Farkvam
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I'm not a ukulele expert, but I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and specs on my Ohana SK-25 after a few months of playing it in case anyone is considering purchasing it.
I was looking for an upgrade from my El Cheapo Hilo 2652 Soprano and after ordering a Leho from a music superstore (which I returned and subsequently reviewed here), I ordered an Ohana from a local Mom n' Pop shop, much my preference. It took about a month to arrive but this sweet little uke was well worth it.
Some details: Slightly smaller peanut-shaped body with narrower upper and lower bouts. The body and fret edges are both unbound but finished smoothly. Features a slotted bridge, which is my preference for appearance and ease of use, and a nicely inlaid simple rosette (odd as I believe its flashier -and more expensive- brother the SK-35 has only a rosette transfer. I have been told the SK-35 is essentially the same instrument as the SK-25 but with more bling). Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Silver silkscreened logo. The neck profile is not overly round or slim, which is perfect to me.
Slightly prettier pearloid fret markers on the fretboard than the usual. There are 15 frets, 12 to the body, and the whole package weighs in at 395g. There's not much adornment to this cutie, but somehow the vintage look works for it in my opinion. I asked a friend if they thought it too plain and they said, "Not at all! It's classic and elegant." And obviously heavily inspired by a Martin.
What's great: it's an all solid mahogany for only $200 CAD, which doesn't guarantee a good ukulele but is a nice feature at this pricepoint. And I have to admit, I just like knowing it's solid when I hold it in my hands, call me old-fashioned. It's also one piece on the top, one piece on the slightly arched back and one piece on the sides, another nice feature in my mind (my Leho at the same pricepoint had a four-piece top). The mahogany itself is particularly attractive and takes on many hues depending on the light. The grain is nicely centred and care was obviously taken in laying down the pieces.
One of my favorite things, which may be silly, is the closed pore grain and matte satin finish. I love this kind of tactile finish. Another nerdy thing I love: the attractive woody smell that emanates from the soundhole and envelopes you as you play it. Reminds me of my Dad's guitar. And yes, I've read two other reviewers mention the SK-25's woody aroma as well so perhaps I'm not the only nerd out there.
The fretboard has a silky smooth rosewood polished to a sheen, and is actually the nicest finish on a uke fretboard I've seen in my shopping. Lovely fit and finish with a classic simplicity. There is also a slightly rounded edge where the soundboard meets the side piece for comfort. Nicely cut bone nut and saddle, another thing I appreciate in a budget "serious" ukulele.
To update older reviews, sidefret markers have been introduced at the 3rd, 5th and 10th, as well as notched kerfing.
How does it sound? I immediately noticed nice volume and projection at the first strum. The tone is equally nice fingerpicked and strummed. It's probably the most interesting sound I've heard out of the sopranos I've played in this price range. It's chimey but warm and rich, it has great character and can be quite punchy. Admittedly the tone was a bit too warm in the beginning, but a swap from the Aquila SuperNylguts to Martin M600s made this uke sing!
What's not great: not much. The Grover open-gear tuners are, again, nice at this pricepoint but the unbranded tuners on my Aklot actually outperform these. There is a bit of play on the C string tuner, and the turning action is a bit loose and grindy. The string action is a tad high but intonation is nevertheless good. Nothing that can't be fixed easily at this point. The nut is a bit narrower than usual at 34mm, but I don't find it a problem for my small hands. It will be however for thicker fingers. Perhaps the biggest issue for someone could be the presence of a few less resonant notes over the fretboard, but I no longer notice it as much as I did in the beginning. Either those notes are opening up a bit more, or my ear is becoming accustomed to them. Or both.
I rate it 4.5/5 for the price range. Recommended.
Note: the fretboard is NOT dry as it appears in one photo.
I was looking for an upgrade from my El Cheapo Hilo 2652 Soprano and after ordering a Leho from a music superstore (which I returned and subsequently reviewed here), I ordered an Ohana from a local Mom n' Pop shop, much my preference. It took about a month to arrive but this sweet little uke was well worth it.
Some details: Slightly smaller peanut-shaped body with narrower upper and lower bouts. The body and fret edges are both unbound but finished smoothly. Features a slotted bridge, which is my preference for appearance and ease of use, and a nicely inlaid simple rosette (odd as I believe its flashier -and more expensive- brother the SK-35 has only a rosette transfer. I have been told the SK-35 is essentially the same instrument as the SK-25 but with more bling). Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Silver silkscreened logo. The neck profile is not overly round or slim, which is perfect to me.
Slightly prettier pearloid fret markers on the fretboard than the usual. There are 15 frets, 12 to the body, and the whole package weighs in at 395g. There's not much adornment to this cutie, but somehow the vintage look works for it in my opinion. I asked a friend if they thought it too plain and they said, "Not at all! It's classic and elegant." And obviously heavily inspired by a Martin.
What's great: it's an all solid mahogany for only $200 CAD, which doesn't guarantee a good ukulele but is a nice feature at this pricepoint. And I have to admit, I just like knowing it's solid when I hold it in my hands, call me old-fashioned. It's also one piece on the top, one piece on the slightly arched back and one piece on the sides, another nice feature in my mind (my Leho at the same pricepoint had a four-piece top). The mahogany itself is particularly attractive and takes on many hues depending on the light. The grain is nicely centred and care was obviously taken in laying down the pieces.
One of my favorite things, which may be silly, is the closed pore grain and matte satin finish. I love this kind of tactile finish. Another nerdy thing I love: the attractive woody smell that emanates from the soundhole and envelopes you as you play it. Reminds me of my Dad's guitar. And yes, I've read two other reviewers mention the SK-25's woody aroma as well so perhaps I'm not the only nerd out there.
The fretboard has a silky smooth rosewood polished to a sheen, and is actually the nicest finish on a uke fretboard I've seen in my shopping. Lovely fit and finish with a classic simplicity. There is also a slightly rounded edge where the soundboard meets the side piece for comfort. Nicely cut bone nut and saddle, another thing I appreciate in a budget "serious" ukulele.
To update older reviews, sidefret markers have been introduced at the 3rd, 5th and 10th, as well as notched kerfing.
How does it sound? I immediately noticed nice volume and projection at the first strum. The tone is equally nice fingerpicked and strummed. It's probably the most interesting sound I've heard out of the sopranos I've played in this price range. It's chimey but warm and rich, it has great character and can be quite punchy. Admittedly the tone was a bit too warm in the beginning, but a swap from the Aquila SuperNylguts to Martin M600s made this uke sing!
What's not great: not much. The Grover open-gear tuners are, again, nice at this pricepoint but the unbranded tuners on my Aklot actually outperform these. There is a bit of play on the C string tuner, and the turning action is a bit loose and grindy. The string action is a tad high but intonation is nevertheless good. Nothing that can't be fixed easily at this point. The nut is a bit narrower than usual at 34mm, but I don't find it a problem for my small hands. It will be however for thicker fingers. Perhaps the biggest issue for someone could be the presence of a few less resonant notes over the fretboard, but I no longer notice it as much as I did in the beginning. Either those notes are opening up a bit more, or my ear is becoming accustomed to them. Or both.
I rate it 4.5/5 for the price range. Recommended.
Note: the fretboard is NOT dry as it appears in one photo.
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