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guitar yogi
Akahai
Kiribati
67 Posts |
 Posted - 02/28/2012 : 3:44:56 PM
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Anyone out there play 8 string tenor 'ukulele? I've been learning how to play the 'ukulele for the past 4 months with my cheap Oscar Schmidt OU-53 baritone. I've filed the sharp fret edges down so it doesn't hurt my fingers anymore, but "Oscar" (my uke) just doesn't have that tone I'm looking for. (Like on the Gabby Band Vol.2 or Gabby's Rabbit Island albums- there is just something about the sound of the 12 string guitar combined with 8 string uke that I really like.)Although I like the koa Kamaka 8 string models, the price for a new one ($1,500) is just too much for me. But I don't want to buy a real cheap, poorly-made one with lousy tone, either. Anyone have any experience with 8 string tenors in the middle price range?
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dr. cookie
Lokahi
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2012 : 8:34:26 PM
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Kala makes a pretty decent 8-string for a reasonable price (under $300, I believe). Mele makes nice ones in koa or mahagony for around $700, but I found a nice older Kamaka for that price (and much prefer it's sound & looks). Try out the Kala . . . I've sure seen a lot of hula musicians playing them. They may not "open up" over time like solid-wood ukes, but if you find one you like it should always sound exactly that good!
Don |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - 02/29/2012 : 06:29:52 AM
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I have played the Kala 8-string and it is pretty good, especially for the price. Most of the Kala instruments are good.
I own a Pono all-koa 8-string tenor, and I like it a lot. The set up is a little high and it is slightly hard to play, but so far I have not bothered to lower it. The loud projecting tone is quite nice. I paid about $650 from Music Guy Mike while he was still in business.
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guitar yogi
Akahai
Kiribati
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2012 : 12:17:47 PM
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| Mahalo for the recommendations. I'll definitely be on the look out for Kala, Mele and especially older, bargain-priced Kamaka ukes. One question: if all goes according to plan, I'm planning a visit to Kauai this fall. Are there any music stores on Kauai that carry 'ukuleles? |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2012 : 2:41:33 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by guitar yogi
Are there any music stores on Kauai that carry 'ukuleles?
There are several, and while I've heard good reports about many of them, my experience at Scotty's was exceptional. The staff were fascinated to hear how strong the hula and `ukulele communities were back in Seattle (this was about a decade ago), and we had a great time talking story.
I bought a six-string tenor Mele there, and it is still my primary `ukulele (out of three). I recommend them highly - good, friendly, knowledgeable, patient, helpful, and willing to do what it took to connect me with just the right instrument (and a very nice price, I discovered later).
Right on the highway in Kalaheo: 2-2436 Kaumaualii Hwy., (808) 652-2411, http://scottysmusickauai.com/
(Then be sure to head a short distance down the highway to the Lawai Menehune Mini Mart for the incredible manju - best in the Islands!) |
Edited by - Retro on 03/01/2012 2:45:30 PM |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1581 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2012 : 07:51:04 AM
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+1 for Scotty's. Terrific selection and excellent prices on ukes and nice guitars. I was amazed that I escaped from there without adding more strings to my collection.
Fran |
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key on YouTube
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guitar yogi
Akahai
Kiribati
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2012 : 2:48:55 PM
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| Thanks again guys, I'm definitely going to check out Scotty's. This is nice info to have, 'cause now I won't have to drag my girlfriend around Honolulu on a side trip to hunt for an uke. She prefers we stay out of the big city and Oahu, and just focus on Kauai. I'm really looking forward to the Kauai Slack Key Festival in November- Led Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui and Makana all at the same show- I still can't believe it! |
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azpaul
Aloha
4 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2012 : 12:12:33 PM
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| I'll add my vote for the Pono 8 string. I also bought my Koa Pono 8 stringer from MGM a couple of years ago but it was only around $500 as I recall. You might want to contact John Kitakis directly to see what he has in stock. When I was shopping for a 6 string 'ukulele last summer I e-mailed John and he had some older Pono 6 stringers in stock and the price was a bargain. I own 3 Ponos now counting my 4 string tenor. Regarding Kauai, I bought my Kanile'a koa tenor and a Kamaka soprano from Scotty's when I was there in '08. It sounds like they've had some personnel turnover because I found the staff to be anything but friendly. They were almost disinterested in me and I had a roll of cash in my pocket that I was ready to spend. They did have the best prices though, which is why I left my cash there by the end of the day. If they have nicer staff these days combined with the kind of pricing they had a few years ago, you can't go wrong. |
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guitar yogi
Akahai
Kiribati
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2012 : 3:00:12 PM
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| Thanks again everyone, the more info, the better. I keep looking for 8 string tenors at all the local stores, but they don't seem to carry them, even a music store in Eugene that actually specializes in 'ukuleles. I really prefer to buy musical instruments in person, not online, so I can make sure I'm getting the right instrument, so I'll remain patient and keeping looking on craigslist and other stores. It took me several months to find my two favorite 12 string guitars and now I'm very glad I took my time and tried out a ton of instruments first. Maybe I'll just have to wait till November and the Kauai trip..."Beautiful Kauai..." |
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Curtis
Aloha
17 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2012 : 4:02:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by guitar yogi
Thanks again everyone, the more info, the better. I keep looking for 8 string tenors at all the local stores, but they don't seem to carry them, even a music store in Eugene that actually specializes in 'ukuleles. I really prefer to buy musical instruments in person, not online, so I can make sure I'm getting the right instrument, so I'll remain patient and keeping looking on craigslist and other stores. It took me several months to find my two favorite 12 string guitars and now I'm very glad I took my time and tried out a ton of instruments first. Maybe I'll just have to wait till November and the Kauai trip..."Beautiful Kauai..."
If you really want the 8 strings, then continue to go for that. But if you are interested in getting a good toned 4 string, I encourage you to take a look at some used higher end 4 string models. In my opinion this would include Kamaka and Kanile'a, or whatever else at least has wood rather than laminate throughout the instrument. Getting them used should keep them under $1K, and if you want to go lower than that, you could buy Pono, or the like that are spec'd and inspected in Hawaii but cut and maybe made outside of HI.
Mahalo,
Curtis |
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8 string tenor 'ukulele?
