G'day!
I have recently gotten the bug to start playing the uke (again). Several years ago I got a soprano RIPTIDE (has anyone even heard of this brand?) but shelved it after a few weeks due to personal issues at the time.
I since have gotten it signed by one of my favourite artists (Glen Hansard) and it has been retired to it's hard case in fear of rubbing off the sig. I had thought about trying to seal it, but I cannot remember the composition of the pen that was used, and the last thing I want to do is spray a sealer on it and watch on in horror as the sig bleeds to death.
I joined the local uke club (didn't even know it existed!) and went in there on Tuesday to see what it was all about. Talked to a very knowledgeable member who builds his own ukes, and tried some out for size. I'm pretty much set on a tenor.
My initial research lead me to KMISE base on reviews and feedback on UU - which then lead to the AKLOT bamboo tenor which I think looks reallllllly sweet. These ukes were within my predetermined price range, and seemed to fit the bill of "best value for money" around $100AUD. However the more I read in UU, and external reviews, the more I'm turning away from the idea due to the following:
* Mass produced product with potentially poor QA
* Online only with limited opportunity to have it set up properly
* A number of people stating that after a few months they went looking to upgrade
This review from Got A Ukulele was pretty much the kicker for me with KMISE and AKLOT:
https://www.gotaukulele.com/2017/01/kmise-carved-cat-concert-ukulele.html
So I've decided to check out the local music store which seems to have a decent array of ukes. I'd be looking at doubling my budget to $200, but if that's a better "investment" for a better quality product that I'm not going to want to replace in the short term, then I'm essentially saving money.
This is what I have learnt about what to look for in a uke so far:
* SETUP IS KEY!
* Solid mahogany top is great - but probably beyond the price range I'm looking at
* Mahogany laminate is the next best option
* Don't overspend on a first uke, but don't underspend on something of inferior quality that will either dissuade me from playing or be looking to replace after only a few months
* Avoid friction tuners
* KALA comes up a lot!
* Clip-on tuner and strap are good investments!
These are the tenors listed on the local music store's website - though they may stock others as I haven't been in yet:
http://ultramusic.com.au/ultra/index.php?route=product/category&path=103_126
Here are the online ukes that I had initially shortlisted:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kmise-Teno...nch-Hawaii-Guitar-with-Bag-Tuner/202069823996
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kmise-Lami...i-Guitar-W-Bag-and-Tuner-26-Inch/322232080831
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AKLOT-Teno...inch-W-Gig-Bag-Strap-Picks-Tuner/323885692631
Lastly there's the Tanglewood that I found on reverb.com for no reason other than it looks amazing (and I realise that's not an over-riding factor when deciding on what to buy):
https://reverb.com/item/25873290-ta...s-figured-ebony-tenor-ukulele-with-padded-bag
So I was hoping to get some advice from the community as to which way I should go. I can either:
* Stick with my original plan and get one of the AKLOT/KMISE online and teach myself some basic setup skills on the nut and saddle heights
* Go to the local store and double my budget to get something (slightly?) higher quality and properly setup
I essentially want something with a bit of longevity that can serve me as a beater if I do happen to stick with it and upgrade a year or two from now.
Thanks heaps in advance!! <3
I have recently gotten the bug to start playing the uke (again). Several years ago I got a soprano RIPTIDE (has anyone even heard of this brand?) but shelved it after a few weeks due to personal issues at the time.
I since have gotten it signed by one of my favourite artists (Glen Hansard) and it has been retired to it's hard case in fear of rubbing off the sig. I had thought about trying to seal it, but I cannot remember the composition of the pen that was used, and the last thing I want to do is spray a sealer on it and watch on in horror as the sig bleeds to death.
I joined the local uke club (didn't even know it existed!) and went in there on Tuesday to see what it was all about. Talked to a very knowledgeable member who builds his own ukes, and tried some out for size. I'm pretty much set on a tenor.
My initial research lead me to KMISE base on reviews and feedback on UU - which then lead to the AKLOT bamboo tenor which I think looks reallllllly sweet. These ukes were within my predetermined price range, and seemed to fit the bill of "best value for money" around $100AUD. However the more I read in UU, and external reviews, the more I'm turning away from the idea due to the following:
* Mass produced product with potentially poor QA
* Online only with limited opportunity to have it set up properly
* A number of people stating that after a few months they went looking to upgrade
This review from Got A Ukulele was pretty much the kicker for me with KMISE and AKLOT:
https://www.gotaukulele.com/2017/01/kmise-carved-cat-concert-ukulele.html
So I've decided to check out the local music store which seems to have a decent array of ukes. I'd be looking at doubling my budget to $200, but if that's a better "investment" for a better quality product that I'm not going to want to replace in the short term, then I'm essentially saving money.
This is what I have learnt about what to look for in a uke so far:
* SETUP IS KEY!
* Solid mahogany top is great - but probably beyond the price range I'm looking at
* Mahogany laminate is the next best option
* Don't overspend on a first uke, but don't underspend on something of inferior quality that will either dissuade me from playing or be looking to replace after only a few months
* Avoid friction tuners
* KALA comes up a lot!
* Clip-on tuner and strap are good investments!
These are the tenors listed on the local music store's website - though they may stock others as I haven't been in yet:
http://ultramusic.com.au/ultra/index.php?route=product/category&path=103_126
Here are the online ukes that I had initially shortlisted:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kmise-Teno...nch-Hawaii-Guitar-with-Bag-Tuner/202069823996
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kmise-Lami...i-Guitar-W-Bag-and-Tuner-26-Inch/322232080831
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AKLOT-Teno...inch-W-Gig-Bag-Strap-Picks-Tuner/323885692631
Lastly there's the Tanglewood that I found on reverb.com for no reason other than it looks amazing (and I realise that's not an over-riding factor when deciding on what to buy):
https://reverb.com/item/25873290-ta...s-figured-ebony-tenor-ukulele-with-padded-bag
So I was hoping to get some advice from the community as to which way I should go. I can either:
* Stick with my original plan and get one of the AKLOT/KMISE online and teach myself some basic setup skills on the nut and saddle heights
* Go to the local store and double my budget to get something (slightly?) higher quality and properly setup
I essentially want something with a bit of longevity that can serve me as a beater if I do happen to stick with it and upgrade a year or two from now.
Thanks heaps in advance!! <3