bynapkinart
Well-known member
Ever since I got my concert, all the little things about my LU21 have really been driving me nuts. My concert is absolutely perfect for me: great looks, great playability, amazing tone, and most importantly it feels and sounds like a professional's instrument.
I don't need the premium version of anything, but I'll be the first to admit that I don't do well with beginner instruments. This one is particularly mediocre:
1) Sterile. The thing seems dead. Oh, and quiet compared to my concert.
2) Awful, awful, horrible tuners. Doesn't stay in tune at all.
3) When it is in tune, intonation problems are off the scale.
4) Strings jump out of the nut slots at every opportunity.
5) Ugly and uninspiring.
I can't return the thing because I bought it for a really good price, I need a tenor, I need one that I don't care too much about, but I want to be able to play it. All of these issues can be fixed!
1) We'll see how sterile it is after the rest of these issues are addressed.
2) I'll be getting a good set of friction tuners, similar to the ones that come on KoAlohas (with the large adjustment screw). $30, and I'm sure I'll need to put them on another uke in the future if this one doesn't pan out too well. I know there's a debate about geared vs. friction tuners, but I prefer the look and they can hold great tune if they're tight enough.
3) and 4) I'm ordering a Tusq nut, and I will make sure it is slotted and installed properly so that these issues are resolved. The action is fine, so I think the intonation issue is mainly a string/nut issue, but I may also order a saddle.
5) I'm going to polish it. Hey, it's nato, I'm sure it won't look great when it's all dressed up. It will look a little classier though, hopefully...and maybe knocking some of the finish off will help open it up.
Any suggestions for me before I order all of this? Despite all of its faults it would be nice to have a tenor around, so I'm definitely keeping it (at least until I get a different tenor, then it'll be gifted to my nephew). Can anyone think of something I missed?
I don't need the premium version of anything, but I'll be the first to admit that I don't do well with beginner instruments. This one is particularly mediocre:
1) Sterile. The thing seems dead. Oh, and quiet compared to my concert.
2) Awful, awful, horrible tuners. Doesn't stay in tune at all.
3) When it is in tune, intonation problems are off the scale.
4) Strings jump out of the nut slots at every opportunity.
5) Ugly and uninspiring.
I can't return the thing because I bought it for a really good price, I need a tenor, I need one that I don't care too much about, but I want to be able to play it. All of these issues can be fixed!
1) We'll see how sterile it is after the rest of these issues are addressed.
2) I'll be getting a good set of friction tuners, similar to the ones that come on KoAlohas (with the large adjustment screw). $30, and I'm sure I'll need to put them on another uke in the future if this one doesn't pan out too well. I know there's a debate about geared vs. friction tuners, but I prefer the look and they can hold great tune if they're tight enough.
3) and 4) I'm ordering a Tusq nut, and I will make sure it is slotted and installed properly so that these issues are resolved. The action is fine, so I think the intonation issue is mainly a string/nut issue, but I may also order a saddle.
5) I'm going to polish it. Hey, it's nato, I'm sure it won't look great when it's all dressed up. It will look a little classier though, hopefully...and maybe knocking some of the finish off will help open it up.
Any suggestions for me before I order all of this? Despite all of its faults it would be nice to have a tenor around, so I'm definitely keeping it (at least until I get a different tenor, then it'll be gifted to my nephew). Can anyone think of something I missed?