Swiftsailor98
Well-known member
Extra b-day money and a few hours by myself led to a complete impulse buy. The local small uke/guitar shop usually has a decent selection of concerts and tenors on the wall ready to play.
Based on the availability and price point, I narrowed down my choice to the Amahi Classic Concert in Ash or the Eddy Finn Travel Concert (EF-TRV-C). I enjoyed the sound of both, but went with the Eddy Finn because it was different in form than my other two ukes—thin body and unique sound-hole.
The shop owner does limited setups on the spot, which contributed to the impulse buy—I knew I could walk out with my new joy. So, with the action set and strap buttons installed (and a matching Eddy Finn hard case) I was on my way.
The EF Travel Concert is a Spruce top (laminate) with Mahogany B/S (also laminate). The neck and headstock are Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard, and unlike many of the pictures online, this one has a slotted bridge. It sounds pleasantly bright, as you would expect from a Spruce. In addition to the great portability, the thin travel body form factor will also let me play with dynamics. I’ve found that you can dramatically change the sound in how you hold it—resting your right arm on the top corner provides a nice damped warm sound, while pulling the uke away from you on a strap really opens up sound.
Similar to what you may experience with your third kid—increased parenting comfort level and willingness to experiment a little—I have no inhibitions in making my own adjustments to customize this uke. I’ve already continued the ‘set up’ with a little work on the fretboard, frets and fret edges with an extra fine foam sanding block and a fingernail file. I’m also in search of some black tuning knobs to replace the “mother of toilet bowl” knobs that come standard.
Two open questions:
Does anyone know if the new Ernie Ball ukulele strings can be used in a slotted bridge, or is the ball likely to get stuck?
Any thoughts on rigging a shoulder strap or backpack like straps on a hard case with only a carry handle?
I’ll post a few pics later.
Based on the availability and price point, I narrowed down my choice to the Amahi Classic Concert in Ash or the Eddy Finn Travel Concert (EF-TRV-C). I enjoyed the sound of both, but went with the Eddy Finn because it was different in form than my other two ukes—thin body and unique sound-hole.
The shop owner does limited setups on the spot, which contributed to the impulse buy—I knew I could walk out with my new joy. So, with the action set and strap buttons installed (and a matching Eddy Finn hard case) I was on my way.
The EF Travel Concert is a Spruce top (laminate) with Mahogany B/S (also laminate). The neck and headstock are Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard, and unlike many of the pictures online, this one has a slotted bridge. It sounds pleasantly bright, as you would expect from a Spruce. In addition to the great portability, the thin travel body form factor will also let me play with dynamics. I’ve found that you can dramatically change the sound in how you hold it—resting your right arm on the top corner provides a nice damped warm sound, while pulling the uke away from you on a strap really opens up sound.
Similar to what you may experience with your third kid—increased parenting comfort level and willingness to experiment a little—I have no inhibitions in making my own adjustments to customize this uke. I’ve already continued the ‘set up’ with a little work on the fretboard, frets and fret edges with an extra fine foam sanding block and a fingernail file. I’m also in search of some black tuning knobs to replace the “mother of toilet bowl” knobs that come standard.
Two open questions:
Does anyone know if the new Ernie Ball ukulele strings can be used in a slotted bridge, or is the ball likely to get stuck?
Any thoughts on rigging a shoulder strap or backpack like straps on a hard case with only a carry handle?
I’ll post a few pics later.
