Mark.T
Well-known member
I only own two, a Beansprout Alto (Maple/Spruce) and an Ohana CK-50MG (C for concert). I’m on the waiting list for a Beansprout baritone (woods to be chosen, although Aaron has set aside some nice flamed maple for me).
Here're the top 10 most-liked ukes (as of post #198):
Brand Count
------- ---------
Kamaka 34
KoAloha 31
Martin 29
Pono 27
Kanile'a 25
Kala 22
Moore Bettah 16
Kiwaya 11
Ohana 10
Loprinzi 10
Thanks for adding them up.
I'm surprised that builders like LFDM, Kinnard, and some of the other builders didn't make the top 10, but of course, more people have Kamakas than LFDMs, so that's at least part of the reason.
My top 3 is a fantasy list, rather than reality. LOL. Moore Bettah, LFDM, and Kinnard. (Concert size.) I'll never get to even try 2 out of 3, but they sure sound amazing. I at least can enjoy looking at them and listening to them online.
Oh, Collings would have to be on the list, so maybe I have a tie for #3, and can sneak a 4th choice in that way. LOL.
1. LFdM super tenor...I've gone through many ukes over the years and this seems to have been the UAS killer for me.
2. Kinnard super tenor...beautiful sound and build. Wish I had kept it but I just couldn't adjust to the wider fretboard.
3. Koaloha Noah...for such a small size, it's got really good volume and that warm Hawaiian sound.
The XS is a soprano scale size but in a shorter length body so that it is more portable. Sound-wise it's a soprano. My other sopraninos are shorter scale and tuned to ADF#B.
1: Custom Compass Rose Luxo Little Jumbo tenor cutaway with slotted headstock by Rick Turner: bloodwood back and sides with carbon fibre bracing, Adi spruce top, bolted-on (not glued) flamed maple neck, cantilevered ebony fretboard
2: Custom Compass Rose Standard tenor (B): walnut back and sides, bolted-on one piece walnut neck, giant sequoia top, cantilevered ebony fretboard
3: Blackbird BTU carbon fibre tenor, individual string pick-ups with RMC pre-amp. (uke not made anymore)