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| 1st time buyer, mid priced 4 string tenor - Beginner Questions - Ukulele - Ukulele - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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dtrevinofl Approved
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Hey guys, new to the forum. Also new to ukulele's(used to play guitar). I will be making my first ukulele purchase but have however narrowed it down to buying a Tenor 4 string acoustic. I'm looking for the best one that will suit these conditions: 1)Mid price range - If money weren't an issue, I would purchase a 1000$ Kamaka faster than you can say pineapple. However I'm afraid I cannot plunge into the high price range just yet. Instead I must remain in the mid price range. 2)Quality of sound/build - no explanation needed, everything I played at the local guitar centers sounded and felt like...crap. No wonder they cost under 200$. 3)Easier to learn on/comfort - the whole reason why I'm buying a mid range uke as opposed to a 200$ one. The better, the easier to learn on. I'm currently exchanging emails with musicguymic and he has recommended me the 4 string Pono PTS spruce top tenor w/ mahogany back/sides http://cgi.ebay.com/PONO-MAHOGANY-SPRUCE-TOP-TENOR-DELUXE-UKULELE-PTS_W0QQitemZ330261694270QQihZ014QQcategoryZ16224QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262. Please feel free to comment, appreciate your time PS: Is there a specific type of strings(low g, high g, aquilla to mention a few terms I hear around here) or specific tuning that I should request on the tenor. Also whats recommended/the main differences between the sprucetop w/ mahogany sides/back, solid mahogany, and solid koa Last edited on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 10:31 pm by dtrevinofl |
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Neal Approved 
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I think you'll find Pono a good choice. I've had a number of them, professional all the way. You'll like the guy you have the link to also. No specific tuning, but you may want to request either low G or reentrant(high G). If you're familiar with guitar, you may want to try the high g, it has a lot of possibilities, and is different, but if you want a more guitar like sound, low G. Heck, while you're there, have him throw in a set of the Fremont black tenor strings and a single low G with it. At worst an extra 10 bucks added, and you'll use 'em anyway. Lots like the Aquila, you may also, I prefer fluorocarbon, less string noise. Good eye btw. Here's a review I did on one of mine http://uketalk.com/reviews/pono-cedar-uke.htm There may be others muddying the waters with other brands, but trust me, Pono lives up to it's name. I have no financial or otherwise connection to the seller or maker, just wanted to bring that out. Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 12:31 am by Neal ____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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dtrevinofl Approved
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Appreciate the quick reply Neal!No specific tuning, but you may want to request either low G or reentrant(high G). If you're familiar with guitar, you may want to try the high g, it has a lot of possibilities, and is different, but if you want a more guitar like sound, low G. Oh I see, well if that's the way it works, I'd rather go with reentrant as I'm trying to get away from guitar and into ukulele. What got me into ukulele was the traditional Hawaiian music in the first place(Ohta-san, brotha IZ, and although not hawaiian, Jake Shimabukuro). I love their sound! It brings me to Hawaii every time I listen. Heck, while you're there, have him throw in a set of the Fremont black tenor strings and a single low G with it. At worst an extra 10 bucks added, and you'll use 'em anyway. Well I know abosolutly nothing about strings. Here's the strings he lists: http://stores.ebay.com/Musicguymics-Room_Strings_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ10248QQftidZ2QQtZkm . Didn't see anything about black Fremonts? Single low G? Thought they came in a pack? The original PTS just says it ships with koolau gold strings doesn't mention G's or anything. Good eye btw. Here's a review I did on one of mine Thanks man like I said respect the honest opinion. I did manage to check out your review, I noticed yours is titled cedar top tenor, is this different then the spruce topped PTS pono I linked above? If so I noticed in your review you said: " The sound description that I first thought of was "tubby". It has a decidedly guitar-like sound. " This statement is pretty much the opposite of what I'm looking for, I'm done with guitar. Hoping this isn't the case for the PTS -David Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 01:53 am by dtrevinofl |
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Neal Approved
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David, no uke will sound like a guitar. A decidedly guitar-like sound is using low G, and even then, I'm describing a non-soprano, more sustain. Typically a soprano will have a better "chop", a little less sustain, and cuts thru the mix well. A good tenor, like the Pono, will have good sustain, excellent playability. Having played tenor for the first 2 years, you'll get a kick out of it. Different than guitar, no matter how it sounds, but don't think sopranos can't be their equal. I play soprano pretty much exclusively now. Ko'olau Golds are good strings, if you notice any intonation problems after a while, get a different set. I find the flourocarbon strings to be very stable. There's a break in period with strings, you'll be tuning a lot the first week, but they'll settle. Single low G: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BLACKLINE-FLOUROCARBON-UKULELE-SINGLE-LOW-PLAIN-G_W0QQitemZ230280507494QQihZ013QQcategoryZ16224QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262 Fremont tenor set: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BLACKLINE-FLOUROCARBON-UKULELE-STRING-TENOR-SET_W0QQitemZ250283871189QQihZ015QQcategoryZ16224QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262 The spruce top will be different than the cedar. Cedar can be pretty boomy. I prefer mahogany, and haven't played the spruce. It should be a little less boomy, and that's a good thing, in my opinion. Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 03:11 am by Neal ____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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dtrevinofl Approved
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Ok so let me see if I've got this all straight. Pono 4 string PTS w/ spruce top, mahogany sides/back Instead of standard low g, request high g reentrant(the high g gives it more of a ukulele sound as opposed to low g "decidedly guitar-like sound " right?) Buy extra low g string and fretmont tenor set(so when the Koolau golds start loosing intonation/want to bust out the low g) Meisel electronic tuner = Best 4 string tenor based on: mid price range, easiest to learn on, and best quality of sound/build. I plan to use this until I get good enough to preform at events, then which I'll probably get a nice Kamaka with a custom pickup like fishman. Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 08:24 am by dtrevinofl |
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Neal Approved
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Sounds good. Break a leg!
