melensdad
Well-known member
Not wanting to rebut or redo the Tiny Tenor review that Barry Maz provided (because I thought his review was spot on) but rather to expand it by adding some additional information about the all solid Tiny Tenors that are somewhat different than the Solid Spruce top/Laminate body versions.
Solid Tiny Tenors come in a few varietals. Solid Hawaiian Koa, Solid Hawaiian Mango, Solid Mahogany, and I think a some were made with Solid Spruce tops with Solid Rosewood bodies but I can’t find the last variety currently for sale. US$ street prices for Koa and Mango are roughly US$665, set up, with cases. For Solid Mahogany the price is about US$479-499.
The all solid line differs not only in using solid tone woods but also have some other differences in the details. The neck is one piece with the exception of a decorative ebony heel cap, and a decorative ebony face on the head. The laser engraved(?) or stamped(?) head stamp on the laminate model is replaced with mother of pearl inlay that is nicely set into the ebony.
Plastic (or metal?) tuner knobs used on the laminate models are upgraded to hand made ebony tuner buttons. The tuners are black and sealed gear units that are different than the tuners used on the laminate models. I don't know the brand, don't know how they are different mechanically compared to the laminate model tuners but they are visually different.
The back, top and sides are 2 pieces, book matched. The back of the solid versions are braced in a fan shape. The name/model tag inside is made of wood and appears to be laser engraved, rather than having the paper label on the inside. Solid wood versions also don't have black binding but rather are unadorned save for the abalone rosette, abalone fret dots and mother of pearl inlay in the head.
Value and beauty are subjective, I believe the build quality rivals Pono and Opio and the wood is of very high quality. Some may disagree. Romero uses real Hawaiian Koa rather than Acacia and I've been told the Mango is also source from Hawaii. To all I will suggest that beauty and value will be in the eye of the beer holder and choose to hoist a pint rather than fight.
Nut width is 35mm. The neck profile is a "c" shape profile and (purely subjective) I find this very pleasing. But then I like "c" profile neck shapes and, while I do like my Magic Fluke, I dislike the bulkier flattened back neck profile. For my fingers (and that is the most important guide I use for my playing) the neck shape and nut width on the Tiny Tenor are perfect ... sadly my playing is not (that is a fact, not an opinion).
A few photos of my Mango Tiny Tenor, and for whatever it is worth, I opted for one with minimal ‘spalting’ after looking at quite a few of these because I really liked the way the ‘flaming’ looks on this one. By the way, the sound hole is a very large hole, larger than any other uke I've measured. It is big!
I thought I should point out that this ukulele is modified. There is an ebony strap button added to the neck and a K&K Aloha Twin pick up. Pictures added to show the modifications.
Mango Tiny Tenor >
Soundhole measured >
Back/Neck/Ebony Strap button >
End Pin Jack for K&K Aloha Twin pick up >
Compensated saddle >
Solid Tiny Tenors come in a few varietals. Solid Hawaiian Koa, Solid Hawaiian Mango, Solid Mahogany, and I think a some were made with Solid Spruce tops with Solid Rosewood bodies but I can’t find the last variety currently for sale. US$ street prices for Koa and Mango are roughly US$665, set up, with cases. For Solid Mahogany the price is about US$479-499.
The all solid line differs not only in using solid tone woods but also have some other differences in the details. The neck is one piece with the exception of a decorative ebony heel cap, and a decorative ebony face on the head. The laser engraved(?) or stamped(?) head stamp on the laminate model is replaced with mother of pearl inlay that is nicely set into the ebony.
Plastic (or metal?) tuner knobs used on the laminate models are upgraded to hand made ebony tuner buttons. The tuners are black and sealed gear units that are different than the tuners used on the laminate models. I don't know the brand, don't know how they are different mechanically compared to the laminate model tuners but they are visually different.
The back, top and sides are 2 pieces, book matched. The back of the solid versions are braced in a fan shape. The name/model tag inside is made of wood and appears to be laser engraved, rather than having the paper label on the inside. Solid wood versions also don't have black binding but rather are unadorned save for the abalone rosette, abalone fret dots and mother of pearl inlay in the head.
Value and beauty are subjective, I believe the build quality rivals Pono and Opio and the wood is of very high quality. Some may disagree. Romero uses real Hawaiian Koa rather than Acacia and I've been told the Mango is also source from Hawaii. To all I will suggest that beauty and value will be in the eye of the beer holder and choose to hoist a pint rather than fight.
Nut width is 35mm. The neck profile is a "c" shape profile and (purely subjective) I find this very pleasing. But then I like "c" profile neck shapes and, while I do like my Magic Fluke, I dislike the bulkier flattened back neck profile. For my fingers (and that is the most important guide I use for my playing) the neck shape and nut width on the Tiny Tenor are perfect ... sadly my playing is not (that is a fact, not an opinion).
A few photos of my Mango Tiny Tenor, and for whatever it is worth, I opted for one with minimal ‘spalting’ after looking at quite a few of these because I really liked the way the ‘flaming’ looks on this one. By the way, the sound hole is a very large hole, larger than any other uke I've measured. It is big!
I thought I should point out that this ukulele is modified. There is an ebony strap button added to the neck and a K&K Aloha Twin pick up. Pictures added to show the modifications.
Mango Tiny Tenor >
Soundhole measured >
Back/Neck/Ebony Strap button >
End Pin Jack for K&K Aloha Twin pick up >
Compensated saddle >
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