Ukulele Related News from NAMM 2020

I think last year HMS didn't post a video until the end of NAMM. But I'm sure I'm not alone looking forward to their videos.
 
I guess that settles the question about which of their instrument sizes are the most popular. A lot more tenors are going to be made.

i think it does, and personally speaking (for what its worth) I find that a shame. I hear the same from specialist uke stores in the UK AND from luthiers - that sopranos just dont sell as well. I fear the media marketing machine has one this one.

I say a 'shame' as my favoured scale is soprano and always will be. Don't mind admitting being disappointed that the 200 limited Silver Series Koaloha sopranos ONLY come with geared tuners. Rules them out for me, and for a lot of soprano fans I know too. They will all sell of course, but a bunch of us are disappointed.
 
Thanks Rakelele, DanY & Ghostrdr for the photos and comments.

Ditto Baz for the comments. And of course everyone else who commented. Makes everything more interesting to read.

I'm not sold on the design of the Kanile'a Platinum this year. I'd be interested in the stories behind the design decisions. Right now, to me it looks like razor wire curling up the body and neck. And the squared off fretboard just doesn't work between the D-soundhole and the scoop. Why old English typeface for the Kanile'a name on the headstock? I like the build and love the woods, but just don't think the details work together very well.
 
I had someone from Hawaii comment on a post of mine re the Platinum who said (I quote - I am NOT Hawaiian)

"Those images are based on ʻohe kāpala, or traditional hawaiian bamboo stamp, designs used to decorate kapa and other materials"

And Craig Lavin - the chap who did the inlays on the blue Kanile'a said:

"The uke symbolizes the three sons involved with the company. Joe Souza had the idea and I created the Inlays"

And in both cases I say... fair enough. I like them both.
 
i think it does, and personally speaking (for what its worth) I find that a shame. I hear the same from specialist uke stores in the UK AND from luthiers - that sopranos just dont sell as well. I fear the media marketing machine has one this one.

I say a 'shame' as my favoured scale is soprano and always will be. Don't mind admitting being disappointed that the 200 limited Silver Series Koaloha sopranos ONLY come with geared tuners. Rules them out for me, and for a lot of soprano fans I know too. They will all sell of course, but a bunch of us are disappointed.

I am with you on this. While I have heard some characterize soprano as if it is something one begins with before moving on, or for kids, the soprano has something really special and unique. I agree that it is disappointing to see that instrument with geared tuners.
 
Is it just me, or is this year's NAMM yielding a rainbow of dyed woods? Kanile'a has blue. Lannikai has new purple models. I think I saw a green Breedlove. And that pink Kamaka!

Just kidding about that last one.

Has anybody seen the Rebel booth (if they're there this year)? Just wondering if they have anything new or interesting.
 
Anyone see anything new case-wise for banjo-ukes? There is a real shortage of products.

Or cases for regular ukes, for that matter, other than what was already posted about On Stage.
 
The guys from Southern Ukulele Store have posted a video from the Kanile'a booth, going over the 2020 Platinum model (it's kinda growing on me), the P1 pineapple tenor, and the blue bay ukulele with inlays by Craig Lavine:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BPsRMp350
 
Mike Upton from Kala going through their new models. The have a new line of Premier Exotic woods (all laminate, Bocote, Ziricote, Ebony, and Maka), gloss finish, satin finished neck, beveled armrest, and Graphtech Planetary tuners.

They also have a couple of satin finished exotic woods with Spalted Mango and burled Campherwood.

They are adding more U Basses with an all Bamboo model and a Spalted Mango model.

Kala Elite will use more local woods from Northern California (Oak, Myrtle), also using the Graphtech tuners.

And Rosewood is back, now that shipping is allowed again for finished instruments.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffRpnCA8Djc
 
18 new models from Lanikai according to this upbeat presentation from C.A. House Music. They have a new affordable Oak series, a purple addition to the quilted maple line, their own Ukulele Bass with metal strings, and their first signature line:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_gdzOpKhRY
 
Love it...

"So, Bamboo Ukulele then? Tell me about building with bamboo"

"no, they are not made from bamboo..."
 
Love it...

"So, Bamboo Ukulele then? Tell me about building with bamboo"

"no, they are not made from bamboo..."

Sorry, I deleted my post about "Bamboo Ukulele" from Argentina because it turned out the video was from Summer NAMM 2019 and somehow snuck through my search filter. For those who want to know what your joke is about, here's a link to that video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it8jAyQjnZc
 
Saturday morning viewer virtual gleanings...

VIDEO "At the KoAloha Booth at NAMM Ikaika and Keoni of Nā Hoa."
https://www.facebook.com/KoAlohaUkulele/videos/833846857081454/
KoAlohaNaHoa.jpg

VIDEO "Jason Arimoto of U-Space Ukulele stopped by the KoAloha Booth to give us Aloha.
Song: Gravity by John Mayer(Cover)"
https://www.facebook.com/KoAlohaUkulele/videos/851859158598164/
ArimotoNAMM2020.jpg

PHOTO https://www.facebook.com/gute.ukulele/posts/2690904707806093
Screen Shot 2020-01-18 at 8.42.10 AM.jpg

VIDEO "Ein kurzes Video der „small Tenor“ von Shinji Takahashi (Seilen), die ich gestern schon für meinen Shop bestellt habe."
https://www.facebook.com/andreas.david.3990/videos/vb.100014842784793/785755875262498/?type=3
GuteUkeTakahashi.jpg

PHOTO HMS is tryin', really really trying
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213161654389382&set=a.1333331986787&type=3&theater
Screen Shot 2020-01-18 at 8.38.53 AM.jpg

VIDEO Pepe Sr.
https://www.facebook.com/170745149690663/videos/165190544739904/
 
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Interesting that Kala is using the Graphtec Ratios on quite a few of their ukuleles. Hopefully Graphtec comes out with a "premium" version where they polish off the mould seams, say for an extra $2 or so.

I'd want UPTs on an Elite though.
 
Interesting that Kala is using the Graphtec Ratios on quite a few of their ukuleles. Hopefully Graphtec comes out with a "premium" version where they polish off the mould seams, say for an extra $2 or so.

I'd want UPTs on an Elite though.

And ensure they don't snap...
 
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