Ukulele Related News from NAMM 2020

Pepe Romero showing his Romero Creations line. They are now making a special order "Model X" line with upgraded figured Hawaiian Koa and Gotoh Planetary tuners. He also explains that his steel string mini guitars come with his typical reversed fan bracing instead of an X bracing. Then there is an all laminate version of the ST Concert for $169 USD.


https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/videos/208543030306455/
 
Mike from Uke Republic taking a closer look at the Lava U, clearing up that it is a composite carbon fiber mix. Moreover, there is a look at what they call the "Space Case":


https://www.facebook.com/UkeRepublic/videos/314195986187895/


Hmmmm........so this is really more like the carbon Outdoor Ukulele, not the Klos. And I wonder what exactly is meant by an "HPL" neck"? Though whatever it is, it does appear to have metal frets, which is good. Hate the silly case, and their weird single strap button system. And I would think you'd have a hard time finding a big bag to fit that unconventional shape. But I love the colors, and it does look like fun.
 
I’m with Baz another fender Uke meh....... they may be nice? Yes, some people will buy! What is missing in discussion - laminate. I assume so. Also, tuners, look like Kluson , stamped tuners. Ok , they work. But most important, how do they sound!!! I guess I will have to wait util July to see if local music store has a few and how they sound. Nothing new here but good luck.

You kind have to look the other way. I can guarantee you that when I was 10 years old, I would have picked one of these Fenders over a Kamaka any day of the week, no matter how meh they sound. They know their market and it's not us.
 
My issue with just trying out the Graphtechs ( I have tried them, but on somebody else's uke - I mean fitting them to my own) is that they require screw holes drilling. If they failed I'm left with screw holes that will be on show.

I agree. I've looked at these (loose, not installed) and they felt sturdy, but I find the part where they screw in very ugly. And if you had them and wanted to upgrade to something like Gotoh UPTs, you'd be left with screw holes to try to fill in.
 
My issue with the Fenders is strangely not how they look ( though I think they are hideous), but more to do with the laziness.

Fender have yet, in my experience, to put out anything other than mediocre ukuleles that fall flat. ......

Years ago, the great luthier Joel Eckhaus made some Tele and Les Paul styled ukes that were well built and that people loved. Not sure how many he built.

http://www.earnestinstruments.com/ukuleles/
 
Thanks for posting. A lot of the pictures appear to be duplicates. I guess you took multiple shots from the same position?

Strange, sorry about that. In my flicker app, it’s sorted by time stamp and with thumbnails so it’s in logical order. I’ll check and try to fix it. thanks
 
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