Gcow55
Well-known member
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I just received my brand new Pono PTS-E Mahogany Delux tenor ukulele with pickup.
Video Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c35PUV0LlzI (Sound samples come at the end around 8:00.)
Here is a brief written review:
Features: Solid Mahogany back, and sides, solid Spruce top. Ebony binding, rope purfling, abalone rosette, ebony faceplate, fingerboard, and bridge, bone nut and saddle, pearl logo and fingerboard position dots. Grover Mini-Rotomatic tuners with ebony buttons, Adjustable truss Gloss Finish, and a Ko'olau Hardshell Case.
Review: First, the build quality is nothing short of fantastic. There is no leaking glue, it has a spot-on fret job, and solid construction. The finish is nearly flawless. Aside from one hardly noticeable, millimeter size blemish on the rope binding, there are no other issues with the finish. The gloss finish is not overdone, nor sloppy. The quality and look of the mahogany is fantastic, as is the spruce. When looking at pictures of this instrument online, I was not impressed with the rope inlay. However, in person, I love it. The pictures online do not give this uke justice. Overall, the instrument is beautiful and a treat for the eyes. It is simply superb. The action may be just a tad bit high for my tastes, but that is easily correctible, and I have had no problems with playability and intonation. Part of it may be due to the fact that this is my first tenor, and I really don't have anything to compare it to. There is absolutely no fret buzz. Next, the Grover tuners are fantastic, and are very smooth and precise. As for the sound, it has a full, bright, loud, lovely sound. Strung with low-g strings, it gave a deep, full tone that was great. However, I prefer it with high-g. Strung with high-g D'adarrio Pro Arte strings, it gives off a tight, bright tone which I love, that is "snappy" when played hard (which I also love). However, it is not overbearingly bright, and is rather warm and mellow when played softly. This is my first solid wood instrument, and I can not emphasize enough how much of an improvement in tone the solid wood provides. As for the pickup, I have not had a chance to really test it out on a good system yet. However, I will have a chance tomorrow at church. So, I will update with a review of the pickup tomorrow. Ultimately, I am extremely satisfied with this instrument. It has exceeded all of my expectations. I highly recommend this uke. Pick one up while you still can.
Pictures will be coming soon.
Video Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c35PUV0LlzI (Sound samples come at the end around 8:00.)
Here is a brief written review:
Features: Solid Mahogany back, and sides, solid Spruce top. Ebony binding, rope purfling, abalone rosette, ebony faceplate, fingerboard, and bridge, bone nut and saddle, pearl logo and fingerboard position dots. Grover Mini-Rotomatic tuners with ebony buttons, Adjustable truss Gloss Finish, and a Ko'olau Hardshell Case.
Review: First, the build quality is nothing short of fantastic. There is no leaking glue, it has a spot-on fret job, and solid construction. The finish is nearly flawless. Aside from one hardly noticeable, millimeter size blemish on the rope binding, there are no other issues with the finish. The gloss finish is not overdone, nor sloppy. The quality and look of the mahogany is fantastic, as is the spruce. When looking at pictures of this instrument online, I was not impressed with the rope inlay. However, in person, I love it. The pictures online do not give this uke justice. Overall, the instrument is beautiful and a treat for the eyes. It is simply superb. The action may be just a tad bit high for my tastes, but that is easily correctible, and I have had no problems with playability and intonation. Part of it may be due to the fact that this is my first tenor, and I really don't have anything to compare it to. There is absolutely no fret buzz. Next, the Grover tuners are fantastic, and are very smooth and precise. As for the sound, it has a full, bright, loud, lovely sound. Strung with low-g strings, it gave a deep, full tone that was great. However, I prefer it with high-g. Strung with high-g D'adarrio Pro Arte strings, it gives off a tight, bright tone which I love, that is "snappy" when played hard (which I also love). However, it is not overbearingly bright, and is rather warm and mellow when played softly. This is my first solid wood instrument, and I can not emphasize enough how much of an improvement in tone the solid wood provides. As for the pickup, I have not had a chance to really test it out on a good system yet. However, I will have a chance tomorrow at church. So, I will update with a review of the pickup tomorrow. Ultimately, I am extremely satisfied with this instrument. It has exceeded all of my expectations. I highly recommend this uke. Pick one up while you still can.
Pictures will be coming soon.
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