I currently own two concerts, an Ohana CK-35G and a Koaloha Concert. Love them both. THey are completely different, but both are great in their own right. The Koaloha is bright and loud and just so9unds amazing, while the Ohana is quiter, mellow, but still sounds pretty darn good for a $200 instrument (and the fit and finish was great, too and out of the box it was set up close to perfect).
Now I am in the market for a sporano. Have sort of narrowed it down to the Ohana SK-38 and the Mainland Red Cedar Sporano (I'm not into flashy ukes with inlays, ornate rosettes, etc, and prefer a more subdued looking instrument thats of higher quality and solid wood over something more flashy and laminate). I unfortunately don't have the option to play either of these before I buy. I like the Ohana because it's going for that old martin look/sound. I like the Mainland simply because the two ukes I have are either solid mahogany or koa, and just thought it would be nice to have something totally different than the other two (the Mainland has a red cedar top and rosewood back and sides). I am guessing that fit and finish on both is probably similar. Most people on here rave about the quality of the mainlands ( I have never owned or played a mainland), but I can vouch for the Ohana. The minimal difference in price is not an issue. Just wondering how much brighter and/or louder the Mainland would be over the Ohana. Also, I seem to be gravitating more toward playing older tunes/Roy Smeck stuff, so the SK-38 seems more 'appropriate' for this, but part of me also wants to see what a cedar top and rosewood sides and back sounds like! Unfortunately I can't afford both at this time and will have to settle on one...
Your thoughts, opinions and recommendations are appreciated!
Now I am in the market for a sporano. Have sort of narrowed it down to the Ohana SK-38 and the Mainland Red Cedar Sporano (I'm not into flashy ukes with inlays, ornate rosettes, etc, and prefer a more subdued looking instrument thats of higher quality and solid wood over something more flashy and laminate). I unfortunately don't have the option to play either of these before I buy. I like the Ohana because it's going for that old martin look/sound. I like the Mainland simply because the two ukes I have are either solid mahogany or koa, and just thought it would be nice to have something totally different than the other two (the Mainland has a red cedar top and rosewood back and sides). I am guessing that fit and finish on both is probably similar. Most people on here rave about the quality of the mainlands ( I have never owned or played a mainland), but I can vouch for the Ohana. The minimal difference in price is not an issue. Just wondering how much brighter and/or louder the Mainland would be over the Ohana. Also, I seem to be gravitating more toward playing older tunes/Roy Smeck stuff, so the SK-38 seems more 'appropriate' for this, but part of me also wants to see what a cedar top and rosewood sides and back sounds like! Unfortunately I can't afford both at this time and will have to settle on one...
Your thoughts, opinions and recommendations are appreciated!