Ohana CKP-70 Vita-Uke Full Review
January 8, 2012 at 4:10 am | Posted in Concert, General, Ohana | 6 CommentsTags: Full review, Laminate, posts, review, Solid, uke, ukulele
What is a vita-uke? I understand how a normal uke looks and why a pineapple is called a pineapple, but what is a vita? According to Frets.com “They were called “Vita” after the famous Vitaphone movie shorts in which Roy Smeck appeared.”. In short it is one of the most famous ragtime uke styles. If you know about ragtime you know about Roy Smeck and all the stuff he did. In my opinion he was one of the best uke players in the world and did great things with it musically and also did not make it seem like a toy but a fun and real instrument. If you click on the Frets.com link up above you can see what an original vita-uke looks like. It is basically the same as the Ohana CKP-70, except for some small thing like the more defined seal sound holes and the tuners and head are very different. I have had the pleasure to play a few real vita ukes over the years. They are super light and really loud. One of the hard things to see in the pictures is that the old ones had an arched back, where the Ohanas don’t. Not a big deal, it is just different. The reason you don’t see a lot of the old ones is mainly because they were super fragile and broke easily. They were made to play, not to last.
Read on to see what I thought of this crazy big butted thing.
Didn’t Freddy Mercury have a song that went “Fat bottom ukes you make the uke world go round”?
Maybe not.
Specs:
Concert : 12 Fret
Tuners: Open Geared
Nut & saddle: Bone
Top: Solid Spruce
Sides: Laminate Mahogany
Back: Laminate Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard
String Attachment: Knot in a slit
Finish: Satin
Case: Not included. Reviewed with a hard case
Full Specs:
http://www.ohana-music.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29790
Looks
First look: (5) Are those seals for sound holes? No they are not, but close. I think this is a beautiful uke. the light wood top with a ton of grain that you can actually see is really nice. The binding on the top and bottom really makes this a nice looking ukulele and something that has a lot of workmanship and detail. From across a room you either know what it is or you are scratching your head, either way you smile.
Fit and Finish: (4)although it is a looker, it has some small cosmetic issues. The build
Glue On the neck
over all is really good with all the structural thing being spot on when it comes to straight bridge and neck and the frets are all perfect, there are none sticking out. Where I found issue is in minor things such as a little glue mark under the bridge, fret board on the body, and some at the neck joint can be seen. Also there are sanding marks on the fretboard, most noticeably where it meets the body. To be extra picky, the Ohana label is not centered on the headstock. All non-issues overall and do not have any effect on the playability or sound. For a sub-$200 (Street price) uke it is really well built.
Glue under the bridge
Sound:
Sound Type: Clear but sharp. When I say sharp I do not mean the notes. the sound cuts. it is not mellow or real warm like a mahogany. Since it is a spruce top it would be expected to be sharp, This one is the sharpest sound I have heard. Another key note is that since it is a 12 fret the sound is different from strumming above the fretboard compared to where I think it is meant to be strummed, between the top of the sound holes and the point of the fretboard. Roughly the 14-16th frets.
Intonation: (4) it is pretty good, could be better. If you are sensitive to intonation then this may not bother you so much. I could see someone going in and changing the saddle to have the E be a little more forward than the rest and it might be better. Also the nut is a little high making some first fret chords a little sharp if you press to hard. Plenty of room to get it perfect if the person knows what they are doing. It is very playable up and down, it goes noticeably off at the 7th fret area.
Volume: (5) Between the spruce and the huge butt on this uke it is loud, maybe annoyingly to some. I play spruce top most of the time and this one does not disappoint. I would not say it is banjo uke loud, but when you hit it, it screams
Sustain: (5) Long since it is so loud.
Feel:
String Height: (Low-Medium) Setup really well when it comes to string height except the nut could be lower.
Neck Radius Depth: (3/4″) Basic C shaped neck,
Frets: (5) No binding and it is still smooth as butter. You can see the slot that were made from the sides but they filled in and you can not feel a single fret on the sides. They are also well dressed and tapered off as they should be.
Tuning: (5) It tunes, stays in tune, does not get bound up. Nothing to complain about. Wished they would use friction tuners..
Comfort: (5) With its fat end to hold on to it is easy to hold. Also that sweet backend can be rested on your leg to hold it up. The edges are nice with the binding, so that is also a plus on long playing sessions..
Sound Hole Smell: Glue.
Final Thoughts
If you are a ragtime nut, then you should have one of these in honor of Roy Smeck. Or you want a solid spruce top ukulele, then this would also be a good choice. With it being extra loud and very different, and we know uke players like to be different, this can be a real winner. I would change the strings to something warmer like Worth browns to mellow out the sound and cut some of the sharpness.
If I ever own one I would also buy the case for it since it is made for it. If Ohana stops making the cases then you will out of luck and have a hard time finding a hard case for it. I tried putting it into my Fremont case and it did not fit. The butt was to wide.
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 and Sharp |
| Intonation | 4 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Sustain | 5 |
| String Height | Low-Medium |
| Neck Radius Depth | 3/4″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 5 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Sound Hole Smell | Glue |
Places to buy on the web:
Elderly – $149
Ukuleleworld.com – Just the case $73
HD Audio Sample:
Gallery:
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- Sanding marks
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- Glue under the bridge
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- Glue On the neck
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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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McNally StrumStick Ukulele Full Review
November 3, 2011 at 3:26 pm | Posted in Concert, General, McNally, Reviews, StrumStick | 13 CommentsTags: Full review, laser, posts, review, Solid, steel string, uke, ukulele
This is one of those reviews that I hate to write. I did ask the company to send me this uke to review, and they had no issue doing it. My problem is that in short this uke is a good idea gone wrong. I don’t fault McNally since they make instruments that are in a diatonic scale, meaning that if you hold down one string and strum that it will sound good. That being said they are not really ukulele builders, more of a rustic mountain dulcimer maker.
