janeray1940
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- Nov 19, 2009
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Fretie's Kamaka Love thread got me to thinking about this, but I didn't want to hijack fretie's post by going off on a tangent, so I decided to start my own in which I ask:
Me: another student in my very first Beginning Uke class had a vintage Kamaka soprano, and I fell in love with the sound. At the time I thought I wanted nothing but a 1920s Martin, but the minute I heard the Kamaka I changed my mind. Then my teacher let me play his non-vintage Kamaka tenor, and from that moment there was no looking back - I knew what I wanted. Okay, and maybe the George Harrison thing might have had a little to do with it. A little
As for why not another K-brand - the Kanile'a neck feels too chunky, and I always find the sound to be too mellow for my tastes, so that ruled them out. And while I love the Koaloha sound (and did own a Koaloha at one time), I don't like the feel of the fretboard (not sure what material they use, koa I think?, but I prefer rosewood or ebony). And I don't care for the overall look; per a documentary I watched the design elements have some religious symbolism that I'm not comfortable with.
Anyone else have thoughts on this? Looking forward to hearing what others have to say.
Why Kamaka? What led you to first pick Kamaka over any other brand, and what is it that keeps you loyal? And why not another K-brand?
Me: another student in my very first Beginning Uke class had a vintage Kamaka soprano, and I fell in love with the sound. At the time I thought I wanted nothing but a 1920s Martin, but the minute I heard the Kamaka I changed my mind. Then my teacher let me play his non-vintage Kamaka tenor, and from that moment there was no looking back - I knew what I wanted. Okay, and maybe the George Harrison thing might have had a little to do with it. A little
As for why not another K-brand - the Kanile'a neck feels too chunky, and I always find the sound to be too mellow for my tastes, so that ruled them out. And while I love the Koaloha sound (and did own a Koaloha at one time), I don't like the feel of the fretboard (not sure what material they use, koa I think?, but I prefer rosewood or ebony). And I don't care for the overall look; per a documentary I watched the design elements have some religious symbolism that I'm not comfortable with.
Anyone else have thoughts on this? Looking forward to hearing what others have to say.