So, a few weeks back I noticed that SUS had listed three aNueNue Moon Birds, one of each scale. I've always been intrigued by aNueNue, especially since they're so hard to come by even in uke shops that sell more high-end stuff. The tenor and concert models were sold out quickly but the soprano remained, and since I primarily play soprano I thought here's my chance.
I did have some reservations though. The brand was completely new to me, far Eastern and Chinese-made, a non-traditional shape for a soprano ukulele, and most of all I'm not the biggest fan of spruce as a tonewood because of the brightness of the sound it produces. I had researched that the rosewood body of the Moon Bird supposedly complements the bright spruce sound, and most importantly this might be one of the very few chances to get an aNueNue since the only retailers for them in Europe are in the UK and Brexit is imminent. So I went for it.
And let me be honest, it's hard for me to even imagine a more high-quality factory-made ukulele (well, maybe apart from the even more expensive aNueNues ). This thing is simply impeccable. I have a Kiwaya KTS-7 which cost me the exact same amount of money, but the Moon Bird just feels more high-class. The gloss finish, the silky smooth planetary tuners, the extremely comfortable neck (which funnily enough seems almost identical to the Kiwaya), even the smell... it smells sweet, literally! And the sound? Well, let's just say my research was spot on. The Moon Bird probably has the fullest sound out of all of my sopranos. Highs, mids and lows are all represented brilliantly, and the bright spruce top is far from overwhelming.
The only niggles I have is the pattern on the ebony fretboard which messes the fret markers a bit (you might be able to see it in the photos) and the surprisingly chunky fretboard which is exacerbated further by the fairly large frets, similar to a KoAloha. Not that it's a massive issue, just something to get used to. Also, the strings it came with feel quite high friction, so while they sound good I might be changing those out (any string suggestions?).
Sorry, this post has almost turned into a review. I'm just so overwhelmed about the incredible quality of this thing. Definitely no regrets.
I did have some reservations though. The brand was completely new to me, far Eastern and Chinese-made, a non-traditional shape for a soprano ukulele, and most of all I'm not the biggest fan of spruce as a tonewood because of the brightness of the sound it produces. I had researched that the rosewood body of the Moon Bird supposedly complements the bright spruce sound, and most importantly this might be one of the very few chances to get an aNueNue since the only retailers for them in Europe are in the UK and Brexit is imminent. So I went for it.
And let me be honest, it's hard for me to even imagine a more high-quality factory-made ukulele (well, maybe apart from the even more expensive aNueNues ). This thing is simply impeccable. I have a Kiwaya KTS-7 which cost me the exact same amount of money, but the Moon Bird just feels more high-class. The gloss finish, the silky smooth planetary tuners, the extremely comfortable neck (which funnily enough seems almost identical to the Kiwaya), even the smell... it smells sweet, literally! And the sound? Well, let's just say my research was spot on. The Moon Bird probably has the fullest sound out of all of my sopranos. Highs, mids and lows are all represented brilliantly, and the bright spruce top is far from overwhelming.
The only niggles I have is the pattern on the ebony fretboard which messes the fret markers a bit (you might be able to see it in the photos) and the surprisingly chunky fretboard which is exacerbated further by the fairly large frets, similar to a KoAloha. Not that it's a massive issue, just something to get used to. Also, the strings it came with feel quite high friction, so while they sound good I might be changing those out (any string suggestions?).
Sorry, this post has almost turned into a review. I'm just so overwhelmed about the incredible quality of this thing. Definitely no regrets.