Kmetzger
Well-known member
I own two Moore Bettah ukuleles, neither of which I felt comfortable to take to a tropical beach resort we're vacationing at in April. So thought it was time to try and find something that would be pleasing to play and hear, but at a price that wouldn't bother me if the uke got completely trashed or even stolen. I didn't have high hopes as I began this search, because I've never heard an inexpensive uke that made me want to play it.
So imagine my surprise when I happened upon a $219 ukulele from Gretsch that is *solid* mahogany and sounded (at least in the videos on line) really good. Good sustain, full and deep sound. Not what you'd expect for $219 or even three or four times that price. I first heard it played by one of the guys at Hawaii Music Supply at the following link: http://vimeo.com/51815414 (This uke won Hawaii Music Supply's best in show at the 2012 NAMM.)
I went to a local music store here in Northern California to play one. They had it priced at $279. It sounded surprisingly good - perhaps better than what I could hear from the video. Playability was a little funky - kept feeling my hands getting caught on the fret edges. But I went ahead and ordered it from Hawaii Music Supply not only because their price was less (I think it totaled $239 with 2-day shipping, gig bag and humidifier) but because they have a great reputation for setup.
It arrived yesterday. Asked them to set it up with a Fremont Soloist low G and Worth heavy clears. It had been set up expertly - good action. (And they're not charging you for the time to do that - which is something most local music stores are not going to do at all.) Frets had been smoothed. Plays really nice. Good overall intonation, descent sustain and pretty full sound.
Now I'm *not* saying it comes anywhere near approaching my Moore Bettahs. But certainly good enough. And if you're considering something at a price point under $1,000, I'd suggest you consider this ukulele. (Btw…there is also a different model 9120 with a laminated top, which I am *not* recommending. So make sure you're looking at the 9120 followed by the letters "SM" - for solid mahogany).
Here is the link to the ukulele on Hawaii Music Supply's web site (which happens to be sold out at the moment): http://www.theukulelesite.com/gretsch-solid-mahogany-tenor-ukulele-pack-9120-sm.html
Keith
So imagine my surprise when I happened upon a $219 ukulele from Gretsch that is *solid* mahogany and sounded (at least in the videos on line) really good. Good sustain, full and deep sound. Not what you'd expect for $219 or even three or four times that price. I first heard it played by one of the guys at Hawaii Music Supply at the following link: http://vimeo.com/51815414 (This uke won Hawaii Music Supply's best in show at the 2012 NAMM.)
I went to a local music store here in Northern California to play one. They had it priced at $279. It sounded surprisingly good - perhaps better than what I could hear from the video. Playability was a little funky - kept feeling my hands getting caught on the fret edges. But I went ahead and ordered it from Hawaii Music Supply not only because their price was less (I think it totaled $239 with 2-day shipping, gig bag and humidifier) but because they have a great reputation for setup.
It arrived yesterday. Asked them to set it up with a Fremont Soloist low G and Worth heavy clears. It had been set up expertly - good action. (And they're not charging you for the time to do that - which is something most local music stores are not going to do at all.) Frets had been smoothed. Plays really nice. Good overall intonation, descent sustain and pretty full sound.
Now I'm *not* saying it comes anywhere near approaching my Moore Bettahs. But certainly good enough. And if you're considering something at a price point under $1,000, I'd suggest you consider this ukulele. (Btw…there is also a different model 9120 with a laminated top, which I am *not* recommending. So make sure you're looking at the 9120 followed by the letters "SM" - for solid mahogany).
Here is the link to the ukulele on Hawaii Music Supply's web site (which happens to be sold out at the moment): http://www.theukulelesite.com/gretsch-solid-mahogany-tenor-ukulele-pack-9120-sm.html
Keith