking around!”? when you look at it, It looks like a folding stand, a very pretty stand, but it is a stand, it is holding a ukulele upright so you can see it in all its glory and makes it easy to just pick up your uke and play.
Many people may not appreciate the thought and the choices that went into this stand, but there are many and they are all the right ones. The wood does not matter, but it is a nice touch, it adds class and it finished really well. I am always a fan of products that use laser etching to add their logo. I think it looks really nice. The big hinge on the back is nice and beefy, and might be over kill, but is locks and is very sturdy, a good thing if you like your ukulele. Honestly the only thing I see that could break is the little hinge at the top. If a kid was playing with this it could be forced open wrong and really screw this thing up. The fact that it also opens and closed very nicely and there is no assembly is really nice too, but all those things are nice and are a small thing compared the biggest choice they made that sent this over the top for me.
The neoprene lined areas with the silicone nubs sent me over the moon with joy. I know it sounds weird, but you have to understand why this is super important. Open cell padding, like you find on cheaper (Not just super cheap) stands will eat lacquer if left in contact with it for just a few days. I have seen it happen to a guitar. The neoprene and silicone are benign and will not react with any finish, ensuring that your instrument will be safe. Another plus is that it is really grippy and will not let the ukulele slide.
Final Thoughts
Over all I really like this stand, it is a little pricey, but in comparison to the Kala stands it is right in the same price range. I do have one of the low end Kala ones that slide together and have left it in the rain and it was fine, not sure how this one would do.
In the end this one is really nice looking, sturdy, and has everything you could ever ask for in a travel stand. I really hope they come out with an Ecco version to bring the price down.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 5 |
| Smell | Like Rubber |
Places to buy on the web:
Cooper Stands – $54 Shipped
Amazon – $44 shipped if you have a prime account
Gallery:
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Fishing Line Ukulele Strings
June 21, 2011 at 2:32 pm | Posted in General, Products, Strings | 5 CommentsTags: cheap, DIY, home made, learning, posts, Strings, uke, ukulele
I don’t usually repost other people’s articles, but when I do…..
Actually I love the way Kevin, of wolfewithane.com, writes. I just saw this article and thought I should point others to it.
Fishing for Ukulele Strings
Kevin is an avid ukulele player and an all around fun person to talk to. Make sure to check out the rest of his site after you read his article on fishing line ukulele strings
Other Articles I found
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?9232-Fluorocarbon-String-Conspiracy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR6Y6m3Mn2Y
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Bridge Bone Beads Review
June 19, 2011 at 9:40 pm | Posted in Products, Reviews | 3 CommentsTags: Bone, Care, Full review, home made, posts, review, uke, ukulele
What is not having to tie your strings to the bridge worth to you? Is it worth $11? For me it is not, but for some I can see this being a great product. The Bridge Bone Beads set that I received from Rosette Guitar Products came in a while ago and I finally had time to install them. I am lucky that I have 2 sets of almost identical ukuleles to try them on.
I put the white set on one of the Tall Grass Bamboo ukes (The non-port hole one) and the other I put on one of the Eleuke acoustics. If you expect them to do anything to sound then do not buy these, 
they made no noticeable difference in sound, but….they seemed to change the tension or feel of the strings. I think the sharper angle that the strings come in at makes the strings feel like they are tighter. Makes sense. On a banjo you see that some have an extra piece that hold the strings down, this is done to add tension behind the bridge. Same kind of thing happens when you use these Bone Bridge beads, or any other bead that makes it so you don’t have to tie the string to the bridge. Here is a post of what my friend Andy uses.
- Andy’s Pearls
I can’t pan this product, nowhere does it say it will improve tone or sound, and I see how it can improve response since the strings have more tension on them. Otherwise it delivers on the quickest string change, and it is easier to change strings. Adding unique visual character? I think it looks like the ukes have teethe, especially the Tall grass with the white ones. Beyond that it does its job holding the string to the bridge with the added bonus of not having to tie a single knot. Also a lot of thought went into the product. They shave down the side that faces the soundboard so it will not buzz, and it is made of a known material that will not kill the sound, bone.
I use to play guitar before the ukulele took over my life, and I am a pack rat. I saved the little beads that were on the ends of the strings I used. I now use them when I string any of my tie on bridges. Others have used nice round pearls or other bead to do the same thing. Cheaper by a long shot. A few cents per string compared to a few dollars per string, but the DIY methods you need to tie knots to hold it in place. Both ways work and have their pros and cons. it is a matter of what you think it is worth to you.
