I am interested in a good soprano. Right now I only have a Kala and a Dolphin. I would like a real "keeper". If you have one you are considering parting with please let me know. Price range is dependent on the instrument of course. Thanks, rem
WTB good soprano
- Thread starter rem50
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Huna
Well-known member
call Mike at UkeRepublic and get one of his Sailor sopranos. It may be the last uke you need. I tried it last night and loved it.
perep
Well-known member
I have a SOLID KOA , PONO soprano with factory pickup. See my ad about on the 12th. Have TWO ads there, other one is a PONO CONCERT. Both really nice koa & they play well
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Yup, solid wood is definetly an up grade....something to think about....
haolejohn
Well-known member
I agree. Best bang for the buck. Seriously.
Gmoney
Well-known member
That would be a good choice - price & quality of construction, may just be the best "bang" for the buck. I absolutely love mine.
OP
OP
What kind of sound and neck does the sailor have? Any sound bites?
Gmoney
Well-known member
There's a sweet little KoAloha Pikake Soprano on eBay right now & looks like it might go for a good price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KoAloha-Soprano-Koa-Pikake-Ukulele-w-case-/180642754593
And another KoAloha Soprano here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KoAloha-Soprano-Koa-Ukulele-/190514427023
AND - a Sprucehouse Soprano w/Peghed tuners (I love me some Pegheds!):
http://cgi.ebay.com/SpruceHouse-S-0-Soprano-Ukulele-w-PegHed-Tuners-/250790436728
There's some good deals there... The Sailor Brand uke is STILL a good deal as well, but I do LOVE KoAloha's!
http://cgi.ebay.com/KoAloha-Soprano-Koa-Pikake-Ukulele-w-case-/180642754593
And another KoAloha Soprano here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KoAloha-Soprano-Koa-Ukulele-/190514427023
AND - a Sprucehouse Soprano w/Peghed tuners (I love me some Pegheds!):
http://cgi.ebay.com/SpruceHouse-S-0-Soprano-Ukulele-w-PegHed-Tuners-/250790436728
There's some good deals there... The Sailor Brand uke is STILL a good deal as well, but I do LOVE KoAloha's!
haolejohn
Well-known member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Up8U4lBk1M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9gqLcEAqEE
many different tonewoods available. Just contact Mike.
guitharsis
Well-known member
Wow. Those Sailor Brand ukles look and sound great! The KoAloha soprano of course is outstandomg. Lots of good choices.
SweetWaterBlue
Well-known member
Rem50, this is such an open-ended question, that it is hard to answer. I originally thought it was a question about used ukes members might have for sale, but it seems to have drifted to mostly a discussion of new ones. (No one I know that owns a Sailor brand uke, is thinking of selling it). In my opinion, everyone needs a traditional all mahogany soprano. Since you want to upgrade, and want a soprano, if you want used, I would look for an Ohana SK-35 or SK-35G. There is no better value in the soprano space in my opinion. You can get a brand new SK-35 for $175 from UkeRepublic. On the used market that goes doubly. I don't own any "high-end" ukes, but I have played a lot of them, and in my opinion the SK-35 sound holds it own against most other sopranos below $400,and even some above that. In fact almost the entire Ohana K series (SK-21, SK-25, SK-35, SK-38, CK-35, TK-35) seem to be favorites of many players with access to upper-end ukes (Middleton, Al Hunt, PDXUke, etc) , yet you can get a new SK-35 for less than $200, and a used one for 50%-75% of that, if you are patient.
My SK-35G is not for sale, and probably never will be, but I may sell my recently acquired SK-70 (spruce top, rosewood back and sides not mahogany) in the future, simply because I don't play it as a much as the SK-35G. I only bought the SK-70 on a whim, and because it was so beautiful from a fellow SEUker, but the damn thing keeps growing on me. Now that PDXUke has two SK-35's, who knows, maybe he will part with one in a bit.
