One thing that bugged me was the chrome washers that sit under the hex bushings. Since the headstock is smaller than normal the washers look enormous; like 4 big buttons. I couldn't find any black metal washers that would fit, so I picked up some nylon washers at Ace Hardware. I used a dremel and a round file to get them to the right ID. I know it is personal taste, but I like the cleaner look.
I am also not a fan of the plastic pearloid tuner buttons on this uke, so I used some chrome guitar buttons I had laying around. They might be a little big, and I may one day swap them out, but for me it gives a nice beefy look.
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John
Hello, @70sSanO, I know this is probably a terribly "newbie" question but can one just swap out the "tuner grips"? (Is that the right term? If not, please let me know!) That is what I understood that you did. I never liked the white tuner grips and, like most everyone else here, I thought that the black ratio tuner upgrade was well overpriced. Plus, I was already a little perturbed at the costs of all the little "extras" ($20 for Low-G, $20 for strap buttons, $30 for TUSC Nut, $30 for stiffening rods, nylon vs fluoro strings, etc) and didn't feel like an extra $75 for what, for me, would have been a purely aesthetic upgrade. Having said that, I'd love to switch them over to black, if that's possible!
I believe I was in the low 80's for my Indiegogo backer number, so, my understanding is that my KLOS was shipped after they decided to make the switch to lower the action from 3.0mm to 2.5mm. However, I still find it more difficult to play than my Outdoor Ukulele Carbon Soprano, who's action is lower. In fact, I've had enough difficulty that it's been discouraging me about my playing. But once I tried the OU again, I realize it's dealing with getting used to the new uke. For instance, on my OU, I can do barre (bar?) chords without any trouble but trying with all my might, I cannot get a good bar on the KLOS.
I'd love to hear suggestions from anyone as to things I could easily do to make the KLOS easier to play. I'm a little worried about trying to lower the action further because KLOS said something about how they felt this was the most they could lower the action without causing significant buzzing - and indeed, I do get some buzzing as it is occasionally. However, I read earlier in this thread that people felt that the included (nylon) strings were incredibly thick. I'm curious if switching out strings might improve things. I thought I read that different type strings (even on a tenor) have different string tension so that there may exist a type of strings that also have lower tension in addition to being "thinner". Did I dream that up? Would this also help make it easier to play? I'm open to considering most any strings. It's not a huge cost difference to swap them out. Oddly, I'm not having much trouble with the wound Low-G but the other 3 nylon strings, I'm having a great deal of trouble with. Is there anything else you can think of that might help? I don't have any real skill re: working on a uke, which is why I'm asking about simple things to begin with.
Just to give a bit of extra info, I have a rare genetic disease that causes my collagen to be faulty (and have literal head to toe significant health issues as a result). One of the effects are hypermobile, weak joints across my body. One of the reasons that I decided to try uke (other than falling in love with it) was that it would help my hands to be a bit stronger. Having said that, as much as I try to work on my hand strength, there is simply no way they will every be "normal" strength. I only say this because I'm not trying to avoid "putting in the work" to get my hands better, it's just a realistic fact that my finger joints will dislocate and always be loose. This is why I'm trying to seek ways to make the KLOS more easily playable, like my OU. I have to say, I personally love the intonation and the resonance of the KLOS so I really hope I can make it easier for me to play.
Lastly, I want to get one of the D'Addario Micro Tuners for the KLOS but I'm not liking the clip-on version on the high gloss finish (I'm borrowing it from my spouse for the moment). I'm considering the D'Addario NS Micro Soundhole Tuner or the D'Addario NS Micro Clip-Free Tuner. Any thoughts as to which one might work best? I think either will be OK on this uke in terms of fit, but I'd love to hear opinions on which might be better and why. I'm including links to both below.
D'Addario NS Micro Soundhole Tuner:
http://www.daddario.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=1073
D'Addario NS Micro Clip-Free Tuner:
http://www.daddario.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=1156
