A few months ago when I was all caught up in UAS, I saw a pretty mandolele being auctioned on eBay from Bruce Wei Arts in Vietnam, a UTT model. I won it for $51 US (plus $70 shipping). Solid spruce top, solid maple body, cream binding.
When it arrived, I found that it was not built all that well, ragged seams between the binding and body, poor fret installation, thick top, high action, but the color, satin finish and shape are nice. I had the action lowered, changed the saddle and strings, but didn't do the frets. It still does not have much projection or sustain, and a couple of frets buzz a little, but I figured it was worth the $51.
Pretty but low end, B grade uke:
A couple of months later, after improving and learning the difference in the quality of better ukes, I contacted Bruce Wei about making me a custom uke, as he advertises. In the course of the emails, I complained a bit about the mandolele. He replied that he does not make the low price ukes auctioned on his eBay site, he allows other makers use his site, but he stands behind what sells there.
He wrote that the UTT models are B grade, but the UG, UA, UC a higher grades. I asked how I could get a better grade mandolele, and he replied that he could make me a mahogany mandolele for $220 (plus $70 shipping), and take 30 days to build it. He would make sure it's built well, with better bracing, clean finished binding edges and properly installed frets, he would even route the bridge so I could fit a pickup under the saddle. I thought about it for a couple days, then decided to go for it. (I gave my UTT to my cousin's son.)
When it arrives in about three weeks I'm going to change the strings to Worth CT clears, add a tailpiece (shown in the photo), add a preamp/pickup system and strap buttons. If his work comes out well, I'm going to order a full custom from him.
Better built A grade uke on its way:
When it arrived, I found that it was not built all that well, ragged seams between the binding and body, poor fret installation, thick top, high action, but the color, satin finish and shape are nice. I had the action lowered, changed the saddle and strings, but didn't do the frets. It still does not have much projection or sustain, and a couple of frets buzz a little, but I figured it was worth the $51.
Pretty but low end, B grade uke:
A couple of months later, after improving and learning the difference in the quality of better ukes, I contacted Bruce Wei about making me a custom uke, as he advertises. In the course of the emails, I complained a bit about the mandolele. He replied that he does not make the low price ukes auctioned on his eBay site, he allows other makers use his site, but he stands behind what sells there.
He wrote that the UTT models are B grade, but the UG, UA, UC a higher grades. I asked how I could get a better grade mandolele, and he replied that he could make me a mahogany mandolele for $220 (plus $70 shipping), and take 30 days to build it. He would make sure it's built well, with better bracing, clean finished binding edges and properly installed frets, he would even route the bridge so I could fit a pickup under the saddle. I thought about it for a couple days, then decided to go for it. (I gave my UTT to my cousin's son.)
When it arrives in about three weeks I'm going to change the strings to Worth CT clears, add a tailpiece (shown in the photo), add a preamp/pickup system and strap buttons. If his work comes out well, I'm going to order a full custom from him.
Better built A grade uke on its way:
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