HELP! Your thoughts on Lanikai LKP-C Koa Concert Pack?

robynlihau

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Aloha UU Ohana,

Help! I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the Uke I am evaluating (45 day return period from Musicians Friend), and what other brands/models I should consider in the less than $200 range.

I'm a long time guitar strummer - and a beginner at Hawaiian Slack Key - just picking up the Ukulele. I play Taylor guitars, but am not quite ready to make the investment in an equivalent quality Uke.

After a 48hr search online (and recommendation from Drew at Lanikai) I decided to order the Lanikai LKP-C Koa Concert Ukulele Pack:
http://folk-instruments.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lanikai-LKPC-Koa-Concert-Ukulele-Pack?sku=423850

It's a beauty on the surface. Love the paua inlay. Seems to have a nice clear sound (nothing to compare it to, though). Easy to play - string action seems good. Has a lot of MINOR flaws in workmanship: 4-5 bubbles in mate finish; two dents in Koa; inner sound hole a bit rough (fuzzy edge to wood); visible seams in binding; small spot of discoloration on sound board. The fret edges are smooth, no buzzing, harmonics seem true.

Just wondering if I should seriously consider other models, and/or makes in the next 45 days. And would appreciate suggestions on where to go to try some locally in north bay (Napa area) of San Francisco.

Mahalo nui loa for your kokua,

Robyn Lihau`ihilani
 
Aloha Robyn,
E Komo Mai .....glad to have you aboard!!! congrats on the new purchase of the Lanikai...If you ordered it already, then just see how it goes first....Im sure you're
just as excited to receivce your new uke..You can never tell until the first strum with ukes...there are so many variables that make each one so individual in it's
voicing, one drawback buy sight unseen. If it doesn't work out, then you can decide then. Good Luck!! and Have fun and Enjoy!!!!"Keep strumming them strings"
A Hui Ho.....MM Stan..
 
Am I expecting too much from this level uke?

I noticed glue on the inside - not big, not globs - in the notched bracking around the back. I've never seen glue before in my guitars. I noticed the neck is made from 3 pieces of wood - can that be a problem? Am I expecting too much from a $159.00 ukulele set? What else for I look for to measure signs of quality or poor quality?
 
I do have it "in hand" - and yes, drawback is no basis for comparison. Made some calls and I'll have to go visit local music stores who mostly stock $60 models -- see if mine looks/sounds better to me than those. If so, I guess I can declare myself satisfied. Any suggestions on what to look for / test in a new Uke, or how to test for things like tone and sustain, would be appreciated! Thanks for the welcome. R Lihau
 
Happy with my Lanikai LKP-C Koa Concert

And so I took my Uke into the local Guitar Center (Berkeley) and the Guitar/Uke specialist looked it over, and played it (he made it RING!). He said it was a really nice ukulele - well made, good sound, good action. Better than anything he had in stock. He'd never seen this Lani Kai model, though GC sells it online. It made me feel better.

I played some less expensive and more expensive than mine, and came away satisfied that I like mine best. Later, at home, I was practicing and I found the "Sweet Spot" to make it ring. Nice.

So now I can relax, and let go of my beginners anxiety, and my un-needed "anticipitory buyer's remorse" because I hadn't yet compared it to anything else. That's the draw back of buying online.

Both me and the guy at Guitar Center would recommend this little uke and the Lani Kai concert pack.
 
Aloha robynlihau....glad you are now happy with your uke and are all ready to start playing and having fun!! Yes, I have read a lot of really good things about Lanikai ukes and on the UU there is quite a following!!!
Any chance you can post some pictures of your uke??
 
And so I took my Uke into the local Guitar Center (Berkeley) and the Guitar/Uke specialist looked it over, and played it (he made it RING!). He said it was a really nice ukulele - well made, good sound, good action. Better than anything he had in stock. He'd never seen this Lani Kai model, though GC sells it online. It made me feel better.

I played some less expensive and more expensive than mine, and came away satisfied that I like mine best. Later, at home, I was practicing and I found the "Sweet Spot" to make it ring. Nice.

So now I can relax, and let go of my beginners anxiety, and my un-needed "anticipitory buyer's remorse" because I hadn't yet compared it to anything else. That's the draw back of buying online.

Both me and the guy at Guitar Center would recommend this little uke and the Lani Kai concert pack.

Aloha Robyn,
You found the sweet spot for tuning or strumming??? Have fun and enjoy....MM Stan..
 
Hi Robyn,

They had this set at Costco in Hawaii for $100. I took a chance and bought it but it was unplayable to me. I returned it and bought a Leolani set from Sam's Club instead.

However, this may have just been the uke I picked up. Perhaps the setup on it was bad. Good luck with your uke. I remember it was a beautiful uke to look at!
 
Hi Robyn,

They had this set at Costco in Hawaii for $100. I took a chance and bought it but it was unplayable to me. I returned it and bought a Leolani set from Sam's Club instead.

However, this may have just been the uke I picked up. Perhaps the setup on it was bad. Good luck with your uke. I remember it was a beautiful uke to look at!

Your Sams and costco sell ukes! How frickin cool! Wish mine did here in Normal, IL
 
Hi Robyn,

They had this set at Costco in Hawaii for $100. I took a chance and bought it but it was unplayable to me. I returned it and bought a Leolani set from Sam's Club instead.

However, this may have just been the uke I picked up. Perhaps the setup on it was bad. Good luck with your uke. I remember it was a beautiful uke to look at!

I bought a Leolani tenor 4stringer mahogany laaminate that sounds pretty good about 2 1/2 ago also..it came with a hard foam nylon zip case tuner Nylgut strings and
and extra set for...get this..$89.00 ...can't go wrong with this, the case tuner and strings would be close to that....MM Stan...
 
I bought a Leolani tenor 4stringer mahogany laaminate that sounds pretty good about 2 1/2 ago also..it came with a hard foam nylon zip case tuner Nylgut strings and
and extra set for...get this..$89.00 ...can't go wrong with this, the case tuner and strings would be close to that....MM Stan...

LOL, we got the same uke package! I do have to admit that it sounds pretty good. When you deduct the extra strings, case, etc. I think the uke itself was only about $60. I like the Leolani string spacing too. Its not like most of the Chinese made ukes where the strings are closer together at the bridge.
 
Yessss!

And so I took my Uke into the local Guitar Center (Berkeley) and the Guitar/Uke specialist looked it over, and played it (he made it RING!). He said it was a really nice ukulele - well made, good sound, good action. Better than anything he had in stock. He'd never seen this Lani Kai model, though GC sells it online. It made me feel better.

I played some less expensive and more expensive than mine, and came away satisfied that I like mine best. Later, at home, I was practicing and I found the "Sweet Spot" to make it ring. Nice.

So now I can relax, and let go of my beginners anxiety, and my un-needed "anticipitory buyer's remorse" because I hadn't yet compared it to anything else. That's the draw back of buying online.

Both me and the guy at Guitar Center would recommend this little uke and the Lani Kai concert pack.

Mahalo, Robin! I have been researching for the last several days, and found your thread that answered all of the questions I had about this uke pack! I am finally excited to place my order...

Blessings to you ~
Gina :D
 
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