Suggestion on Next Ukulele Size?

[clear]

It might be like a Taylor vs Martin comparison. And I prefer Taylor over Martin

If you like the Taylor's more modern/brighter sound, then you really should try a Kamaka. You should also try KoAlohoas, which are crystal-breaking bright sounding ukuleles.

A better Taylor vs Martin comparison might be KoAloha vs Kamaka. In many ways, I think, when comparing Kamaka and Kanile'a, the Kamaka is the Taylor while Kanile'a has the Martin-type sound.

[clear]

Oh, BTW, I also prefer Taylor guitars over Martins; and I only own Taylor acoustic guitars. Overall, if you like the Taylor sound, then you are in luck because their guitars are just ever so slightly cheaper than Martin street prices. BUT, Taylors don't hold their values as well as Martins (a casualty of innovation, ok, some would call "dubious innovation", but nonetheless, old Taylors don't hold value as well as Martins, even 3-year old Taylors pre-V-class bracing drops vs V-class).

Come to think of it, Kamakas do hold their values better than Kanile'a; of course, Kamaka is an older company than Kanile'a (or any other uke maker). So, maybe there's something other than sonic qualities that relates to Kamaka being compared to Martin. (I think that's an honor for Kamaka.)

[MarkF786]

Truth be told, I’ll probably stick with Kanile’a for my small growing collection. I already have 21 other stringed instruments, a piano, an organ, six synths, and various wind instruments :-/ And that’s after downsizing. I think 3 good ukes will fill my need.

[rafter]

Oh, BTW, I also prefer Taylor guitars over Martins; and I only own Taylor acoustic guitars. Overall, if you like the Taylor sound, then you are in luck because their guitars are just ever so slightly cheaper than Martin street prices. BUT, Taylors don't hold their values as well as Martins (a casualty of innovation, ok, some would call "dubious innovation", but nonetheless, old Taylors don't hold value as well as Martins, even 3-year old Taylors pre-V-class bracing drops vs V-class).

Come to think of it, Kamakas do hold their values better than Kanile'a; of course, Kamaka is an older company than Kanile'a (or any other uke maker). So, maybe there's something other than sonic qualities that relates to Kamaka being compared to Martin. (I think that's an honor for Kamaka.)

In my mind Kamaka sooner equates with Martin than Taylor. For me Taylor is more of a split between Kanile'a (production) and KoAloha (bright sound/easy playability). The only reason I don't think of Kamaka as the Martin of ukuleles is because Martin already makes ukes.

This makes me a bit curious, I wonder how much the distinct characteristics of guitar companies are put into all their instruments. Martin ukes tend to sound alike, but I'm not sure they make me think of Martin guitars. If Taylor made ukes (I know they made a few) would they be bright and easy to play? Do Collings ukes have the same characteristics as Collings guitars? Breedlove? Gretch? Gibson? Larrivee? Seems to me for at least some of these manufacturers, the ukes aren't similar at all to the guitars. I've heard there's a tendency for guitar makers to overbuild their ukes.

Going the other way, I wonder if Pono, Anuenue, and Islander guitars sound like their ukes. I believe Kamaka once made guitars--that would be interesting to hear. Sorry, that's me on a tangent, unrelated to what size or brand MarkF786 should go to.

[Jerome collector]

I believe Kamaka once made guitars--that would be interesting to hear. Sorry, that's me on a tangent, unrelated to what size or brand MarkF786 should go to.

Taking this thread a bit further afield, and following up on rafter's comment that it would be interesting to hear a Kamaka guitar, anyone with similar curiosity should visit the Ukulele Friends museum webpage. It has sound samples of at least two Kamaka guitars. If you haven't visited the website, it's a showcase for some absolutely amazing ukuleles and guitars.