SUS makala dolphin setup?

Hello!

I'm new to the forum (and the ukulele!) and could really do with some advice when it comes to buying my first uke. I think i've finally narrowed it down to either a Makala dolphin or a Ohana ck10-s concert.

I'm leaning more towards the dolphin as it doesn't look too complicated for a beginner. I'd ideally like to get it from the southern ukulele store but am wondering if they would take the time to do a proper setup simply because it's a cheapy and perhaps it wouldn't be worth their time?

The Ohana would be from eagle music, this was the first uke I really liked the look of but I'm strugling to find any reviews about it...who knew this could all be so overwhelming!

ComfyCavy said:

Hello!

I'm new to the forum (and the ukulele!) and could really do with some advice when it comes to buying my first uke. I think i've finally narrowed it down to either a Makala dolphin or a Ohana ck10-s concert.

I'm leaning more towards the dolphin as it doesn't look too complicated for a beginner. I'd ideally like to get it from the southern ukulele store but am wondering if they would take the time to do a proper setup simply because it's a cheapy and perhaps it wouldn't be worth their time?

The Ohana would be from eagle music, this was the first uke I really liked the look of but I'm strugling to find any reviews about it...who knew this could all be so overwhelming!

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Hi there
A lot of the users on here are from the States they would not of heard of Southern Ukes. I am not sure if there is a company in UK that do set ups somebody will let you know if there is.
Good luck .

i have bought some mid price ukes from both southern ukulele shop and eagle, i have to say that with sus i have never had any problems and would recommend them to anyone for any price ukulele, they are excellent to deal with, great delivery times, great service and i think they set up all the ukes they sell, e-mail them they will tell you for definite, at least they reply to e-mails when you have a problem

Highlystrung did setup my dolphin very nicely, try them.

I too can recommend SUS. I have only used them a few times but haven't had anything but prompt, curteous service. Give them a call and have a chat, very friendly guys and they don't bite!
Never had any dealings with Eagle I'm afraid so I can't comment.
As for Dolphin or Ohana, I have played both at one time or another and to my ears (which admittedly aren't the most experienced) there is little to choose between them. Really a case of whether you want bright colours or a more "traditional" wood.

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's good to know SUS are reliable and that they actually take the time to look things over. Will look into Highlystrung too. Now i've just got to make that all important decision! If it turns out to be the dolphin, I quite fancy the bright orange one or how about pearl white? hmm...

Just noticed you said Ohana CK-10 which is a concert, I was referring to the SK-10 soprano. Doh! I suspect the CK-10 will be comparable to its soprano sibling, there will just be a fraction more fingering room on the fretboard, which I personally find more comfortable and maybe a slightly deeper voice.
Reckon a pearl white dolphin might be nice myself, not actually seen one yet though.
Oh, and welcome to the UU madness!

Thanks for the welcome shiftysquirrel! I did wonder if a soprano sized uke might feel a bit "squashed" for the lack of a better word, shame they didn't make a makala dolphin in concert size! The dolphin is considerably cheaper though, the ohana is about £60.00 and that doesn't include buying new strings. I have read that you can put either soprano or concert strings on a dolphin and both will sound great, or is that a bit of a no-no? I appreciate all the advice, if it wasn't for this forum I would of probably ended up with a cheapy from argos!

Both of those come with GHS strings I believe so you are wise to budget for replacements. Aquilas work well on the Dolphin and Aquilas or Worths should be good on the Ohana.
There are two schools of thought on putting concert strings on a soprano. Personally I don't have a problem with it. I have concert strings on my Mahalo soprano without any issues, I also have tenor strings on my electric concert, again without issues. There is minimal difference between string gauges, but if you are at all worried, just stick with the "correct" strings for the instrument.
Your best bet would be to visit a store if you have one close by and play both instruments (or at least a soprano and a concert), you will soon develop a preference I am sure. Of course if you don't have a store nearby that isn't going to work. Where in the country are you?

It's good to hear that I wouldn't end up completley destroying the ukulele by putting the wrong strings on it, i've watched a couple of videos on how to re-string and it doesn't look too bad but then again everything looks easy when an expert is doing it
I live a few miles outside of Norwich, which does have a couple of music shops although I'm not sure they're really aimed at the ukulele buying public, but it's certainly worth a shot, as long as I can make my excuses and shuffle out of there without being forced/guilted into making a purchase. Although you never know, my dream ukulele could be sitting right there waiting to be picked up.

Restringing is pretty simple once you have done it a couple of times and, as you say, there are some good videos out there to help.
Not sure if there are any specialist Uke shops in the Norfolk area, the nearest I am aware of is probably Duke of Uke, but that is in East London, so not exactly on your doorstep!