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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2   |
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| High-end ukulele's | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 07:43 pm |
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1st Post |
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artcrocker Approved
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OK, I sort of apologize for putting another "what uke should I buy" question out there. But I have to, the category is for ukulele's $500-$1500. Sort of 3 questions, 1- Is the Kamaka a clear "must have" choice assuming it sounds great. 2- Has Pono entered the high-end bracket competing with Kamaka, etc. 3-Should a person have at least one uke with a pick-up built in. I walked into Bounty Music on Maui to buy something and found an overwhelming selection. Of the 60 or so uke's on display, about 1/3 are high end. I started out wanting a Kamaka, but the Pono's are beautiful and sound pretty good in the $650 price range. Then of course some have pick-ups which looks kind of cool. Well even though it is an opinion-ated topic. Wondered if those of you that collect ukes found that they were not happy until they got a "Name" uke, like Kamaka, Koaloha, Maui Music, G, etc.?
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 12:14 am |
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2nd Post |
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Neal Approved 
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artcrocker wrote: OK, I sort of apologize for putting another "what uke should I buy" question out there. But I have to, the category is for ukulele's $500-$1500.Hi Art, none of the ukes mentioned are "must haves". All of them are good, but it's a choice to make. As for me, I'm more interested in mainland ukes, Martin, Gibson, some of the older makers like Rutan interest me. I have had a few Pono ukes, and found them to be a superb value. I'd be lying if I said the name didn't do anything for me, it's pretty cool to play my Gibson 3, and even the Favilla I have is arm candy, to me. Kamaka, G-String, Maui Music, etc.. are all great ukes, collectible and players. The reason? All made well, made in USA, solid companies, don't make junk, solid reputations. But again, that mileage thing, it varies.. I have ukes with built in pickups, I find them neccessary to me. Others like microphones. I draw the line at putting one in the Gibson 3, but not the 50's Martin tenor. You only need one if you play with loud players, or perform with a band that is pretty loud, otherwise a mic should do it. A little value is skimmed off collectible instruments, vintage, when you install one, but if the factory does it, you're home free. I would imagine that someone that collects ukes would not be happy until the big three are safe in the house, Martin, Gibson, Kamaka, then the others, and there's soooo many that are worthy. All depends what you like. http://ultimateukulelecollection.com/ a must see for you. Dave Passant's collection. Last edited on Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 12:15 am by Neal ____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 02:28 am |
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3rd Post |
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UkeForever Approved 
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I would not classify an unadorned factory uke, whether Kamaka or KoAloha, Martin, Kiwaya, or even Maui Music (if those unadorned ones are even made any more) as high-end. I would reserve the term "high-end" for the best that factories have to offer apart from their main production line. In the guitar world, these production-line ukes would be analogous to the Martins below the 21 designation, adorned like their DX series. Pricey, yes, but high-end, no. I even think some guitar collectors might think a Martin guitar needs to come from their custom shop before it is considered high-end. This means guitars like the respected OM-28 Marquis at its $4K price tag (street is a bit lower) might just be considered a great production guitar. (Which some of them are, boy-oh-boy.) More and more, when I think high-end ukes, I'm thinking custom, and I'm thinking over the $1500 mark (whether from a factory or private luthier). Though the samples I have played have not been awesome sounding, I would say the Martin 5K qualifies as high-end, but their new style 3 line does not. I don't know if I'd consider anything Pono makes as "high-end" though the upper part of their line seems to be using woods one might expect to see in a high end uke. I don't know if I'd be interested in a pono "high-end" uke anyhow, even if it were to exist. I mean, where's the excitement in that? As I sit here writing this, I realize that I'm just echoing Neil's sentiments in a different way. My descriptions above eliminate all of my ukes, except one, from the "high-end" category. (Once Dominator starts playing with his binding machine, his home-made ukes will be high-end, in my opinion.) Am I looking for high-end? If the name on the headstock interests me, if it sounds great, and if the right price and situation were to present itself, sure. But otherwise, no. What I want are ukes that are playable, dependable behind the microphone, and ones that feel right in my hands. They need to fit my playing style. They need to have that special voice that makes me want to keep playing. Those are the kinds of things that only you can decide for yourself. I know a guy--just spoke to him today--who waited a long time for a high-end uke from a very respected maker (famous down here in my area). The uke is a work of art. But it doesn't fit his playing style (he's a plunker, and it's a fingerpicker's dream instrument). The instrument doesn't get much airtime, as a result. How very sad. You know what gets the most playtime out of this guy? A $150 home-made uke by a dude in Temecula. Not real pretty to look at, but it goes everywhere--the beach, the car, etc. Now that's an instrument you can take to the bank. If one of those Kamakas just gave you chills when you held it, played it, heard it; if it caused you to bend your ear toward the instrument to get a better taste of the sound, then by all means, it's a must-have. Oh, and though I'm a very happy vintage Martin owner (I have 2), I heard four vintage sopranos in a row today--50s/60s era--that went from average to horrible. Horrible as in, total dud. Some nice person had arranged them from average/best (a Style 0), to OK (a Style 1), to yuck (Style 0) to shame to the Martin name (Style 0). All this says is that not every maker is "on" 100% of the time. (Of course, none of those are high-end ukes.) Last edited on Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 02:28 am by UkeForever |
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 02:51 am |
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4th Post |
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artcrocker Approved
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Ok, I stand corrected in calling the $1000 range high end, but then it looks like you know what I mean. I appreciate the comment on the Uke fitting the person, feeling good to play. Think I spend a little more time at Bounty next week playing them. Thanks,
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 12:56 pm |
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5th Post |
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ichadwick Approved 
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artcrocker wrote: Ok, I stand corrected in calling the $1000 range high end... That's pretty high end for a lot of us here. Maybe some rich kids have the cash, but for me spending $500 on an instrument makes it "high end."
