Seilen Ukuleles roll call!

janeray1940 · Jul 25, 2017

Hi all, just curious if any lucky folks here happen to own a Seilen ukulele, and if so - please post a pic and tell me a little bit about it! They're pricey and hard to come by in the U.S., so the chances that I'll ever have one of my own are impossible-to-none, but a girl can dream

Current object of desire:

Screen Shot 2017-07-25 at 7.22.51 AM.jpg

And an assortment that those lucky enough to be going to the Ukulele Picnic in Yokohama this weekend will be able to see in person:

Screen Shot 2017-07-25 at 7.24.07 AM.jpg

Ukulele Eddie · Jul 25, 2017

They are made by Shinji Takahashi. HMS has them on occasion, so you could always ask Andrew to see if he can get one. I don't own one but was lucky enough to play this one:

http://www.theukulelesite.com/ukule...-concert-koa-ukulele-by-shinji-takahashi.html

I'm not frequently taken by all koa ukes, but this was very nice in all respects. Had I not been up to my ears in commitments on other ukes, I would have snagged it.

M3Ukulele · Jul 26, 2017

Thanks for post. Really nice looking ukuleles. Same fellow is involved with Imua ukuleles.

Would love to at least play one. Not sure of the dollars but likely up there and likely worth every penny

janeray1940 · Jul 26, 2017

Ukulele Eddie said:
They are made by Shinji Takahashi. HMS has them on occasion, so you could always ask Andrew to see if he can get one. I don't own one but was lucky enough to play this one:

http://www.theukulelesite.com/ukule...-concert-koa-ukulele-by-shinji-takahashi.html

I'm not frequently taken by all koa ukes, but this was very nice in all respects. Had I not been up to my ears in commitments on other ukes, I would have snagged it.

Aw Eddie, I was hoping you would have one!

My recent Kiwaya/Japanese uke obsession led me to Takahashi Shinji's website and Instagram, and if I ever decide to go custom again he's definitely at the top of my list. He seems like an all around good guy who I'd like to support. But buying from HMS is a good idea because there's the return option.

M3Ukulele said:
Thanks for post. Really nice looking ukuleles. Same fellow is involved with Imua ukuleles.

Would love to at least play one. Not sure of the dollars but likely up there and likely worth every penny

From what I've seen, starting at a little over a thousand USD and up - a soprano or concert isn't a lot more than K brands retail for. More than I can afford at present, but not outrageous by any means. You can see a https://www.digimart.net/search?brandId=43637&category12Id=4 https://www.digimart.net/search?brandId=43637&category12Id=4 and just do a JPY to USD conversion.

I'm curious about the Imuas as well, which I think are really reasonably priced. Wonder how they compare to other Hawaiian koa ukes...

Ukuleleric65 · Sep 4, 2017

I have a Seilen !!!

I actually own the Seilen concert ukulele that HMS had last year. It is by far the lightest and easiest ukulele I have ever had the pleasure of playing. Not to mention, it is a true beauty. I upgraded the generic hard shell case that HMS (theukulelesite.com) shipped it in. I ended up storing it an Ameritage hard shell case. It fits like a glove. From time to time I kick around the idea of selling it but I'm not sure that would be a good move on my part. The problem is, the Seilen is so nice and so beautiful that I keep it packed away, properly humidified, in its case and opt to play my Blackbird Clara most days.

I was so enamored with this Seilen that I called the guys at HMS and asked them if they were going to get another in anytime soon. They said that since SHINJI TAKAHASHI was busy working and collaborating with a few new builders, that this one may have likely been his last hand made custom for quite awhile if ever.

I have a Kiwaya as well. While it is a very nice ukulele, it is not the same quality and craftsmanship as the Selien.

https://www.theukulelesite.com/ukul...-concert-koa-ukulele-by-shinji-takahashi.html

janeray1940 · Sep 4, 2017

Ukuleleric65 said:
I actually own the Seilen concert ukulele that HMS had last year. It is by far the lightest and easiest ukulele I have ever had the pleasure of playing. Not to mention, it is a true beauty. I upgraded the generic hard shell case that HMS (theukulelesite.com) shipped it in. I ended up storing it an Ameritage hard shell case. It fits like a glove. From time to time I kick around the idea of selling it but I'm not sure that would be a good move on my part. The problem is, the Seilen is so nice and so beautiful that I keep it packed away, properly humidified, in its case and opt to play my Blackbird Clara most days.

