ghostrdr
Well-known member
Let's make a few assumptions:
You have a sizeable (more than 5 less than 15) number of ukuleles.
You are generally happy with your instruments with a tenor that you already enjoy playing.
You have UAS, nonetheless.
You mostly play tenor, but also can play concert sizes. You rarely play soprano.
You have kids and someday you may pass some or all of these instruments on to them...
All instrument choices below cost the same money:
1. buy a vintage nearly 100 year old Martin soprano in really nice condition.
2. buy a 100 year anniversary Kamaka or 100 year anniversary Martin (or some other commemorative model, e.g. 100 year old Kiwaya)
3. buy a 2018/2019 tenor high end production (like new KoAloha, Kamaka, K'anilea, Anuenue, etc.).
4. save your money toward a custom in the future.
Clearly the vintage Martin soprano is the choice if you value collecting or want an instrument with some history. On eBay a few weeks ago, there was this awesome vintage Kamaka that had a cigar band on the tail which placed it at around 95-100 years ago. It went for more than I was willing to pay, but how neat of an instrument would that be?
The 100 year anniversary Kamaka or Martin is a nice commemorative instrument, but I don't know if being a 100 year anniversary model really adds to the collectability or not. Does a 2018/2019 newer model have better upgrades or better build quality or technology? It seems like every year they come out with something new to tweak the sound a bit. KoAloha re-shaping the uke and moving the bridge; K'anilea using new Tru-er bracing (if that's the term), Kamaka tweaking finishes, etc.
The Custom option would be great, but wow, the prices for those are super expensive. Also, 20 years from now, are people going to remember that [name a builder] brand ukulele or would they rather have a more mainstream brand? I feel like a few builders might have that name recognition in the future, but it's hard to say with any certainty (I am not intending to start any wars-all custom builders make fantastic instruments and it would be a joy to own and play any of them).
(I'm asking for a friend, I assure you...)
Cheers!
You have a sizeable (more than 5 less than 15) number of ukuleles.
You are generally happy with your instruments with a tenor that you already enjoy playing.
You have UAS, nonetheless.
You mostly play tenor, but also can play concert sizes. You rarely play soprano.
You have kids and someday you may pass some or all of these instruments on to them...
All instrument choices below cost the same money:
1. buy a vintage nearly 100 year old Martin soprano in really nice condition.
2. buy a 100 year anniversary Kamaka or 100 year anniversary Martin (or some other commemorative model, e.g. 100 year old Kiwaya)
3. buy a 2018/2019 tenor high end production (like new KoAloha, Kamaka, K'anilea, Anuenue, etc.).
4. save your money toward a custom in the future.
Clearly the vintage Martin soprano is the choice if you value collecting or want an instrument with some history. On eBay a few weeks ago, there was this awesome vintage Kamaka that had a cigar band on the tail which placed it at around 95-100 years ago. It went for more than I was willing to pay, but how neat of an instrument would that be?
The 100 year anniversary Kamaka or Martin is a nice commemorative instrument, but I don't know if being a 100 year anniversary model really adds to the collectability or not. Does a 2018/2019 newer model have better upgrades or better build quality or technology? It seems like every year they come out with something new to tweak the sound a bit. KoAloha re-shaping the uke and moving the bridge; K'anilea using new Tru-er bracing (if that's the term), Kamaka tweaking finishes, etc.
The Custom option would be great, but wow, the prices for those are super expensive. Also, 20 years from now, are people going to remember that [name a builder] brand ukulele or would they rather have a more mainstream brand? I feel like a few builders might have that name recognition in the future, but it's hard to say with any certainty (I am not intending to start any wars-all custom builders make fantastic instruments and it would be a joy to own and play any of them).
(I'm asking for a friend, I assure you...)
Cheers!
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