My first Tenor, what's your impression of these models?

I’ll second Phil’s recommendation of the Islander MST (if/when available), and UkeEddie’s of Cordobas (which have spruce, mahogany, or acacia options), and the Pono recs, too. The Cordoba 30 series models are coming with a case (from theukulelesite.com), where shipping is free for $400+ orders, maybe $20 otherwise. Islanders and some Cordobas have the 1.5” nut width, as noted by . . . someone. Ponos are 1.375” at the nut, and the neck is thick (apparently to accommodate the truss rod) and relatively heavy. I’m about to sell a Pono Mahogany Tenor Deluxe (in order to buy another Cordoba tenor) that has a Pono passive pickup, and a case (see http://www.theukulelesite.com/pono-mtd-mahogany-tenor-deluxe.html for specs, etc.), at at least close to your price limit.

But then there are other ukuleles (Mainland, others) that I’ve never played, and that seem to be good candidates, too. Because you can’t play one before buying, a decent return policy would help in case you don’t like what you’re getting sound-unseen.

Yesterday I got in the car and drove to the Guitar Center.

First ...let me say I would never buy from GC. The only things I ever buy there is strings and picks. Reason is several Christmas ago, a co-worker asked me to go look for a $1000 guitar for her daughter and the manager of the store asked me to play a high end Martin a for his customer and told them I was a NATURAL and bought all my guitars from GC. Furthest from the truth and that offended me. I am good because I practice 15 to 20 hours a week and have for 30 years. I have no natural ability at all. I struggled and almost gave up several times. FYI, you really have to look close at some of the guitars sold at GC, because the vendors sneak some of what I believe to be 2nd's in quality. Enough of my GC bashing and back on the subject of ukulele's.

I was at GC for about 3-1/2 hours and the tenor ukulele I really liked was a Kremona Mari but it was a little out of my reach for right now. So here is how I ranked what I seemed to gravitate towards. They really didn't have a great selection tenors. Additionally they were all factory setup and I have to assume a custom setup could have made an improvement.

1. Cordoba 35TS
2. Cordaba 30T
3. Martin Koa
4. Fender Solid Mahogany.

Out of what they had avaliable I would likely go with the Cordoba 30T. BTW, GC would not let me use a pick and that really pissed me off.

So the quest is still on and I hope to make the big leap by the end of the day tomorrow. I find it humorous that I have gotten so many suggestions for tenors that are not available, out of stock or out of production. That seems to be my luck but all and all I have to say that comparing this forum to a couple of my guitar forums I frequent, "Ukulele Underground" seems to be the most active and you guys are willing to give an opinion and I really appreciate that.

So today, back on the phone.

Thanks again and I will keep you updated.
-brad-

b_rad said:

BTW, GC would not let me use a pick and that really pissed me off

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To be fair, I wouldn't either. Aside from the fact that virtually nobody plays the uke with a pick, you can easily screw the strings for the next customer that comes along, assuming you don't buy the uke yourself.

Good luck with your search, however.

b_rad said:

First ...let me say I would never buy from GC. The only things I ever buy there is strings and picks.

I was at GC for about 3-1/2 hours and the tenor ukulele I really liked was a Kremona Mari
1. Cordoba 35TS
2. Cordaba 30T
3. Martin Koa
4. Fender Solid Mahogany.

Out of what they had avaliable I would likely go with the Cordoba 30T. BTW, GC would not let me use a pick and that really pissed me off.

-brad-

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As a former small business owner, I second The Big Kahuna's post. From your statement, you appeared to have spent over three hours playing at least five instruments that you had no intention of purchasing. I probably would have escorted you out the door.

Reason for re-editing-I had edited my post within a few minutes and deleted the comment about escorting the OP out the door, but the OP saw it before I did that and responded to the entire post. I do feel that it does apply in this case - even though the OP has bought other products- so I have put the statement back in.

actadh said:

As a former small business owner, I second The Big Kahuna's post. From your statement, you appeared to have spent over three hours playing at least five instruments that you had no intention of purchasing. I probably would have escorted you out the door.

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I have bought several guitars for myself and others, a couple of amps and have spent literally thousands with GC over the years. I have also helped customers decide between two guitars and helped GC make that on-the-spot sell countless times. I have every right to be there. BTW, I was pretty must the only customer in the store the entire time I was there.

I do not wish to get into a pissing match with you or anyone else. GC dose minor repairs but does not do setups at least where I live. I will likely buy from someone that has the ability to properly setup my purchase.

Sorry I offended you.

Have a nice day!

I found a Kala KA-ATP-CT. It's a little different than the solid mahogany I've been pondering over l but it can be had for $100 from a Luthier I often use. It was brought to him months ago for a setup and never picked up. He gave the owner repeat calls and ample time to come and get it.

Anyone have any pros or cons about this model?

http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-atp-ct-satin-tenor-slothead.html

At $ 100 I'd have his hand off mate.

b_rad said:

Out of what they had avaliable I would likely go with the Cordoba 30T. BTW, GC would not let me use a pick and that really pissed me off.

So the quest is still on and I hope to make the big leap by the end of the day tomorrow. I find it humorous that I have gotten so many suggestions for tenors that are not available, out of stock or out of production. That seems to be my luck but all and all I have to say that comparing this forum to a couple of my guitar forums I frequent, "Ukulele Underground" seems to be the most active and you guys are willing to give an opinion and I really appreciate that.

So today, back on the phone.

Thanks again and I will keep you updated.
-brad-

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Go for the Cordoba 30T! I LOVE Cordoba's 30 series and they have a gorgeous gloss finish. Since you played one, you CAN'T go wrong getting it from theukulelesite.com(HMS) and they will do a FREE FULL set-up!

http://www.theukulelesite.com/cordoba-30t-solid-mahogany-tenor-package.html

I've done business with them and I'm sure many can attest that you will have the best experience buying from them. Their customer service is unmatched and here's a video of their business:

http://vimeo.com/109143232

b_rad said:

I found a Kala KA-ATP-CT. It's a little different than the solid mahogany I've been pondering over l but it can be had for $100 from a Luthier I often use. It was brought to him months ago for a setup and never picked up. He gave the owner repeat calls and ample time to come and get it.

Anyone have any pros or cons about this model?

Click to expand...

I have the gloss version. Highly recommended! For $100 that'd be a no-brainer for me.

I recently played two Cordubas. IIRC they were both concert ukes. One was a second and clearly marked and discounted as such. My ears like the sound of both. I particularly liked the Corduba neck design.

Both of these instruments were found at my local GC. I spent about 5 hours total in store in two days and did buy a uke. I hadn't planned on it but you know how that goes. All of the sales staff was friendly and polite but not very uke savvy. I received some misinformation but I don't think it was deliberate. The shop luthier/repair man was uke savvy. we had an extended conversation and I feel confident he could handle any problems I have with my new Uke. This was a selling point for me. GC also honored lowest internet price criteria and indeed I negotiated 5% more off the lowest verified internet price. I would have gotten 6% but the manager was at lunch.