Review: Aiersi SU-021B Soprano Ukulele

UkeStuff

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These little sopranos have been on eBay for $22 for some time, and have occasionally dipped to $18. Most have shipped with excellent action and sharp fret ends.

If you're looking for ukuleles to give away as starter ukuleles, or to donate to a community library...you may not find a more affordable way to get people playing.

I think about how Kala has cheapened the KA series (often without notched kerfing, and I have even heard that some are shipping without kerfing), or Ohana using straight kerfing as a cost saving measure (on ukuleles that cost more than five times as much)...yet Aiersi is building these in a traditional way.

I still like the Pineapple Soprano a little better...but for $22???

Full UkeGuide Review: https://youtu.be/KG4jCSTiK9s

One Minute Ukulele Review: https://youtu.be/WE5Hzf4fy1A
 
These little sopranos have been on eBay for $22 for some time, and have occasionally dipped to $18. Most have shipped with excellent action and sharp fret ends.

If you're looking for ukuleles to give away as starter ukuleles, or to donate to a community library...you may not find a more affordable way to get people playing.

I think about how Kala has cheapened the KA series (often without notched kerfing, and I have even heard that some are shipping without kerfing), or Ohana using straight kerfing as a cost saving measure (on ukuleles that cost more than five times as much)...yet Aiersi is building these in a traditional way.

I still like the Pineapple Soprano a little better...but for $22???

Full UkeGuide Review: https://youtu.be/KG4jCSTiK9s

One Minute Ukulele Review: https://youtu.be/WE5Hzf4fy1A

Thanks for the review which I enjoyed listening to.

A while back I bought a laminate Concert Uke with a well known name on the headstock, it was a great disappointment and I thought it was perhaps a fake. It got binned, I couldn’t in all conscience sell it to anyone else. So perhaps some models by well known names are no longer comparable with their older/original versions.

To me straight kerfing isn’t necessarily an issue. It is a traditional way of doing things and if it was properly pre-shaped (like the sides) then it fits and completes its purpose.

I also very much like the Martin M600’s and have fitted them to many Ukes. Aquila’s as supplied on made in China instruments are not necessarily the genuine item and so devalue that brand. I’m not really a fan of New Nylgut strings - though they were once a big step forward over Nylon - but I quite like genuine Super Nylgut strings, for some Ukes they’re actually quite a good match and I have a couple of packets ready in my spares box.

Maybe I’m a cynic but these days I really question what the name on a headstock really tells me about an instrument’s origin and quality. Yes the name is a guide but it can be little more than a badge applied to whatever some brand has bought in for resale. Of course high end Ukes have a better and more justified reputation, but at the lower end of the market I’ve got my doubts. I’ve got some nice playing and inexpensive Ukes but at the end of the day they weren’t made by the name on the headstock - QA and repeatability can be variable.
 
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