Which Uke would you recommend? Help me choose between.....

chindog

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Please help me decide! It's going to be a tenor, and I've got it narrowed down to:

1. A Mainland Classic Mahogony
http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=10

2. An Ohana TK-20CE
http://cargo.ukerepublic.com/product/ohana-tk-20ce

I had the opportunity to play a Mainland Classic Mahogony in the concert size, and really liked it. I haven't actually been able to see the Ohana in person, but people seem to think it is good as well. I don't really need the electric pickup that is on the Ohana, but if I got it, I would probably plug it in, as I have a few guitars.

There is also a 3rd option I am considering. I would really rather get one of the new Sailor ukes.
http://cargo.ukerepublic.com/product/sailor-brand-soprano-spc-t

The Sailor would be my first choice hands down. But, in order to afford it, I would have to sell something, which would be my beloved Epiphone Les Paul Standard guitar in black with cream trim. I really like that guitar, but don't play it much anymore. I would hate to see it go, but the force of UAS may overpower my ability to keep it.

So, of the first two, which would you recommend? And if it comes down to making a sacrifice, should I keep the Les Paul, or let it go to fund the Sailor?

Thanks for any insight you can lend on this tormenting decision!

Mike
 
Go over to Mike at UkeRepublic and try them before you buy. I think you are pretty close to his location.
 
Go over to Mike at UkeRepublic and try them before you buy. I think you are pretty close to his location.

Give Mike a shout! He's on UU & his contact info is on the webpage. He will get you into one of those or something else you like as much. I'm biased towards the Sailor ukes (I have serial #1 of the Soprano!), but I've owned several Mainlands & they are just rocking good ukes! I don't own an Ohana but have played many & THEY are good as well. Depends on what you are looking for... Mike won't try to push something off on you that you don't need either.
 
The Mainland is all solid wood. That particular Ohana is only solid top with laminate sides and back. If I were choosing only between those two I would go with the Mainland BUT, Ohana does make ukes with solid back and sides so check those out too.
 
Wow alot of Mikes here...so hard to choose.. I haven't tried a Ohana yet though, so it would be hard to choose.. do you access to a music shop arouund you??
 
You are comparing a bit of apples to oranges :) The Mainland is a classic mahogany, and would more than likely compare to this:

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/TK35.htm

I own the TK 35 and it's great.

The Sailor has a spruce top and is gonna be much brighter (I'm guessing) than the Ohana or Mainland.
 
Wow alot of Mikes here...so hard to choose.. I haven't tried a Ohana yet though, so it would be hard to choose.. do you access to a music shop arouund you??

Actually, Mike at Uke Republic is where I will be getting this uke from. He's got, or can get, all of them. I met him for the first time at a uke jam last night, and he let me play the Mainland concert. I'm just not sure which one to get, though. I listened to the Sailor, and it was very nice. I may just need to go over to his place since he is pretty close to me, or catch up with him at the next jam, and try them head to head.
 
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