I was so enamored with this Seilen that I called the guys at HMS and asked them if they were going to get another in anytime soon. They said that since SHINJI TAKAHASHI was busy working and collaborating with a few new builders, that this one may have likely been his last hand made custom for quite awhile if ever.

I have a Kiwaya as well. While it is a very nice ukulele, it is not the same quality and craftsmanship as the Selien.

https://www.theukulelesite.com/ukul...-concert-koa-ukulele-by-shinji-takahashi.html

Hi, thanks for responding. You have a beautiful uke! And I think it wants to come out of its case and get played more!

From what I see on Takahashi-san's Instagram and his blog, he's still actively building and sells his builds at various uke fests in Japan. It's fun to follow along and see what he comes up with. Someday one will be mine... I hope...

AlohaKine · Sep 4, 2017

The Seilen is made by Shinji Takahashi, but then he's the Luthier for Imua, so how is this because I thought Seilen instruments are coming from Japan, but then I thought he's living in Hawaii?

I visited the Imua factory last year and I saw a Japanese man making Ukes, and I assumed it was him, so I'm confused LOL...

Here's the Imua section on Seilen;

http://seilen.co.jp/imua-ukulele

And here's the About section on Imua;

http://www.imua-ukulele.com/about.html

All the Seilen listed below with the exception of the one on Amazon, are not that expensive, maybe one you can afford.

Here's Seilen SLS-200J;
https://reverb.com/item/5904411-seilen-sls-200j-hawaiian-koawood

Seilen SLS-204;
https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/guitarplanet/item/seilen_sls-204_upt_ukulele/

Seilen SLT-202;
https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/guitarplanet/item/seilen_slt-202_upt_ukulele/

Amazon Japan; - SLC-1705 (DIdn't realize you can buy these through Amazon LOL)
https://www.amazon.co.jp/Seilen-Uku...qid=1504502529&sr=1-1&keywords=Seilen+Ukulele

Rakelele · Sep 4, 2017

AlohaKine said:
The Seilen is made by Shinji Takahashi, but then he's the Luthier for Imua, so how is this because I thought Seilen instruments are coming from Japan, but then I thought he's living in Hawaii?

I visited the Imua factory last year and I saw a Japanese man making Ukes, and I assumed it was him, so I'm confused LOL...

From what I understood, Shinji Takahashi has designed the Imua models, but I always assumed this meant that others are actually building them, just like in other factories/production lines. Seems like he is involved in several different lines or "brands".

janeray1940 · Sep 4, 2017

Rakelele said:
From what I understood, Shinji Takahashi has designed the Imua models, but I always assumed this meant that others are actually building them, just like in other factories/production lines. Seems like he is involved in several different lines or "brands".

That's my understanding as well. He's active at ukulele festivals in Japan and his shop address is in Nagano, so I'm pretty sure his home base isn't Hawaii.

Ukulele Eddie · Sep 4, 2017

janeray1940 said:
That's my understanding as well. He's active at ukulele festivals in Japan and his shop address is in Nagano, so I'm pretty sure his home base isn't Hawaii.

He was at UGH last year. Not sure if he's attending this year or not, but let me know if you want me to ask him anything in particular.

AlohaKine · Sep 4, 2017

I sent Imua an email asking, just seems weird they list him as the Luither on their site, and then I see someone Japanese making Ukes when I visit them...

Hmm

Seilen Ukuleles roll call!

janeray1940

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Ukulele Eddie

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M3Ukulele

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janeray1940

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Ukuleleric65

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janeray1940

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AlohaKine

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Rakelele

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janeray1940

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Ukulele Eddie

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AlohaKine

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