yeah i tried to upload it properly to the ukulele review section i never got a reply about getting a new section set up... anyway i'll add it up here
this is a first review so pardon me, plus its my first ukulele...
* What year was it made? Where was is made? (Hawaii, Japan, China etc...)
* How many frets?
* Solid-Top? Laminated top?
* Any pickups or electronics?
* Body and neck woods? ( Koa, Plywood, etc...)
* Finish (Satin, transparent, quilted top, flamed top, etc...)
* Body style (Soprano, Tenor, Concert, Cutaway, etc...)
* Bridge style ( String-thru body, stop tailpiece, etc...)
* Tuners (Locking? Non-locking? brand of tuners - Sperzel, Gotoh, Grover, Schaller, etc...)
* Neck/Scale (Fat, Thin, Jumbo Frets, Rosewood, Maple, etc...)
* Any included accessories? (Case, gig bag, strap, cable, tools, humidifier, etc...)
I recently took the plunge to get into ukulele playing after years of playing other instruments . Being in Australia, the choices for ukuleles are limited. I finally came across Royal Ukuleles. They appear to be a division of Westwood guitars. The Ukulele I ordered is a UKT-3, which is an all solid Tenor mahogany ukulele. The uke comes in a matt finished which shows the grain quite well. I ordered the hardcase with the Ukulele from Acoustic centre in South Victoria which delivered it to my door for AUD 319.
* How does it suit your music style (and what is that style)?
* What amps and effects are you using it with?
* Is it noisy? On what settings?
* Rich/Full sound? Bright sound?
* What kind of sounds can the guitar make? How much variety?
* Likes and dislikes?
Being a first time ukulele owner I do not have much experience with other ukuleles and thus I can’t really compare ukuleles. With the Solid mahogany top, I feel the ukulele has a nice rounded tone. Currently tuned to gCEA with Aquila strings. The mahogany gives it a nice warm tone which I feel works well with the high G. There are no pickups for this model, but projection is pretty good and well suited for small gatherings or even a small performance if needed. The
* How well was the ukulele set-up at the factory? (How was the action?)
* Properly bookmatched top? Properly routed bridge?
* Did the ukulele contain any flaws? (misaligned bracing, poorly filed fretwire, finish flaws, poor quality wood, rusted or oxidized hardware, loose tuning pegs, poorly cut nut, poorly fit saddle, noisy pickup selector, loose controls, etc...)
I am quite happy with the action set from the guys at Acoustic Central, quite low with no fret buzz. It has a tortoise-shell binding all round the body and has looks quite good. Since the ukulele alone is under 250AUD, it goes without saying that if you look hard enough small flaws are bound to emerge, but overall the finish of ukulele is very clean and no obvious signs of poor workmanship.
* Will this ukulele withstand live playing?
* Does the hardware seem like it will last?
* Is the finish good enough to last, or does it seem thin and easy to wear off with lots of playing?
* Can you depend on it?
* Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
Personally though I’m a first time ukulele owner, I have owned many different guitars and I know shoddy workmanship and a poor china made cheapie when I see one. The Royal all solid Mahogany Tenor Ukulele is an affordable ukulele for a solidtop. The matt finish is nice and adds to the overall beauty of the uke, but being a matt finish, care has to be taken as it scratches easier compared to gloss finishes.
* If you've dealt with the company, how helpful/friendly were they?
The people at the company were very helpful and friendly
* Ever try and get it repaired? Was it under warranty
no warranty as far as I know
* How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own?
This is my first ukulele
* If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else?
I would probably save up for something a little better but I have no regrets buying this uke.
* Did you compare it to other ukuleles? Which ones? Why did you choose this one?
Unfortunately I don’t have any ukuleles to compare it to and do not have enough experience to give a good comparison
* Anything you wish it had?
A pickup.