a green field
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2012
- Messages
- 168
- Reaction score
- 158
Hi all,
I thought I'd try my own review as a way to contribute to the community. Back in March I reached out to Matt at Noah ukuleles in Britain, following one of Baz's reviews for the same ukulele. I was in the mood for a soprano ukulele to primarily strum and fiddle with aimlessly, as I have primarily tenors and of course they generally sound different. Matt graciously worked out some shipping to the US (45 pounds on top of the base price), and the ukulele came within about a week. For other US residents just reach out for a quote, I think his larger instruments would cost more to ship.
I've copied over the specs here:
Body: Solid Mahogany body, back and sides, and Spruce top
Neck: Solid Maple neck
Nut/Saddle: Bone
Tuners: Available with either friction or geared tuners
Strings: Set up with Aquila strings
Nut width: 36mm
It also comes with a nicegig bag.
According to the website, this has a spruce top and mahogany back. Both of them look nice, although the back could perhaps have been matched a little better. However, for the price (especially in Britain) you have to be reasonable. It came with a small dent of some sort on the spruce top.
The binding and abalone rosette are tasteful, although a bit sloppy with some leeching of the black color into the top wood in a number of places throughout the instrument and around the rosette. It is noticeable but you'd have to be looking closely. Looking from a foot away I think it blends in and isn't too bothersome.
There are a couple other awkward finishing spots; there's some tiny space under the fretboard on the top side where it meets the body. I checked with Matt to see if this might be anything besides some gloss/finish gap and something structural, and he reassured me it was just finishing. There are also a couple thumbtack sized holes on the fretboard, and the fretmarkers on the top and side of the instrument are also a bit unevenly placed.
The final nitpicky thing to mention before I go to the sound of the instrument - the friction tuners are pretty finicky. Hard to tune the instrument. I imagine this is going to open up with time. I asked Matt if I ought to apply some graphite, and he said yes but give it some time to open up.
The instrument was set up well. Action is reasonable, very little buzzing to note on the C and E strings first few fret but I'll tinker with that. It may well just be weather as I didn't hear it a couple weeks ago.
Now to the sound - very punchy, as one would expect from the size and instrument. I don't think it's super bright, there's an element of warmth to it which may be because of the deeper pineapple body. It has been fun to idly strum in front of my computer or on my couch and just try out some new chords and progressions. I am going to switch the strings eventually as I am not a fan of Aquilas so open to suggestions.
Couple sound samples
Random strumming: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yh1bbg16uii1ocn/Random strumming.m4a?dl=0
Playing "The Ash Grove"
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4ec6t6126w9ru0/soprano Ash Grove.m4a?dl=0
Bottom line - I enjoy this instrument. I wish it was a bit neater, but I knew going in that the construction might be messy. I am mainly pointing out the flaws in the finishing to assist others who may care more about having flawless instruments. I think it's probably a better deal for UK folks or those with good exchange rates with the UK, but still a fun, punchy solid wood and luthier made instrument.
Bazmaz's review: https://www.gotaukulele.com/2020/03/noah-pineapple-soprano-ukulele-review.html
Buy at:
https://www.noahukuleles.com/product/noah-pineapple-soprano/
PS - I am not sure how to rotate the pictures so welcome input on that.
I thought I'd try my own review as a way to contribute to the community. Back in March I reached out to Matt at Noah ukuleles in Britain, following one of Baz's reviews for the same ukulele. I was in the mood for a soprano ukulele to primarily strum and fiddle with aimlessly, as I have primarily tenors and of course they generally sound different. Matt graciously worked out some shipping to the US (45 pounds on top of the base price), and the ukulele came within about a week. For other US residents just reach out for a quote, I think his larger instruments would cost more to ship.
I've copied over the specs here:
Body: Solid Mahogany body, back and sides, and Spruce top
Neck: Solid Maple neck
Nut/Saddle: Bone
Tuners: Available with either friction or geared tuners
Strings: Set up with Aquila strings
Nut width: 36mm
It also comes with a nicegig bag.
According to the website, this has a spruce top and mahogany back. Both of them look nice, although the back could perhaps have been matched a little better. However, for the price (especially in Britain) you have to be reasonable. It came with a small dent of some sort on the spruce top.
The binding and abalone rosette are tasteful, although a bit sloppy with some leeching of the black color into the top wood in a number of places throughout the instrument and around the rosette. It is noticeable but you'd have to be looking closely. Looking from a foot away I think it blends in and isn't too bothersome.
There are a couple other awkward finishing spots; there's some tiny space under the fretboard on the top side where it meets the body. I checked with Matt to see if this might be anything besides some gloss/finish gap and something structural, and he reassured me it was just finishing. There are also a couple thumbtack sized holes on the fretboard, and the fretmarkers on the top and side of the instrument are also a bit unevenly placed.
The final nitpicky thing to mention before I go to the sound of the instrument - the friction tuners are pretty finicky. Hard to tune the instrument. I imagine this is going to open up with time. I asked Matt if I ought to apply some graphite, and he said yes but give it some time to open up.
The instrument was set up well. Action is reasonable, very little buzzing to note on the C and E strings first few fret but I'll tinker with that. It may well just be weather as I didn't hear it a couple weeks ago.
Now to the sound - very punchy, as one would expect from the size and instrument. I don't think it's super bright, there's an element of warmth to it which may be because of the deeper pineapple body. It has been fun to idly strum in front of my computer or on my couch and just try out some new chords and progressions. I am going to switch the strings eventually as I am not a fan of Aquilas so open to suggestions.
Couple sound samples
Random strumming: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yh1bbg16uii1ocn/Random strumming.m4a?dl=0
Playing "The Ash Grove"
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4ec6t6126w9ru0/soprano Ash Grove.m4a?dl=0
Bottom line - I enjoy this instrument. I wish it was a bit neater, but I knew going in that the construction might be messy. I am mainly pointing out the flaws in the finishing to assist others who may care more about having flawless instruments. I think it's probably a better deal for UK folks or those with good exchange rates with the UK, but still a fun, punchy solid wood and luthier made instrument.
Bazmaz's review: https://www.gotaukulele.com/2020/03/noah-pineapple-soprano-ukulele-review.html
Buy at:
https://www.noahukuleles.com/product/noah-pineapple-soprano/
PS - I am not sure how to rotate the pictures so welcome input on that.