mcgannahanskjellifetti
Member
Hi there, this is my first post. I'm Rick from Minnesota.
My new Kiwaya KTS-4 arrived this week and I've been a bit disappointed so far with the way things have worked out. I first strung it with Worth brown mediums but it seemed dead. Then I strung it with clear Fremonts, which were brighter, but still seems subdued.
Part of the problem is I'm comparing it with an old Harmony I have which is REALLY loud. Barks like crazy. It has really high action with Aquila strings, and doesn't have good intonation above the fifth fret, but oh baby!
So last night I noticed some buzzing at the 1st fret (on the Kiwaya) and the notes in other places in general seem muted, not much sustain. I suspect this uke is dry, which isn't helped by the fact that it's been -25 outside the last few days. So I inserted a small sponge-in-a-baggy inside the soundhole last night which I hope will help remedy the problem.
I guess for a solid mahogany uke with such a great reputation, this one just hasn't knocked my socks off. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and venture it may just need humidifying, or perhaps different strings. I wanted to stay away from going with Aquilas, but I may have to resort to that. I'm kind of a tone hog, I admit.
Anyway, nice to meet you all, and God bless.
Rick
My new Kiwaya KTS-4 arrived this week and I've been a bit disappointed so far with the way things have worked out. I first strung it with Worth brown mediums but it seemed dead. Then I strung it with clear Fremonts, which were brighter, but still seems subdued.
Part of the problem is I'm comparing it with an old Harmony I have which is REALLY loud. Barks like crazy. It has really high action with Aquila strings, and doesn't have good intonation above the fifth fret, but oh baby!
So last night I noticed some buzzing at the 1st fret (on the Kiwaya) and the notes in other places in general seem muted, not much sustain. I suspect this uke is dry, which isn't helped by the fact that it's been -25 outside the last few days. So I inserted a small sponge-in-a-baggy inside the soundhole last night which I hope will help remedy the problem.
I guess for a solid mahogany uke with such a great reputation, this one just hasn't knocked my socks off. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and venture it may just need humidifying, or perhaps different strings. I wanted to stay away from going with Aquilas, but I may have to resort to that. I'm kind of a tone hog, I admit.
Anyway, nice to meet you all, and God bless.
Rick