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:
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- Cloudy finish with some scratches
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- Cloudy Finish
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- Backward Lining
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Winter NAMM 2011 Big Report
January 17, 2011 at 11:39 pm | Posted in Events, General, Shows | 18 CommentsTags: banjo, banjolele, Chris Martin, Eleuke, fluke, Humidity, Laminate, Mango, Martin, posts, uke, ukulele
Well, Winter NAMM 2011 is over and I am on my home (back to reality) so I figured I would do a big recap. The last four days have whizzed by so fast, it is a blur of meeting vendors and walking around with 2 of the most fun people in the world (Sally and Mim).
Below I will break down stuff so you can skip around and not have to read all the boring stuff.
Trends
I have noticed a few trends with the ukulele during NAMM. The first is that ukuleles are still exploding and the market is growing, this is past fad. I was asked so many times what was going on and all I could say is that the uke is here to stay.
Pono Bamboo ukulele
Another trend is bamboo. I did a review of the Paulele already, and waiting on the Cordoba, but I saw several bamboo ukes from Pono, and I carried a Tall grass uke with me to NAMM to show people. I think it is the fact that people are trying to be more eco-friendly and trying new materials. Bamboo seems like the one for now, not sure how it will last. All I can say is that the Pono one hits every wicket on looks, quality, and sound.
Another pono bamboo ukulele
YES! a Fluke banjo uke.
The last one is Banjo ukes. Gold Tone has had the Banjolele for a long time, but it is well above the $300 mark. The holy grail, if you will, is below $300. Morgan Monroe (soon to be Eddy Finn) was the first 6” open back banjo uke that I saw at summer NAMM, but now I can find the exact same one from aNueNue and several other people. It was funny, I went to Chesbro (Eleuke) and said “ Wow! No banjo ukes.” They responded with “wait another month or two” so it seems that everyone is getting in on the game and they seem to be all from the same factory. On the Banjo uke trend there are 2 companies that have ones out or coming out very soon, and they could not be any different. Mainland has their close back concert with a much larger head than all the little 6” head ones you see everywhere, and Flea Market Music (Flea and Flukes) banjo uke made from a small hand drum.
New products
There were so many new products, these are the ones that caught my eye.
Martin S1- I was lucky enough to get one a few days before NAMM and wrote some first impressions on it. LINK
Kala Ukadelics- We knew they were coming out with these, and they are a ton of fun. So many fun designs and they play pretty well, I think they will be about $120. For anyone who wants some fun designs and a pretty good uke, this is a winner.
Kala Ukadelic
Gold Tone Reso uke – Yes it will be $400 but it is a really awesome rose copper color and is a lot less than any other reso uke out there.
Gold Tone Reso-uke
Eddy Finn Ukes – SHS will be making these fun ukes and they range in price from $100 – $400. As you can see the sound hole is very fun with the fin, but it is even cooler than that. When I picked one up I was thinking I was going crazy, I smelled pineapples. The Ukes are rubbed with a coconut and pineapple oil so they will smell awesome. So unique and just par for the course for SHS. Ask Mim of Mim’s Ukes in Charlotte NC about them, she is getting a few of them right away. I will also getting some for review in February.
Wall of Eddy Finns
Flea Market Music Banjo Uke – I was told they will be available soon and be going for $220, but they are working on a poly fret board version to get the price down. I have to say they are a ton of fun and the lightest banjo ukulele you will find. They sound awesome to boot with the open back. When I asked about the body they said “if your wife hits you over the head with it and crack the body we can replace it pretty easily” I said “Do you know my Wife?”
On top of the banjo uke they also came out with a ton of new designs. I really dig the retro countertop design.
More Fluke banjo Ukes, coming March
Big Island Mango – I did a review last year of a SP-KT and loved it, but now they also have mango and mahogany ukes. The mahogany look like the others, but the mango are just eye catching. Sally and I fell in love with them. They will be another Uke that Mim will carry when they come out in the next few months.