Just read on to see what I mean.
As a side note, they are made pretty well and care was taken in making it. It just is not a good form for a ukulele. Also please take a look at their site for a blast back to early 90’s web design
http://strumstick.com
Specs:
Concert: 15 fret
Tuners: Geared
Nut & saddle: Plastic
Top: Solid Spruce?
Sides: Solid Spruce?
Back: Solid Spruce?
Neck: Solid Spruce?
Strings: Steel, attached with a loop on a post
Finish: Matte
Case: Fitted Gig Bag
Specs:
http://strumstick.com/html_pages/Ukelele%20Strumstick.htm
Looks
First look: (4) Although it is weird looking, I have to not totally knock it for how it looks. It looks fun and like nothing you will see normally. That being said, yes it is not the prettiest thing in the world either.
Fit and Finish: (2) My guess on how this thing is made is that they get a 2 X 4 cut a notch down the center, spread the sides a part and stick a piece of wood between then to make the sides and neck. Then fit some pieces of wood on the top and back and trim it down to the body, then sand liberally. The next step would be to slam some frets on the “neck” and call it done.
Now to be fair, it is not sloppy or done without care. Everything is straight, and there is a really nice laser cut sound hole. The action is really good and all that, but the wood choice is weird and the neck is 2” thick?? Also the finish on the “Fret Board” makes it impossible to bend the strings at all. It is just done quick and cheap.
Sound:
Sound Type: Tinny and shallow. There is no sound box, I would have to say I would put a pickup in it.
Intonation: (4) Pretty good. Not really off and it seems good up and down the fret board.
Volume: (4) If it had nylon strings there would be no way to hear it. The steel strings make it be heard.
Sustain: (2) It is not like I am muting it with my sleeve, but it dies super quick. I expect more out of steel strings
Feel:
String Height: (medium-low) The strings are where they should be.
Bridge
Neck Radius Depth: (2″) Cut a 2 X 4 in half long ways, round the edges. That is what it is like
Frets: (2) The frets are good, they are not the issue. The fret board as whole sucks, too wide, cannot bend and dents since it is so soft
Tuning: (3) I am not sure the pictures do it justice, but the tuners are, as I can tell, cheap classical tuners that have the 3rd tuner cut off.
Classical guitars have tuners that come in 3s on each side.
Comfort: (3) Like a Risa Solid, this uke requires that you use a strap to play it. I find that the one that they included is really uncomfortable and ugly to boot. Also the super thick neck makes it extra weird to play
Sound Hole Smell: Woodshop
Final Thoughts
Ukuleles are compact enough; there is no reason to make them smaller. I have to commend them on a good try since they did pay attention to things like a nice case, and the nice laser cut sound hole inlay. Beside those things it is a total disaster from the tuning pegs to the posts that hold the custom strings that you can only get from them. The floating bridge looks nice, but is really weirdly placed, and trying to play this thing is really strange. I might be the fact it has steel strings that confuses my fingers or the tension of them, but I found this thing a bear to play. I also did not care for the sound either. Playing with others you get really dirty looks, worse than playing a reso-banjo uke in a crowd of “Normal” uke players.
I would say this thing is not for me. I think I could spend my $200 on something a little nicer.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 4 |
| Fit and Finish | 2 |
| Sound Type | Tinny and Shallow |
| Intonation | 4 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Sustain | 2 |
| String Height | Medium -Low |
| Neck Radius Depth | 2″ |
| Frets | 2 |
| Tuning | 3 |
| Comfort | 3 |
| Sound Hole Smell | Woodshop |
Places to buy on the web: You can find regular StrumSticks online, but not the Ukulele
Only place I have seen them is on their site LINK – $198
Currently the cart does not work, may have to call to order.
Response from StrumStick
“We make the Ukelele Strumstick strictly for fun and its unique sound. There are plenty of great regular ukes out there, we were not trying to make yet another traditional Uke. This has steel strings, and a tiny soundbox, it has a banjo/mandolin kind of sound, and nobody needs it. But, it is a fun character sound, it is all handmade, and the Uke has a long history of interesting novelty varieties being made. The woods are Padouk, Spruce, and Maple, all solid woods. (Not all spruce as listed in the review). This is an instrument made to be inexpensive (as handmade instruments go), simple, but well made of high quality materials, for a specific niche purpose. It is not supposed to sound like a regular Uke, and it is supposed to be as small as possible. I have no issue with anyone not liking the sound (or the looks), but I must say, no 2×4′s were slammed with frets in the making of this instrument.”
HD Audio Samples:
Gallery:
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Ukeeku’s Custom 5-String Concert Boat Paddle Uke
September 27, 2011 at 2:40 am | Posted in Boat Paddle, Concert, Family Photos, General | 4 CommentsTags: Custom, posts, Solid, uke, ukulele
It has been a while since I posted, Life and a new kitchen kind of got in the way, but I am back and I have a new ukulele that I own, sorry I will not be giving this one away any time soon.
In a nutshell I had Jerry of Boat Paddle ukes build me one of his new 12 Frets with some upgrades. I am lucky that I live only 3.5 hours away, so taking a day trip to his shop was not a big deal, and it was worth the trip. I was able to sit down with him and Thom, of the Flea Bitten Dawgs, to talk about what I wanted and what I wanted it to sound like. Jerry showed me a ton of samples and we thumped some wood. the Spruce just rang like a bell. I also gave him my logo to put on it and left it up to him to inlay it, I had a general location, but he sized it to look good. I also really like the thumb nail fret markers on a few other ukes he had pictures of so I went with those. Beyond that I contacted Mi-Si and PegHed to get those, Jerry can get them also, I just wanted to use this opportunity to review those awesome products to and see if I could work out a deal with them on those parts.