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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dtrevinofl Approved
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Thanks for all your help Neal. You've been a huge help. Really appreciate it. If anyone else has any comments, please feel free to share. Thank you, David
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ichadwick Approved 
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Pono's a great choice (I have two) but it's a bit pricer than a few alternatives. You might consider a Kala (solid top - I have their spruce top cutaway tenor with pickup) which is $100-$200 less than most Ponos. And they have a sweet sound. Ponos have a rivher sound, but the Kala is really nice. I would suggest you start with high (re-entrant) G tuning only because that's the traditional sound and a lot of songs are chorded/tabbed for it. You can always switch to low-G later (or better yet, buy another uke for low-G playing). I have several ukes in your price range reviewed on my site: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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ezmember Approved
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----- You need to buy two ukes. One for 'Hi' G and one for 'Low" G. Seriously, the 'Hi' is great for certain songs, but the 'Low' is just fabulous for other songs, and you'll learn the difference in no time. Try "White Sandy Beach" with both and tell us what you think.  Whether your G is hi or low your Uke is going to sound like a Uke so don't worry one bit that it's going to sound like a guitar. You'll see.
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Ukeconomics Approved 
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I'll second ezmember's point about having two ukes, as I recently purchased a Kala mahogany tenor with a high G to go with my Pono cedar topped tenor with a low G, and it's been fun switching between the two when playing. The Pono is nice for finger picking while the Kala is a funner strummer.
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dtrevinofl Approved
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Thanks all, I've been playing on my friends 50$ lanakai soprano, I see what you guys say about having 2 ukes(UAS) lol. UPS delivers the Pono PTS today =)
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ichadwick Approved
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Ukeconomics wrote: I'll second ezmember's point about having two ukes...Just TWO? Sheesh, that's not UAS at all. Get six. Nine. Twelve....
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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SodaPop-TC Approved 
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Guys... new to forum... I know this string is a bit old... but I also an interested in something in the $200 ish price range. Reading alot of good stuff on the Kala here and on Ian's website. (I am new and only a strummer) what about Bushman? I see no one has mentioned it, but have seen it on YouTube and checked them out.. like the price point. Anyone familiar with it? Thx
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Will Approved 
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SodaPop-TC wrote: Guys... new to forum... I know this string is a bit old... but I also an interested in something in the $200 ish price range. Reading alot of good stuff on the Kala here and on Ian's website. (I am new and only a strummer) what about Bushman? I see no one has mentioned it, but have seen it on YouTube and checked them out.. like the price point. Anyone familiar with it? Thx I own 3 Lanikais (8-string O-8e tenor, K-T tenor, and S-C concert). The Lanikai S-T tenor has a solid spruce top, and a moderate price, too... usually around $149. This dealer has it on sale for $119: http://jacksmusicstore.com/catalog/guitar/instruments/banjo-ukulele-mandolin/ftd-ins-bum-l~s-t  The Bushman Jenny tenor is all solid mahogany, but the tenor generally sells for more than $200; about $230: http://www.greatmusicproductsonline.com/proddetail.asp?prod=BU7  Last edited on Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 06:41 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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ichadwick Approved
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Lanikai, Kala, Ohana - all have ukes at around the same mid-range pricing. I've got or had one from all three and I think they're equally fine.
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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| ezFolk Forums > Ukulele > Beginner Questions - Ukulele > 1st time buyer, mid priced 4 string tenor | |
