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Hilinai
Akahai
USA
88 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2006 : 09:39:16 AM
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Aloha,
Anybody know about old time ukes, My mom found my first ukulele (a saprano Kamaka) from the 60s and somehow the neck got broke off and someone glued it back on - not too good (i stopped playing long time ago but started again couple months ago with a baritone my brother gave me, anyway my old uke got passed around to my nieces and nephews over the years and then since its broken now I got it back - lucky thing my name was written on the inside - if not i never see it again)anyway eventhough I could tune it before it was fix, it was too hamajang to play. I took it back to Kamaka on my last visit and had it fixed - unfortunately I had to change the keys since the plastic was cracking, now I have it back but I have a really hard time playing it - its losing tune really quick - is it because of the new strings? How long for new strings to settle down or is it that the old timers are hard to play? I hope I can play it again and I want my kids to be able to play it too or I wonder if I just have to buy them a new one?
If anybody knows about this - pls let me know
Mahalos
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RobO
Akahai
USA
97 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2006 : 10:12:53 AM
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| It depends on the strings somewhat, but yes, new strings sometimes takes even a couple of weeks to settle down. If you had it repaired by Kamaka, then it is probably in good playing condition. And, I would assume that if there was a problem with your tuning pegs, that would've been fixed as well. I suspect the strings just need to settle a few days. |
a hui hou... Rob
"Lawe i ka ma'alea a ku'ono'ono"
Translation: Acquire skill and make it deep |
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Hilinai
Akahai
USA
88 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2006 : 10:36:53 AM
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Mahalo for the input - I appreciate the vote of confidence I want so much for this to work - its my old baby - I remember playing it when I was a kid. I will try not to panic and relax and let the strings settle for a while.
like you I havent played for years (I looked at your profile) 25 + (stopped after I started college but after a visit to HI after 10 years (I'm from Oahu - moved to the mainland 20 years ago. I started getting back into about two months ago - hope to jam with others soon.
mahalo again. |
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Pauline Leland
`Olu`olu
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2006 : 12:18:27 PM
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It's probably the strings still stretching, but if the problem lasts many more days, then maybe you need to tighten the little screws that look like they hold the tuner buttons on. Just turn them a bit at a time, like a quarter turn, and see if that helps.
That's a great story about getting your old friend back. |
Pauline |
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sirqitous
Aloha
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2006 : 1:36:06 PM
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I love running across old ukes that people have in their families....it seems half of all families have an heirloom ukes stored away somewhere!
I've run across loved ones who had old Hilo Ukes, Lanikai ukes, really old Martin and Gibson ukes. They've got soul, no doubt.
But even today, there are so many good makers of reasonable-priced new ukes, which will speak better and last longer...for example Honolulu's KoAloha...pays for itself I think after a few months of pure happiness playing 'em!
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http://myspace.com/sirqitous
http://youtube.com/sirqitous |
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