Big Island Mango. Very nice
Eleuke Peanut – The one I saw was a prototype and will look different than the one pictured (Square head and a little longer butt to make it easier to hold) and they are aiming at sub $100 for it, and they have the same guts as all the other Eleukes, should be awesome. I hope to review one when they come to market.
Does anyone want a peanut?
Kala Solid UBass – I think this is really cool. I am not a fan of acoustic basses, seems like a waste. You can’t really get a loud sound out of one when a good uke is going. You have to plug it in anyways. They are so light and small; I think regular bass players will get one to travel with or to be unique.
Kala Solid UBass, 4 and 5
Spider Capo – So how many times are you like “man I wish I could change my tuning without having to retune the whole uke? We were sitting in the press area and they did a press conference on this product. It looks like fun. I was lucky enough to get one for review. I will play with it and a contest of sorts will happen in the near future. I will keep you posted.
Spider Capo
Fun
Beside annoying vendors for review stuff I was lucky enough to do some really fun things like the big uke jam that Aldrine from UkuleleUnderground.com organized, and then going to dinner with a big group of UU people, including Aldrine and Aaron of UU; nothing but laughter. Sally made a video of those that were there.
I walked by a ton of famous people, beside Aldrine who played at least 5 gigs. I saw the bass player from Blink182, Jonny 5, Steve Vai, Michael Anthony, and many people signing autographs that I had no clue about. I would just walk by and look. It was weird. I Know Sally saw Glen Campbell. All in all it is weird to see them walking around.
Here is a video that will blow your f-ing mind socks off! 11 string bass plugged into an amp that runs on battery and a pedal box that also runs on battery.
I also was lucky that the two people that came with me are way too much fun. We had so many inside jokes and did nothing but laugh; there are so many great stories.
Sally and Mim
Thank You
I want to thank my readers for some of the biggest site numbers I have ever had without a contest going on. Some of you also contacted me to make sure that I did not miss any of the cool things that where there. I do this for the love of the uke and really love when people care enough to participate and keep me in the loop.
My biggest thanks has to go out to Mim of Mim’s ukes and Sally. Sally was kind enough to kick her kids out of their beds for 4 days so Mim and I could stay at her house. Both of Sally and Mim where the best 2 people to bring I could have ever wished for. Every booth I went to, Mim and Sally would get to later, they would talk Ukeeku.com up and make sure that they remembered me, it was just awesome.
More NAMM 2011 Coverage
The Best place to go for Ukulele related NAMM 2011 coverage would have to be UkuleleUnderground.com
Gallery
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- Wall of Eddy Finns
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- Does anyone want a peanut?
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- Wylde six string ukulele?
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- Gold Tone Reso-uke
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- Kala Solid UBass, 4 and 5
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- Kala Ubass family
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- Kamoa Cases. Come in many colors
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- Sally and Mim
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- Pono Bamboo ukulele
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- Another pono bamboo ukulele
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- Spider Capo
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Mango Fluke Full Review
July 18, 2009 at 5:09 am | Posted in Brands, Concert, Magic Fluke, Reviews | 8 CommentsTags: fluke, Full review, Mango, review, uke, ukulele
The Mango Fluke
I want to start this out with saying that this is a fun instrument……..but it could be better. I received a Fluke and Flea from The Magic Fluke Co. a few weeks ago, thank you Dale Webb for being the first to send me instruments to review. I have played them a few times and have seen many of them at different fests and shops. Many people play them for their looks and the fact that the basic ones with the plastic (Yes I know polycarbonate, but plastic is shorter to type) back and fret board, along with a laminate top, they are almost indestructible. I read a story about a person that actually had to use their fluke as a paddle because they lost the oars on their boat and it was still playable!! I digress; read the full review below.
Specs: Concert size, Australian Hoop Pine top, mango colored (Comes in and ever changing array of colors, designs, and woods), injection molded body, polycarbonate single piece bridge, Maple neck with an Injection molded Polycarbonate fret board with frets part of the mold, Grover non-geared tuners, and Hilo Black nylon strings
Looks
Unique Head stock of the Fluke
First look: (4) The first thing I said when I saw one was “That looks like a boat paddle. Cool!!”. You know a fluke when you see one. One of the things that I like is that the only place that you see the brand is the label on the inside of the instrument, very classy and minimalist. I think the headstock design is just as much a logo as any you see on many ukes like Martin or Bushman. I gave this one a 4 because it is a plain boring mango, they have much cooler looking ones. If I had to pick one it would be the surf fluke with the rosewood fret board.
