Hi Twokatmew, I have since added a low G to the Ohana and I must say that I prefer it. It just makes more sense to me. The TK35G does not have fret markers on the side. It also bizarrely has the dot marker on fret 10 rather than fret 9.....? That through me a little at first but I have found out you get used to anything if you play the instrument long enough. I also play Flamenco guitar and there are no fret or side markers at at all. You do get used to it. I have not got any real experience of different ukuleles so it is difficult for me to make any comparative comments. I will say that the Ohana sounds imho really nice. It seems to have a warm mellifluous tone which I enjoy. I can't really imagine there being any noticeable difference between a matt finished instrument and a gloss finished instrument unless the lacquer is applied with different thicknesses! The one thing that does throw me a little is the G string is a bit close to the edge of the fretboard and if I am not careful I can push the string of the board. Then again you get used to what you have and play accordingly. Overall I have to say I am very pleased with the Ohana and think that if mine is representative of the Ohana range then you should not be dissapointed. Happy New Year!
Thanks Mike! As a life-long guitarist, I too found it difficult to wrap my head around the re-entrant G. I bought my two ukes within a couple weeks of each other and started with the baritone, as that made most sense to me as a guitarist.
When I added the tenor, I too noticed that the G is closer to the edge of the fretboard than the A string. I figured this is to limit the possibility of pulling the A string off the edge, as the re-entrant G just comes along for the ride on chords and is pretty much ignored otherwise. Realizing this helped me to make sense of re-entrant tuning. I certainly don't *need* a linear-tuned tenor, as I simply play low-G arrangements on the baritone, obviously in a different key! I've been experimenting with my own string concoction on the baritone, as I haven't found a packaged set that I like. (Aquila Super Nylguts are too floppy, and the D'Addario Titanium bass strings are awfully tight in comparison to the titanium trebles, B string is too buzzy. Other sets don't have matched basses, which I prefer.) BTW, what string are you using for low G? I might like to try wound C and low-G (matched pair), but I'm concerned about putting too much tension on a neck w/o a truss rod. Fortunately my baritone has a truss rod, so adding tension has not been an issue.
I've owned a few classical guitars without fret markers and do prefer the look of a plain fretboard. I got used to no side markers, but when I'd pick up either of my electric guitars that have them, I just felt more at home.
I'm such a nit-picky musician!
My rule now is that I won't buy a fretted instrument w/o side markers. But if I were to find an instrument I love (without side markers), I'd buy it, feel cranky about the lack of side markers ... and ultimately get used to it!
May I ask what software you use to write your arrangements? I've downloaded MuseScore but haven't tried it yet. I'm a Windows user and would love to find a program that would let me write both clef and tab ... and transpose from tenor- to baritone-tuning with the click of a button. And finally, have you thought about selling your arrangements, for example, via PayPal? Thank you for sharing your arrangement of "Vincent," BTW. I'll be a frequent customer should you decide to market your work.
Thanks again for sharing your lovely music and taking time to respond. Best to you!