Best soprano for $400?
- Thread starter C7/5+
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You might be able to buy. Vintage style 0 Martin mahogany soprano. I don’t think it is possible to top that.
Thanks! But all vintage Martin I've seen was a lot over $400, expecially here in Europe
Thanks badhabits. Actually one of my options is the Kiwaya KS-5, do you know it?
SkeeterAB
Well-known member
If you would like a really good laminate so you don’t have to worry about humidity control, the Famous (Kiwaya) FS-5G Koa laminate; $200 from Japan via Amazon. It is great! It is less than half the cost of the same Kiwaya model (KS-5G) for the US market.I know that this is a quite subjective question
- Good volume
- Sweet, jangly sound
- Possibly wide nut
- Possibly friction tuners
Thanks all!
I bought one and I really like it. I am planning on replacing the tuning machines with Der Jung planetary tuners.
Here is a link to Baz’s review on the KS-5.
Edit: I just saw that you are in Europe. I don’t know whether is possible that you could get the same deal through Amazon Europe, but is worth a try.
It is the one on the left below in my Famous Koa Laminate Uke family picture
I liked it so much I bought the concert version and the pineapple version.
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For that price I'd get an Ohana Sk plus a blue Uma pineapple
KS-5 is great. Definitely a step up from the Kiwaya KSU series. If you want to go another step up, check out Kiwaya's "hybrid" series. I think this model costs around US$350 in Japan. I'm not sure what overseas retailers are selling it, though.
EDW
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Here is a good deal for you. Reviews and clips of this instrument have been great
worldofukes.co.uk
B-STOCK Millar PD-210MN Soprano Ukulele - Phil Doleman Signature Model — World of Ukes
This is a b-stock ukulele, brand new but with a flaw. I have a couple of these where Millar contacted me to inform me that when bending the wood for the sides, some creasing had occurred. They said I could still take them if I wanted, at a discount - which I have passed on. The wood has been finishe
worldofukes.co.uk
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If you want a new instrument with all solid wood you might consider the Martin S1 made in Mexico.
It has all of your requirements in an all solid Mahogany instrument that sounds great and feels good. At least mine does.
$399
It has all of your requirements in an all solid Mahogany instrument that sounds great and feels good. At least mine does.
$399
Wow that is a good deal on that Millar.Here is a good deal for you. Reviews and clips of this instrument have been great
B-STOCK Millar PD-210MN Soprano Ukulele - Phil Doleman Signature Model — World of Ukes
This is a b-stock ukulele, brand new but with a flaw. I have a couple of these where Millar contacted me to inform me that when bending the wood for the sides, some creasing had occurred. They said I could still take them if I wanted, at a discount - which I have passed on. The wood has been finishe
Graham Greenbag
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I‘ve an Ohana SK35 and think it pretty good, the SK38 is a bit nicer again so I’d go for one of those and have nearly half left from the original $400.
mimsukes.com
Search: 2 results found for "Sk38"
Every Ukulele deserves a GREAT setup! - Mim Since 2010
mimsukes.com
Do Ohanas still have narrower than average nut width?I‘ve an Ohana SK35 and think it pretty good, the SK38 is a bit nicer again so I’d go for one of those and have nearly half left from the original $400.
Search: 2 results found for "Sk38"
Every Ukulele deserves a GREAT setup! - Mim Since 2010
Graham Greenbag
Well-known member
I’d say that my SK35 has a sub 35mm width nut (34mm plus) and that the narrow dimension (on the Ohana specification sheets) had put me off of buying one for a long time; eventually I bought a secondhand one off of eBay for a reasonable price. In practise I’ve found the string spacing to be sufficient for me; I haven’t got slim fingers and I took a calculated risk when I bought mine. YMMV.
Edit. Here’s a review of the SK-38 by our own Vic :https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/review-ohana-sk-38-soprano-ukulele.130246/
As far as I know he chose to hang onto the SK-38 rather than pass it on, he normally passes on other reviewed Ukes.
Also see Vic’s comments towards the base of this page: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.co...y-a-vintage-martin.159363/page-2#post-2419797
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Thanks! But all vintage Martin I've seen was a lot over $400, expecially here in Europe
Price Drop - Martin Style 1 Soprano (late 1940's)
My ukulele selloff concludes with this little player from the late 40s. No cracks and the binding is intact. The pictures show the rest. There are 2 worn spots on the lower bout. An abraded area on the top at the upper bout. A lot of dings and marks on the back. Frets play smoothly and are...
forum.ukuleleunderground.com
dancephoto
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The vintage Martins are fantastic, but they have narrow necks, not the wider ones the OP is hoping to find.
The Kiwaya models with the wide neck (38mm) can be found at the link below. I think there are Famous equivalents, but I don't know where to find them.
KIWAYA
The link below is for a Mahalo Soprano with a 40mm nut width. It isn't much of a ukulele (costs about $50), but the wide nut is a wonderful experience if you like a wide nut width.
Kahiko PLUS Series - Soprano - Mahalo Ukuleles
Mahalo Kahiko PLUS Series - Soprano. For players seeking a step-up in features. Equipped with Aquila Super Nylgut strings and Graph Tech NuBone XB saddle.
mahaloukuleles.com
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