Upgrading from a Makala MK-C - budget of £150ish

KeithLav

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Hey guys, this is my first post here! I've been playing uku for about 2 years now on my MK-C and feel like it's time to upgrade to something a bit new!

I've read that Lanikais (click for the one that I saw the other day) are good stepping stones from Makalas, however eBay also has a few nice looking ones from Vietnam which I've checked out on YouTube, the reviewers all say they are extremely well built and play nicely (they are prone to warping if they are in high humidity but I wouldn't have that problem, in Ireland :p)
Click here for the Vietnam one.

I am after a concert btw! Thanks!
 
I'm actually in exactly the same boat as you are. I've been hitting local shops and playing whatever I can lay my paws on. What I've found is that the Lanikais in that price range just don't match my MK-C. It is odd, but, true. The low $300US range Kala's are about where the sound and tone gets to the point that feels better than my Makala.

I've started seriously considering the Kala's or the Martin's. The Martins are over my $350 price cap, but, not far over, so, it is worth considering. Good luck!

Hey guys, this is my first post here! I've been playing uku for about 2 years now on my MK-C and feel like it's time to upgrade to something a bit new!

I've read that Lanikais (click for the one that I saw the other day) are good stepping stones from Makalas, however eBay also has a few nice looking ones from Vietnam which I've checked out on YouTube, the reviewers all say they are extremely well built and play nicely (they are prone to warping if they are in high humidity but I wouldn't have that problem, in Ireland :p)
Click here for the Vietnam one.

I am after a concert btw! Thanks!
 
I'll give an update when I actually receive my KPK but I bought it from the UK aswell and my deluxe cost me a bit less then your budget that's with the included shipping! (Thank god for the exchange rates! :D)
 
Hi there,

I am currently looking for my second uke and have pretty much decided upon a Mainland solid mahogany concert. All of the reviews I have read are positive with claims that the set up on them is great and the intonation good also. They can be found in the UK at eagle music for £170. I am only a beginner but they seem highly recommended by many other good players.

Hope that doesn't make things more complicated!
 
I did a trawl through the Southern Ukulele Store website. If you can stick with a soprano, either of these would be a very noticeable improvement on your Makala both in sound and playability:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barnes-Mu...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4aa34fd202

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ohana-SK2...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4ab46d3d9f

If you have to have a concert (and don't think you need the longer neck - my first uke was soprano, then I bought a tenor, then I went back to sopranos because as I practiced more the soprano neck was no problem - a concert is for other things, like its different sound) then I'd go for Kala over Lanikai; I think they're lighter built and better sounding.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kala-Conc...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4d00381248

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kala-Conc...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4d00381248

You'll notice all these have at least a solid wood top. Once you have £150 to spend your choice is between solid wood top (sound) and looks (pretty laminate). Go for sound.

The Mainland would be a very nice choice if you can raise the extra £20.
 
I did a trawl through the Southern Ukulele Store website. If you can stick with a soprano, either of these would be a very noticeable improvement on your Makala both in sound and playability:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barnes-Mu...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4aa34fd202

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ohana-SK2...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4ab46d3d9f

If you have to have a concert (and don't think you need the longer neck - my first uke was soprano, then I bought a tenor, then I went back to sopranos because as I practiced more the soprano neck was no problem - a concert is for other things, like its different sound) then I'd go for Kala over Lanikai; I think they're lighter built and better sounding.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kala-Conc...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4d00381248

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kala-Conc...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4d00381248

You'll notice all these have at least a solid wood top. Once you have £150 to spend your choice is between solid wood top (sound) and looks (pretty laminate). Go for sound.

The Mainland would be a very nice choice if you can raise the extra £20.
I think I'll stick with concerts just for the fact that I like that slightly fuller sound. :)
I'm a guitarist so I know how good wood makes an instrument sound a lot better (and I prefer a 'real' looking instrument over a laminate).
I'm still looking at the Vietnamese one, this one is slightly more expensive, but reviews are good, what do you guys think? click
 
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