DougNC
Well-known member
See my other post about my wife's surprise gift to me.
My Pono MPT arrived last Thursday (3 days ago) and I have been busy with it all weekend. Photos are attached. 3 are from the Pono website, included because of the quality and because mine looks exactly like it. The other is "proof" I have it as I included it with my Mainland Mango Soprano and Kala Solid Acacia Concert. Below are my comments about it so far.
Pros:
- First, this isn't a uke for everyone but it's perfect for me. Brings to the ukulele what I have missed from my Martin gutars: awesome clarity, sustain, tonal richness.
- Finish and build quality are simply excellent. It feels like silk in my hands.
- After just a few days, I feel like this uke is having a very positive influence on my ability. I'm rising to it's level, I think.
Cons (Note: Good thing I am not a perfectionist and don't mind making my own adjustments):
- Came with Ko'olau low-G strings (3rd & 4th wound). My fault for not specifying what I wanted. Replaced with high-G fluorocarbons right away, except...
- Nut was cut for the thicker Ko'olau strings and action was low, so all of my spare fluorocarbon sets had major string buzz. Saddle is also very low (but compensated).
- Attempted to adjust truss rod (yes! it comes with one!) but had trouble finding a hex wrench that would fit in the sound hole and couldn't get nut to turn. Still sorting this one out.
- Ended up filling the existing nut slots with bone dust, a drop of thin cyanoacrylate glue, and thinly recut slots.
- Found 3 frets that were set slightly lower than the rest. Not a big deal but I will be doing fret leveling and dressing at some point.
- Neck is beefier than other ukuleles, probably to accommodate truss rod. Hasn't bothered me at all but could bother others.
Some might be inclined to send it back, but everything else about the Pono screams high quality and the tone is to die for, so I don't mind doing these few things myself to have what I have.
I am really loving this Pono!
Doug
My Pono MPT arrived last Thursday (3 days ago) and I have been busy with it all weekend. Photos are attached. 3 are from the Pono website, included because of the quality and because mine looks exactly like it. The other is "proof" I have it as I included it with my Mainland Mango Soprano and Kala Solid Acacia Concert. Below are my comments about it so far.
Pros:
- First, this isn't a uke for everyone but it's perfect for me. Brings to the ukulele what I have missed from my Martin gutars: awesome clarity, sustain, tonal richness.
- Finish and build quality are simply excellent. It feels like silk in my hands.
- After just a few days, I feel like this uke is having a very positive influence on my ability. I'm rising to it's level, I think.
Cons (Note: Good thing I am not a perfectionist and don't mind making my own adjustments):
- Came with Ko'olau low-G strings (3rd & 4th wound). My fault for not specifying what I wanted. Replaced with high-G fluorocarbons right away, except...
- Nut was cut for the thicker Ko'olau strings and action was low, so all of my spare fluorocarbon sets had major string buzz. Saddle is also very low (but compensated).
- Attempted to adjust truss rod (yes! it comes with one!) but had trouble finding a hex wrench that would fit in the sound hole and couldn't get nut to turn. Still sorting this one out.
- Ended up filling the existing nut slots with bone dust, a drop of thin cyanoacrylate glue, and thinly recut slots.
- Found 3 frets that were set slightly lower than the rest. Not a big deal but I will be doing fret leveling and dressing at some point.
- Neck is beefier than other ukuleles, probably to accommodate truss rod. Hasn't bothered me at all but could bother others.
Some might be inclined to send it back, but everything else about the Pono screams high quality and the tone is to die for, so I don't mind doing these few things myself to have what I have.
I am really loving this Pono!
Doug