janeray1940
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I thought this might be an interesting topic after seeing it touched on in a couple other threads about ordering customs. It's been sort of addressed elsewhere before in a more general "if you knew then what you know now" way, but my intention for this thread is to address specifics. So - here's mine
When I first started playing, I was REALLY into the vintage thing. I have a lifelong history of driving vintage cars, wearing vintage clothing, and listening to music made before I was born by people who in most cases had passed on long ago. So of course I thought I wanted a vintage uke.
Turned out my one experience with a vintage uke could be summed up by the phrase HIGH MAINTENANCE. The tuners slipped constantly and my ear wasn't good enough to adjust this on the fly.
Fairly early on I discovered two other things: George Harrison's love of Kamakas, and John King's campanella playing. I bought a few Kamakas and really enjoyed them, especially for my attempts at playing campanella, but always thought I wanted something one-of-a-kind and vintage-y.
So I had a custom made to *sound* like a vintage uke - in this case, a mahogany soprano based on the specs and tonal qualities of a Martin 3M. Everything about it was beautiful except - as I got to know it, I realized it wasn't the right sound for what I liked to play most. And more importantly, I realized I wasn't the kind of person who truly cared about having a one-of-a-kind *anything* - I just want simple, practical things that do what I need them to do.
All of that to say, it turned out that what I thought I wanted/needed - vintage, unique, etc. - was not at all my reality, and what I ended up loving was nearly the opposite - very plain, stock, as new as possible (I don't even like buying used if I can help it).
Anyone else have a story to tell?
(And, side note - as I've gotten older, this has turned out to apply to my non-uke life as well! I no longer drive vintage cars, I dress really generically and barely even own any vintage clothing any more, but I do still love the old music - even though I've become much more open to the new. So, it's been a life lesson.)
When I first started playing, I was REALLY into the vintage thing. I have a lifelong history of driving vintage cars, wearing vintage clothing, and listening to music made before I was born by people who in most cases had passed on long ago. So of course I thought I wanted a vintage uke.
Turned out my one experience with a vintage uke could be summed up by the phrase HIGH MAINTENANCE. The tuners slipped constantly and my ear wasn't good enough to adjust this on the fly.
Fairly early on I discovered two other things: George Harrison's love of Kamakas, and John King's campanella playing. I bought a few Kamakas and really enjoyed them, especially for my attempts at playing campanella, but always thought I wanted something one-of-a-kind and vintage-y.
So I had a custom made to *sound* like a vintage uke - in this case, a mahogany soprano based on the specs and tonal qualities of a Martin 3M. Everything about it was beautiful except - as I got to know it, I realized it wasn't the right sound for what I liked to play most. And more importantly, I realized I wasn't the kind of person who truly cared about having a one-of-a-kind *anything* - I just want simple, practical things that do what I need them to do.
All of that to say, it turned out that what I thought I wanted/needed - vintage, unique, etc. - was not at all my reality, and what I ended up loving was nearly the opposite - very plain, stock, as new as possible (I don't even like buying used if I can help it).
Anyone else have a story to tell?
(And, side note - as I've gotten older, this has turned out to apply to my non-uke life as well! I no longer drive vintage cars, I dress really generically and barely even own any vintage clothing any more, but I do still love the old music - even though I've become much more open to the new. So, it's been a life lesson.)