Kaneohe til the end
Well-known member
im looking into buying a new koa fluke, any suggestions?
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Here's a guy on youtube with Worth strings on his koa fluke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bqhWpdMbRQ
I hear the plastic there a little, because well it is there, but I also hear a marked improvement on my Fluke.
I love fleas and flukes(I have three), but for the money you'll pay for the koa top and whatnot, I'd buy a nicer quality wooden instrument, like a Pono.
Next up for my Pono will be the Low G worths. I'm happier with aquilas than I was with the koolau strings. I had worths on my Koaloha and have worths on my uke-solid concert and they really hurt my fingers. I find the aquilas sound more lively, but it's all about synergy with the specific uke.
Hi....plainsong( what's your name???...i really dont like to call people with their username...sounds funny)..anyways...i just want to tell you that i'm impressed with your posts....you know a lot about ukes, strings, etc. I find your post really helpful...actually im kinda confused and i hope you can help me...i want to to buy a fluke (not a koa)...but i want a kala too...which one is better for you??? well thanks in advance!!!!!
Ingrit
.... ...But it's all about what is calling your name more.
Seems like they are all calling my name.
My name is Kim, but I want to give a disclaimer that I am a newbie it comes to ukes. I've been playing for less than a year and am kind of "special" when it comes to string instruments. It's just that I'm not a newbie to music and I've got a degree in it 'n everything. So sometimes it's frustrating when I have the ears for a custom uke but the hands for a beginner uke.
But which uke is better depends on how you're going to use it, which kind of ukes you already have, and what kind of sound you're after. If you already have a solid wood uke, I see no issue with getting a Fluke. The sound is that of a proper uke, but it rings more, which is a different kind of sound and pretty cool at that. It's not a cheap sound, it's a different sound. Different but same. If you want a uke that's not affected by weather changes and one you're not afraid to take outside with you, and still have it sound good, the Fluke is an excellent choice.
I'd go for a Fluke over a laminate Kala, and I'd go for a solid Kala before a Fluke IF I was in the market for a traditional solid wood sound.
So it all just depends on your own needs.
Are you sure that is solid koa? I can't find any info either on ebay or the kala site saying it is solid. it does say solid mahogany neck. But not solid Koa anything. The reason I say this is Kala is known more as an affordable ukulele and use laminate alot. I am not knocking Kala i have a Kala mango tenor and love it, but i know mine is not solid and don't think the koa is either.Compare that to this uke from Kala which is solid koa and has electronics. Here is a video sample of the Kala.
Then there's the price. For a soprano flea with a plastic fretboard you're looking at like $150. With the rosewood fretboard (which you need if you want to use wound strings) and the koa soundboard the price goes up significantly. The Flea website lists the koa flea as being $350. Compare that to this uke from Kala which is solid koa and has electronics. Here is a video sample of the Kala.