My SK-35G is not for sale, and probably never will be, but I may sell my recently acquired SK-70 (spruce top, rosewood back and sides not mahogany) in the future, simply because I don't play it as a much as the SK-35G. I only bought the SK-70 on a whim, and because it was so beautiful from a fellow SEUker, but the damn thing keeps growing on me. Now that PDXUke has two SK-35's, who knows, maybe he will part with one in a bit.
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Huna
Well-known member
You know I like my little luna honu. They are seventy bucks but still might be something you'd like. they are not shiny. Hawaii Music Supply has a video http://cgi.ebay.com/Luna-Honu-Soprano-Ukulele-Pack-w-Custom-Setup-More-/140527728935?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b81af927#ht_2023wt_9252 I guess you could ask them how much without the case seein' it comes with a gig bag and is a laminate, it probably does not need one. Also they have them everywhere else like Musiciansfriend etc.
SweetWaterBlue
Well-known member
Wow Paul. I played your Luna Monday in Marietta, but I didn't realize it was that inexpensive. It looks fantastic. You are right, its a great deal in a laminate.
Jukebox 661 makes anything sound great, and it did require him to do a bit of setup, but you can't complain about this sound at all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRvL_SjmPxA&NR=1
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pdxuke
Well-known member
+10,000 on this suggestion. But I'm not likely to part with either. Yes, I have a stable of Ohana ukes: sopranos, concert, and tenor. They are really comfortable and ez to play. They sound great. I love my upper end ukes, but if faced with a financial crisis the upper end could go and the Ohana SK35 would stay. Everything else is fun to own, this mahogany SK35 is a necessity.
Do yourself a favor and try one. (Sound Tests of both in my signature line: Click link STRUMMING TESTS.)
SK35 Satin
SK35 Gloss
OP
OP
Thank you everyone for all those suggestions. I guess what I was thinking to begin with was to get a "K" brand that someone was tired of or just was taking up space. I have my KoAloha concert and love the sound and neck it has. After everything I have heard, the soprano market for ukes is very diverse and competitive in sound so I guess I will not have to spend as much as I originally thought. I am going to call mike at uke republic to talk about the sailor uke. I was very impressed witht he sound and extremely pleased with the emphasis on the thin neck. That is one of my favorite qualities of the KoAloha. Am also watching some auctions on ebay I may jump on in the KoAloha market. Ah! Decisions, decisions. Thank you all for your help and I will certainly let you all know when I fire the round down range! Thanks, rem
SweetWaterBlue
Well-known member
Rem - Even though it sounds like I am only a mahogany man, it would not be true. I have played my friend Haolejohn's Koalohas many times, and there is nothing quite like their sweet koa sound. But, they are quite different than the classic mahogany soprano sound. One day, I will probably save up and buy a Koaloha soprano for that sound, but I will keep my mahogany Ohana soprano even then, and that of course makes them "keepers."
pdxuke
Well-known member
And I own 2 Kamakas. So, I play different tone woods. I've always loved mahogany. Ohana SK35 is a classic.
But if you are also looking in a higher price point, you should also consider a Kiwaya KTS4. And don't forget a vintage: Favilla, Gretsch, can be had in the $250-300 range and they are superb players.
OP
OP
I talked to Mike at Uke Republic today and really enjoyed all he had to say about the sailor ukes. I am really considering picking one up. Thanks for all the help. rem
Look at the Handmade Soprano ( Blue Frog ) Solid Poplar with Spruce Top that VicD listed here as being put up on eBay today. There's also a video link, and the sound is really sweet!
Bidding starts at $80, with a $100 buy it now.
I'd go for it, but I am NOT suicidal, and my wife WOULD kill me if I bought another uke right now...
-Kurt
Bidding starts at $80, with a $100 buy it now.
I'd go for it, but I am NOT suicidal, and my wife WOULD kill me if I bought another uke right now...
-Kurt
