um... so... yeah... new uke day...

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

... was technically yesterday, but I've been so busy playing it, staring at it, and generally not believing my own good fortune, that I couldn't collect my thoughts to get a post together!

Allow me to present DaSilva soprano #291.

13.75" scale length
Honduras mahogany top, back, sides and neck
Ebony fretboard
19 frets (!!!)
Peghed tuners
Polyester gloss finish

I'm terrible at reviewing things but let me just say that Mike was fantastic to work with, and I think he knew what I wanted better than I did. I definitely made the right choice for this uke.

Oh, and - sound sample of my not-ready-for-an-audience playing.

chiefnoda · Jul 8, 2012

Hi

Coooool - now sound sample, maybe? a video??

Cheers
Chief

23skidoo · Jul 8, 2012

wow, that ukulele sounds as nice as it looks - congratulations...... (I liked your playing, by the way - very sweet....)

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

23skidoo said:
wow, that ukulele sounds as nice as it looks - congratulations...... (I liked your playing, by the way - very sweet....)

Thank you!

didgeridoo2 · Jul 8, 2012

Congrats Marielle! Nice tone and nice playing by da way! It's a beauty and I hope it's all you were wishing for.

pepamahina · Jul 8, 2012

For a lady previously devoted to two identical kamakas, one re-entrant and one low G, this is a pretty big step for you isn't it? Go get those extra frets girl!

tigersister · Jul 8, 2012

Congrats on the DaSilva! It sounds lovely.

hmgberg · Jul 8, 2012

Congratulations, Marielle! Good for you. I know you've been planning, thinking, wondering....for a long time. To my ears, and eyes, your Da Silva is just what a mahogany soprano should be. How does it feel? How does it feel to play?

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

pepamahina said:
For a lady previously devoted to two identical kamakas, one re-entrant and one low G, this is a pretty big step for you isn't it? Go get those extra frets girl!

I may never have done something this... BIG... if Kamaka had an extended fretboard soprano option. Thanks, Kamaka, for forcing me out of my comfort zone!

peewee · Jul 8, 2012

Looks and sounds beautiful, can't wait to meet it. Does the high E work as a dog-whistle?

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

hmgberg said:
Congratulations, Marielle! Good for you. I know you've been planning, thinking, wondering....for a long time. To my ears, and eyes, your Da Silva is just what a mahogany soprano should be. How does it feel? How does it feel to play?

Thanks H - happy to hear it, coming from someone who knows their mahogany sopranos!

It's very small and light, which I am thrilled about. I'm still getting used to a couple things: the figure-8 shape, and the higher tension strings (fluoro fishing line, which sound AMAZING, but they take a bit more strength than I'm used to having to muster up!). Aside from those differences, it is very, very easy to play.

I'm really enjoying the mahogany sound. To me it's similar to some of the vintage Martins I've heard - fuller than koa, but still with those bell-like tones.

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

peewee said:
Looks and sounds beautiful, can't wait to meet it. Does the high E work as a dog-whistle?

Ha! I should go outside and try rounding up some dogs

My electronic tuner tells me the intonation on the high E is perfect. Will find out tomorrow if the ukulele teacher's ears agree...

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

didgeridoo2 said:
Congrats Marielle! Nice tone and nice playing by da way! It's a beauty and I hope it's all you were wishing for.

Thanks! It most certainly is. Hopefully it will keep me from eyeing Kiwayas in the Marketplace for a good long time

hmgberg · Jul 8, 2012

janeray1940 said:
Thanks H - happy to hear it, coming from someone who knows their mahogany sopranos!

It's very small and light, which I am thrilled about. I'm still getting used to a couple things: the figure-8 shape, and the higher tension strings (fluoro fishing line, which sound AMAZING, but they take a bit more strength than I'm used to having to muster up!). Aside from those differences, it is very, very easy to play

I'm really enjoying the mahogany sound. To me it's similar to some of the vintage Martins I've heard - fuller than koa, but still with those bell-like tones.

You'll build the strength in no time. Then, lighter strings will feel floppy.

It sounds wonderful to me. I know that the "opening up" phenomenon is controversial, but wait just a few days and I think you're going to be even more impressed. Damn nice uke. Still can't believe your fingers are going to fit way up there.

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

hmgberg said:
You'll build the strength in no time. Then, lighter strings will feel floppy.

The strings on my other ukes are already feeling floppy. Next thing you know I'll be buying 25-yard reels of fishing line!

hmgberg said:
It sounds wonderful to me. I know that the "opening up" phenomenon is controversial, but wait just a few days and I think you're going to be even more impressed. Damn nice uke.

Thank you again. As for the "opening up" - a lot of people have told me that, but then others have said that if a uke (or other stringed instrument) doesn't sound great from the start, it's not going to get any better. Fortunately this one sounds great from the start - and the *player* plans to get better, so I expect that's where I'll see the improvement!

hmgberg said:
Still can't believe your fingers are going to fit way up there.

That high E might take some work. E-flat? No problem

vanflynn · Jul 8, 2012

That's a sweetie! I know you've been looking for lots of frets on a little one. Howz she feel?

Here's hopin lots of good music. Enjoy!

Canoe Lady · Jul 8, 2012

Wow, that has a great sound! Congrats.
What made you decide to go this route? Weren't you thinking about a Mya Moe a little while back?

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

vanflynn said:
That's a sweetie! I know you've been looking for lots of frets on a little one. Howz she feel?

Here's hopin lots of good music. Enjoy!

Thanks! Feels great! Definitely playable to... at least the 17th fret. Now the player just needs to get better

janeray1940 · Jul 8, 2012

Canoe Lady said:
Wow, that has a great sound! Congrats.
What made you decide to go this route? Weren't you thinking about a Mya Moe a little while back?

Thanks! And, I was considering a Mya-Moe. There were a few others in the running as well. In the end, all it took was a really interesting conversation with Mike DaSilva to convince me he was the right builder for this uke: an entire discussion centered around sound - much of it well over my head! - with little to no mention of appearance. And sound was what was important to me.

roxhum · Jul 8, 2012

Oh it is so lovely and sounds wonderful. I do believe mahogany is my all time favorite tone-wood. I am happy that you found the right builder and got the perfect ukulele. Your playing is very good.

um... so... yeah... new uke day...

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