Help with first major purchase (500-800$, Tenor, low G)

[jtyukelele]

Hi all, Ive been lurking here off and on and am for looking for some guidance on purchasing my first real ukelele.

Background: Years ago I worked as a music producer and audio engineer working mostly with keys, synths and analog recording gear. These days, music plays a much smaller role in my life but I find myself enjoying a 100$ Kala tenor ukelele Ive had around and I want to get more into playing and maybe even recording ukelele. So I'd like to get a real instrument. I plan to make it to the music stores to try out some instruments in the next week so looking for help creating a "short list" to try.

Criteria:

• Price range 500-800ish
• Tenor
• It will be always strung as low G and most of the time I tune a 1/2 step down for vocal range purposes
• Preference for 36-38mm nut width for playability (my current cheap Kala is 34mm and it feels cramped)
• All solid wood (seems like mohagany or koa is the standard)
• "Records well" (ie great tone is more important than being durable/traveling well as it won't leave my house)
• Lightweight is good

Current "short list" (I'm sure this is missing a ton of great choices and I'd love suggestions)

• Ohana tk 35 - In many ways this seems like it fits all my needs spec wise, the issue seeming to be that its cheaply made and there is variation in quality between uke's. Id be willing to spend more than 300$ for if it meant higher build quality
• Kala KA-SMH-TG - same problems with ohana, also someone once wrote on this forum that this uke resonated unpleasantly with a low G string but cant put too much weight to that
• Martin T1 street master - hate the preworn design but its a Martin and all mohagany. Dealbreaker might be the narrow nut width neck
• Kaaloha kto-10 - high end of price range, seems they are tuned to low G, i dont know much about acacia wood

Thanks anyone who took the time to read this and hopefully comment!

- Jay

 

[dancephoto]

If musical sound and playability are your main interest, I suggest ordering a Model A tenor from Donna Loprinzi.
She and her father have a long history of making very high level instruments and you can pick custom features like nut width, radius fretboard, and gotoh tuners without breaking the bank. Extraordinary value for custom made instruments.

Hand-Crafted Guitars | Clearwater, FL | 727-692-8746

Elevate your musical journey with Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars & Ukuleles. Craftsmanship and passion in every note.

www.augustinoloprinzi.com

 

[merlin666]

In that range I would get a used Hawaiian or luthier built uke to avoid the mass produced stuff.

 

[bilbo56]

Check out the aNueNue AMM3. When I was in your same position, it was recommended to me. It is still a favorite.
Many on here have it. Can't say how it records>

 

[bbkobabe]

I'm a Pono fan myself. They sound pretty great for the money IMHO.

 

[Ukecaster]

Don't overlook the US made Kala Elite ukes, like this one below. Slightly above your range, but you can find used ones in the $550-650 range occasionally. I've tried 2 of the mahogany tenors, which were great ukes, with 38mm nut width, and 30mm string spread at the nut, very roomy, and they sound very full and sweet in low G.

Kala USA Elite Gloss Sitka Spruce Tenor Ukulele Dealer Exclusive MHG-ST-T Demo https://reverb.com/item/48730631?ut...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=48730631

 

[jtyukelele]

These are all great suggestions. Thanks everyone!

If musical sound and playability are your main interest, I suggest ordering a Model A tenor from Donna Loprinzi.
She and her father have a long history of making very high level instruments and you can pick custom features like nut width, radius fretboard, and gotoh tuners without breaking the bank. Extraordinary value for custom made instruments.

Hand-Crafted Guitars | Clearwater, FL | 727-692-8746

Elevate your musical journey with Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars & Ukuleles. Craftsmanship and passion in every note.

www.augustinoloprinzi.com

I'll probably avoid anything custom/luthier built as I'd like it sooner rather than later and in a perfect world I could give it a whirl before the purchase.

In that range I would get a used Hawaiian or luthier built uke to avoid the mass produced stuff.

Any examples of a used Hawaiian that may go used around my range? Im honestly quite unfamiliar with the different brands. Ive heard of Kaaloha and Kamaka but it seems even used they are more like a grand

Check out the aNueNue AMM3. When I was in your same position, it was recommended to me. It is still a favorite.
Many on here have it. Can't say how it records>

This looks right on target and one I need to look into

 

[Ukecaster]

Pretty much any brand new factory made K-brand tenor (Kamaka, Koaloha, Kanilea) is gonna set you back $1200-1400 minimum. For wide nut specs, both Kanilea and Koaloha (and their mid-priced Opio line from Thailand) have a 38mm nut, but Koaloha/Opio space the strings narrower, at 27mm, with little to no room to adjust via a nut swap.

 

[rainbow21]

Where are you located? If you give your location, others may suggest sellers in your area. Distribution is so irregular that you may face the choice of one you can try or one that you must order online. The aNueNue is an example of very limited distribution but very good feedback where most purchased online.

 

[badhabits]

Opio?

 

[mingus]

I am willing to part with my tenor KoAloha mango Royal Pikake for around $900.

 

[Tin Ear]

I am willing to part with my tenor KoAloha mango Royal Pikake for around $900.

That would be a buy and a nice choice for the OP is he pushed the high end of his budget a bit. No regrets ever on a KoAloha !

If I did not own several KoAloha tenors myself I'd take that at that kind of money.

