drbekken
Well-known member
Anyone got info or opinion about the cheapo Makala baritone?
Anyone got info or opinion about the cheapo Makala baritone?
I posted in a similar post today. Baritones are getting more and more popular (with good reason - it is a great instrument). Here is the one-step-up-in-price Kala laminate I got...
http://www.amazon.com/Kala-KA-B-Mahogany-Baritone-Ukulele/dp/B001LU37C6/
How much better would it be than the Makala? I don't know from experience, but I will say I got this one through Amazon because I had a gift certificate and I've been loving the thing - no buzzes, very good intonation, surprisingly very resonant, and strung with Aquila. Aquila Nylgut baritone strings sound wonderful, by the way.
Hehe...no, not really...just curious about the brand, since lots of people talk nicely about the Makala Dolphin sopranos....maybe the cheap Makala baris are good too...?Thinking of doing another bari comparison on YouTube drb?
Anyone got info or opinion about the cheapo Makala baritone?
Anyone got info or opinion about the cheapo Makala baritone?
I know this is an old thread, but for people like me doing searches on the Makala baritone (MK-B), I thought I'd give my opinion on it.
This week I went to a shop here in Portland, OR and the Makala baritone I got sounds just as good as all but the highest quality ukuleles on the wall in the $200-$300 range, and it was only $89. It sounds warm, rich and full, with good projection. The action is about 2.0mm with no string buzz, and great intonation (though it gets a little funky up high, where my fingers barely even fit). It looks a little "bare bones", but with good construction and is by no means shabby looking.
I polished the back of it with some super fine steel wool, rubbed in a coat of pure tung oil and it really brought the finish to life. I'll put a few light applications of tung oil on the rest of it after I replace the plastic nut and bridge with bone ($5 on eBay), some Aquila strings, and that's about it. I'm sure I'll upgrade someday, but for now I'm lovin' this uke!
I've heard only good things about them. I have often considered getting one and not only replacing the plastic nut and saddle with bone, but installing a set of Grover tuners.