I think I calculated the price of the uke would be around $1200 (Keep in mind the pickup alone is $350)
In the near future I will be doing 3 separate reviews for this ukulele. The Uke itself, the pickup, and the PegHed Tuners. Give me about 3 months to really play it and digest what I have done.
But expect that if you see me at a ukulele event I will have it and you are more than welcome to play it.
Specs:
Concert : 12 Fret
Tuners: PegHed with Ebony buttons
Nut & saddle: Bone and metal nut, Bone saddle
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Sides: Solid Walnut
Back: Solid Walnut
Neck: Walnut
String Attachment: Tied
Pickup: Mi-Si Cutless
Finish: Satin
Case: Fremont Tweed
Full Specs:
http://www.boatpaddleukuleles.com/instruments.php
Below is a gallery of the pics and two videos.
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- Product shot of the Misi Cutless
Little video show and tell
Me playing it a little
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Uluru II Concert Full Review
June 2, 2011 at 4:08 am | Posted in Concert, Reviews, Uluru | 5 CommentsTags: Full review, posts, review, uke, ukulele
Uluru (You-Lou-Roo) At least that is how Wade Johnston says it in his video
Why is Wade making a video for Uluru you may ask. The Answer is simple, his dad started Uluru ukuleles. How cool would that be? Wade was/is one of those internet made ukulele stars that all the young girls swooned over, I met him 3 years ago, almost to the day of me writing this, at a bushman luau. Nice guy, had a few fans that came to see him, not my style but I see the attraction to his music. Not sure what is up with wade currently, site is out of date and so is his YouTube.
On the flipside, How cool would it be to start a Uke company and have a son that is known in the uke community?
Read on to see what I thought of it.
Specs:
Concert : 19 Fret
Tuners: Gotoh Friction tuners with wood buttons
Nut & saddle: Bone
Top: Solid Mahogany
Sides: Solid Mahogany
Back: Solid Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard
String Attachment: Knot in a slit
Finish: Matte
Case: None
Full Specs:
HERE
Looks
First look: (4) The website for it even says that it is boring looking, and I think it works for this uke. One of the things that stands out to me is the rounded bottom. At first you don’t realize what is different until you compare it to another ukulele that have a flat bottom. This girl has a nice round bottom, and it brings all the boys to yard if you know what I mean.
Fit and Finish: (5) For a mass produced, solid wood ukulele, under $300 it is really nice. The finish is perfect and everything straight and you can tell a lot of thought was put into every aspect of this ukulele. I love how everything is just smooth. I could not find one issue such as glue or frets sticking out. Now it is not perfect. the bridge is pulling the top up a bit since it lacking in bracing, and that is causing the saddle to be lowered to its almost lowest state while leaving the action a little high. Keep in mind this is common in most ukuleles that I see. If you pay $400+, it better not have that issue.
Sound:
Sound Type: Forward and slightly mellow. She sings. Not a trapped note in her.
Intonation: (4) At the 12th fret it is about 5% off, for most this will never be noticed. Some of this is caused by the bridge pulling up on the top.
Volume: (5) Loud. I think the big back end on this uke gives it a lot to work with. Also the larger sound hole lets all that sound out. It feels like someone really thought and may have experimented with the depth and the size of the sound hole to make sure that it would be nice and loud.
Sustain: (5) Long and nice.
Feel:
String Height: (Med-High) Although the saddle is low, the stings are a little too high.
Compensated
Neck Radius Depth: (5/8″) Basic C shaped neck but skinnier than “Normal” ukes,
Frets: (5) You really have to look, but it is bound. I love a bound fretboard. it is the fastest way to my heart. The frets are also really well dressed and care was taken to make sure they were perfect.
Tuning: (4) It had friction tuners!!! That is how I think all should come. This one seems to go sharp really quick when tuning. I think the nut slots are a little tight and cause it to hold just enough that when it is about in tune, it lets go and you go sharp.
Comfort: (5) I have only played a few other concerts that are as light as this one is. Also the super rounded edges, larger body, and lighter friction tuners make it a dream to hold. Also the thin neck and super smooth finish make it very easy to move up and down the fretboard.
Sound Hole Smell: Slight smell of chicken. Weird thing is I am vegetarian and not sure how that could happen in my house.
Final Thoughts
I may get shot, hung, shunned for saying this, but I would say this is contender to the mainland mahogany ukuleles. The Mainland is $30 cheaper, beside that I would say I would put these toe-to-toe on everything else. It sounds really good and plays like a dream. I hope that more people can try these out and see how good a product Steve Johnston is putting out.
Things to note. Since this is a little bigger, you can buy a case from Uluru. Mine came with the case so I can bring it around to all the fests and uke meetings I go to. I would have to say that if you are going to spend $250, I would get the case to protect it.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 4 |
| Fit and Finish | 5 |
| Sound Type | Forward Mellow |
| Intonation | 4 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Sustain | 5 |
| String Height | Med-High |
| Neck Radius Depth | 5/8″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 4 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Sound Hole Smell | Chicken |
Places to buy on the web:
Flea Circus Music – $245
HD Audio Sample:
Gallery:
-
- Compensated
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David Gill Concert Cedar Fluke Full Review
May 22, 2011 at 9:08 pm | Posted in Concert, D.S.Gill, Reviews | 5 CommentsTags: fluke, Full review, review, Solid, uke, ukulele
In full disclosure I must tell you that I have been to David’s house/workshop a few times and consider him a friend, but when I purchased my Concert Pineapple he did not give me any kind of deal or discount. I paid the normal $350 (that was what he charged at the time, I think he might of raised his prices a little, like $10-$20 since then) and I may in the future ask him to build me a fluke tenor, but I will pay the normal price like everyone else, so on with the review!!
