Which New Uke?

ChooChooTran · Apr 17, 2012

I'm going to buy a new Uke around the 200$ ish area. I needed it to be setup and aesthetics do make a difference for me, not saying sound doesn't matter of course.

Well anyway I've narrowed it down to the following:

*Kamoa E3-C (Vintage Red)* (200$)
http://cargo.ukerepublic.com/product/kamoa-e3-c

*Kala FMC* (256$)
http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-fmc-figured-maple-spruce-concert.html

*Lanikai CKCGC* (230$)
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Lanikai-CKCGC-Concert-Ukulele-105486500-i1480991.gc

*Islander MC-4* (135$)
http://www.theukulelesite.com/islander-concert-mahogany-mc-4.html

I'd like to hear your opinions on these and suggestions of other concert ukes around 200$.

*I'm sure i'll get mainland suggestions but the rope design really bothers me for some reason :/*

Kayak Jim · Apr 17, 2012

ChooChooTran said:
*I'm sure i'll get mainland suggestions but the rope design really bothers me for some reason :/*

So get the non rope version...
http://cargo.ukerepublic.com/product/mainland-mahogany-slothead-concert

ukemunga · Apr 18, 2012

Kayak Jim said:
So get the non rope version...
http://cargo.ukerepublic.com/product/mainland-mahogany-slothead-concert

+1

Got one. Love it. Like the classic kinda no-bling thing.

rpfrogner · Apr 18, 2012

Have you seen the Mainland "rope" in person or just in photo's? I was really impressed once I saw it in person. I currently have a mahogany soprano, mango soprano, and red cedar soprano.
Otherwise, I am a big Kamoa fan as well.

PhilUSAFRet · Apr 18, 2012

I'd like to get my hands on the Kamoa E3 Grand Concert

ejnovinsky · Apr 18, 2012

rpfrogner said:
Have you seen the Mainland "rope" in person or just in photo's? I was really impressed once I saw it in person. I currently have a mahogany soprano, mango soprano, and red cedar soprano.
Otherwise, I am a big Kamoa fan as well.

I second that........

ejnovinsky · Apr 18, 2012

though that flame maple Kala is awful pretty lookin'.......

Nickie · Apr 18, 2012

My fave of your 1st 4 is the Kala. But then I'm prejudiced, I own one, and I love it!

guitarsnrotts · Apr 18, 2012

Recently bought a Kamoa E3 pineapple like it a lot. Also have a Mainland pineapple. Don't let the rope binding dissuade you, it looks much classier in person. For the $200 price point I'd stick with those 2 makers and Uke Republic to ensure the proper setup.

frankiefirefox · Apr 18, 2012

guitarsnrotts said:
Recently bought a Kamoa E3 pineapple like it a lot. Also have a Mainland pineapple. Don't let the rope binding dissuade you, it looks much classier in person. For the $200 price point I'd stick with those 2 makers and Uke Republic to ensure the proper setup.

I also have the pineapple and love it!

chris667 · Apr 18, 2012

I have one of these:

http://brueko.de/en/standardmodels.html

Very understated, all solid wood and beautifully handmade by a family in Germany. Love it.

BasicUke · Apr 18, 2012

ejnovinsky said:
I second that........

Look, I know if you don't like something you don't like it. I was the same way about the rope. I bought a Mainland IN SPITE of the rope because it had such a great rep. When I got the Uke, it looked NOTHING like the pictures. It actually looks pretty good close up in person.

I am just agreeing with rpfrogner adn ejnovinsky, don't judge it until you have seen it in person. If you still hate it, go for the one without the rope, but I can't recommend Mainland highly enough!

Jim

Kayak Jim · Apr 18, 2012

BasicUke said:
When I got the Uke, it looked NOTHING like the pictures. It actually looks pretty good close up in person.

+1

There are SO many people who say this. I took the plunge and went for the rope based on photos others had posted, which made the uke look WAY better than the lousy stock photos on Mainland and UkeRepublic sites. I'm so glad I went for the rope, it's very classy. Even better than the best photos. I think Mainland and UR do themselves a big disservice by not having better photos. Or maybe they're selling all the ukes they want to anyway.

bynapkinart · Apr 18, 2012

Let me also suggest Koa Pili Koko:

http://pilikoko.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2

It comes in a cutaway, too. Crappier photos than Mainland's website...but they look and feel amazing in person, not to mention the sound.

Lola · Apr 18, 2012

Right around the time I got my first uke (a Lanikai 21-p), a friend got the Lanikai CKCGC. I picked it up gingerly, knowing it cost 3x as much as my own instrument and expecting singing angels to descend with each strum or something... and then I was shocked at how thin and plinky it felt and sounded. My own "lesser" ukulele had a nicer tone. Not what I was expecting at all. His model might have been an uncharacteristic dud (and my understanding of the ukulele wasn't profound at the time), but I'd consider any of your other options first. Both Hawaii Music Supply or Uke Republic have excellent reputations as vendors and will perform a proper setup.

Which New Uke?

ChooChooTran

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