Where to Buy Them.
http://www.southcoastukes.com/stringuide_files/BBBs.htm
Weird thing is that you save $1 if you buy them with strings.
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Double Soprano Cardboard Case
June 2, 2011 at 2:53 am | Posted in Cases, Soprano | 4 CommentsTags: cheap, home made, learning, Martin, posts, uke, ukulele
necessity is the mother of invention, right? Well then, it just bore a new case!
I needed a case to hold the Brad Donaldson and the Martin S1, and figured why have 2 cases when I can just make one.
All it is made of is Found cardboard, Found 1/2″ foam, roll and half od zebra duct tape, a ton of Gorilla Duct tape, Some velcro, and a piece of rope. Took about 3 hours of fiddling with the design to get this one.
There is padding at the bottom and they slide in with a piece of cardboard between them. Then the sides fold in to fold the head in place, kind of like a wine glass box. All I know is that it works and the ukes don’t move in transit. I figure one I make enough of these I will do a full “How-To”
If you are going to Ukulele World Congress this week-end you will see this crazy thing.
Ukes Secured
Free floating Ukes
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Kala Round About Amp Review
May 4, 2011 at 2:04 pm | Posted in Amp, Kala, Reviews | 6 CommentsTags: Amp, Full review, jamming, Kala, posts, review, uke, ukulele
How many amps can you think of that are marketed specifically to the ukulele players? I only know of one and it is the Kala Round About. Sure there are plenty of acoustic amps that work with a ukulele, HERE is a great thread on Ukulele Underground.
Kala was nice enough to send me the Round About when they sent the travel soprano that I reviewed last February, and I have been playing with it ever since. (Sorry to have it so long Rick) I have tried it with every ukulele that can plug into it, and my Martin guitar also. The current list is a soprano Risa solid, the Eleuke Acoustics I recently reviewed, and a Eleuke solid.
I did this as close to my regular reviews as I could, but since some things don’t apply, like intonation, I made some small changes.
Specs:
Kala Round About Amp
Output: 10 amps
Speaker: 5″ 8 Ohm
Input Jack
Headphone Jack
Volume (Master)
Treble Control
Bass Control
Power Switch
Full Specs:
http://www.kalaukulele.com/Amp.asp
Looks
First look: (5) When I saw the Round About for the first time it was at summer NAMM last year and thought they looked really fun. The tweed caught my eye the most. it is so old school rock that I had to check it out. It looks so simple and fun. I was skeptical of its size, it is only 10″ tall, but is seemed like it could be fun.
Fit and Finish: (4) This thing is cute and all and there are no cosmetic issues with it. it is tight as can be with nothing out of place or crooked. My issue is that 1. I can’t see what is inside of it. The screws are for decoration. I like to know what is inside. This is the first amp I have had that does not come apart. Also I am not a fan of an attached cord. Being a computer nerd I have a ton of those 3 prong cords and I like the fact that I can pull them off of my other amps and throw them in a gig bag and not worry about having to wrap it up around the amp.
Sound:
Sound Type: Clear. Since you only have treble and bass, it is really simple to balance out the sound. Wish it had some effects or chorus to play with.
Volume: (5) It is a practice amp and does not need to make your ears bleed. I did turn it all the way up and it did great. gets loud enough to piss my wife off and make the dog run away.
Final Thoughts
If I read one more thing about how it is the same as this, I will scream. It is twice the power and not run on batteries. Yes it is going to be twice as much, it is twice the amp! Yes they are both round and have similar knobs, but that about all they have in common.
As I see it, it is a good practice amp or something that you would bring onto a small stage to be heard. I like how simple it is to use, no fiddling with tone and gain to get a nice clean sound. If you want to change the sound then get a Zoom pedal like this one. I used it several times and found that it sounded better coming out of the Kala amp than my little Fender Frontman 15. mainly because It was just a clean sound and did not distort the pedal at all.
Could you buy a cheaper amp? Yes.
Would it look as cool? No.
If you bought it would you be happy? Yes, for sure
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 4 |
| Sound Type | clear |
| Volume | 5 |
Places to buy on the web:
Gallery:
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