bedweazel
Active member
This is my first NUD thread and I want to thank everyone who responded to my earlier thread about NUD post tips and taking photos. Also thank you to everyone who contributes to making this a great resource for new players. Here I go…
I wasn’t *looking* for another ukulele (I’ve read that on here before), but followed a link in a previous thread to Acoustic Music Works and their stock of Collings ukuleles. I understood from my time as a lurker on this forum that Collings is great maker. My heart leapt out of my chest at the sight of this baby and ended up purchasing it. I love it.
I have one other concert as well as a tenor and a soprano. I’ve learned that the concert is my size, but there still is a place in my life for the other two sizes. My other concert is a Martin C2K.
I was concerned that the new Collings would sound exactly the same as the Martin due to the same size and tone wood (koa). Nothing could be further from the truth. The Martin is brassy and loud which is I think their signature sound. It is wonderful and sounds very much like how I thought a ukulele should (probably since it was my first). The Collings is mellow and smooth sounding. I really like the contrast. I’ve already started playing different songs on each depending on the sound I think is appropriate. The lower volume I experience with the Collings probably has more to do with me playing it more tentatively since it is new. That will certainly change.
The build quality of Collings is top notch. I’m not surprised that the instrument is a work of art. The flamed grain in the koa wood reminds me of tranquil, rippling water. The sunburst finish dramatically enhances this beautiful grain pattern.
The playability is different than I’m used to with the Martin. The Collings seems to have higher string tension that requires more finger pressure to fret. I am still building strength in my fretting hand so the tension will take the most getting used to. The radius fret board means I have to slightly adjust how I barre chords as well. My Pono tenor also has a radius fret board, but I don’t play it frequently.
Overall, it looks and sounds wonderful and I look forward to many happy years of learning and playing.
I wasn’t *looking* for another ukulele (I’ve read that on here before), but followed a link in a previous thread to Acoustic Music Works and their stock of Collings ukuleles. I understood from my time as a lurker on this forum that Collings is great maker. My heart leapt out of my chest at the sight of this baby and ended up purchasing it. I love it.
I have one other concert as well as a tenor and a soprano. I’ve learned that the concert is my size, but there still is a place in my life for the other two sizes. My other concert is a Martin C2K.
I was concerned that the new Collings would sound exactly the same as the Martin due to the same size and tone wood (koa). Nothing could be further from the truth. The Martin is brassy and loud which is I think their signature sound. It is wonderful and sounds very much like how I thought a ukulele should (probably since it was my first). The Collings is mellow and smooth sounding. I really like the contrast. I’ve already started playing different songs on each depending on the sound I think is appropriate. The lower volume I experience with the Collings probably has more to do with me playing it more tentatively since it is new. That will certainly change.
The build quality of Collings is top notch. I’m not surprised that the instrument is a work of art. The flamed grain in the koa wood reminds me of tranquil, rippling water. The sunburst finish dramatically enhances this beautiful grain pattern.
The playability is different than I’m used to with the Martin. The Collings seems to have higher string tension that requires more finger pressure to fret. I am still building strength in my fretting hand so the tension will take the most getting used to. The radius fret board means I have to slightly adjust how I barre chords as well. My Pono tenor also has a radius fret board, but I don’t play it frequently.
Overall, it looks and sounds wonderful and I look forward to many happy years of learning and playing.