Ukulele News from NAMM 2019

DownUpDave · Jan 26, 2019

Joe King said:
Thanks for sharing this.

I am excited about the Tiny Tenor shaped and baritone scale guitar(lele) tuned E-to-E.

I wonder what strings they are using on that one and if they can be purchased somewhere...

The strings are........ Pepe Romero Classical Guitar strings GHF, which are Hard tension carbon trebles. I own the baritone small guitar (guitar-lele). You can purchase the strings at Strings by Mail in the classical guitar section, look for Pepe Romero strings (powered by LaBella). If You go to Pepe Romero- Luthiers website they have a list of retailers and good info on all the strings

Rakelele · Jan 26, 2019

Here's a presentation of what's new in Kala's import line. They say they have already launched about 45 new products this year. First off, there is a solid Spruce top with laminate striped Ebony back/sides and some added herringbone purfling and rosette in concert, tenor and baritone cutaway. The same model will be available with flamed exotic Mahogany back/sides. Street price for both models is around $250 USD.

Next is an 8 string and 6 string model in the successful Cedar/Acacia line.

They extend their travel slimline with an all laminate Maple for $159 USD.

In addition to the all solid Acacia models, they now add an all solid Maple line with a slotted headstock, a cutaway, and Purpleheart binding in concert and tenor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM9dbmz0MqE

Edited to add some pictures from the Kala Elite and their import line:

https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/photos/pcb.10157274761007150/10157274760487150/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/photos/pcb.10157274788827150/10157274788672150/?type=3&theater

Rakelele · Jan 26, 2019

Cynthia Lin playing Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" at the Ohana booth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIh2q3DU5wQ

I have been wondering about Ohana: While they presented some unique models last year at NAMM, including a baritone body with a tenor neck and a tenor guitar which both never seemed to have hit the market, this year they appear to have a more traditional lineup, I haven't spotted any new models from them (so far).

Rakelele · Jan 26, 2019

Another look at the Takumi booth, representing Kiwaya and several other Japanese luthiers/factories (scroll through the picture feed to see all):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFD6BinCW-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFHRWVnmhm/

https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/photos/pcb.10157277258077150/10157277256742150/?type=3&theater

Rakelele · Jan 26, 2019

Not ukulele related stricto sensu, but for those of us who enjoy small guitars, Ed Sheeran has just launched his own line of small guitars made by Lowden:

https://www.musicradar.com/news/namm-2019-lowden-announces-affordable-ed-sheeran-guitars-line

https://sheeranguitars.com/

I was excited to see a new line of well made small guitars, but then I realized that they still have a scale length of 24+ inches, which is close to a regular guitar and longer than I prefer. They do add some nice new options to the market of Mini Guitars, such as the Little Martin and the Baby Taylor.

Rakelele · Jan 26, 2019

Here is a look at the shared booth from KoAloha, Opio and Rebel. I haven't spotted any new models yet, pretty much a lineup of all their current models (including some unique pyro artwork):

https://www.facebook.com/KoAlohaUkulele/photos/a.441681459206371/2503173089723854/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/photos/pcb.10157274799552150/10157274799332150/?type=3&theater

I wonder what happened to their KoAlana line they showed last year at NAMM; haven't seen these models come to stores and I don't see them on the picture posted above.

Rakelele · Jan 26, 2019

Some pictures from the Maestro booth. Looks like they have their own take of a Guilele / Guitalele model with a side sound port (scroll through the feed to see more pictures of it):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtDJAhoHiET/?igshid=vpg6chpxqk0l&utm_source=fb_www_attr

They also have an 8 string model with a side sound port and a beveled armrest:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtETaVinhL6/?igshid=1ufkuto7motzl&utm_source=fb_www_attr

Nickie · Jan 26, 2019

lfoo6952 said:
This one is not ukulele related, so please excuse me for posting this guitar video. I thought it was great. The guitar player is a guy named Freebo. I had never heard of him before, so I had to look him up on the internet. Apparently he has been performing for over 40 years as a back up musician for famous acts like Bonnie Raitt. The bass player is Alice Howe, an up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Enjoy!

I met Freebo one time, he was at our church, backing up another performer, but I can't remember who it was!
He was great, though, and very friendly.