I think around Christmas David sent me a picture of this uke and asked me to review it and tell him what I thought. I was like “Hells yeah!!” I love my pineapple and figured that this would also be just as nice if not better. When I got it, my mind socks were completely blown off. Partly because of the smell when I opened the box. It smelled like cedar, not just a little bit either, with a hint of smoke (Yes, David gill smokes around the ukes, so they smell like smoke for a little bit if you get them from him directly, just so you know) The smoke smell went away in a week but the cedar is here to stay. When I show it to people I say “Smell my hole!!” most think I am crazy, but once they do it they light up and say “That is so awesome”.
NOTE: this uke is sold. After the Mighty MO, one of the people contacted David and bought it. I will send it out Monday morning. I hope it likes Kansas City Missouri.
Specs:
Concert : 18 Fret
Tuners: Open Geared
Nut & saddle: Bone
Top: Solid Aromatic Cedar
Sides: Solid Aromatic Cedar
Back: Solid Aromatic Cedar
Neck: Mahogany and Walnut with a Rosewood fretboard
String Attachment: Knot in a slit
Finish: Matte
Case: None
Full Specs:
He has No Webpage
Looks
First look: (5) When David sent me the picture of this, it had a mahogany version in it too, I was blown away. I thought the cedar one was the prettier of the two by far. When I got it I was just in awe of how it is just striking to look at. It is so different with the white lines of the cedar in the middle and the other two little lines. The back is equally as nice, he even left the little knots in. Most people would never use that part, but he did and it makes it so much cooler. I love the way he book matched the top, back, and headstock veneer. Also if you look the fretboard it is also really nice with its super tight grain and diamond shaped fret markers. I think the fact he leaves all his ukes plain, with minimal decoration is really his signature style, but never seem boring.
Cloudy finish with some scratches
Fit and Finish: (4) Yes, I love this uke, but it is not perfect. I see two issues with it. The first is the finish is a little spotty in parts. Near the fretboard on the body it is kind of dull and easily scratched and dented. I play all the review ukes like I own them, and sometimes that is a little hard, and my Concert Pineapple has the same issue, the finish is a little too thin and scratches easily. The other issue is that the top is not perfectly flat. I think the minimal H-bracing lets the bridge come up a little, making the top not perfectly flat. By no means will this effect anything with sound, intonation, or the setup. He sets up his ukes so low it is unbelievable, and there are no buzzes or issues. I have had my pineapple for years now and it has the same issue but has stayed super stable.
Cloudy Finish
Beyond that this is how an engineer would build a ukulele, because that was what David was before he retired. Everything has a purpose and is all centered around playability and sound. Notice how the perfiling is backwards, that is so the top can vibrate more. The bracing is the way it is and is not attached to the side so it can vibrate freely. Also the neck is attached with a dovetail joint to make it super strong and it also adds to the sound and feel of the instrument. The most amazing thing is the neck. Notice the dark walnut stripe? that is not for looks, it is sandwiched in the middle with the grain going the opposite direction of the mahogany to add a ton of strength to the neck without having a truss rod. The sum of these things, and many others I did not mention, make this one hell of a uke.
NOTE: Most, if not all of David’s ukes fit in regular cases. I have a Fremont Concert case for my concert pineapple and the cedar fluke fits perfectly.
Sound:
Sound Type: Mellow with a punch. Sounds weird but this is a mellow sound, and I figure through time it will change a little.
Intonation: (5) This is where he shines. I have never played a $350 uke that is as perfectly on as all of his ukes are. it can actually be annoying. If it is not in tune, you know it. When I play this one I kept the tuner on as I played. Every chord and note was spot on. When I play a G, both in the normal way and the barred at the 2nd fret, the tuner says G with the needle dead center.
Volume: (5) Loud and it projects. with the giant sound board it just sings. I had no issues hearing my uke when I played with others at the Mighty MO uke fest, so when I screwed up it could be heard J.
Sustain: (5) Long and nice.
Feel:
String Height: (Low) Do I dare say too low? This is so low that it is like butter to play, and that is one of the many reasons I love mine and this one is no exception.
Neck Radius Depth: (5/8″) Basic C shaped neck but skinnier than “Normal” ukes,
Frets: (5) Not a bound fret board, but you will never feel a fret on the side. Also the frets are not super low, making every note super crisp.
Tuning: (5) I always wish for peg tuners, and if you ask David he can do that, if he has not already put the geared ones on. The open geared tuners that he uses are super light and do not make the uke head heavy at all.
Comfort: (5) When people pick up this uke they are amazed how light it is. it looks like a tank. The nice rounded edges and the shape of this makes it super easy to hold an play without a strap. The neck attached at the 15th fret gives you tons of room to play all the way down the neck.
Sound Hole Smell: Cedar Chest. Its aromatic cedar, what did you expect?.
