OK, OK – UAS has struck again. Ooooops. :rofl:
So as these things happen, I was not searching for a K-Brand uke or anything really. I just happened to notice this one and it was too much of a bargain to pass up. It started at £300 but I got it for £150 in the end. ($239 USD or €170 EUR.)
I emailed some photos to the very helpful people at the Kamaka factory in Honolulu and one of the staff there was massively helpful. She showed the photos to Fred Kamaka Sr who was able to date my uke to between 1975 – 1982. He also attested that the case and tuning pegs are the originals.
It might not be a collector’s piece or a gold label, but I love this uke already. This is the first Kamaka I’ve seen for sale in the UK that’s anything like in my price range. Perhaps I’d get a better bargain in the US – but with shipping and import duty it’s improbable that I could get a similar uke to the UK for less.
Anyway – this uke sounds fantastic. I’ve never quite heard anything like it. A deep, loud, resonating tone with fantastic sustain. The intonation is absolutely perfect all the way up the neck and the action is low and comfortable. As you might be able to tell – I’m super pleased with this purchase.
I’ve included some photos and I will do a video as soon as I can. Just wanted to share the good news with you guys
So as these things happen, I was not searching for a K-Brand uke or anything really. I just happened to notice this one and it was too much of a bargain to pass up. It started at £300 but I got it for £150 in the end. ($239 USD or €170 EUR.)
I emailed some photos to the very helpful people at the Kamaka factory in Honolulu and one of the staff there was massively helpful. She showed the photos to Fred Kamaka Sr who was able to date my uke to between 1975 – 1982. He also attested that the case and tuning pegs are the originals.
It might not be a collector’s piece or a gold label, but I love this uke already. This is the first Kamaka I’ve seen for sale in the UK that’s anything like in my price range. Perhaps I’d get a better bargain in the US – but with shipping and import duty it’s improbable that I could get a similar uke to the UK for less.
Anyway – this uke sounds fantastic. I’ve never quite heard anything like it. A deep, loud, resonating tone with fantastic sustain. The intonation is absolutely perfect all the way up the neck and the action is low and comfortable. As you might be able to tell – I’m super pleased with this purchase.
I’ve included some photos and I will do a video as soon as I can. Just wanted to share the good news with you guys