Griffis
Well-known member
Yesterday was my wife's birthday. We've been looking to get her a smaller classical guitar to replace her old one that got destroyed.
So, we looked at all the local music shops. We have only been in this area a few weeks, so it was our first time in any of the shops. I was impressed at what was on offer for a town this size. Better yet, the shops were all drippng with ukes!
I must have played two dozen different ukes at least during our window shopping spree. Not possible to recount them all, but I played many different Kalas and Lunas plus a Waterman, which I had been wanting to try out.
I've played many Kalas, Lunas, the Mahalo Dolphins, several Fender ukes before, but I encountered two brands that were new to me: Alani and Rainie.
I tried out several of each, different sizes and models, resonator ukes, etc.
I didn't get to spend a great deal of time with any of them, but two really stood out to me:
There was a soprano Alani that was darker looking than mahogany. Not sure of the wood, but laminate I'm sure. Had very nice rope binding that gave it really nice visual character.
Not affiliated with this or any other seller, but I found a link with picture:
http://olveramusic.com/en/ukul/3602...alani-series-rope-binding.html?content_only=1
'twas a sweet little number. Played easy, nice action, spot-on intonation. I can't for the life of me recall what the price tag was.
The other one that wanted to come home with me was the Rainie "Goldfish" soprano. Now this one topped $300 which is more than I'll ever again pay for a uke for various reasons, but I could see where that money would go.
The Rainee was, I believe, solid mahogany. It had etchings in the soundboard similar to Luna tattoo models. I generally do not care for the looks of those, but the Rainie had a nice nautical theme. Maybe a kraken? Regardless, it was the way it played and sounded that moved me.
That little Goldfish was so sweet and loud. Not brash, but the projection and sustain was among the best I've heard from the current crop of mass-produced sopranos from any company. Here's the page about this one:
http://www.antonioviolin.com/ukuleles/rainie-ukuleles
These brands and models may be old news around here, and I'm sure not trying to sell anything, but I really felt like a kid in a candy store yesterday.
If I'd had leisure cash and was in the market for more ukes, yesterday could have been dangerous!
As an aside, when I first took up uke in 2000, one of the first I owned was a humble Oscar Schmidt OU2. I really enjoyed that uke, and have missed it over the years. Though I prefer sopranos to concerts, that OU2 was my go-to uke for years when we were out on the deck, camping, traveling, etc.
I came across one of those yesterday as well and it was nice to play one again. They may have changed some specs on it over the years, but the one I played yesterday was even nicer than I recalled. To me, it may well be THE best beginner uke under $100, at least for concert scale. Rugged, simple, decent action and intonation...very nice for the $ though for a bit more, the standard Gretsch laminate ukes have really impressed me. Their G9100 soprano is my #1 at the moment.
Thanks for listening to me ramble. Have a good Friday folks!
So, we looked at all the local music shops. We have only been in this area a few weeks, so it was our first time in any of the shops. I was impressed at what was on offer for a town this size. Better yet, the shops were all drippng with ukes!
I must have played two dozen different ukes at least during our window shopping spree. Not possible to recount them all, but I played many different Kalas and Lunas plus a Waterman, which I had been wanting to try out.
I've played many Kalas, Lunas, the Mahalo Dolphins, several Fender ukes before, but I encountered two brands that were new to me: Alani and Rainie.
I tried out several of each, different sizes and models, resonator ukes, etc.
I didn't get to spend a great deal of time with any of them, but two really stood out to me:
There was a soprano Alani that was darker looking than mahogany. Not sure of the wood, but laminate I'm sure. Had very nice rope binding that gave it really nice visual character.
Not affiliated with this or any other seller, but I found a link with picture:
http://olveramusic.com/en/ukul/3602...alani-series-rope-binding.html?content_only=1
'twas a sweet little number. Played easy, nice action, spot-on intonation. I can't for the life of me recall what the price tag was.
The other one that wanted to come home with me was the Rainie "Goldfish" soprano. Now this one topped $300 which is more than I'll ever again pay for a uke for various reasons, but I could see where that money would go.
The Rainee was, I believe, solid mahogany. It had etchings in the soundboard similar to Luna tattoo models. I generally do not care for the looks of those, but the Rainie had a nice nautical theme. Maybe a kraken? Regardless, it was the way it played and sounded that moved me.
That little Goldfish was so sweet and loud. Not brash, but the projection and sustain was among the best I've heard from the current crop of mass-produced sopranos from any company. Here's the page about this one:
http://www.antonioviolin.com/ukuleles/rainie-ukuleles
These brands and models may be old news around here, and I'm sure not trying to sell anything, but I really felt like a kid in a candy store yesterday.
If I'd had leisure cash and was in the market for more ukes, yesterday could have been dangerous!
As an aside, when I first took up uke in 2000, one of the first I owned was a humble Oscar Schmidt OU2. I really enjoyed that uke, and have missed it over the years. Though I prefer sopranos to concerts, that OU2 was my go-to uke for years when we were out on the deck, camping, traveling, etc.
I came across one of those yesterday as well and it was nice to play one again. They may have changed some specs on it over the years, but the one I played yesterday was even nicer than I recalled. To me, it may well be THE best beginner uke under $100, at least for concert scale. Rugged, simple, decent action and intonation...very nice for the $ though for a bit more, the standard Gretsch laminate ukes have really impressed me. Their G9100 soprano is my #1 at the moment.
Thanks for listening to me ramble. Have a good Friday folks!