Final Thoughts
I thought long and hard about buying this uke myself. I am glad someone bought it. I want a tenor version anyways, at least that is what I tell myself when I cry myself to sleep at night thinking about it leaving me soon. In reality, David makes awesome ukes and I think he is part of a small group of garage builders who have great ukes, that they make, well…in their garage in their spare time, or as a way to stay busy. Usually they are inexpensive and super well made. Basically they cover their costs of tools and wood, and a little more to buy more tools and wood to keep going and growing as ukulele builders. I have found a few other garage builders, Brad Donaldson is one I just started talking with, and he is sending me one of his this week. I think that some feel it is a risk to buy a uke from these types of builders, but really you get so much more for your money and they usually will go way beyond what other higher priced people would do. This is fun for them, not all about business and making a living. Please do not think I am knocking people like Chuck of Moore Bettah, or Jerry Boat Paddle, it is their profession and they make ukes that are works of art and you know you are getting the best uke. All I am saying is that some of these guys that may put out 50 ukes a year tops are worth a try. I recommend David to anyone who is looking for a great uke below $400. He does not do massive inlays or use AAAAAA woods, but it is amazing how they sound for the price.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 4 |
| Sound Type | Mellow and Punchy |
| Intonation | 5 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Sustain | 5 |
| String Height | Low |
| Neck Radius Depth | 5/8″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 5 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Sound Hole Smell | Cedar Chest |
Places to buy on the web:
Weed Patch Music in Nashville, IN usually has them on hand
Contact David Gill to see what he has or to ask if he will make a specific one
Gill-David@sbcglobal.net
HD Audio Sample:
Gallery:
-
- Cloudy finish with some scratches
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- Cloudy Finish
-
- Backward Lining
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Tall Grass TG-C and TG-CS Full Review
May 21, 2011 at 8:46 pm | Posted in Concert, Reviews, Tall Grass | 4 CommentsTags: bamboo, Full review, posts, review, Solid, uke, ukulele
For 2011 I predicted that Banjo ukes and Bamboo ukes would be the big things, banjo ukes I would say happened, bamboo not so much. I am not sure why bamboo is not that hot of a material right now. I think it may have something to do with being new and untested for ukuleles, great for floors, but how well will it stand the test of time on ukuleles?
Last January someone on the Ukulele Underground forums asked if anyone had heard of Tall Grass Ukuleles. I had not, so I looked into them and found out that they are being sold out of Chicago! How cool is that? so I contacted Josh and asked if I may review one of his ukes and ended up going over to his apartment to pick 2 of them up. I wanted to get one before I went to NAMM so I could show it off to the other ukulele players, and I would have to say there was a lot of interest. Fast-forward 5 months and I still have not done the review. Where does the time go?
These are currently the only 2 models of Tall grass that they sell, the TG-C (concert) and the TG-CS (Concert with a side hole) and they were nice enough to let me review both. Since they are pretty much identical I will point out the slight differences I found in them as we go.
Specs:
Concert : 14 Fret
Tuners: Sealed Geared
Nut & saddle: Composite
Top: Solid Bamboo
Sides: Solid Bamboo
Back: Solid Bamboo
Neck: Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard
String Attachment: Tie
Finish: Matte
Case: None
Full Specs:
http://www.tallgrassukuleles.com/
Looks
First look: (5) One of the things about other bamboo ukes I have reviewed (The Cordoba and Paulele) is that they are very monotone. Just that one yellow bamboo tone from top to bottom. My friend Alex Nailed it when he said “I think they would be so much cooler if they had some kind of contrast, like a rosewood fretboard or something” and I agreed. The Tall Grass ukes have tons of contrast with the rosewood bridge, fretboard and binding. Makes for a really nice looking ukulele. Wish it had something around the sound hole, but no big deal, still really pretty.
Fit and Finish: (3) For a mass produced uke made in China it is OK, and for the price it is pretty darn good, but it does have some issues. I noticed the saddle on one is really low but the strings are kind of high. On closer inspection the top is being pulled a bit by the saddle. This has to do with the fact that it is not braced all that well. Since I have had them they seem to have not moved at all, and I have had them most of the winter, and now that it is nicer they seem stable. Just don’t expect to be able to lower the strings all that much. Also it is built like a tank. The sides are pretty thick, along with the top. I hope that in time, as they are more use to the working with bamboo, they can thin it out and make it more light and add bracing and maybe they can stop screwing the bridge down to the body. All in all the finish is nice and the binding is done really well, but where are the fret markers? It is a small thing, but for a beginner it means the world.
HMMM, Screwed down Bridge?
Sound:
Sound Type: Clear and Mellow. I have to say that the one with the side sound hole is a little more open sounding.
Intonation: (3) Not sure why, but both have some issues with intonation. They are in perfect tune but as you go past the 5th fret the chords sound a little off. I checked it and they are pretty off at the 12th fret. I think a little work on the saddle might help, but if you are super sensitive, this will not work for you. I do have to say that it is on par with a Oscar Schmidt OU-2 and ukes like that. If these ukes were $50 less I would say that the intonation is what you would expect.
Side sound hole makes it look like a laminate, but it just has a piece that supports the hole.
Volume: (4) I don’t know if it is the side sound hole or what but the TG-CS is louder than the TG-C. They are both pretty loud, not screamers and no real booming sound like from a spruce top.
Sustain: (3) Dies pretty quick.
Feel:
String Height: (Med-High) Kind of high, and not much room to fix it..
Neck Radius Depth: (3/4″) Basic C shaped neck,
Frets: (5) I would swear that the fretboard is bound. it is sealed so the frets are very well dressed and you can not feel them on the sides of the neck
Tuning: (5) Sealed geared tuners make it pretty easy to tune and they stay in tune. Wish they were peg tuners, or that it was an option.
Comfort: (4) This thing is heavy to hold and a bit head heavy due to the sealed geared tuners, other than that it has really nice rounded edges and a smooth finish so it is real easy to slide up and down the neck.
Sound Hole Smell: Glue.