Fit and Finish: (4) The construction on this instrument is tight. Every bit is sanded with no discoloration in the finish. The neck is smooth with not a single hard edge. Where I ding it is in 3 places. The fret board is slightly smaller than the neck, so there is a slight ridge. The second
Glue under the Bridge
thing that I can see is the glue under the bridge where the strings slide in. My last issue is that the wood on the top sits lower in the body, leaving a ridge which makes for some uncomfortable playing when it digs into my arm. All are very minor items that are not noticeable to most people.
Sound:
Sound Type: Bright and punchy.
Polycarbonite Molded Bridge/Saddle
Intonation: (3) The intonation is not that bad, but it cannot be fixed. With a combined bridge/saddle it cannot be adjusted. Many times the A and the C need to be slightly altered at the saddle (As with this instrument), and that is not an issue for many instruments. With this one, if you go too far there is no way to replace the saddle. you will never notice any issues unless you play past the 9th fret.
Volume: (4) Like all other molded back instruments, it is loud. It can be loader with strings like Aquila or Worth.
Sustain: (5) Notes rang out loud, clear, and long. A very hard plastic fret board and a thin top let it ring. It breaks down very nicely. I think that having the frets molded into the fret board helps the sustain when you are using a vibrato technique (Where you wiggle your finger on the string on the note you want to keep going).
Feel:
String Height: (Medium) The 0 fret design always helps with making the strings very low. One of the nice parts about having molded parts is that they were able to have consistent string height.
Neck Radius Depth: (3/4″) It might be a pretty standard depth, but it far from standard. The neck is the same thickness from the headstock to where it meets the body. The back of the neck is flat; making bar cords a little easier to play. The neck feels very thick, even though it is not.
0 Fret and fret board closeup
Frets: (5) The frets are part of the mold when you get the plastic fret board, so they are very consistent. Very easy to make a solid note or cord. I really like the way that they are very low so sliding from one note is like butter. An interesting feature that many ukuleles don’t have is the 0 fret. makes it nice to have the strings start out so low to the fret board.
Tuning: (4) Friction tuners are my preference, but many people like geared tuners. The tuners did slip at first so I tightened them and they stayed. I did have some small issues though. One of my issues was with the C string, it would catch at the nut causing me to go sharp as soon as it let go. It would be an easy fix if I owned the instrument. Just take a file and loosen it up. By the second week the strings stretched at it stayed in tune.
Comfort: (4) With the composite parts and the laminate wood top, this is a very light uke. I could not weigh it, but is light and also balanced. It almost balances at the 13th fret. One of the other things that I really like is the flat back on the neck along with the consistent width all the way from the first fret to where it meets the body at the 11th fret. My only issue in the comfort area is that it really digs into my arm where I am holding it on the body. I leaves a really deep indentation in my arm. This is due to the top being set in lower into the body, leaving a ridge where my arm holds it. I don’t notice it unless I play for at least an hour or more.
If this was my instrument I would upgrade a few things. 1. Go with a wood fret board. 2. Different strings. 3. Have a design on the body (Very few ukuleles have that option). All in all I really do like the fluke. I think I would use it more for stage use and also a travel instrument because it is bullet proof, so it can take a beating and change in climate and still keep rocking.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
Comes with a really nice padded bag
| First Look | 4 |
| Fit and Finish | 4 |
| Sound Type | Bright and Punchy |
| Intonation | 3 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Sustain | 5 |
| String Height | Medium |
| Neck Radius Depth | 3/4″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 4 |
| Comfort | 4 |
Places to buy on the web:
Direct from Flea Market Music store (The only place you can customize the snot out of it) As reviewed $195, Custom can get over $400.
Elderly has it for $189
Hope you enjoyed this full review. Please comment.
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