(I will post this on both Reddit and UU ukuleleunderground)
I've been researching for long time and narrowed down the candidates. But I'm hesitating between Pono and Opio. I would like to get your opinions to help me to make final decision.
I live in Beijing, China. It's very difficult to find a local shop to experience my desired Ukuleles. I have to buy online, either from China dealers or internationally.
My requirements
1. Budget: Up to $1000, not including any shipping fee or tax.
2. My level: Beginner. I'm currently using a cheap low quality Ukulele and I can't bear the quality .
3. Ukulele style: Low G, Tenor, all solid wood.
4. Tone style: Warm, full, deep, the more it's like the classical guitar, the better (this is not a must). I like classical guitar style much more than Hawaii style.
5. Tone wood: According to my preferred tone style, I think Acacia and Mahogany are better than others?
6. Playing style: Only fingerpicking, no strum. And I play Ukulele as if it's a classical guitar (though I didn't and will not play a classical guitar).
The candidates
My most preferred candidates are Opio KTO-10 and Pono ATD (or other Pono models). They are available from China dealers. I also considered The Rebel and Kanile'a Oha but I have to purchase them from either the US or Thailand (for The Rebel).
Pros and Cons of the candidates (not review, only the good/bad for me)
Opio KTO-10 (Acacia)
Pros:
I like the sound better. But maybe because the pre-built Low G string.
Wider nut and A to G space.
Cons:
It's not good sales in China. Very few dealers have it in stock, and they may have only 1 or 2 in stock so I'm not sure if I have the good luck to not to take a flawed one.
It costs 25% (the price from China dealers) more than Pono ATD. I'm not quite sensible with the price as long as it worth the price. But I will be happy if I can save money
Pono ATD (or MTD, or Pro Classic, or other models)
Pros:
Flashy looking (though I don't like the gloss finish).
It's pretty popular in China, it has good sales.
A lot of people say good to it.
Cons:
Narrow nut and A to G space. And thicker neck. But I think those parameters are similar to my current cheap Ukulele, so I may not have trouble with it.
The sound is less attractive to me, but I believe it will be better after using Low G string.
I would insert a question here, what the tone difference between the models? I read that Deluxe has much better tone than standard model (non-Deluxe), and Pro Classic is not much better than Deluxe, is that true? I prefer satin finish more than the gloss one in Deluxe models, but if the gloss models have much better tone than satin, I will go with gloss. To me, sound is more important than looking.
The Rebel and Kanile'a Oha. The biggest disadvantage is they are not available in China, I have to buy it from either HMS, or Mim, or Baan (for The Rebel). To my surprise, I've sent emails to those three shops, no one response, no one. I also don't like The Rebel has thin/slim body, and the model naming is super confusing. And if I buy from other country, it's almost impossible to have any custom service.
My biggest difficulty is that I can't see or play the Ukuleles. If I can do so, I will make the deal immediately. Also for the value under $1000, it's not worth that I travel for 2000 kilometer to the deals shop.
I hope you can give your opinions and help me to make final decision. I can't wait to meet my new Ukulele!
Thanks
I've been researching for long time and narrowed down the candidates. But I'm hesitating between Pono and Opio. I would like to get your opinions to help me to make final decision.
I live in Beijing, China. It's very difficult to find a local shop to experience my desired Ukuleles. I have to buy online, either from China dealers or internationally.
My requirements
1. Budget: Up to $1000, not including any shipping fee or tax.
2. My level: Beginner. I'm currently using a cheap low quality Ukulele and I can't bear the quality .
3. Ukulele style: Low G, Tenor, all solid wood.
4. Tone style: Warm, full, deep, the more it's like the classical guitar, the better (this is not a must). I like classical guitar style much more than Hawaii style.
5. Tone wood: According to my preferred tone style, I think Acacia and Mahogany are better than others?
6. Playing style: Only fingerpicking, no strum. And I play Ukulele as if it's a classical guitar (though I didn't and will not play a classical guitar).
The candidates
My most preferred candidates are Opio KTO-10 and Pono ATD (or other Pono models). They are available from China dealers. I also considered The Rebel and Kanile'a Oha but I have to purchase them from either the US or Thailand (for The Rebel).
Pros and Cons of the candidates (not review, only the good/bad for me)
Opio KTO-10 (Acacia)
Pros:
I like the sound better. But maybe because the pre-built Low G string.
Wider nut and A to G space.
Cons:
It's not good sales in China. Very few dealers have it in stock, and they may have only 1 or 2 in stock so I'm not sure if I have the good luck to not to take a flawed one.
It costs 25% (the price from China dealers) more than Pono ATD. I'm not quite sensible with the price as long as it worth the price. But I will be happy if I can save money
Pono ATD (or MTD, or Pro Classic, or other models)
Pros:
Flashy looking (though I don't like the gloss finish).
It's pretty popular in China, it has good sales.
A lot of people say good to it.
Cons:
Narrow nut and A to G space. And thicker neck. But I think those parameters are similar to my current cheap Ukulele, so I may not have trouble with it.
The sound is less attractive to me, but I believe it will be better after using Low G string.
I would insert a question here, what the tone difference between the models? I read that Deluxe has much better tone than standard model (non-Deluxe), and Pro Classic is not much better than Deluxe, is that true? I prefer satin finish more than the gloss one in Deluxe models, but if the gloss models have much better tone than satin, I will go with gloss. To me, sound is more important than looking.
The Rebel and Kanile'a Oha. The biggest disadvantage is they are not available in China, I have to buy it from either HMS, or Mim, or Baan (for The Rebel). To my surprise, I've sent emails to those three shops, no one response, no one. I also don't like The Rebel has thin/slim body, and the model naming is super confusing. And if I buy from other country, it's almost impossible to have any custom service.
My biggest difficulty is that I can't see or play the Ukuleles. If I can do so, I will make the deal immediately. Also for the value under $1000, it's not worth that I travel for 2000 kilometer to the deals shop.
I hope you can give your opinions and help me to make final decision. I can't wait to meet my new Ukulele!
Thanks
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