Final Thoughts
Look how pretty the grain of the bamboo is with the nice dark binding
I commend Tall Grass for the eco-friendly angle they are going for. Bamboo is one of the fastest renewable resources in the world, and takes no pesticides to grow, and it does make a pretty good uke. I have reviewed a few others and have found that it is so new that many people are still not able to master it. You can tell that the builders are a little hesitant to make it too thin, especially in mass produced instruments like the Cordoba 25CB and the Tall Grass ukes. I have seen some that make it work, like the Paulele and one from Pono, but they are $200+. The 2 Cordobas I received were both cracked because I suspect they were too dry when they were made. The Tall Grass seems super stable and show no issues like that all, but they are a bit thicker and have a much thicker finish on them. As a testament to how tough they are, Josh actually dropped one on a hardwood floor and it was perfectly fine. Just a small blemish in the finish (It is the TG-CS I reviewed!)
I would say that they need to maybe do a little work on the design of this uke, but for $148 and $170, they are great ukes. I think that if they could charge $200+ if they improved the intonation and made the top a bit thinner with better bracing. I would buy one as a travel uke for the most part. It does not react to different humidity levels, and heat has no effect on it. The other thing I would do is put a pickup in it. Since it is not a monster on volume it would make a great stage instrument, reducing the chance for feedback.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 3 |
| Sound Type | Clear and mellow |
| Intonation | 3 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Sustain | 3 |
| String Height | High-Medium |
| Neck Radius Depth | 3/4″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 5 |
| Comfort | 4 |
| Sound Hole Smell | Glue |
Places to buy on the web:
Tall Grass Ukes TG-C $148 TG-CS $170
HD Audio Samples:
TG-C
TG-CS
Gallery:
-
- HMMM, Screwed down bridge?
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- Side sound hole makes it look like a laminate, but it just has a piece that supports the hole.
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Lanikai LBU-C Concert Reso Banjo Uke Full Review
April 23, 2011 at 5:07 am | Posted in Banjo, Concert, Lanikai | 6 CommentsTags: banjo, banjolele, Full review, posts, review, uke, ukulele
Are you sick of playing with a bunch of people and you can’t hear your own uke in the crowd? Then you need this Lanikai LBU-C banjo uke. You will never be lost in the crowd again. I guarantee that you will be noticed, whether you are good player or not!!
I am not allowed to play this unless I am in a room with a closed door on the other side of the house when my wife is home, no joke. This thing is as loud as it gets and it throws the sound out with great force, and it demands to be heard. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not.
Specs:
Lanikai LBU-C
Concert : 18 Fret
Tuners: Antique Brass Open Geared
Maple & Ebony 3-Leg Bridge
Bone Nut
Head Material: Synthetic skin
Head Size” 8″
Rim: 6 Layer Flame Maple
Tone ring: Yes
Back: Flame Maple Resonator
Neck: Mahogany, Rosewood Fretboard
String attachment: Wrap Around a post
# of J-Hooks: 12
Coordinator: Metal
Finish: Matte rim, resonator, and neck, Antiqued Brass hardware
Weight: 4.5 LB
Case: Fitted Bag
Full Specs:
http://lanikaiukes.com/laniblog/ukuleles/stage-series/
Looks
First look: (5) Of all the banjo ukes I have seen this one comes the closest in looks to an aged banjo. When you first look at it, it looks really pretty and rich. There is nothing shinny on the whole thing, and it is the matte look that’s makes it stand out because it it not actually all blinged out with chrome.
Fit and Finish: (4) It is very pretty with its old-time charms and finish. All in all it has a lot of really nice choices like the antiqued brass and the flamed maple, but it has some finishing issues. some of the maple is not stained evenly and the screws that hold the resonator are not even at all. Also the flat black paint on the rim scratches really easy. Besides that the unstained maple binding is really nice.
Sound:
Sound Type: LOUD and the most like banjo.
Intonation: (5) If the intonation is off, it is your own fault for the most part. most banjo ukes are shipped with the bridge laying down and you have to set it up, or find someone to do it for you. This one didn’t come setup and ready to play, it was very easy to setup.
Volume: (5) there is only one way to make it louder without adding a pick-up, an uncoated plastic head. The fact that it has a tone ring and a resonator make it almost too loud. If you want to drown out everyone, or play with a guitar player, this is the ukulele for you.
Resonator Seperate from the Rim
Sustain: (5) It just keeps ringing and ringing forever.
Feel:
String Height: (Me-Low) Not low but not high either. a very playable setup. The nice thing about having it as high as it is it makes it so you can really attack it without any issues of buzz.
Neck Radius Depth: (7/8″) Thick, just like a banjo maker would make it. I think this is a necessary evil since the head is so heavy. You would not want a thin neck if you are grabbing it or holding it from the neck all the time.
Frets: (5) Perfect. Well dressed and low as can be. And as I always say, a bound fret board is the way to my heart. I like the added touch that it is bound with maple.
Tuning: (4) The geared tuners are nice but a little stiff even after I loosened them a little.
Comfort: (5) I play it sitting down, and that is the best thing to do with it. holding it or straping to yourself may not be the most comfortable thing to do, but the resonator makes up for that issue. since it adds about an inch or so the rim it seems in the right place resting on your lap while playing.
Sound Hole Smell: What sound hole? Paint?
Final Thoughts
Of all the banjo ukes this is the nicest looking, but I don’t think it is for me. It is a little too heavy and way to loud. I would have a hard time singing with it, but that does not make it a bad banjo uke, it is just not my style. I think this would a great ukulele for someone in a band that needs to have the banjo uke front and center. it looks cool, it sounds really nice and full, and it will blow the socks off anyone expecting it to be a timid instrument since it is a ukulele at heart.
I have to say this is the only ukulele that I have ever reviewed that I truly believe that you could beat someone to a bloody pulp, wipe it off a bit and play them a happy little ditty. it is a tank.
I will have this one at the Mighty MO Ukulele Fest this May if you want to try it out.
