Review: Aklot Eight String Tenor Ukulele

This review has been out a week, but I had waited to post my review of the Ohana BKT-70G until hearing back from Ohana (there was an issue to clear up), so I postponed posting this review. I will be posting this week's review tomorrow (a day or two late).

It's an exceptional value and a well made ukulele. Less than $70 for an eight string? Amazing.

Full UkeGuide Review (skip to chapters that interest you) and the One Minute Ukulele Review linked below.

Thanks I agree that it sounds nice am pleasantly surprised that it seems to be well intonated, which is not what I would expect at this price.

A 4-string tenor, tuned C with low G is G3 C4 E4 A4 where C4 is middle C on a piano.

An 8-string tenor, tuned C is generaly tuned G3G4 C3C4 E4E4 A4A4. Thus, this 8-string tuning has three additional high strings (G4, E4, A4),but only one additional low string (C3).

RESULT: The usual 8-string uke tuning yields a raucous, tinny sounding instrument (to my ears).

QUESTION: Has anyone tried G3G3 C3C4 E4E4 A4A4? It is waaaay better balanced (to my ears).

bellgamin said:

A 4-string tenor, tuned C with low G is G3 C4 E4 A4 where C4 is middle C on a piano.

An 8-string tenor, tuned C is generaly tuned G3G4 C3C4 E4E4 A4A4. Thus, this 8-string tuning has three additional high strings (G4, E4, A4),but only one additional low string (C3).

RESULT: The usual 8-string uke tuning yields a raucous, tinny sounding instrument (to my ears).

QUESTION: Has anyone tried G3G3 C3C4 E4E4 A4A4? It is waaaay better balanced (to my ears).

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I'm not really an "alternative tuning" person.

However, I did want to clarify...I own 4 instruments with tenor neck eight strings, from 4 different manufacturers. The tuning is different on all than your list.

The Baton Rouge Sun, Aklot, and Ortega Hyrda are tuned G4G3 C5C4 E4E4 A4A4

The new Kmise model is tuned G3G4 C4C5 E4E4 A4A4 (flipping the G and C strings).

I'm pretty sure the Kmise string order isn't "officially" correct, but the eight strings I own have both Low and High G, an extra C string tuned an octave higher, and an extra E and A string. The Ortega came from Uke Republic, and I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing.

It does create a bright, shimmering sound that would be unusual.

I also own an Ohana Taropatch where there are four courses of unison strings G4G4 C4C4 E4E4 A4A4 which would get you pretty close...but there is definitely a chorus effect as the strings are never perfectly in tune (or don't stay there equally).

So g4 implies that taropatch is re-entrant or not?

For an 8 string the low G should be the lowest string and a high c be added as octave. Usually for the g and c strings the high string comes first so that on down strums it is not missed but played before the lower string.

merlin666 said:

So g4 implies that taropatch is re-entrant or not?

For an 8 string the low G should be the lowest string and a high c be added as octave. Usually for the g and c strings the high string comes first so that on down strums it is not missed but played before the lower string.

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Yes...taropatch—in my studies—is generally reentrant tuning.

Choirguy said:

...The Baton Rouge Sun, Aklot, and Ortega Hyrda are tuned G4G3 C5C4 E4E4 A4A4 ...

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C5? So all strings are in 4th & 5th octaves except for that one lonely G3. It might go good with bluegrass but -- in a softly-lit cocktail lounge? It's begging for "the hook" or, at best, a 1-night stand, in my opinion. However, "Each to his own tastes," as the bearded lady said when she kissed the goat.

I own this model and absolutely love it. Could not recommend it highly enough. Also hello the raven bridge. A Voran for a Voran (my name means raven)

What string would you use for C3? That's the C below middle C on the piano.

keenonuke said:

What string would you use for C3? That's the C below middle C on the piano.

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My vocal cords. Too lazy to figure out where to get a string that heavy for a uke.

keenonuke said:

What string would you use for C3? That's the C below middle C on the piano.

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In GCEA “standard” eight string tuning, the lowest note is the G below middle C. There is no C on the instrument below that, unless you do some other kind of string and tuning.

Do they make a baritone model? I have a wonderful tenor 8 already and am looking to move up!