 

[MarTay6]

I will second the comments for the Anuenue AMM-3 and a LoPrinzi built to your specs- as I am the proud and fortunate owner of both! Also, please be advised that as much as I would love to own an Ohana (I previously did- it was my first uke), they are all compromised by a narrower nut width than you'd like.

 

[Woodsy]

Pono AT-PC Pro Classic Acacia Tenor Ukulele w/gig bag | Reverb

This instrument and others listed in our Reverb shop can also be purchased on Woodvibrationsmusic.com, there is no sales tax on that platform. Thanks!For sale is a gorgeous Pono AT-PC Tenor Ukulele. This model is part of their Pro Classic line and has the following features;Solid Delu...

reverb.com

Pono MTSH Pro Classic Mahogany Tenor Ukulele w/gig bag | Reverb

For Sale is a stunning Pono MTSH-PC Tenor Ukulele. This model is part of their Pro Classic Line and has the following features;This instrument and others listed in our Reverb shop can also be purchased on Woodvibrationsmusic.com, there is no sales tax on that platform. ThanksSolid Del...

reverb.com

I feel like both of these are great values (sale through the end of May). I don't know if they fit your nut size criteria. You could put the savings into getting a pickup installed for recording. I recently picked up a Pono from this store and they were good to work with.

 

[jtyukelele]

Where are you located? If you give your location, others may suggest sellers in your area. Distribution is so irregular that you may face the choice of one you can try or one that you must order online. The aNueNue is an example of very limited distribution but very good feedback where most purchased online.

Im in New York City. On that topic, if anyone knows of a good shop in NYC that carries a good selection of ukelele's that would be great. Certainly, the standard places like Guitar Centers around here do not carry anything besides the most generic uke.

I'd certainly love to get it in person from a shop but I do figure that theres a good chance that not gonna be possible. And in that case (and Im sure this is a pandoras box of a topic in and of itself) but of the online shops out there if there are any folks have tried that do a nice job setting them up before sending them out it would be helpful to hear.

Pono AT-PC Pro Classic Acacia Tenor Ukulele w/gig bag | Reverb

This instrument and others listed in our Reverb shop can also be purchased on Woodvibrationsmusic.com, there is no sales tax on that platform. Thanks!For sale is a gorgeous Pono AT-PC Tenor Ukulele. This model is part of their Pro Classic line and has the following features;Solid Delu...

reverb.com

Pono MTSH Pro Classic Mahogany Tenor Ukulele w/gig bag | Reverb

For Sale is a stunning Pono MTSH-PC Tenor Ukulele. This model is part of their Pro Classic Line and has the following features;This instrument and others listed in our Reverb shop can also be purchased on Woodvibrationsmusic.com, there is no sales tax on that platform. ThanksSolid Del...

reverb.com

I feel like both of these are great values (sale through the end of May). I don't know if they fit your nut size criteria. You could put the savings into getting a pickup installed for recording. I recently picked up a Pono from this store and they were good to work with.

I feel like i read a few times that Ponos were both heavy as well as have a thicker neck which is why i didnt include them on the first list. At least with guitar, Ive always liked thinner necks.

--
Based solely off the interwebs and not yet trying them in person, Im leaning towards an Opio vs Anuenue AMM-3 with the Opio seeming like a safer choice based on the brand.

 

[Squirrel40]

I have seen some really good deals on reverb lately. If you don't mind slightly used I have seen some for almost half price of new. A few Kala Elite's, Romeros, Kanile'a's all well within your price range. If you only want new people have given really good ideas. The AMM3 is a really good uke.

 

[Woodsy]

Im in New York City. On that topic, if anyone knows of a good shop in NYC that carries a good selection of ukelele's that would be great. Certainly, the standard places like Guitar Centers around here do not carry anything besides the most generic uke.

I'd certainly love to get it in person from a shop but I do figure that theres a good chance that not gonna be possible. And in that case (and Im sure this is a pandoras box of a topic in and of itself) but of the online shops out there if there are any folks have tried that do a nice job setting them up before sending them out it would be helpful to hear.



I feel like i read a few times that Ponos were both heavy as well as have a thicker neck which is why i didnt include them on the first list. At least with guitar, Ive always liked thinner necks.

--
Based solely off the interwebs and not yet trying them in person, Im leaning towards an Opio vs Anuenue AMM-3 with the Opio seeming like a safer choice based on the brand.

Yeah. They're known for having a thicker neck. I'm playing with a strap, so I actually like that feature. Since it's a uke heavy isn't too big of a concern in my book. They're definitely a little heavier built, which probably hurts projection.

 

[Woodsy]

KoAloha Opio Tenor All Solid Spruce / Acacia KTO-10S Ukulele S953

Opio by KoAloha Ukuleles are made with all the same tooling and specs as KoAloha, but they are built in a great factory in Thailand. They take a lot of pride in the build and sound of these ukulele. The spruce gives this ukulele a light, clean, crisp tone that is really pleasing. The acacia has...

mimsukes.com

This might be a good choice for you. Mim has a great reputation and does great setups. I have this spruce/acacia combo on my pono and it's really nice. If I was going to buy online it would either be from her or the ukulele site.

 

[badhabits]

Is Uke Hut still around?

 

[MarTay6]

Don't know how far you're willing to go to shop- Mim's Ukes is about 8 hours from NYC, a great place to shop.