Sometime last year, my good friend DownUpDave and I both got interested in steel strings. We both experimented with tenor guitars, but quickly found out that most of them were too large for our liking, and more importantly, their fretboard was too narrow for some ukulele chords.
Coincidentally, we both contacted John Kitakis of Pono Guitars and Ukuleles about producing a new instrument that could, essentially, be considered a big baritone for steel strings and tuned to DGBE. My own proposition was something in between a baritone and their "Nui", while Dave suggested adapting their "Uku Li'i" terz guitar body shape.
As it turns out, Mr. Kitakis had been thinking along the same lines, because next thing we know, a couple of prototypes are being made and offered to us for sale. I got the Rosewood/Spruce model (UL4-30), and Dave the Magogany/Cedar (UL4-20). They are featured in these videos:
https://vimeo.com/theukulelesite/videos/search:ul4/
As you can see in the attached pictures, the UL4 is slightly larger than a regular baritone, but way smaller than a "real" guitar. With a nut width of 1 3/8" and a scale length of 21.4" this feels right at home for ukulele players. To me, it's the perfect size: small enough to be held comfortably, but with a body large enough to fully resonate at low D.
The sound is bright and clear, sparkling and chimey. It has a wide dynamic range and endless sustain. But of course, with its relatively small body size and only four strings, it doesn't reproduce the full bass of a Dreadnought. Nor should it - it's a new concept in its own right that picks up the specific sound of steel strings, but adds the sweetness we love from the uke.
To me, this is the perfect blend of a western guitar and a baritone, and a great way for uke players to make the occasional transition to steel strings. This might just be my new favorite instrument! I'm very grateful to Mr. Kitakis for making this new model, and for coming up with fresh ideas that blur the lines between common categories of instruments.
Now let's hear what Dave is saying...
Coincidentally, we both contacted John Kitakis of Pono Guitars and Ukuleles about producing a new instrument that could, essentially, be considered a big baritone for steel strings and tuned to DGBE. My own proposition was something in between a baritone and their "Nui", while Dave suggested adapting their "Uku Li'i" terz guitar body shape.
As it turns out, Mr. Kitakis had been thinking along the same lines, because next thing we know, a couple of prototypes are being made and offered to us for sale. I got the Rosewood/Spruce model (UL4-30), and Dave the Magogany/Cedar (UL4-20). They are featured in these videos:
https://vimeo.com/theukulelesite/videos/search:ul4/
As you can see in the attached pictures, the UL4 is slightly larger than a regular baritone, but way smaller than a "real" guitar. With a nut width of 1 3/8" and a scale length of 21.4" this feels right at home for ukulele players. To me, it's the perfect size: small enough to be held comfortably, but with a body large enough to fully resonate at low D.
The sound is bright and clear, sparkling and chimey. It has a wide dynamic range and endless sustain. But of course, with its relatively small body size and only four strings, it doesn't reproduce the full bass of a Dreadnought. Nor should it - it's a new concept in its own right that picks up the specific sound of steel strings, but adds the sweetness we love from the uke.
To me, this is the perfect blend of a western guitar and a baritone, and a great way for uke players to make the occasional transition to steel strings. This might just be my new favorite instrument! I'm very grateful to Mr. Kitakis for making this new model, and for coming up with fresh ideas that blur the lines between common categories of instruments.
Now let's hear what Dave is saying...
