Is this a good Uke?

joeybug

joeybug

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I've got my eye on a Mahalo Maplewood Soprano Uke :)iwant:) from a UK seller, it comes with a free hard case and I have decent strings to put on it when it arrives. My question is, is this a good Uke to step up from the one I have, which is a very cheap (though plays well to my ears) purple Uke which was probably mass produced in China somewhere. I don't have the money right now, but I will have in a week's time and want to know if it's worth paying out for it (it's £35 plus postage - which is about $56) or is it just a better starter than the one I have now?

Thanks

Joey
 
Joey
I don't have any experience of the Mahalo you've mentioned, but if you can stretch your budget one of these two might be a better choice.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ohana-SK10S-S...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item335ff3abc7

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kala-KA-S-Sop...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3360f9b4e4

The Southern Ukulele store are excellent to deal with and either one of these ukes will give you a noticable difference in not only the sound, but also you're playing ability.:D
At £35 for the Mahalo with case, I suppose you have to consider how much of that £35 is for the Uke & how much is the case.
The instrument is the important thing.

Don't think for one minute that this will be you're last Uke.
You are on the rocky road to "Ukulele aquisition syndrome" There is no know cure.:music:
Start saving now.:biglaugh:

Finbar
 
finbar said:
Joey
I don't have any experience of the Mahalo you've mentioned, but if you can stretch your budget one of these two might be a better choice.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ohana-SK10S-S...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item335ff3abc7

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kala-KA-S-Sop...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3360f9b4e4

The Southern Ukulele store are excellent to deal with and either one of these ukes will give you a noticable difference in not only the sound, but also you're playing ability.:D
At £35 for the Mahalo with case, I suppose you have to consider how much of that £35 is for the Uke & how much is the case.
The instrument is the important thing.

Don't think for one minute that this will be you're last Uke.
You are on the rocky road to "Ukulele aquisition syndrome" There is no know cure.:music:
Start saving now.:biglaugh:

Finbar
Click to expand...

I might go for one of the ones you mentioned, probably the Ohana, as it looks good and is the cheaper of the two and my budget is very tight! I've added it to my watch list so if I do find the fund to spring one, I'll have it saved there :D

Thanks for the advice!
 
I like Ohanas, i have 2 and am waiting for a third one...not high priced ones...the advantage with the one listed are the Aquila strings, so there is a couple of pounds saved....you will be surprised at the difference they make, and they are tough I havent replaced mine since I got my uke 8 months ago and it gets played a lot.
 
GreatGazukes said:
I like Ohanas, i have 2 and am waiting for a third one...not high priced ones...the advantage with the one listed are the Aquila strings, so there is a couple of pounds saved....you will be surprised at the difference they make, and they are tough I havent replaced mine since I got my uke 8 months ago and it gets played a lot.
Click to expand...

I think I'm gonna end up getting the Ohana when I next get paid, will have to find a case from somewhere, but those are easy to find on eBay..thanks for your input :D
 
GreatGazukes said:
I like Ohanas, i have 2 and am waiting for a third one...not high priced ones...the advantage with the one listed are the Aquila strings, so there is a couple of pounds saved....you will be surprised at the difference they make, and they are tough I havent replaced mine since I got my uke 8 months ago and it gets played a lot.
Click to expand...

GreatGazukes is sure spot on there Joey...aquila strings can make an old dog of a thing sing like a bird. They're really great- on just about any uke that I've found!

Of the three possibilities raised so far, I'd lean towards the Ohana, but hey, like Finbar wisely said, you may end up with all 3 by years end!!!:eek:
 
eugene ukulele said:
but hey, like Finbar wisely said, you may end up with all 3 by years end!!!:eek:
Click to expand...

I do like the Ohana, I think I'll go with that one, and I've found a few cases on eBay which I could also get should I get paid enough..I doubt I'll get all three by years end, I'm on disability benefits and so on a very limited budget and with Christmas coming and my goddaughter already having an Uke for her birthday next month, I think I'll have to either put it on my Christmas/Birthday list myself or wait till the January sales!
 
Another endorsement for Ohanas here. I own two and almost bought a third a few weeks ago.
 
My question is, is this a good Uke to step up from the one I have, which is a very cheap (though plays well to my ears) purple Uke which was probably mass produced in China somewhere.
Click to expand...

The irony of your question is that Mahalos are the mass produced ukes in China somewhere lol.
I don't think the Mahalo would be much better than the one you have. Every Mahalo I've tried had iffy intonation and very high action.
Adjusting the saddle by sanding it down helps a bit, but if you're looking for an improvement, it is much better off saving up for a Kala or an Ohana.

