AcousticTones
Well-known member
So I'll start by saying YES these are two very different ukes and price points ...and that is EXACTLY where you all come in
I have decided to sell one of my guitars to help me buy a nicer uke. I was hoping to keep my budget between $500 and $600, but if I sell the guitar I could go as high as $1,000-1,300.
So here is my question: After getting some great feedback on other post and after talking with the guys over at http://www.theukulelesite.com/ I've narrowed it down to a few models and wondering what direction all of you would go based on the models I'm currently looking at.
So here are my PRIMARY concerns, desires or key factors for deciding on my next purchase:
-Buying electric or having them install the LR BAGGS system in whatever model I purchase. So that is a MUST and/or given.
-Good sound/tone - Which based on the recommendations I've received to help narrow this down I'm pretty convinced I can't lose with any of these models
-Warm vs. bright tone - I will most likely have them string it with whatever strings they feel would provide a warmer vs. bright tone and then buy extra sets of whatever strings they recommend
-And the BIG ONE FOR ME IS GOING TO BE THE PLAYABILITY AND WHICH UKE OR BRAND WOULD HAVE THE BEST FRETBOARD OR GOOD CLEAN FRET WORK THAT I COULD GET FOR THE MONEY!!!
*So a big concern for me after playing and buying guitars for over 30 years is that I could always just walk in to a shop and spend time with an instrument to determine how it FELT. I obviously would have no desire to buy something that I didn't like the sound, but assuming it's a quality instrument and sounded good it still always came down to how it FELT and most of that came down to the next and or fretboard and fret work (NO sharp edges, clean and even fret work, etc.).
So based on the above scenario of how I'm used to buying my guitars I'm a bit nervous since I have to order and can't just go and play these beauties (I live in MN and we just don't have any really good uke shops with a variety to choose from).
So here are a few models that I'm seriously considering and maybe why - All will get the LR BAGGS system if it is not already installed:
-PONO MT-PC (C) CEDAR TOP MAHOGANY, KOA BOUND RADIUS FRETBOARD TENOR PACKAGE - http://www.theukulelesite.com/pono-mt-pc-cedar-top-mahogany.html
Aaron over at the site or shop seems to just LOVE these, and I can see why. I would be just under $1000 after adding the LR BAGGS and I see what seems to be A LOT of Pono fans in these forums.
-KOALOHA KOA SLIMLINE TENOR WITH LR BAGGS PICKUP - http://www.theukulelesite.com/shop-by/brand/koaloha/koaloha-koa-tenor-thinbody-electric.html
This model is at the top of my range, but it's still doable, and it really interest me. After watching their sounds samples and videos I love what I'm hearing in regards to the difference between the thin verses full body models. They are almost the same, but with the thin almost having just a bit more punch (which I kind of like).
-PONO MTSHC-S SPRUCE/MAHOGANY CUTAWAY- KOA BOUND - RADIUS -SLOTHEAD + - http://www.theukulelesite.com/pono-mtshc-s-spruce-mahogany-cutaway.html
This is another that would be at the top of my range after adding the LR BAGGS, but just looks to be something I would love.
---
So based on the above and keeping things at under that $1,300 mark:
-Are the two higher priced models going to worth the extra money?
-Who has the best neck and/or fret work (I know necks and shapes are personal, but in general who is known to have the best necks and fret work between these - and would the more expensive Pono be that much better then the lower priced Pono, and how would their necks and fretwork compare to the Koaloha)
-Which would you buy?
This is meant to be a life time purchase and hoping to make a good decision without a fear of thinking I wish I could return this and try the others.
Sorry soooooo long, and thanks for all you input and opinions. These three model choices came from a number of recommendations from some of you and the store itself. So you've already been REALLY helpful, and this is just the next step... and hopefully the last
I have decided to sell one of my guitars to help me buy a nicer uke. I was hoping to keep my budget between $500 and $600, but if I sell the guitar I could go as high as $1,000-1,300.
So here is my question: After getting some great feedback on other post and after talking with the guys over at http://www.theukulelesite.com/ I've narrowed it down to a few models and wondering what direction all of you would go based on the models I'm currently looking at.
So here are my PRIMARY concerns, desires or key factors for deciding on my next purchase:
-Buying electric or having them install the LR BAGGS system in whatever model I purchase. So that is a MUST and/or given.
-Good sound/tone - Which based on the recommendations I've received to help narrow this down I'm pretty convinced I can't lose with any of these models
-Warm vs. bright tone - I will most likely have them string it with whatever strings they feel would provide a warmer vs. bright tone and then buy extra sets of whatever strings they recommend
-And the BIG ONE FOR ME IS GOING TO BE THE PLAYABILITY AND WHICH UKE OR BRAND WOULD HAVE THE BEST FRETBOARD OR GOOD CLEAN FRET WORK THAT I COULD GET FOR THE MONEY!!!
*So a big concern for me after playing and buying guitars for over 30 years is that I could always just walk in to a shop and spend time with an instrument to determine how it FELT. I obviously would have no desire to buy something that I didn't like the sound, but assuming it's a quality instrument and sounded good it still always came down to how it FELT and most of that came down to the next and or fretboard and fret work (NO sharp edges, clean and even fret work, etc.).
So based on the above scenario of how I'm used to buying my guitars I'm a bit nervous since I have to order and can't just go and play these beauties (I live in MN and we just don't have any really good uke shops with a variety to choose from).
So here are a few models that I'm seriously considering and maybe why - All will get the LR BAGGS system if it is not already installed:
-PONO MT-PC (C) CEDAR TOP MAHOGANY, KOA BOUND RADIUS FRETBOARD TENOR PACKAGE - http://www.theukulelesite.com/pono-mt-pc-cedar-top-mahogany.html
Aaron over at the site or shop seems to just LOVE these, and I can see why. I would be just under $1000 after adding the LR BAGGS and I see what seems to be A LOT of Pono fans in these forums.
-KOALOHA KOA SLIMLINE TENOR WITH LR BAGGS PICKUP - http://www.theukulelesite.com/shop-by/brand/koaloha/koaloha-koa-tenor-thinbody-electric.html
This model is at the top of my range, but it's still doable, and it really interest me. After watching their sounds samples and videos I love what I'm hearing in regards to the difference between the thin verses full body models. They are almost the same, but with the thin almost having just a bit more punch (which I kind of like).
-PONO MTSHC-S SPRUCE/MAHOGANY CUTAWAY- KOA BOUND - RADIUS -SLOTHEAD + - http://www.theukulelesite.com/pono-mtshc-s-spruce-mahogany-cutaway.html
This is another that would be at the top of my range after adding the LR BAGGS, but just looks to be something I would love.
---
So based on the above and keeping things at under that $1,300 mark:
-Are the two higher priced models going to worth the extra money?
-Who has the best neck and/or fret work (I know necks and shapes are personal, but in general who is known to have the best necks and fret work between these - and would the more expensive Pono be that much better then the lower priced Pono, and how would their necks and fretwork compare to the Koaloha)
-Which would you buy?
This is meant to be a life time purchase and hoping to make a good decision without a fear of thinking I wish I could return this and try the others.
Sorry soooooo long, and thanks for all you input and opinions. These three model choices came from a number of recommendations from some of you and the store itself. So you've already been REALLY helpful, and this is just the next step... and hopefully the last