UkeStuff · Jan 26, 2019

Rakelele said:
I wonder what happened to their KoAlana line they showed last year at NAMM; haven't seen these models come to stores and I don't see them on the picture posted above.

I've been waiting for that KoAlana line, too. I'd buy a concert right away.

captain-janeway · Jan 26, 2019

Rakelele said:
Another look at the Takumi booth, representing Kiwaya and several other Japanese luthiers/factories (scroll through the picture feed to see all):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFD6BinCW-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFHRWVnmhm/

https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/photos/pcb.10157277258077150/10157277256742150/?type=3&theater

I want the Takumi with the crane and the Kala with the peep hole! UAS is becoming strong with this one.
Gee, can you even purchase ones like this (yes, I understand these are prototypes)? I just don't see anything like they existing at all on Takumi site (though I may have missed it). Anyway, gorgeous!

bukeh · Jan 27, 2019

Are Kanile'a at NAMM? If so, are they showing the new platinum pineapple tenor?

RafterGirl · Jan 27, 2019

bukeh said:
Are Kanile'a at NAMM? If so, are they showing the new platinum pineapple tenor?

See post #25

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

bukeh said:
Are Kanile'a at NAMM? If so, are they showing the new platinum pineapple tenor?

Yes and yes! Here is Joe Souza showing the new Kanilea Platinum 2019 Pineapple Tenor:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtG93FxnfPq/

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

Eco friendly ukulele straps and felt picks from D'Addario:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNnPibjhe7I

Looks like they have a JS Shima ukulele to demo (in the background).

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

First appearance at NAMM from Mauloa, a Chinese OEM company that has been providing several well-known brands with instruments and is now showing their own Mauloa line along with their Kawena budget line at NAMM for the first time. Kalei Gamiao has a signature model from them that is all blinged out across the fretboard. Some models have an arm bevel or an offset soundhole, different cutaways, and a very special slotted headstock (same as Ohana has presented last year).

Comment in the video is German (Andreas David from "Gute Ukulele"), summarized above, sound samples at 3:40, 6:30, 7:50 and 9:30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-ga3l0M0Q

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

Mauloa also presents a U-Bass with a gloss finish, a bevel cutaway, and some bling, wound strings and probably a somewhat longer scale than some of the existing models (Kala, Islander, etc.):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtHOmI-H9LZ/

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

Cordoba adds a U-Bass with wound nylon strings to their lineup, based on their Mini II Guitar model:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtG6HyoFLZd/

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

Mim will be a dealer for Rebel ukes! Here is her statement from Instagram:

Big sound and big design! I can't wait to get them up on my site when I get home! As a new Rebel dealer it is time to add a new product tab to my website!!! My NAMM goal was to aquire one new high-end brand that I could get behind completely, and Rebel is the perfect fit for me! High quality, artistic builds, with a juicy soul-filling tone! It helps too that the people behind the brand are some of the kindest people I know, they have my trust, and they have a true passion for ukulele! Kindness, Trust, and Passion is important to me! I am looking forward to the future offering these ukuleles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtH8UGJHR7y/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtEufxZnkKi/

Rakelele · Jan 27, 2019

The Rebel company from Thailand (who is building the Opio line for KoAloha) will present a more affordable version of the Pops KoAloha Pineapple Sunday. Comment and a sneak peek taken from "Southern Ukulele Store" Facebook page:

[…] I decided to give you folks a glimpse of "Rebel Ukuleles" - a Thailand based brand that can not only boast that they are behind the world class KoAloha Opio Ukuleles but also that they will be bringing a more affordable version of the Pops KoAloha Pineapple Sunday to the world very soon.

https://www.facebook.com/southernuk...556704804198/2685549691471566/?type=3&theater

Joe King · Jan 27, 2019

DownUpDave said:
The strings are........ Pepe Romero Classical Guitar strings GHF, which are Hard tension carbon trebles. I own the baritone small guitar (guitar-lele). You can purchase the strings at Strings by Mail in the classical guitar section, look for Pepe Romero strings (powered by LaBella). If You go to Pepe Romero- Luthiers website they have a list of retailers and good info on all the strings

Thanks Dave!

I found them on Strings By Mail

Ukulele News from NAMM 2019

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