My new Ohana SK-38 . . . What the?

Ukettante

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I just received an Ohana SK-38 from my sister as a birthday present. She bought it from one of the online uke specialists that come highly recommended on the UU forum. But soon as I unzipped the Steady case that it came in and gave it a once-over, my joy turned to dismay. Nonetheless, I've read about how some players initially mistook the vintage look of the 38 for shoddy workmanship, and how the build and finish of Ohana ukes are "nearly perfect," so I'm here for some reassurance.

First, the nut look as if it had been gnawed by a dog. Sorry, I don't know how else to describe it. Second, the four slots, seen from the bottom of the bridge, look unfinished, ragged. Third, the small, truncated oval that the heel narrows down to is asymmetrical. Fourth, there are two clearly visible nicks on the back of the headstock. No need to squint to see them. And lastly, the wood grain on the back of the uke's body runs diagonally, not quite 45 degrees though. My overall impression was the uke looked like a counterfeit.

I'm curious as to where these cosmetic imperfections are all part of the aged look, vintage charm, Ohana is aiming for in this model. I was somewhat reassurred after I revisited the seller's website and englarged the photos for a much closer look, and saw that yep, the nut and the heel of this floor model also looked kind of . . . crummy.

Would love to hear from other SK-38 owners.
 
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i have an sk38 from mim that plays with great sound. can't ask for more. the neck looks like it has been chewed by a beaver, nearly your same description. at some point the wrong tool was used on it, i can imagine a third world worker with a huge rasp, or whatever nightmare, and then sanded to an acceptable state. if you look closer you will see the little digs. i guess they do down home stuff like that at the factory. it doesn't affect playing but i can't take it and have promised the instrument to my grandson.
certain stuff in woodworking you have to really try to screw up, and they manage to do so on some of 'em.
 
Photos would help us help you.
 
No way any of the negative descriptions you have provided apply to my SK-38. You ought to contact the seller and provide photos to substantiate your claim and bring it to a resolution in your favor.
 
I had a TK-38 with similar features that I chalked up to the attempt at presenting an artificially aged ukulele.
 
Wow, three out of four with this feature. I had considered a SK-38 and went with a Kiwaya instead. Glad I did. That "aging" would drive me nuts.
 
What is it, the "shabby chic" ukulele?
Did they actually "age" the uke at the factory?
Holy moly!
That sounds crazy.
 
I read a few discriptions where dealers mentioned it has a rustic look or has a distressed finish, which makes me think it's supposed to have some of the "features" you mention. Still, I think you should check in with the seller. I wouldn't be happy about the nut and slots, f'sure. The other stuff though sounds typical of what I heard about this model.

All other Ohana models I've seen and played were very well finished.
 
You should really contact the seller.

I think any UU recommended seller will work things out.

John
 
I'll take pictures with my cell phone and try to post them. I'm not too tech savvy, but I'll try my best. I can't bring myself to look at it when I take it out to practice. Anyway, photos will follow soon, and you guys can tell me whether the highly recommended seller had sent me a dud or I got what I paid for, a sub-300 uke.
 
If these vintage look Ohanas are really firsts (i.e., the way they are intended), it seems like the sellers should be "managing expectations".
 
Still waiting to see the pictures here in this thread. But in the meantime, I found at least one Ohana video that speaks of the aging treatment. It depicts some area where there would be normal wear from contact and use. Sort of like what Aging a new instruments finish is nothing new, Fender has been doing with their Relic treatments on their Telecasters and Stratocasters for years... It should never effect playability though, if it does send it back.
 
That doesn't sound right to me. I have two Ohanas (albeit not vintage ones) and they were both finished really well.

Still, I am patiently waiting for my new Pono ET=PC to arrive as that should be a big step up....! But I still love my Ohanas.
 
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I'm sure others with more experience with Ohana will chime in, but I'd send it back. The nut is bad. It really needs to be straight across and that indent at the E string could be an issue with intonation. Relic'd is one thing but that is a mistake. I don't like the texture on the heal. The bridge slots are too rough. The angled grain looks off and I'm not sure there is any vintage uke intentionally made that way. Nicks on back of headstock and glue are not big deals.

John
 
Darn it! I could live with a big scratch on the body. But if the nut and bridge are problematic . . . !
 
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