guitarjunky
Well-known member
If you would name your top 3 brands of solid wood ukes.
Which ones would you name?
Which ones would you name?
3) Pono- you could easily put another high end brand here like KoAloha, or GString or Koolau or one of the custom makers, but I think pono makes nice solid wood instruments that are reasonably priced.
2. Mele- Top of the line as far as mid price range and imports go. Better than Kamaka in my opinion however humble and misguided it might be.
I played a Mele the other day. I saw it on craigslist, and the owner said there was a SMALL crack on the face, so I thought I'd check it out to see if I could get a good price on it and fix the crack myself. Turns out there was actually a fatty crack from the soundhole to the bridge and it had chips and dents all over...terrible shape. The owner totally beat on it.
But I played it, and I have to say that it sounded surprisingly good. I'd say better than my Pono PKT-1. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to offer anywhere close to what the girl was asking since it was in such terrible shape, so I ended up not buying it. But it was a very good instrument...or at least the specific one I picked up.
I am assuming you mean factory made:
My list would have to be:
1) Kamaka: The Martin on the uke world. World class instruments that are known for being some of the best ukes around.
2) Kenile'a: Newer company on the scene. Great instruments.
3) KoAloha: Very warm sounding ukes. Very well made and they are played by some of the big name players, (Daniel Ho, Herb Ohta Jr, Victoria Vox, etc)
Why aren't Martins the Martin of uke world?
Because they don't have enough product of new to be the big name in ukes.
Kamaka consistently makes great ukes and they make them of all sizes. To my knowledge, Martin is only currently making Soprano ukes and neither of them are great. (To my experience) The vintage Martins are a real hit and miss, but I'll tell ya, a hit on one of those means one of the best sounding ukes around.
The OP wanted to know the best solid wood uke companies around and Kamaka is better then Martin in that way.
I Keed! I Keed!
FadaBullet, you are my hero. :shaka:
Dont know why G string hasnt been mention but i think they're top on the bunch.