Review 5 done, 1 more to go.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 4 |
| Sound Type | LOUD and most banjo like |
| Intonation | 5 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Sustain | 5 |
| String Height | Med-Low |
| Neck Radius Depth | 7/8″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 4 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Sound Hole Smell | What sound Hole? Paint? |
HD Audio Clips:
Places to buy on the web:
Elderly - $489
Gallery:
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Mainland Concert Banjo Ukulele Full Review
April 20, 2011 at 4:24 am | Posted in Banjo, Concert, Mainland | 7 CommentsTags: banjo, banjolele, Full review, posts, review, Solid, tuning pegs, uke, ukulele
I am not sure what stories you may have heard about the journey that Mike took to bring this uke to market, but you should know that Mainland has been trying for a few years to bring one to market that is below $300 and up to Mikes standards. At Ukin’ in the Woods Mike told me a story about one prototype he got where the frets were all crooked and there was clay and debris in the hardware, it was total junk, and that was his 2nd or third try at finding someone who could make them for him. Thanks to Mike and his wife Tootkas hard work and patients we have the Mainland Banjo uke. and this is not the last one either.
They will have the matte finish mahogany and a maple version available soon in both soprano and concert scale, also just like all the mainland ukes, you have the option of what tuners you want on your banjo ukulele (Friction in silver and gold with different color buttons, or sealed with different types of buttons. There are 10 different tuners currently)
Specs:
Mainland Concert Banjo Ukulele
Concert : 18 Fret
Tuners: Silver Friction w\ Amber Buttons
Maple & Ebony 3-Leg Bridge
Bone Nut
Head Material: Coated Plastic
Head Size” 8″
Rim: Mahogany
Tone ring: None
Back: Closed
Neck: Mahogany, Rosewood Fretboard
String attachment: Knot
# of J-Hooks: 8
Coordinator: None
Finish: Gloss rim and neck, Chrome hardware
Weight: 2 LB
Case: Optional Hard case
Full Specs:
http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=74&categoryId=12
Looks
First look: (4) OK, who forgot to put the rope binding on the head? I know that it is not suppose to be there but I wish is had a little decoration. It is kind of sparse and plain looking, and the lack of j-hooks makes it look like it was done to save money, and it may be that way. It is under $300, so something have to give, and since the number of J-hooks is not the most important part, the 8 hold the head down just fine.
Fit and Finish: (4) I am usually hard pressed to find an issue with any Mainland ukulele. The gloss is really nice and feels really nice and solid, but not heavy like other banjo ukes. Roger Vittitoe (my Banjo guru here in BloNo) was amazed on how it was made and very impressed that it did not need a coordinator rod and it still has nice thin sides. Like all Mainland the fret board is dressed perfectly and the action is where it should be. My issue is with the choice of hardware. the j-hooks seem a little cheap and not all flush with the body, and the tail piece is a thin bent piece of metal. Beside that it is really nice, I just wish those were a bit nicer for the price.
Sound:
Sound Type: Punchy with some twang. I think something in the hardware does vibrate a little with the strings and it gives it an extra “banjo” sound. The closed back seems to also help push the sound out, instead of being lost on my fat belly.
See..not coordinator rod. But it Lights up pretty cool!
Intonation: (5) If the intonation is off, it is your own fault for the most part. most banjo ukes are shipped with the bridge laying down and you have to set it up, or find someone to do it for you. This one came setup and ready to play
Volume: (5) The closed back helps the volume project out. making it really loud even though it does not have a tone ring or a resonator. It is not as loud as a resonator banjo uke, but it would be heard. On the volume front, that is one small drawback to the design, no way to stuff it without taking the head off.
Sustain: (4) Pretty good, but expected it to go longer. still good.
Feel:
String Height: (Medium) This one has room to be lowered if you would like it to be, but I felt like it was nice to play and good for my style of playing. You know, Flailing like I am being electrocuted while playing 5 foot 2.
Neck Radius Depth: (3/4″) Still thicker than a normal concert, but not the tree branch that you see on the other banjo ukes. This one actually starts out smaller at the hard and gets thicker as it goes to the heel.
Frets: (5) Perfect. You would think that it had binding on the fretboard it is so smooth.
Tuning: (5) I love the friction tuners that Mainland uses, they are like butter. easy to tune and stays in tune to boot. Also unlike the other banjo ukes I have been playing with, this one seems to not go sharp super quick when I am trying to tune it.
Comfort: (5) The lack of j-hooks actually makes this very comfortable to play. The weight is not that bad and my arm can hold the body with my forearm between j-hooks. Also since it is so light and the j-hook spacing, I don’t need a strap to hold it if I am playing standing up.
Big spacing between j-hooks makes a nice place for your arm
Sound Hole Smell: What sound hole?
Final Thoughts
My first note is more of a challenge; Someone needs to put a light in this uke! that picture looks totally RAD!!! If you are brave enough balls to drill a hole in one then you will be the king of the banjo ukes when you turn it on, OR maybe run the light off of a pickup or something. Any who…
I credit Mainland for the popularity of the banjo uke right now, and I think they did a great job of coming out with a product that is not the cookie cutter banjo uke. I had to have it for banjo uke week, and Mike was happy to send it to me. The sealed closed back and the neck that that is not the same thickness all the way from the head to heel. it is built like a uke, but with a banjo head, and you know Mike will stand behind it and you will get the best service in the world when you buy one, it’s a frick’n Mainland! I know some will not like the sound of it, so change the head to a real skin head or an uncoated plastic head. And if you don’t like banjo ukes, then don’t buy one!
I will have this one at the Mighty MO Ukulele Fest this May if you want to try it out.
