NUD: Tangi Tenor

Larry U

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Not really new (built in 1998) but new to me. Just picked it up from a gentleman via craigslist, who, after a couple of decades here in Pennsylvania, is moving back to his native Hawaii.

It's a Tangi ukulele, tenor size, all Koa wood, and hand built in Hawaii. Except for some cosmetic scratches here and there, it's in great shape. First thing I'm going to do is replace the strings...they sound kind of dead, and I'm not a fan of the wound C string. I may take it to my local luthier and have the fret ends smoothed and have strap pins installed, but otherwise, it's good to go.

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Really unique looking cut-a-way. Very beautiful, very cool! Enjoy!
 
Looks like a very nice ukulele. Congratulations. I'd add UPTL tuners to it to keep the friction tuner look but with the added geared convenience. Nice Koa. I'm sure the cutaway is nice for upper fret access.
Enjoy!
 
Well, darn it for some reason I can't view the pics. I'll try on another laptop tomorrow. Anyhoo, congrats!
 
Very cool. Congratulations!
 
Awesome! Congrats.
 
Looks fantastic, congratulations, that's a great score! :D
 
I really like design and the look of it! Sounds like a marvelous deal. That it's a bit older and has been played as well as loved, is a plus. :)
 
Very nice, congratulations!
 
I teally like the over all design, the lines of the headstock and cutaway match up nicely. It is very interesting that he used one piece front and backs, no book matching. I had a tenor like that and thought it looked very organic. Congratulations that is one very special ukulele.
 
Thanks for all the positive feedback. I feel pretty good about scoring this gem. The fact that the price was in the range of a decent laminate uke made it even more special.

I really like the overall design, the lines of the headstock and cutaway match up nicely. It is very interesting that he used one piece front and backs, no book matching. I had a tenor like that and thought it looked very organic. Congratulations that is one very special ukulele.
I was kind of suprised to see that it had a one piece top and back. I do like that look.

Love the looks, how's it sound?
I'm going to hold off judging the sound until I get a fresh set of strings on it. It seems to have good volume and the intonation is great, but it's a little mushy with the old strings. I suspect it's going to sound great. :)
 
Update
I've had the uke about a month now. I initially replaced the old strings with a set of Aquila Reds. To be honest, I didn't love the strings on this instrument, but I thought I'd give them a chance. As I played it, I noticed a couple of issues: 1) the fret ends needed some smoothing, and 2) the action was fairly high (about 4mm at the 12th fret). Last week I took it to my local guitar guy/luthier and had him work his magic on it. I got it back yesterday and it's much improved. The fret ends are nice and smooth, and despite an odd neck angle, he was able to shave about 1mm off the nut and bridge. It's not a huge difference in the action but it's noticeable when playing. When I got it home yesterday, I tuned it up, played it for a bit, and set it down. I came home last evening to find that the A string had snapped on its own. Oh well, I didn't plan on keeping those Reds on there for long, anyway. I just replaced the full set with some Worth Medium Clears (High G) and so far, like them much better!

Bottom line: I don't plan on getting rid of this ukulele any time soon. It's my go-to for fingerpicking songs. :cool:
 
I saw a deluxe Tangi uke at Youngs Fish Market on Oahu yesterday....it is for sale and in a glass case there....going for $350.00 I am guessing they were a friend of his.....
 
Snargi, congrats on a lovely uke. The florentine cutaway, which I generally don't like on a guitar, looks really good on your tenor uke.

I have Reds on my Cocobolo and am getting ready to try something else.

I hope your new beauty gives you much happiness
 
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