coolkayaker1
Well-known member
Thank you to those who chimed in on my Bruko ordering thread with advice. I bought a mahogany baritone, and then three Bruko sopranos in two separate orders.
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?73715-Bruko-Order-from-USA-Advice-Plz
In the three uke photos (l to r):
Bruko spruce top, walnut body (and Shadow pickup) (with Martin 600 strings) -- notice that contrary to popular belief, this one has a removable saddle, not one piece wood.
Bruko #6 mahogany body, maple neck (flatbody) (with KoOlau wound low G Gold strings)
Bruko all blonde maple (flatbody) (with Fremont Blackline Hard Tension strings)
Tips from my buying experience: It was easy to order, as you all instructed me. Paypal does, in the final step, the conversion from Euros to US Dollars. There is, in the fine print, a charge for this conversion of something like 2.5% that is invisible when Paypal converts it, but it's in there.
I did find that, if one creates a log-in account on Bruko website, the prices come down in the store listings (I think there's some sort of surtax in Europe--about 19%-- that comes off when you enter a US address as part of your registration).
Also, the shipping is flat rate currently at 55 Euros (about $72) whether you buy one uke or three! Added the other sopranos to the shopping cart and the shipping price did not change (great excuse to use when the spouse asks why three ukuleles came in that box today, as she hands you the blanket and pillow to sleep in the doghouse).
I did not know that the US imposes a customs charge/tax if they select your package to open and inspect. I ordered a Bruko bari and the US customs charge was $26, and I had to pay it or they held my package hostage at the USPS. I complained, stomped my feet on the floor and held my breath until the veins popped out on my forehead like a six-year old, but it did no good. For these three sopranos, there was not customs charge, which I learn is basically at random, if your package gets picked. (The post office got lucky this time ;-).
I had a Shadow passive pickup placed in the spruce/walnut soprano, and if anyone was going to do it, it was done by Bruko. I think its 38 Euros, or about $50, for the pickup and installation. How's it sound? So-so.
Finally, the ukes are lovely, just splendid, with nary a sharp fret, not one thing out of alignment. But as you all told me, the Pyramid brand strings are horrible. I'm not one to quickly change strings out, but these had to go. I opted for the string sets noted above. So, if you order, plan on getting new strings.
Thanks again for your tips and advice. go Bruko! No intonation issues, although slightly high action (not as perfect action as the Martin Sopranos, but that's an unfair comparison). By far the best ukes for the price based on my experience. There are stellar video reviews of Bruko from Eugeneukulele and Petey Houdini, and written review by Bazmaz, which are helpful and appreciated.
PS Which one sounds the best--frankly, it might be the all maple blonde with Fremont Hard Tension strings!--jury still not fully convened, however.
PPS they all come with included gig bags for the price, which are good ones, waterproof, and padded (not great padding, but good enough).
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?73715-Bruko-Order-from-USA-Advice-Plz
In the three uke photos (l to r):
Bruko spruce top, walnut body (and Shadow pickup) (with Martin 600 strings) -- notice that contrary to popular belief, this one has a removable saddle, not one piece wood.
Bruko #6 mahogany body, maple neck (flatbody) (with KoOlau wound low G Gold strings)
Bruko all blonde maple (flatbody) (with Fremont Blackline Hard Tension strings)
Tips from my buying experience: It was easy to order, as you all instructed me. Paypal does, in the final step, the conversion from Euros to US Dollars. There is, in the fine print, a charge for this conversion of something like 2.5% that is invisible when Paypal converts it, but it's in there.
I did find that, if one creates a log-in account on Bruko website, the prices come down in the store listings (I think there's some sort of surtax in Europe--about 19%-- that comes off when you enter a US address as part of your registration).
Also, the shipping is flat rate currently at 55 Euros (about $72) whether you buy one uke or three! Added the other sopranos to the shopping cart and the shipping price did not change (great excuse to use when the spouse asks why three ukuleles came in that box today, as she hands you the blanket and pillow to sleep in the doghouse).
I did not know that the US imposes a customs charge/tax if they select your package to open and inspect. I ordered a Bruko bari and the US customs charge was $26, and I had to pay it or they held my package hostage at the USPS. I complained, stomped my feet on the floor and held my breath until the veins popped out on my forehead like a six-year old, but it did no good. For these three sopranos, there was not customs charge, which I learn is basically at random, if your package gets picked. (The post office got lucky this time ;-).
I had a Shadow passive pickup placed in the spruce/walnut soprano, and if anyone was going to do it, it was done by Bruko. I think its 38 Euros, or about $50, for the pickup and installation. How's it sound? So-so.
Finally, the ukes are lovely, just splendid, with nary a sharp fret, not one thing out of alignment. But as you all told me, the Pyramid brand strings are horrible. I'm not one to quickly change strings out, but these had to go. I opted for the string sets noted above. So, if you order, plan on getting new strings.
Thanks again for your tips and advice. go Bruko! No intonation issues, although slightly high action (not as perfect action as the Martin Sopranos, but that's an unfair comparison). By far the best ukes for the price based on my experience. There are stellar video reviews of Bruko from Eugeneukulele and Petey Houdini, and written review by Bazmaz, which are helpful and appreciated.
PS Which one sounds the best--frankly, it might be the all maple blonde with Fremont Hard Tension strings!--jury still not fully convened, however.
PPS they all come with included gig bags for the price, which are good ones, waterproof, and padded (not great padding, but good enough).
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