Plastic Ukuleles

Jnobianchi · Dec 17, 2013

IF you know a lot about plastic ukes, don't bother. It you know only a little or nothing at all, have a read. If you like pictures of Betty Page, don't hesitate!

http://theukaholic.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-joy-of-plastic.html

Hippie Dribble · Dec 17, 2013

Wonderful piece John. Entertaining and insightful by turns, everything you do is quality mate. Nice to see Chris' review up there too and always a pleasure to see Betty doing her best work.

RichM · Dec 17, 2013

What is it about Bettie Page... that mix of innocence and sexiness... oh, wait, there's something there about ukuleles, too... one sec...

My Mastro banjo uke is one of my go-to ukes. Not a toy at all, it plays well and has nice tone, not as overpowering as many traditional banjo ukes. Mario Maccaferri took plastic instruments pretty seriously, believing they were the next big thing. While that was never quite true, he did make some nice instruments.

By the way, can I buy another "c" in the article for Mr. Maccaferri's name?

Jnobianchi · Dec 17, 2013

eugene ukulele said:
always a pleasure to see Betty doing her best work.

Thanks, Jon. I know; ahhh, but she was the very best at what she did.

The whole entry was an excuse to use that picture.

Thanks, Rich!! Fixed! Whoa, that was more than a *slight* oversight. You have a Mastro banjo uke? Post a picture on the blog, if you can do it~!

How's the rose working out for you?! Enjoying it, I hope!

RichM · Dec 17, 2013

Jnobianchi said:
You have a Mastro banjo uke? Post a picture on the blog, if you can do it~!

Yup, played it in my last 3 Seasons entries! Because I don't have to fuss with humidification, it's the one I keep next to the computer for impromptu rave-ups. Since virtually all of my Seasons entries have been impromptu, it shows up a lot!

Jnobianchi · Dec 17, 2013

What a great benefit derived from plastic!

Shady Wilbury · Dec 17, 2013

Great blog, and great thread! Thanks for the insight into plastic uke history. Although I've been playing for a little over seven years now, I'm still dumb when it comes to uke history.

drbekken · Dec 18, 2013

Great piece.

gaspar · Dec 18, 2013

Thank you so much John!
I love those old plastic ukes. I´m after a deluxe model but I have never seen one listed anywhere:

Jnobianchi · Dec 19, 2013

gaspar said:
I love those old plastic ukes. I´m after a deluxe model but I have never seen one listed anywhere

Thank you, Gaspar. Yes, they are hard to find, but DO come up once in a while. I like the pitch pipe built into the headstock! I see TV Pals most often, regular Islanders slightly less so.

Thank you, Doc! Glad that you liked it. I maintain it was just an excuse to use those photos...

Thanks, Casey! History is a hobby, so it's hard to avoid it. Just glad that I have an outlet for it!

teruterubouzu · Dec 19, 2013

I really enjoyed this and I'm feeling a flare up in my UAS.

Chris Tarman · Dec 20, 2013

Nice work John! Thanks for using my review of my Maccaferri baritone. That was one of the first videos I made, when I couldn't figure out how to have a picture that wasn't backwards. If you look at my Youtube channel, there's one or two actual songs using that baritone. You're welcome to add it/them if you want to. It's a really nice sounding instrument, I think.

connor013 · Dec 20, 2013

Interesting article, John. Thanks for doing the legwork.

I've owned a handful of plastic ukes, and the best sounding of the bunch was a Mauna Loa. Who would've thunk it?

Jnobianchi · Dec 21, 2013

teruterubouzu said:
I really enjoyed this and I'm feeling a flare up in my UAS.

Thanks. Yes, I know what you mean. And, the nice thing (insidious thing) is that they don't cost much~!

connor013 said:
I've owned a handful of plastic ukes, and the best sounding of the bunch was a Mauna Loa. Who would've thunk it?

Thanks Conor. Despite the differently shaped position markers, the Mauna Loa looks a lot like the Flamingo - which was made by Emenee (M&E). I have a feeling M&E may have been the manufacturer, which would certainly argue for a good tone.

Thanks, Chris! I've gone ahead and used your Finlandia clip. The baritone sounds excellent in your hands!!

strumsilly · Dec 21, 2013

I'm

getting 2 ukes for Christmas, both I've been looking for for awhile. here's one. the other is a Martin tenor, yet to arrive.

Jnobianchi · Dec 21, 2013

Cool!! It looks great! Is it a new Martin tenor, or an old one?

strumsilly · Dec 21, 2013

Jnobianchi said:
Cool!! It looks great! Is it a new Martin tenor, or an old one?

1957, 12s fret to the body, sounds awesome, and love the thin fast, neck

Jnobianchi · Dec 22, 2013

Best time for the Martin tenor, I think! Enjoy.

drbekken · Dec 22, 2013

connor013 said:
Interesting article, John. Thanks for doing the legwork.

To me, it seems that Ms Page did most of the legwork.

consitter · Dec 22, 2013

I love it that Gus and Fin of Gugug play plastic ukes, and their music sounds awesome.

And the Bettie Page article was niiiicccee. So were the plastic ukes.

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