I picked up the ukulele because I wanted to learn an instrument that is portable and versatile. You know, something inexpensive to enhance time with, a creative outlet that doesn't cost much, a straight-forward instrument for little money.
A bit over two weeks later, all I can say is, "Yeah, right!"
I blame this forum a bit, and I mean that absolutely lovingly. All the talk about custom ukes, expensive brands, string types, pros and cons of different sizes, wood types, and so on have left me wondering, and I concluded that UAS is probably a necessary "evil" (fun one, but evils often are!) to find the answer what is really best for me.
I started with a Stagg concert with Nylguts. It wasn't too badly set up (but not perfectly, the strings are a little high), but it all felt a bit cramped. So, after reading this forum intensely, I bought a solid acacia tenor (same factory that KPKs come from) with a slightly wider neck (string width 29.5mm at the top, 45mm at the bottom) with high-g Martin strings. It sounds much "happier" and "fuller". By the time it came, the concert felt much less cramped already. The tenor has large frets and until I tried Bb, I thought chords were always easier. It is, however, a little large and not as portable. Feels more like a small guitar.
So, then next I wondered if perhaps a soprano might not be so bad. I am relatively sure that the fretboard will seem too cramped for me, but I have seen people with huge hands and thick fingers play sopranos just fine. My hands and fingers are of average size, so theoretically it is something I can learn if I put my mind to it, and it feels like a challenge. Overly spontaneous (read: possibly irresponsible) as I seem to be, I just bought a solid mahogany soprano (26.5mm/42.5mm, so at least mid and bottom are a little wider than some others). Nothing fancy, and "only" a bit under $200. Cheaper than the tenor! It comes set up, and with Martin flourcarbons (which, after trying, I do prefer to Nylguts).
And I already know that I'll probably get a nicer, solid concert eventually too. It seems sort of inevitable to me and I get to a point where I think I'll just accept it. Like fate, you know. Not under my control, at all! In the long run, I really only want ONE ukulele. Just one! Not to rule them all and bind them, but because I'm not actually a packrat and I do enjoy living "lightly". Stuff gets you stuck. Of course, right now I do the exact opposite. I figure, though, that there is no way to really figure out what I enjoy unless I spend a few months with each size, ideally(?) simultaneously. Just holding one in a shop doesn't cut it for me.
I suppose I look at UAS as a bit of an investment that will lead to more satisfaction later on, and save me money. (Yeah, right! ). The plan is to get a custom uke in a couple years when I turn forty-two. The number that is the answer to everything, and hopefully by then I'll know the answer to a simpler question: which size I prefer. It seems a little backwards to spend a total of $750 (if I bought a solid concert too) to get an idea how to best spend $2000 later on, but ... but ... yes, it probably is silly and I'm just making excuses to myself.
Then again, in the larger picture it isn't really much money. Realistically looked at this, plenty of my coworkers and friends have hobbies that are far more expensive (and less reasonable, like collecting trading cards or buying a new iPad every six months), who constantly eat out, spend a couple thousand a year on vacations, etc. So it should be OK. Right. Right?!
Anyway, I'm excited about the new purchase. It is like self-induced Christmas. Much better than fretting about the size question!
A bit over two weeks later, all I can say is, "Yeah, right!"
I blame this forum a bit, and I mean that absolutely lovingly. All the talk about custom ukes, expensive brands, string types, pros and cons of different sizes, wood types, and so on have left me wondering, and I concluded that UAS is probably a necessary "evil" (fun one, but evils often are!) to find the answer what is really best for me.
I started with a Stagg concert with Nylguts. It wasn't too badly set up (but not perfectly, the strings are a little high), but it all felt a bit cramped. So, after reading this forum intensely, I bought a solid acacia tenor (same factory that KPKs come from) with a slightly wider neck (string width 29.5mm at the top, 45mm at the bottom) with high-g Martin strings. It sounds much "happier" and "fuller". By the time it came, the concert felt much less cramped already. The tenor has large frets and until I tried Bb, I thought chords were always easier. It is, however, a little large and not as portable. Feels more like a small guitar.
So, then next I wondered if perhaps a soprano might not be so bad. I am relatively sure that the fretboard will seem too cramped for me, but I have seen people with huge hands and thick fingers play sopranos just fine. My hands and fingers are of average size, so theoretically it is something I can learn if I put my mind to it, and it feels like a challenge. Overly spontaneous (read: possibly irresponsible) as I seem to be, I just bought a solid mahogany soprano (26.5mm/42.5mm, so at least mid and bottom are a little wider than some others). Nothing fancy, and "only" a bit under $200. Cheaper than the tenor! It comes set up, and with Martin flourcarbons (which, after trying, I do prefer to Nylguts).
And I already know that I'll probably get a nicer, solid concert eventually too. It seems sort of inevitable to me and I get to a point where I think I'll just accept it. Like fate, you know. Not under my control, at all! In the long run, I really only want ONE ukulele. Just one! Not to rule them all and bind them, but because I'm not actually a packrat and I do enjoy living "lightly". Stuff gets you stuck. Of course, right now I do the exact opposite. I figure, though, that there is no way to really figure out what I enjoy unless I spend a few months with each size, ideally(?) simultaneously. Just holding one in a shop doesn't cut it for me.
I suppose I look at UAS as a bit of an investment that will lead to more satisfaction later on, and save me money. (Yeah, right! ). The plan is to get a custom uke in a couple years when I turn forty-two. The number that is the answer to everything, and hopefully by then I'll know the answer to a simpler question: which size I prefer. It seems a little backwards to spend a total of $750 (if I bought a solid concert too) to get an idea how to best spend $2000 later on, but ... but ... yes, it probably is silly and I'm just making excuses to myself.
Then again, in the larger picture it isn't really much money. Realistically looked at this, plenty of my coworkers and friends have hobbies that are far more expensive (and less reasonable, like collecting trading cards or buying a new iPad every six months), who constantly eat out, spend a couple thousand a year on vacations, etc. So it should be OK. Right. Right?!
Anyway, I'm excited about the new purchase. It is like self-induced Christmas. Much better than fretting about the size question!