strat4me
Well-known member
Just got this from HMS. Everyone seems to love their Fleas. May seem sacrilegious but we will sell ours now that we have the Pepe Romero XS Low G Soprano (developed with Daniel Ho). Couldn't be more surprised. Surpasses our expectations in every way.
We have 20 or so ukuleles, the majority sopranos - some costing over $1,000. We recently added a Magic Fluke Flea to the pack and were incredibly disappointed with both the friction tuners (I upgraded to better ones but still very frustrating) and the difficult to see fretboard frets. No side markers. But the XS model has surpassed the Flea in all these areas. If we upgraded the Flea's fretboard and tuners and added a hard case, the cost would be double what this Pepe Romero XS model is and we much prefer it. Also has 14 frets to the body vs 12 on the Flea.
The sound is that of a larger uke. Like butter - geared tuners, amazing sustain and big sound. What's not to love? And this COMES with a hard case that fits it perfectly. My wife and I are both surprised at this little guy. An instant favorite we will NEVER sell. Can't say enough good things about it. Great looking as well. Put it against your chest and feel the vibration. None of our ukes (including KoAloha, Kanilea, Kiwaya, Bruko and Pono) vibrate like this "little jewel" (my wife's nickname for it).
Of course HMS (theukulelesite.com) rocked it as always. Incredibly fast turn around. On our doorstep in two days. Not always possible but WOW. Just WOW! What a great team. Thanks gang! VERY happy customers.
The flea is superior in one major way. Back and sides are polycarbonate of some kind and much tougher than the laminate on the XS. Both have wood tops, however.
Flea will be sold next week. This XS has found a happy home.
P.S. No disrespect intended at all. I am sooooo happy people love their Fleas and hope that is reflected in its sale next week. For us it was less than expected. The Pepe Romero is so much more than expected. Happily surprised.
BTW - My wife just discovered a free included CD by Daniel Ho with 9 of his songs from various albums. What a treat. I use his TAB book Polani and enjoy it immensely.
Size comparisons:
Bruko. Romero, Kiwaya
Romero, Flea
We have 20 or so ukuleles, the majority sopranos - some costing over $1,000. We recently added a Magic Fluke Flea to the pack and were incredibly disappointed with both the friction tuners (I upgraded to better ones but still very frustrating) and the difficult to see fretboard frets. No side markers. But the XS model has surpassed the Flea in all these areas. If we upgraded the Flea's fretboard and tuners and added a hard case, the cost would be double what this Pepe Romero XS model is and we much prefer it. Also has 14 frets to the body vs 12 on the Flea.
The sound is that of a larger uke. Like butter - geared tuners, amazing sustain and big sound. What's not to love? And this COMES with a hard case that fits it perfectly. My wife and I are both surprised at this little guy. An instant favorite we will NEVER sell. Can't say enough good things about it. Great looking as well. Put it against your chest and feel the vibration. None of our ukes (including KoAloha, Kanilea, Kiwaya, Bruko and Pono) vibrate like this "little jewel" (my wife's nickname for it).
Of course HMS (theukulelesite.com) rocked it as always. Incredibly fast turn around. On our doorstep in two days. Not always possible but WOW. Just WOW! What a great team. Thanks gang! VERY happy customers.
The flea is superior in one major way. Back and sides are polycarbonate of some kind and much tougher than the laminate on the XS. Both have wood tops, however.
Flea will be sold next week. This XS has found a happy home.
P.S. No disrespect intended at all. I am sooooo happy people love their Fleas and hope that is reflected in its sale next week. For us it was less than expected. The Pepe Romero is so much more than expected. Happily surprised.
BTW - My wife just discovered a free included CD by Daniel Ho with 9 of his songs from various albums. What a treat. I use his TAB book Polani and enjoy it immensely.
Size comparisons:
Bruko. Romero, Kiwaya
Romero, Flea
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