I received my Tenor Banjo-Ukulele and present here my review.
First, my reference point.
In order to judge the validity of the review, the reader must know to what I compare the quality of the instrument to, as I am not a ukulele expert, nor long term ukulele player, but a long term guitar player who has owned a number of fine instruments over the years, and a few clunkers that were quickly retuned or sold at a loss, especially early on, falling for advertising hype.
My reference point, specifically is the instruments I have owned, or those I have tested and played.
The most expensive guitar I have owned was the Martin OM 42. ($3800) For me, this is the epitome of quality, so much so, that like others, I was afraid to play it and sold it! I currently own a custom Martin 15, high gloss, gorgeous Mahogany, of which will never be sold. I had my six children each put their signature inside of it, as it is a lifetime purchase, with not only beauty and sound (I play it daily) but sentimental value.
I don't have a wide experience of ukuleles, but have played and tested some, while doing a lot of research on them.
I own the Pono AD2 Cedar top and find it to be of high quality in sound and construction, as well as beauty. It appears that its value exceeds its price tag, should it have been manufactured in the US or Canada.
I have tested a number of ukulele banjos, ranging from $299 to about $600, in four stores within my State. I think one was even more than this, in a specialty store, that I liked. I also went through the myriad of reviews online and at You Tube.
The Midnight Special, handmade by Hugh Hunter of Canada, represents a marriage of craftsmanship and musician experience and insight. It is head and shoulders above the best that I sampled.
It has a beautiful sound, louder than I had prepared myself for (a plus) with that true 'banjo' sound I ha hoped for.
The construction is impressive, with the attention to detail that a hand-made (realistically, it is a 'de facto' custom, customized to a musician's liking) using top quality (and expensive) components. The wood is beautiful, the tuners smooth (and strong) and the feel substantial.
The neck is straight, the action low, and the instrument beautiful to the eye.
The instrument far exceeds the cost and could sell for 3 or more times the amount. Given the Canadian-US dollar exchange, it was less than anything I sampled, yet of far greater quality.
Had it been 3 or 4 times the cost, I would not have been able to purchase it given my economics today, but had I seen it in a store, with a price tag of, let's say, $1600, I would not have been surprised and would have looked for the tag where it states the origin of manufacturing. Had it been advertised as "hand made", the price tag would not have made me blink. I would have sighed to myself, and thought, 'If I could, I would...' and looked for one in my price range. Last year, I began a business on my own, and immediately went from a good salary to zero. Nothing says "spend money!" like an older man who begins his own company in a market where few have even heard of his line of work! Yet, I am progressing, doing good work, but still making time to "smell the roses", learn my ukulele, Ubass and now, the Banjo-ukulele.
It's quality is something I feel awkward about. It's not some great bargain from a nameless, huge manufacture who overcharges anyway; it is extreme craftsmanship from a man who's own signature and name rests upon his work.
Why isn't sold for far more?
Perhaps it is that Mr. Hunter feels such kinship with musicians that he covers his costs and makes only a small amount on his labor so that others may embrace and enjoy that which has enriched his life; I don't know, but whatever his reasoning, I am stunned at the quality and blessed to own another "life time purchase."
I don't know, but I know it is one of those special "buy it for life" quality item that I am thrilled and proud to own and will leave it to one of my children who best fall in love with playing.
I didn't include the price here, as it is not an advertisement for them, but it is a testament to quality so that if one wishes to look into his instruments, they may at midnight special.ca
First, my reference point.
In order to judge the validity of the review, the reader must know to what I compare the quality of the instrument to, as I am not a ukulele expert, nor long term ukulele player, but a long term guitar player who has owned a number of fine instruments over the years, and a few clunkers that were quickly retuned or sold at a loss, especially early on, falling for advertising hype.
My reference point, specifically is the instruments I have owned, or those I have tested and played.
The most expensive guitar I have owned was the Martin OM 42. ($3800) For me, this is the epitome of quality, so much so, that like others, I was afraid to play it and sold it! I currently own a custom Martin 15, high gloss, gorgeous Mahogany, of which will never be sold. I had my six children each put their signature inside of it, as it is a lifetime purchase, with not only beauty and sound (I play it daily) but sentimental value.
I don't have a wide experience of ukuleles, but have played and tested some, while doing a lot of research on them.
I own the Pono AD2 Cedar top and find it to be of high quality in sound and construction, as well as beauty. It appears that its value exceeds its price tag, should it have been manufactured in the US or Canada.
I have tested a number of ukulele banjos, ranging from $299 to about $600, in four stores within my State. I think one was even more than this, in a specialty store, that I liked. I also went through the myriad of reviews online and at You Tube.
The Midnight Special, handmade by Hugh Hunter of Canada, represents a marriage of craftsmanship and musician experience and insight. It is head and shoulders above the best that I sampled.
It has a beautiful sound, louder than I had prepared myself for (a plus) with that true 'banjo' sound I ha hoped for.
The construction is impressive, with the attention to detail that a hand-made (realistically, it is a 'de facto' custom, customized to a musician's liking) using top quality (and expensive) components. The wood is beautiful, the tuners smooth (and strong) and the feel substantial.
The neck is straight, the action low, and the instrument beautiful to the eye.
The instrument far exceeds the cost and could sell for 3 or more times the amount. Given the Canadian-US dollar exchange, it was less than anything I sampled, yet of far greater quality.
Had it been 3 or 4 times the cost, I would not have been able to purchase it given my economics today, but had I seen it in a store, with a price tag of, let's say, $1600, I would not have been surprised and would have looked for the tag where it states the origin of manufacturing. Had it been advertised as "hand made", the price tag would not have made me blink. I would have sighed to myself, and thought, 'If I could, I would...' and looked for one in my price range. Last year, I began a business on my own, and immediately went from a good salary to zero. Nothing says "spend money!" like an older man who begins his own company in a market where few have even heard of his line of work! Yet, I am progressing, doing good work, but still making time to "smell the roses", learn my ukulele, Ubass and now, the Banjo-ukulele.
It's quality is something I feel awkward about. It's not some great bargain from a nameless, huge manufacture who overcharges anyway; it is extreme craftsmanship from a man who's own signature and name rests upon his work.
Why isn't sold for far more?
Perhaps it is that Mr. Hunter feels such kinship with musicians that he covers his costs and makes only a small amount on his labor so that others may embrace and enjoy that which has enriched his life; I don't know, but whatever his reasoning, I am stunned at the quality and blessed to own another "life time purchase."
I don't know, but I know it is one of those special "buy it for life" quality item that I am thrilled and proud to own and will leave it to one of my children who best fall in love with playing.
I didn't include the price here, as it is not an advertisement for them, but it is a testament to quality so that if one wishes to look into his instruments, they may at midnight special.ca
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I really enjoyed your recording of "Hesitation Blue", excellent sound and feel, you are a very performer. 
