bynapkinart
Well-known member
EDIT: I just recorded a sound clip of this uke for you all...the first uke is the Fender with the stock Aquilas, the second is with a new set of Worth Clear Low G strings, and the third is a short clip of my KoAloha soprano for comparisons. The strings are still settling but I definitely like this one with low G Worths...much sweeter and richer. Almost like real koa!
Anyways, here's the clip: Fender Sound Sample on Soundcloud
Well about 6 months ago I bought a Lanikai LU21T to get me started on my uke obsession. It took me getting a couple of other ukes to realize that the Lanikai was a complete dud. Terrible intonation, lifeless sound, terrible tuning, awful set up on the nut and saddle...just all around very bad. Needless to say it was frustrating realizing that I spent $100 on a useless instrument, and a pang of annoyance at the Lanikai struck me every time I looked over and saw it collecting dust in the corner.
This is why I deal with local businesses whenever possible. The shop I bought it from was very apologetic when I brought it to their attention finally in November, and they told me to stop by sometime after Christmas when management wasn't looking over their shoulders so much and they could work something out with me. I went in today to take a look at what they had, and sitting high up on the wall was a brand new Fender Koa Nohea. This one was different from the ones I had seen before, it really looks like Big Island Koa, and not the bland yellowish laminate they were using before. Playing it, I knew I had to have it.
They took back the Lanikai at full price, plus they were having a sale, so I ended up walking out with a brand new Koa Nohea for $60!
It looks very nice...looking at it without the headstock you wouldn't believe it was a $200 instrument. I was a little dubious because I really don't like when companies that don't know what they're doing stick their hands into business that they shouldn't (I've never really found Fender acoustics inspiring, but that's me). The sound is actually quite nice, though; it's much mellower than my KoAloha, and not quite as loud, but it surprisingly still retains that sweet Koa tone.
I'm really surprised, to be honest. I didn't expect Fender to produce a quality ukulele, and I don't really know how it compares to some of the Ohana and Mainland offerings, but for $200 this is a fantastic ukulele that looks and sounds great. For $60, I couldn't really back away.
It also didn't hurt that it was 70 DEGREES AND SUNNY IN JANUARY IN MISSOURI. Needless to say, me and my new laminate uke went straight outside to play!
Here's a couple more pics for you all:
Anyways, here's the clip: Fender Sound Sample on Soundcloud
Well about 6 months ago I bought a Lanikai LU21T to get me started on my uke obsession. It took me getting a couple of other ukes to realize that the Lanikai was a complete dud. Terrible intonation, lifeless sound, terrible tuning, awful set up on the nut and saddle...just all around very bad. Needless to say it was frustrating realizing that I spent $100 on a useless instrument, and a pang of annoyance at the Lanikai struck me every time I looked over and saw it collecting dust in the corner.
This is why I deal with local businesses whenever possible. The shop I bought it from was very apologetic when I brought it to their attention finally in November, and they told me to stop by sometime after Christmas when management wasn't looking over their shoulders so much and they could work something out with me. I went in today to take a look at what they had, and sitting high up on the wall was a brand new Fender Koa Nohea. This one was different from the ones I had seen before, it really looks like Big Island Koa, and not the bland yellowish laminate they were using before. Playing it, I knew I had to have it.
They took back the Lanikai at full price, plus they were having a sale, so I ended up walking out with a brand new Koa Nohea for $60!
It looks very nice...looking at it without the headstock you wouldn't believe it was a $200 instrument. I was a little dubious because I really don't like when companies that don't know what they're doing stick their hands into business that they shouldn't (I've never really found Fender acoustics inspiring, but that's me). The sound is actually quite nice, though; it's much mellower than my KoAloha, and not quite as loud, but it surprisingly still retains that sweet Koa tone.
I'm really surprised, to be honest. I didn't expect Fender to produce a quality ukulele, and I don't really know how it compares to some of the Ohana and Mainland offerings, but for $200 this is a fantastic ukulele that looks and sounds great. For $60, I couldn't really back away.
It also didn't hurt that it was 70 DEGREES AND SUNNY IN JANUARY IN MISSOURI. Needless to say, me and my new laminate uke went straight outside to play!
Here's a couple more pics for you all:
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