Review 3 done, 3 more to go.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 4 |
| Fit and Finish | 4 |
| Sound Type | Punchy, some twang |
| Intonation | 5 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Sustain | 4 |
| String Height | Medium |
| Neck Radius Depth | 3/4″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 5 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Sound Hole Smell | What sound Hole? |
HD Audio Clips:
Places to buy on the web:
Mainland – $299.50, case is $50 extra
Uke Republic – ON SALE $285, Case is $50
Gallery:
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Eleuke EAS-C Acoustic Full Review
April 11, 2011 at 3:34 am | Posted in Concert, Eleuke | 5 CommentsTags: BugsGear, cheap, Electric, Eleuke, Full review, Laminate, posts, review, Solid, uke, ukulele
A little over a year ago I was able to review a solid body concert Eleuke (the CCK100BL-MP3, review here) and I really liked it, so did the guy I was able to give it to. All I ever knew Eleuke as was a solid body ukulele with really cool electronics. A uke you could play and listen to with your headphones without bothering everyone around you. Now they have acoustic models? I was so confused, and many people that I showed it to ask the same question “Why did they make that?” My only answer was “Because they could!!” and I am really happy they did. I see the need and how it is still as relevant as the solid body ones. Sure you can’t be as discreet with it but really it is still awesome to have an instrument that you don’t need headphones to hear and you can plug your mp3 player into it and a set of headphones and play a long, how cool is that? Another thing that I do is plug the headphones in and plug it into my amp, kind of works as a monitor so you know how well you are playing. The cool thing about Eleuke is that they keep coming up with new products and they also listen to their customers. I am pretty sure people had asked for this uke and they delivered. (Keep your eyes peeled for the peanut)
Read on to see what I thought of this ukulele.
And did I mention that I am giving away 2 of these? Stay tuned for more after Banjo Uke week April 17-23.
Specs:
Concert : 19 3/4 Frets (E and A have 2 more than G and C)
Tuners: Silver Sealed Geared
Nut & saddle: Bone
Top: Solid Spruce
Sides: Rosewood Laminate
Back: Rosewood Laminate
Neck: Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard
String Attachment: Tie
Finish: Matte
Pickup: Under saddle piezo Eleuke custom pickup. MP3 Input, headphone output, 1/4 inch output
Case: Super padded Custom bag
Full Specs:
http://www.eleukeusa.com/item/eleuke-acoustic-electric-spruce.html
Looks
First look: (4) I would give it a 3 if it was not for the off center sound hole and the fretboard coming down into the body really far. Honestly from a far it is pretty plain, it is the sound hole and the knobs sticking out that will grab many people’s attention. If it was not for those two things it would look like any other plain Jane uke with a spruce top. I wish it had some binding to cover the laminate edges and that they would make a nicer headstock logo, instead of the gold that blends into the wood.
Body Shot
Side shot of the solid Spruce top
Fit and Finish: (3) I think I have the first 2 off the boat so they may have fixed the issues, but the review ones I received have some issues. The first one I received had the sound hole all beat up and some minor finish issues that are hard to see unless you look at an angle in the right light (Yes I look at everything) also both have some rough edges that needed to be sanded down. I think these things are the result of keeping it under $200. NOTE: When I had the sound hole issue they fixed it right away and I know these people, they stand behind all products they sell.
Sound:
Sound Type: Mellow, but clear, plugged in it is smooth and not over driving. You can really tell that it is an acoustic
Nice Knobs!
Intonation: (4) Found that it is about 5% off at the 12th fret. Not uncommon for most inexpensive ukes. If you are super sensitive about that kind of thing then don’t get this one unless you are willing to have it professionally setup. 99% of players would never notice. The nut is pretty low, so the issue of going sharp on the first fret will not happen.
Volume: (4) The top is solid spruce and respectably thin. It could be louder, it seems to not want to push the sound out as much as I thought it would. In the end it is not bad, but could be better.
Sustain: (3) Not super long. Seems to die quickly. in some ways this is good since it is meant to be plugged in.
Feel:
String Height: (medium) It is good, not awesome.
Neck RadiusDepth: (3/4″) Basic C shaped neck.
Frets: (3) The first one I received the frets are perfect, dressed right. The second one is not as good and you can feel them all the way down the side of the neck. I would expect it from a cheaper instrument.
Tuning: (5) I do like traditional friction tuners, but it seems that few mass produced ukes do that anymore. These are nice and easy to tune with. Kind of wished it had a built-in tuner, which would be nice.
Comfort: (4)You don’t notice how heavy the solid body Eleukes are. The battery and other electronics make this acoustic version feel heavy. Still easy to play, I wish they would round the corners a little more; it leaves a line in my arm that feels like it is cutting in a bit.
Sound Hole Smell:Glue
Final Thoughts
I don’t want to leave you with the feeling that I don’t like this ukulele. I think it is a weird mix of compromises. On one hand it sells for under $200, but it has a ton of features like solid spruce top, sealed tuners, and a custom Eleuke pick-up system with a personal amp. To do this, things like binding, better back and side woods, and maybe quality had to be compromised a little bit to keep affordable.
When it comes down to it I would say this is a good all-around uke for someone who can only have one ukulele and they need it to be durable, play pretty well, and have a pick-up in it. The heavy gig bag alone is worth $25, and the pick-up system would be $100, so the $80 you pay for the actual instrument seems to be dead on for the quality.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 4 |
| Fit and Finish | 3 |
| Sound Type | Mellow, nice plugged in |
| Intonation | 4 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Sustain | 3 |
| String Height | Medium |
| Neck Radius Depth | 3/4″ |
| Frets | 3 |
| Tuning | 5 |
| Comfort | 4 |
| Sound Hole Smell | Glue |
Mic
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- Laminate back
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- In its case
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- Body Shot
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- Electronics seen from the soundhole
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- Headphone and MP3 jacks
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- Nice Knobs!
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- Side shot of the solid Spruce top
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