colinondrums
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Hello friends... So, I'm in the market for my first ukulele. Fun stuff. Well, I've since found myself trapped in a blackhole of research. Honestly, I had no clue there were so many options and now I'm overwhelmed.
A little about me. I'm a drummer and a guitarist and candidly I'm addicted to good gear. That said, I've never bought a uke, but a buddy at work has a cheap soprano in his office that I've noodled on for months and it's addicting so it's time. I'm getting one... A tenor.
I'm definitely not a ukulele player, but I just don't see the sense in buying a "starter" instrument when I know I'll want to upgrade in two months.
So, I embarked upon my research journey and decided quickly I wanted one of the K's. Specifically, a Kanile'a K-1. Pretty simple. The KoAloha probably sounds better, but I just don't like the headstock and the Kamaka seems a little too boring... or the ANueNue Moonbird, but I don't feel like a spruce top screams ukulele.
Regardless, my wife laughed at me. Apparently spending $1,200 on an instrument I don't play isn't allowed. Lol
Anyway, I've since been selling myself (and her) down to something more realistic. As follows:
*The Rebel, Double Creme - It just looks amazing, I mean a Triforce in the soundhole. Gotoh UPT tuners, noice. Sweet headstock and logo/inlays. Beautiful finish and the video on HMS really just sells it. That video makes it sound amazing... but $939.00, still too expensive. And maybe quiet based on what I've read?
*Kanile'a OHA T - I mean it's a Kanile'a, right? $795, stretching it.
*KoAloha Opio KTO-10 - Sounds great, but that headstock. $655, getting closer.
*Pono (AT, ATD, MT, MTD, MG or MGT) - Very nice instruments, excellent build quality, great sound per the videos on HMS. $399-$499, really where I should be.
*Ohana TK-350G - Gorgeous instrument. Solid Koa. Limited edition. Value. $639 from Mim, doable. What am I missing? Why doesn't HMS sell them? Seems too good to be true.
*Romero Creations - Seems like solid instruments, but haven't done a ton of research. Seems within budget.
*Eastman - I don't know enough but they're in play price-wise.
*Snail (SR04-TE or SUT-M3) - Up and coming company. Alex from Southern Ukulele Store swears by them (but he's a salesperson). A lot of premium features for less... but I have 6-driver custom-mold in-ears and I've listened to a lot of audio samples and haven't been impressed although audio production from HMS is far superior to Southern Ukulele Store in their videos. Maybe the videos I heard aren't doing the Snails justice? Regardless, $300-500 depending on the model.
I just know I don't want Kala, no real reason, I just feel like when there are a million models to choose from they're likely highly mass produced and less attention to detail.
But that's where I'm at. Ideally, my wife would like me to be in the $400-600 range, but I might be able to squeeze a bit more out with the right argument.... but with that in mind, I've really been leaning Pono... but that Ohana is really pretty and it's solid Koa.
I just don't know. What would you do? I know Pono's have thicker necks, but I play a Les Paul Standard and I have large hands, doesn't bother me.
For me it's probably:
1) Sound Quality (mellow/warm Hawaiian sound)
2) Craftsmanship
3) Looks - I like medium colored woods (Koa, Acacia, Mango)
What would you do? If you could choose anything under $1000...? What about if you had to stay between $400-700?
Colin
A little about me. I'm a drummer and a guitarist and candidly I'm addicted to good gear. That said, I've never bought a uke, but a buddy at work has a cheap soprano in his office that I've noodled on for months and it's addicting so it's time. I'm getting one... A tenor.
I'm definitely not a ukulele player, but I just don't see the sense in buying a "starter" instrument when I know I'll want to upgrade in two months.
So, I embarked upon my research journey and decided quickly I wanted one of the K's. Specifically, a Kanile'a K-1. Pretty simple. The KoAloha probably sounds better, but I just don't like the headstock and the Kamaka seems a little too boring... or the ANueNue Moonbird, but I don't feel like a spruce top screams ukulele.
Regardless, my wife laughed at me. Apparently spending $1,200 on an instrument I don't play isn't allowed. Lol
Anyway, I've since been selling myself (and her) down to something more realistic. As follows:
*The Rebel, Double Creme - It just looks amazing, I mean a Triforce in the soundhole. Gotoh UPT tuners, noice. Sweet headstock and logo/inlays. Beautiful finish and the video on HMS really just sells it. That video makes it sound amazing... but $939.00, still too expensive. And maybe quiet based on what I've read?
*Kanile'a OHA T - I mean it's a Kanile'a, right? $795, stretching it.
*KoAloha Opio KTO-10 - Sounds great, but that headstock. $655, getting closer.
*Pono (AT, ATD, MT, MTD, MG or MGT) - Very nice instruments, excellent build quality, great sound per the videos on HMS. $399-$499, really where I should be.
*Ohana TK-350G - Gorgeous instrument. Solid Koa. Limited edition. Value. $639 from Mim, doable. What am I missing? Why doesn't HMS sell them? Seems too good to be true.
*Romero Creations - Seems like solid instruments, but haven't done a ton of research. Seems within budget.
*Eastman - I don't know enough but they're in play price-wise.
*Snail (SR04-TE or SUT-M3) - Up and coming company. Alex from Southern Ukulele Store swears by them (but he's a salesperson). A lot of premium features for less... but I have 6-driver custom-mold in-ears and I've listened to a lot of audio samples and haven't been impressed although audio production from HMS is far superior to Southern Ukulele Store in their videos. Maybe the videos I heard aren't doing the Snails justice? Regardless, $300-500 depending on the model.
I just know I don't want Kala, no real reason, I just feel like when there are a million models to choose from they're likely highly mass produced and less attention to detail.
But that's where I'm at. Ideally, my wife would like me to be in the $400-600 range, but I might be able to squeeze a bit more out with the right argument.... but with that in mind, I've really been leaning Pono... but that Ohana is really pretty and it's solid Koa.
I just don't know. What would you do? I know Pono's have thicker necks, but I play a Les Paul Standard and I have large hands, doesn't bother me.
For me it's probably:
1) Sound Quality (mellow/warm Hawaiian sound)
2) Craftsmanship
3) Looks - I like medium colored woods (Koa, Acacia, Mango)
What would you do? If you could choose anything under $1000...? What about if you had to stay between $400-700?
Colin
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