McCabe's music instruments is a bit of a distance from me, but I had a business meeting in the neighborhood. When it was over I got to stop in; it wasn't busy and I had a chance to try a bunch of high end ukes.
Kiwaya KTS 7 - This is the Martin Style 3 copy. I never played one before. It was really light and really loud. It definitely captured the vintage Martin sound. I've got a Kiwaya KS-7, and the KTS-7 is quite a bit better. There is a certain quality that carries over into my cheaper model though. Playing the KTS-7 made me want one.
Martin Style 3 Vintage - They had a Martin Style 3 Vintage that I actually got to play side by side with the Kiwaya. The Martin was amazing. They want over $5000 for it. The amazing thing is that the Kiwaya KTS 7 was almost as good and nearly identical to play.
Collings - I got to play several Collings concert models - their basic model in Koa and Mahogany and some upgraded ones in Koa and Mahogany. Beautiful ukes. The workmanship is truly breathtaking. Sound quality outstanding. They had a traditional Martin sound and were quite loud. I was impressed, but they are pricey.
Martin C1K - I got to try the Koa Martin Concert, a Mexican model. It really played and felt great. For the asking price, around $469, I thought it was a great value. I don't think I could tell the difference from the Collings in a blind test.
I also got to try the Anuenue Harp ukulele. It was very strange but seems like it could be a lot of fun to play. The harp strings are tuned to bass notes CDEF. The top note is a low G. Lots of interesting possibiliities.
I also got to play a genuine Nunes which played great.
I had to leave though because I had money in the meter and had to get back to work.
Kiwaya KTS 7 - This is the Martin Style 3 copy. I never played one before. It was really light and really loud. It definitely captured the vintage Martin sound. I've got a Kiwaya KS-7, and the KTS-7 is quite a bit better. There is a certain quality that carries over into my cheaper model though. Playing the KTS-7 made me want one.
Martin Style 3 Vintage - They had a Martin Style 3 Vintage that I actually got to play side by side with the Kiwaya. The Martin was amazing. They want over $5000 for it. The amazing thing is that the Kiwaya KTS 7 was almost as good and nearly identical to play.
Collings - I got to play several Collings concert models - their basic model in Koa and Mahogany and some upgraded ones in Koa and Mahogany. Beautiful ukes. The workmanship is truly breathtaking. Sound quality outstanding. They had a traditional Martin sound and were quite loud. I was impressed, but they are pricey.
Martin C1K - I got to try the Koa Martin Concert, a Mexican model. It really played and felt great. For the asking price, around $469, I thought it was a great value. I don't think I could tell the difference from the Collings in a blind test.
I also got to try the Anuenue Harp ukulele. It was very strange but seems like it could be a lot of fun to play. The harp strings are tuned to bass notes CDEF. The top note is a low G. Lots of interesting possibiliities.
I also got to play a genuine Nunes which played great.
I had to leave though because I had money in the meter and had to get back to work.
