Ukulele Related News from NAMM 2020

Rakelele

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This year's NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in Anaheim will be held from January 16 - 19 in the Anaheim Convention Center. This is the biggest occasion for musical instrument makers to present their plans and ideas for new models they want to introduce.

As in other years, I thought it would be useful to gather all information about new ukulele models and uke related stuff (pickups, strings, tuners, etc.) in this thread.

So if you have a chance to visit the show, please post your pictures, videos and impressions in this thread.

Those of us who cannot be there in person can still contribute to this thread by posting any ukulele related news from NAMM they find on social media. Or just tell everyone what you find most interesting.

I have found several teasers on Instagram already, so I figured I might as well go ahead and get this thread started early this year. Looking forward to your findings!
 
First thing that gets me excited: Pepe Romero is presenting his Baritone 6 string and DHO6 guilele in a steel string version:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7G1g6bAZ6j/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ASdpog1tO/

Sounds great in this short video:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CNRfjgoA7/

Damn Rainer.........you just had to show the Pepe steel string guilele.;)

I look forward to you starting this thread every year. I really appreciate the contribution this makes to our community . In other words you help to create a lot of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) in so many members here
 
I'll be going to NAMM on Sunday all day. First I plan on roaming the lower section that has most of the ukulele booths, then the main floor giant room from front to back. I'll be riding my handicap standup scooter like I did last year. Will post as much as I can.


This is Michael Kohan in Los Angeles, Beverly West near the Beverly Center
9 tenor cutaway ukes, 6 acoustic bass ukes, 12 solid body bass ukes, 14 mini electric bass guitars (Total: 41)

• Donate to The Ukulele Kids Club, they provide ukuleles to children in hospital music therapy programs. www.theukc.org
• Member The CC Strummers: YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CCStrummers/video, Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCCStrummers
 
I'm hoping that someone going can find out more about the KoAloha Silver line instruments that have been teased on their Instagram.

(For those who aren't aware, this year is KoAloha's 25th anniversary, thus "silver.")
 
Kanilea will certainly show their new for 2020 Platinum model, that has already been discussed on this forum:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ULrmuHJkx/

Moreover, they are adding the pineapple shaped tenor they used for last year's Platinum model to their regular lineup of K1, making it more affordable, but also lacking the side sound port, beveled armrest, slotted headstock, etc.:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7HuL0xHZZJ/

According to Kanilea, they have shipped out the first ones of this model to Uke Republic and Aloha City Ukes. One of them has already been spotted on for sale on eBay, showing pictures of the headstock, etc.:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kanilea-Te...668636?hash=item4b719d1adc:g:JsQAAOSw7eleC6yS
 
Kala is presenting a new Bamboo line of ukes, featuring a natural "blonde" appearance and a slotted headstock, no word yet if they are going to be all solid wood:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7RhJDGFdsU/

The lineup of three different sized Bamboo ukes can be seen at the bottom of the following picture:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7IKlM6g-s7/

According to Kala, the tenor will go for $149.99 USD.
 
I just ordered an Aklot bamboo tenor uke from China via eBay for $65 that looks exactly like the Kala, which convinces me that Kala has done what most all uke distributors do, take what the Chinese manufacturers offer and have their name put on. When I go to NAMM, it's the most common way business is done with Chinese manufacturers.

I wonder if the traditional term "solid" can be applied to bamboo, it's always pieced together side-by-side since a single piece is not very wide, and is it deep enough not to need some kind of backing?

Aklot bamboo orig.jpg



This is Michael Kohan in Los Angeles, Beverly West near the Beverly Center
9 tenor cutaway ukes, 6 acoustic bass ukes, 12 solid body bass ukes, 14 mini electric bass guitars (Total: 41)

• Donate to The Ukulele Kids Club, they provide ukuleles to children in hospital music therapy programs. www.theukc.org
• Member The CC Strummers: YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CCStrummers/video, Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCCStrummers
 
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Just to be cheeky, i think Sigma will be releasing a copy of the GS Mini guitar. Love to know if it is any good. The GS mini is a wonderful instrument but way out of my price range even second hand so looking for a good copy

As above, wouldnt suprise me if made on same line as taylor gs mini but with different stamp

Edit - this post was originally a comment that different brands could have different Quality control in the same factory but realised i was talking from ignorance:)
 
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A friend who was on a religious mission to China bought a Sigma D-18 from the factory showroom. Said the quality of play was indistinguishable from the newer Martins he's sampled.
 
I wonder if the traditional term "solid" can be applied to bamboo, it's always pieced together side-by-side since a single piece is not very wide, and is it deep enough not to need some kind of backing?

Often thought that myself - and I would say 'not' - ie it can't be solid in the traditional sense - it is built up from many strips of bamboo. Incidentally, Kala announced this on their Facebook page and they ARE calling it 'all solid'.
 
A friend who was on a religious mission to China bought a Sigma D-18 from the factory showroom. Said the quality of play was indistinguishable from the newer Martins he's sampled.


The Sigma ukes are certainly comparable to the Mexican made Martin ukes. In fact, indistinguishable also! Stands to certain reason as the Sigma models are all built using Martin build plans I believe
 
Often thought that myself - and I would say 'not' - ie it can't be solid in the traditional sense - it is built up from many strips of bamboo. Incidentally, Kala announced this on their Facebook page and they ARE calling it 'all solid'.
Yeah, I think that is deceptive at best. But it's also pretty obvious. Anybody buying "solid bamboo" should know what they're getting. I'm not saying it can't make a well playing and sounding uke, but nobody should be fooled into thinking "solid bamboo" means remotely the same thing as "solid koa" (or mahogany or spruce or mango, etc.)
 
Interested in the whole Bamboo thing. My take on solid bamboo is real strips, glued together. Yes, different from solid wood in traditional sense but different from a laminate which is layers of different wood and different directions of the grains. Also, not simple a pattern like HPL. I like idea. Curious to hear more sound samples and comments on both Aklot and the new Kalas. I would expect HMS to do a pretty good sound sample of the bamboo, if they like the product. Can’t wait for the video in the booth sure to be coming by HMS and others.
 
As every year, some new brands are trying to enter the ukulele market with a booth at NAMM, some more original than others who just bulk order from China with their name slapped on the headstock. Here are a couple new ones that I've spotted so far:

Orangewood guitars with a lineup of five different ukulele models:

https://orangewoodguitars.com/collections/marina-collection

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7G7MO1nuyl/

"Hawaiian Ukulele & Guitar" (or short: "HUG") is a company from the Big Island launching a line of ukes:

https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2019/exhibitor-news/hug-ukulele-exotic-mango-wood-series

https://hugukulele.com/
 
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