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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
 Posted - 04/13/2007 : 6:11:21 PM
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It's time for an ukulele upgrade from my Hilo soprano (not that I'm giving it up or anything). I'd like something a little bigger and louder.
Can anyone recommend a good tenor cutaway? I'm considering the Applause UAE148 ($350 - albeit it has a pick-up which I wouldn't use) and the Bushman Jenny Venetian cutaway ($230-$260). I don't plan on spending more than $350 and would prefer to keep it under $300.
Maybe I should also consider a Lanikai?
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Edited by - ongchua on 04/13/2007 6:19:52 PM |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 03:39:42 AM
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Hans,
You're back! Haven't seen you in a while. How's your learning Hawaiian music blog?
I do not really have any suggestions for you, but I recently saw that Epiphone's Masterbilt line includes an `ukulele. Anyone ever see or try one of these? I've seen a guitar and was impressed. |
Andy |
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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 03:40:34 AM
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| Whatever you buy, let me know what you think of the difference in ease of play relative to the smaller instrument. I wanted to keep my recent ukulele purchase under $50.00, but may someday go for something a bit more expensive if the larger instrument increases one's musical facility. (I do know that Aquila strings woke up this spruce top concert size - night and day.) I have discovered that you need to play small ukuleles in short sleeves if you want to keep them tucked under your arm. They're a warm weather instrument! |
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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
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Absolute
Lokahi
275 Posts |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 07:45:56 AM
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Some of the Laikai branded ukuleles are being made by a well known Oahu ukulele luthier. They are stellar with the same gloss finish as new Taylor Guitars. I think they are the "LK Series". The LK-SC is a Tenor body with a Concert size neck. I have played a few of these and they are a really good value. Nice tone, playability, and a finish that with last and show off a beautiful instrument. I have two KoAloha Tenor ukuleles and they have a really sweet sound and action -- but way above your price range.
Not sure why you would want a cutaway.
As far as electronics/pickup goes. I always thought I would never need one. Now I find myself in front of the local group plugged in and singing -- oh well, you can't always hide in the crowd. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 08:28:43 AM
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| I suggest saving your money a little longer and buy a Koaloha or Kamaka. But Lanikai is a pretty good brand and offers a wide variety of styles. Good luck. |
Stay Tuned... |
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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 1:01:15 PM
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Hello Andy and all!
Yes. I'm back after having gotten sidetracked by work and family.  Some things just need to be prioritized.
If I knew which of the Lanikai's were better-made, I'd consider them. Right now, I guess that I'm leaning a bit more towards the Applause with a Mahogany finish.
I already use an Applause guitar for learning slack key and am happy with its brightness and tone. |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 3:15:14 PM
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hans,
the nice thing about a lanikai (i use them in my uke classes) is: they sound good unplugged. and, they do sound good. the quality - in terms of variance in quality - has improved dramatically.
i have definite leanings towards hikabe's advice - there are some really good ukes the next price rung up - but i understand the concept of a budget (i may not practice it all that well, though, especially when in the vicinity of dennis lake, but that's another story...) for the money, lanikai is, i think, unbeatable.
i echo the question on the cutaway. they look cool. i have two cutaway ukes - a pö mahina and a ko'olau. they are several price rungs up from the applause and lanikai. even on these instruments, the sound high up enough doesn't really warrant the cutaway. but, you may have shimabukuro-genes in your fingers? just something to consider.
aloha,
keith
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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 3:37:01 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by marzullo
the nice thing about a lanikai (i use them in my uke classes) is: they sound good unplugged. and, they do sound good. the quality - in terms of variance in quality - has improved dramatically.
Yes. The most recent reviews that I've uncovered suggest that the Applause is pretty-much unbeatable when plugged, but isn't so hot when it's unplugged. I have no intentions in the near or far future to perform, so I have no need for a plugged uke.
So now, maybe it's a face-off between a spruce-top Lanikai and a Bushman Jenny?
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 4:15:41 PM
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could be! i've never had the occasion to try out a bushman. they're close to twice the cost of a lanikai, but i saw one review of a concert that said the tone was very good even if the workmanship was a bit off (see uketalk.com/bushman.pdf).
there's nothing like getting the ukes in your hands and giving them a test drive ^_^
aloha,
keith
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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2007 : 4:25:51 PM
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quote:
there's nothing like getting the ukes in your hands and giving them a test drive ^_^
I know. Gary from JumpingFlea.com said that he'll be at the NorCal Ukulele Festival on the 29th. I'm hoping that there'll be some Lanikai vendors there too.
Assuming that I can try-out both the Jennys and the Lanikais, I may make my final buying decision thereafter. |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2007 : 09:50:57 AM
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Hans,
What is important is what sound good to your ear, is in your price range, feels good to play, and will last as long as you need it to. I echo Keith's comment on playing what you intend to buy. (His Po Mahina uke really is a GEM) |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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ongchua
Akahai
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2007 : 4:41:35 PM
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| I had a chance to try out a Lanikai LK tenor and would agree that these stand-out from the typical Lanikai. Of course, the price stands-out too. It was about $1000 for the LK. |
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