NUD!!! Kamaka HF-3 Anniversary

MainlandGal510

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Is it normal to keep checking the FedEx tracker & holding my breath whenever I hear a truck drive by???!??!?

Waiting on my holy grail to be delivered today!
And the bonus was the hubby didn't bat an eye when I said I had one on the way!! (*fist pump)

Will def post some pics. I enjoy other people's NUD pix and I can tell they're so happy!

Thanks for indulging my anticipation.
 
Is it normal to keep checking the FedEx tracker & holding my breath whenever I hear a truck drive by???!??!?

Yes, it's normal. Even when I haven't ordered anything, I think I do it sometimes. LOL.

I bet you're going to be thrilled with your new arrival. Is it an anniversary model? Either way, enjoy!

Edit: Oops, I see in the title that it IS an anniversay model. Good thing I'm not handing out awards at the Oscars, or there would be another mistake there.
 
Totally normal, and I could feel the excitement in your writing ... so great. Congratulations, I am sure you will love it. I love my HF-3L 100th.
 
It's here! It's beautiful & impeccably clean inside & out.

Sounds so, so sweet, complex and louder compared to my other ukes. Now I get it. I did play some Kanileas & Koalohas before ordering. I just preferred Kamakas.
I also love the striping. The sides show more copper highlights. The A string might be cut close to the edge of the fretboard & found myself fretting air. LOL Maybe I have to adjust my technique. Haven't plugged in the pickup yet, soon. I'm keeping the stock strings for now but I like Worth Browns, Fremont Blacks & Oasis normally. I've seen sets with "wound 3rd & wound 4th". Anyone know what are the purpose of wound strings on a ukulele?

Here's some pix otherwise it's all a hallucination. Thanks for stopping by!
kamakaFrnt.jpgKamakaBck.jpgKamakaTopSide.jpgKamakaSider.jpg
 
Very nice. I like the sides as well.

What are the purpose of wounds strings on a uke? Beats me. I don't like 'em. :p

But seriously, it's another option that some people like. In general, wound strings will give you a brighter sound and will be thinner than an equivalent unwound string. Some feel they can get a more "balanced" sound and feel with a wound 4th and/or wound 3rd. If you like them, great. If you don't, don't hesitate to try something else.
 
Well, I presume that one of the wound strings is a low G, and the other is the C string. Some people prefer a wound C over a plain string that might sound a little "thuddy." A wound string will resonate longer.
 
Congratulations, that's a very lovely one! :shaka:
 
Congrats! That prettier koa than often seen on Kamakas.
 
Beautiful shimmery, stripey, koa! You're right, those sides are stunning.

Enjoy your gorgeous new Kamaka!
 
Congratulations, a 100th Anniversary Kamaka is something to be very proud to own. As others have said yours has some especially beautiful Koa. I have a 100th Anniversary baritone and it is one of my all time favorite instruments. Enjoy it for many, many years.
 
Beautiful! It looks like you have a very special Kamaka there. Enjoy!
 
Thanks for all the great advice pros/cons from everyone here at UU. I was greatly enabled (in a good way!) to go for what I wanted. One more cool thing I found out was the date stamp on the inside block says Dec 31 2016. Truly the last day of their Anniversary year AND somebody worked on a Saturday on this puppy!! Ok I'll stop gushing and go play my uke. :shaka:
 
You're uke is fantastic looking I'm very impressed. Enjoy it in health.

I ordered a set of Southcoast med heavy gauge strings for my soprano bc I wanted to try the wound c. C string especially in aquila is very thick and unmanageable and is very thuddy and dead if you fret it imprecisely.
 
Very Nice! Congrats on a stunning uke!
 
Congratulations and happy strumming. Kamakas are awesome.
 
I picked up a 100th Anniversary HF-3 Baritone at Gryphon Music in Palo Alto, CA this past Friday. Its wood is very similar to yours with the dark koa with darker streaks, I couldn't be more pleased with it, even if I did hit Fri afternoon traffic on the way home (4 hours to Sacramento area vs. 2 hours to get to Palo Alto.) It sounds wonderful and is so easy to play.

Until now, I haven't paid any more than $100 for a uke so I'm suffering a little from sticker shock but not from buyer's remorse. I have my dad's 1957 vintage gold label soprano that originally sold for $25 and it's certainly held its value.

I'm told by Kamaka that they're getting ready to ship a batch of 100th anniversary ukes to dealers that have them on order, so, if you're interested, start calling dealers and get on their list, there won't be any more. I felt very fortunate to find the baritone within driving distance.
 
Thanks for all the great advice pros/cons from everyone here at UU. I was greatly enabled (in a good way!) to go for what I wanted. One more cool thing I found out was the date stamp on the inside block says Dec 31 2016. Truly the last day of their Anniversary year AND somebody worked on a Saturday on this puppy!! Ok I'll stop gushing and go play my uke. :shaka:

i believe they accepted orders up until Dec 31 2016 for their anniversary models.
and hence possibly some weren't actually made that day.... but in fact some made in 2017.
 
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