... but the truth is, my favorite tenor of all is Kamaka but I see that didn't make your short list
Actually, I was thinking about a Kamaka HF-3, and was able to try one at USpace, but once I did try it and compare prices to the KoAloha right next to it, I opted more towards the KoAloha mainly because of the better price point and the sound (although it could just be those strings... what does Kamaka see in their thunky black nylon strings other than nostalgia?). I visited Kaye's Music Scene (the guy is totally sold out for Kanile'a... asked him about KoAloha and he had no clue about them) and met George, who told me about Kanile'a and Kamaka and how Kamaka has been kind of declining in quality. I could kind of tell when I tried a vintage Kamaka pineapple with its contemporary counterpart at Anacapa, but then again (as well), the strings may have skewed the result more towards the older model... the older one had some kind of flurocarbon strings while the newer one had stock strings.
When I visited Anacapa, I also tried a lot of the tenors they had, and my heart was tied between two of them - a KoAloha tenor made in (June?) 2014 and an Ojai Valley tenor (second on my list) that absolutely blew me away... the sound is comparable only to the KoAloha (and possibly better), set at a lower price point, and is a locally made uke (in Ojai Valley, CA no less). One thing I could say is that construction was a bit sloppy (dots were not really "perfectly" aligned, and body shape may have been a bit asymmetrical) but I totally loved that uke nonetheless.. I just hope it's still around when I actually make my choice next year hahah!
And big props to you for trying before you buy and supporting the local shops (and HMS, which from all the raves I've heard appears to be the next best thing).
I think I would be supporting the local shops if I actually bought from all of them... most of them I've just been this random guy who came in one day, tried a few of the pricey ukes, and left. LOL
At the same time, I'm leaning more towards a local shop over places like HMS and Elderly just because of the perks of continued service - Fretted Frog gives 10% off repairs, lessons, and other little things, USpace/Anacapa offers lifetime service for their ukes, and Folk Music has a really relatable repair staff. I guess Brad is right when he says that it's important for the shop to offer the "the rare and important practice of playing your instrument before you buy" haha. It's also great to see the different staff in those music stores and know who really will have your back and who's doing it just for the money... USpace/Anacapa, Folk Music, and Fretted Frog will definitely have this guy for a repeat customer! (the others, not so sure)
I share the same sentiment. I wonder how many others do as well. It takes something away rather then adds in my opinion. Would be interested to see what options you come up with if you decide that is a priority in your purchase.
Actually, the only satin finish uke on my short list up there is the Ojai Valley uke. If KoAloha made a Pikake tenor, I'd be more inclined to buy that (maybe if I buy from Brad at USpace/Anacapa, I can ask him to refinish it in satin as an experiment? xD). Also, my "dream ukes" are more in the "satin finish" realm than the gloss... I don't think that's much of a coincidence?
A lot of people like the gloss because of the mirror finish, and I kind of get that. However, I'd like my uke to look more like it came from a piece of wood than from a Ferrari (no offense), but that's just my opinion haha
Mexico does not even factor into the equation, just bring one of your other ukes down there.
I think I would, but at the same time, I'd like to have my number one with me at least once when I'm down there hahaha
Plus, having a -carbon fibre- tenor just appeals to me... Steven Sharp Nelson, the cellist for the Piano Guys, has like 12 cellos in at least four different materials (solid steel, wood, electric, and carbon fibre!) and he says that experimenting with the different materials for (get this) percussion sounds makes a difference! I dunno if I'm ever going to be able to go all Tommy Emmanuel on my uke, but the different material is really what landed it at the top of my list. Plus, this isn't going to be my last uke.. if I were to have 8 ukes total in 5 years, it would make a bit more sense of 1/8 of those ukes was a whole lot different than the others.
At the same time, my two KoAlanas and the many KoAlohas I've tried continues to convince me otherwise... hmmm....
So, 13uffer, you said, "(because I don't see the point of extending past $2.3k for an uke)." which is perfectly fine and your business, so don't feel as if you need to defend the statement (not that I am attacking it), but I am curious, why that cut-off? Is just an arbitrary number, or is there some reason for it? I mean, if you'd said a two grand uke or a three thousand dollar one, or anything over some round number ... but $2.3k ... ?
Kind of arbitrary. I'm stuck between $2k and $2.5k, so I just settled in the somewhat middle and went with 2.3 for no reason! Haha! But if I actually had that money to make a purchase, I would definitely give it more thought on where I would draw the line.
But you might want to try a Blackbird Clara. Not a tenor, but its tone and projection are better than my KoAloha slimline tenor.
I wish! The uke shops around LA are diverse enough, but sadly I haven't found a lot of the ukes I'd like to try, including the Clara. I would have signed up for that travelling Clara, but I think going to Germany for three months starting this next Saturday sort of disqualifies me from that haha.
One place I haven't tried yet is Island Bazaar... hopefully they'll have a few more that I haven't seen in person yet.
As for ukes that I've seen but not yet met in person - the list goes on beyond the Clara, the Grand Tenor, and dozens more
