Uke Whisperer
Well-known member
I am presently playing a $25.00 "starter Soprano" and a Gold Tone Banjolele (which I truly love!).
Time to add another uke! Decided on KALA KA-SMHS solid Mahogany for my next step. Dealer had Mahogany, Koa and Mango in-stock. All three had AQUILA NYLGUT Strings. Played the Mahogany first and I was disappointed with tone and loudness. I had to "really get on it" to get satisfactory volume but sounded to "brash" when I did. I did not like the tightness, texture or size of the strings. I had heard the mahogany with Martin fluorocarbon strings before and it had sounded "sweet" (not as sweet as a $700.00+ range uke, but sweet compared others in same price range or less). I tried the Mango and it sounded better and the Koa sounded the best, but not the sound, nor "feel" that I wanted.
A "simple string change" would not be a "biggy"! However, having to replace the Nut and Bridge with thinner slots to properly "fit" the strings, OR use a temporary fix to correct a long term problem on a new Uke (like inserting some type of filler) just doesn't seem "right".
I welcome all comments and/or suggestions!
TNX,
Tom
Time to add another uke! Decided on KALA KA-SMHS solid Mahogany for my next step. Dealer had Mahogany, Koa and Mango in-stock. All three had AQUILA NYLGUT Strings. Played the Mahogany first and I was disappointed with tone and loudness. I had to "really get on it" to get satisfactory volume but sounded to "brash" when I did. I did not like the tightness, texture or size of the strings. I had heard the mahogany with Martin fluorocarbon strings before and it had sounded "sweet" (not as sweet as a $700.00+ range uke, but sweet compared others in same price range or less). I tried the Mango and it sounded better and the Koa sounded the best, but not the sound, nor "feel" that I wanted.
A "simple string change" would not be a "biggy"! However, having to replace the Nut and Bridge with thinner slots to properly "fit" the strings, OR use a temporary fix to correct a long term problem on a new Uke (like inserting some type of filler) just doesn't seem "right".
I welcome all comments and/or suggestions!
TNX,
Tom