That said, most affordable ukes are produced in China. However, this does not mean they're bad. There are good ukes from China and bad ukes from China.
 
Never had an ohana before. I like my lanikai and will never put it down, so I guess I would like the kala. Ohana sounds good though.
 
Aloha Joeybug,
Congrats on your new purchase of your Maplewood Mahalo soprano ukulele...Is is a slight step up from your poiple ukulele which besides for
the color was a good starter..I suggest that you start saving up your money and stop buying entry level ukes and be wasteing your money..
But if it makes you happy as it did for me, do it..from an experience standpoint looking back now for me, Your next new ukulele should be a
mid level one that is more better made with a quality sound, better comfortability and playability. You may learn faster on a quality one and get less fustrated
and sound a whole lot better...besides you won't have alot of old ukes lying around...a good one will keep your intrest much longer....
Have Fun and "Keep strumming them strings" MM Stan...
 
mm stan said:
Aloha Joeybug,
Congrats on your new purchase of your Maplewood Mahalo soprano ukulele...Is is a slight step up from your poiple ukulele which besides for
the color was a good starter..I suggest that you start saving up your money and stop buying entry level ukes and be wasteing your money..
But if it makes you happy as it did for me, do it..from an experience standpoint looking back now for me, Your next new ukulele should be a
mid level one that is more better made with a quality sound, better comfortability and playability. You may learn faster on a quality one and get less fustrated
and sound a whole lot better...besides you won't have alot of old ukes lying around...a good one will keep your intrest much longer....
Have Fun and "Keep strumming them strings" MM Stan...
Click to expand...

I haven't brought the Maplewood...I was asking for advice on it, and have decided to go with the Ohana one suggested...should be able to pay for it next weekend :D
 
I agree with MM Stan. If the uke you already have sounds good to you, why not start saving up for a mid-level uke?
 
I am a newbie so often think I don't know enough to answer but, that said, I am well into UAS. So my input is #1 Uke case not that big of deal since they can live in the box they were shipped in for awhile. #2 I purchased two ukulele's from two different UU members from the Market Place forum. I got great deals, so great I almost feel guilty, and I am completely in love with my purchases. Good luck, and do consider saving for a mid level since you already have your entry level uku.

Roxhum
 
soupking said:
I agree with MM Stan. If the uke you already have sounds good to you, why not start saving up for a mid-level uke?
Click to expand...

How much does a mid-level uke cost? That's my big problem, I don't have much money and have trouble saving, what's in my bank account usually gets used for bills so it's something I'd have to ask for Christmas or something and again that depends on the cost!
 
You will be happy with the Ohana. They really are nice Ukes for the money. Even though they are assembly line built, they sound very nice and can even rival some of the ones costing twice as much. I love "Iz" (My SK35).

I also have the smaller Sopranino one, which also has an awesome voice for such a small instrument.
 
Play the poiple patiently and wait for an Ohana. Get one with a case from MGM on eBay. OR a Kala, but I don't own a Kala. I have an Ohana Vita uke, MGM just had one up on auction for $170+ with shipping, and it's a wonderful uke! I don't see it relisted but it didn't sell.

Here is a link for a cheap Kala, take a look and just my opinion DON'T buy a Mahalo ANYTHING! ;)

I can't vouch for this Kala but it should be way above any Mahalo, I just grabbed the link from his store. Others here will chime in.

http://cgi.ebay.com/JUST-ARRIVED-Flame-mahogany-Kala-SOPRANO-Ukulele-KA-SEM-/370436828526?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563fc16d6e

Good luck and keep on strummin' as mmstan says. :)

Oops PS: I do have a Makala dophin bridge uke, what a little charmer! $43 shipped from Uke King on eBay and MGM has just had a black sparkle one on. Made by Kala. Kala, Ohana, Lanikai, all made in China, most ukes are now except for the expensive K brands and a few others made in Hawaii, and others mostly customs made in the US.

Also look into Mainlands as an option, they are highly thought of, also Chinese made but with great US support.
 
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And BTW. For the record, I agree with Stan. Dont just keep buying entry level Ukes looking for the right one. Stick with what ya got, and save your money for one ya find ya really want when ya learn more of what's out there..

For now, play and enjoy the Purple Urple. Besides, it matches your font.. ;)
 
I believe one of the best mid range brands on the market are Ohana, as for their mid range ukes I'd recommend the Ohana Sk-35g, most people (and myself) swear by them... they are awesome in sound! all solid wood body, Southern Ukulele Store did have some for £110 graded stock or you can get them unmarked for around £135 maximum.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ohana-SK35-So...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item4aa4208c12 (without gloss finish).

Heres a vid of me and my old one to try and convince you =D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkuZPmiE-30
 
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