Kayak Jim
Well-known member
So a few days ago I was making my way across Michigan and planned a stop at Elderly in Lansing. I've only been playing for six months so am not ready for the step up from my Mainland just yet, but I didn't want to pass up on the opportunity. I figured I'd try a few K brand ukes for "future reference" (maybe near future!) and just see what everyone's on about regarding the Hawaiian make ukes.
So the store had what seemed like hundreds of guitars on display and maybe twenty ukes. Most of the ukes were entry level with a few vintage, plus one Kamaka tenor and one Kelii concert (VERY sweet- beautiful construction, nice tone and playability in spite of the action a bit high).
I told a clerk I wanted to try some of the Hawaiian made ukes and got a blank stare. "Like a Koaloha concert or a Kamaka" I said. "How do you spell that?" (!) "None in stock". So much for my research.
I also wanted to check out the stands, both instrument and music. They only had a couple of instrument stands on display, and no music stands, so I asked if they could show them to me. "Which one do you want to look at?" OK drop that idea.
Got a set of Martin strings, but Fremont blacks - yep, out of stock.
I'm sure glad I hadn't made a special trip 2+ hours one way. Seems they're more set up for mail order, although there were a lot of people in the store for mid afternoon on a weekday.
Guess I'll have to book a trip to the 808 if I want to try some nice ukes. If it's any indication though, the Kelii was very sweet and it's not even top tier.
So the store had what seemed like hundreds of guitars on display and maybe twenty ukes. Most of the ukes were entry level with a few vintage, plus one Kamaka tenor and one Kelii concert (VERY sweet- beautiful construction, nice tone and playability in spite of the action a bit high).
I told a clerk I wanted to try some of the Hawaiian made ukes and got a blank stare. "Like a Koaloha concert or a Kamaka" I said. "How do you spell that?" (!) "None in stock". So much for my research.
I also wanted to check out the stands, both instrument and music. They only had a couple of instrument stands on display, and no music stands, so I asked if they could show them to me. "Which one do you want to look at?" OK drop that idea.
Got a set of Martin strings, but Fremont blacks - yep, out of stock.
I'm sure glad I hadn't made a special trip 2+ hours one way. Seems they're more set up for mail order, although there were a lot of people in the store for mid afternoon on a weekday.
Guess I'll have to book a trip to the 808 if I want to try some nice ukes. If it's any indication though, the Kelii was very sweet and it's not even top tier.