Wow...an Unboxing!

**Ukecaster** · 12-10-2018, 06:09 PM

I see all these "Unboxing" videos on YouTube, some where they don't even play or review the uke, like they're big fans of the packaging industry! Kinda weird, if you ask me. Am I alone?

**Jim Hanks** · 12-10-2018, 07:16 PM

I've started to do that a few times but I've never posted one. I guess the point is to capture the first impression but I generally find my first few minutes with an instrument not very instructive as it takes time to figure out its particular quirks.

**Steedy** · 12-10-2018, 07:16 PM

No video, but here's a photo of a beautiful white box:

20181207_222440.jpg

**Jan D** · 12-10-2018, 07:29 PM

This was brilliant, Bill. Thanks for the chuckles! :-)
Jan

Originally Posted by Bill1

There is cardboard and then there is cardboard. It can affect the tone of the uke, especially on a long flight in an aircraft hold. Old cardboard is obviously the best, the paper fibres have aged and will make the uke resonate with some astonishing timbre that often takes time to absorb.
Also the air inside the bubble wrap bubbles is important. If they get it from the little bubbles in the ice from deep under the surface inside the Arctic Circle, it is much cleaner and older and imparts a softer and less harsh character to the uke's strings.
And I hope you don't get trapped in the rookie error of tearing brown packing tape, it has to be cut with a collectible Case Canoe Pocket Knife. I once used my little Puma Paro to cut the tape and the results were disastrous. The red tape is much better, especially if it has non-English writing on it that looks ancient and mysterious, even if it does just translate to "fragile handle with care".
The best thing is to avoid exposing a recently unpacked uke to a camera lens, it will subtlety affect the tone for sure, you need to wait at least 72 hours before taking a picture, you may as well play the uke I suppose.
The best part of the unboxing is when they work out where the box actually opens up.

**Kyle23** · 12-10-2018, 09:03 PM

I like watching them to be honest. That feeling of getting a new uke and watching a person go through that reminds me of the times I got my first ukulele and every one since.

**kohanmike** · 12-10-2018, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Ukecaster

I see all these "Unboxing" videos on YouTube, some where they don't even play or review the uke, like they're big fans of the packaging industry! Kinda weird, if you ask me. Am I alone?

I agree, when I've seen a couple of them and they don't actually use the item, I felt like I wasted my time. Stopped looking at them a long time ago.

8 tenor cutaway ukes, 5 acoustic bass ukes, 10 solid body bass ukes, 7 mini electric bass guitars

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**Jerryc41** · 12-11-2018, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by Steedy

No video, but here's a photo of a beautiful white box:

20181207_222440.jpg

Some day, I'll post a picture of the dozens of boxes in my garage.

**UkerDanno** · 12-11-2018, 03:17 AM

I think the videos aren't really for anyone else, besides the person opening the box, it's an exciting time no denying that. Just getting a box on the front porch is stimulating, you all know that, it's the root of UAS!

**Down Up Dick** · 12-11-2018, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by Jerryc41

Some day, I'll post a picture of the dozens of boxes in my garage.

Yes, yes! We must keep the boxes. Some are made in that perfect ukulele shape that can only be used for ukuleles, and keep the styrofoam padding and huge plastic bags too. Don’t sqander their use by filling them with old, dead leaves. Oh! Oh! And the pieces of bubble wrap. If you can keep from popping the bubbles, it’ll probably be usable for years!

We’re very lucky musicians to have big roomy garages for our ukulele boxes and wrappings. Who knows, we may need them some day. I feel wise and grateful to have kept all of mine.