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 07:38 pm |
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6th Post |
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UkeForever Approved
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I'm no rich kid (just a lowly school teacher), but what I spend on a uke is not what makes it high-end. I place a value on my instruments, and bought a lot of dogs over the years. I also bought some good ones along the way, and traded many of those average ukes for just a few great ones. Fortunately, an instrument doesn't need to be high-end to make me happy. They just need to be well-built, and they need to be playable, and they need to not make me feel like I'm taking advantage of an underpaid work force. I do admit, however, that there is a special place in my heart for vintage Martin ukes (though I would argue that Style 0s, 1s, and 2s, are NOT high-end--they just have many of the attributes of what we look for in a high-end instruemnt). Martin hits an aesthetic that works for me. The one thing I do like about well-built instruments is the great intonation. There's nothing like getting an instrument in tune and having the notes ring out so perfectly. To me, that worry along justifies looking for something in the well-built range of $500-1K.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 02:34 am |
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7th Post |
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Axanthisis Approved
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And I only spent about $50 dollars on mine... 
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 03:50 am |
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8th Post |
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artcrocker Approved
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Sooo, I consider my ukulele self as a wanna-be and improving. My urge to get something new seems to be driven by a frustration in playing progress that is temporarily satisfied by getting a new uke that sounds and looks a little different. Guess I wonder what motivates guys like J Rockwell and Neal to buy a new one? Both of them accomplished players so it would not be frustration that does it. Wondered if they look for something unique in appearance, assuming the sound quality is there? Or maybe just wanting something new?
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 02:23 pm |
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9th Post |
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UkeForever Approved
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The last ukulele I bought was my Style 2 last December. So I've kicked the habit (sort of). In my signature picture, I no longer have the Ukiyo. Sold it (at a loss actually  ). It was a great sounding uke, but I felt silly playing it. I'm just a figure-8 guy.It is tough to acquire a new instrument now because my standards are different than they were a few years ago. Sometimes the motivation to buy is simple curiosity, and the knowledge that I will sell it back if it doesn't seem like an instrument that's for me. But the desire to have different sounding ukes is twofold 1) I want to be encouraged to practice, so I need instruments that hold my attention, and 2) different sounding instruments have different musical applications. The same goes for guitars. I mean, keyboard players can buy an instrument with 10 different sampled piano sounds in it. Electric guitar players have banks of effects. Why? Because different sounds are needed for different styles of music. With acoustic guitars, ukes, mandolins, fretted instruments et al, you need a different axe to get a different sound. Last edited on Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 02:27 pm by UkeForever |
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 08:43 pm |
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10th Post |
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Neal Approved
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As for me, sometimes I wonder. UF said it mostly, and for me, it took a few years to figure out where I was at, playing-wise, before I settled on a style that feels at home. F'rinstance, I don't care for the Island style builds. They make some of the finest ukes, but Kamaka, Chuck Moore, Kelii, etc.. just don't yank my string like Gibson, Martin, this new resonator I got. Flamey koa doesn't excite me, but it may excite you, or him, or..
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 06:48 pm |
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11th Post |
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artcrocker Approved
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Neal, I am curious to know what you feel are the characteristics of the Island Built ukuleles. Also what you feel is the difference between them and the Martins, Gibsons,etc. It might help me to be more particular in what to listen for.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 08:31 pm |
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12th Post |
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Neal Approved
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Art, I'm a shallow guy, it's the look, totally. Just don't care for the way they look. Somethin'...somethin... can't put a finger on it. I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference blindfolded with some of them against some of mine.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 03:23 am |
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13th Post |
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PJ Approved
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I have lots of ukes, but my very favorite is my Island six string tenor. I love the sound, the easy playability, the rich harmonies, and the looks too. Kind of resembles a little dreadnaught guitar. I'm mostly a rhythm player, and the six-string fits me well. I think one type of ukulele will not fit all. Each one of us has to find the favorite that fits us best. I suspect the little dreadnaught shape may function to bring out the bass just like that shape on a guitar makes a booming bass. Last edited on Wed Jun 25th, 2008 11:53 am by PJ |
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| Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 07:43 am |
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14th Post |
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ukepimp Approved 
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I know that this post is a couple of months old, but I just feel like replying. haha. As far as WHAT makes an ukulele high end (premium) or low end (entry level), you have to look at how its made. Almost all of the entry level ukuleles that exist in this world are made assembly line style from some foreign country like China or Taiwan. Some are even made in the Phillipines. And, almost all of the ukuleles that are entry level, are laminates. Of course, there is a couple of exceptions that I am aware of. Kala makes an all solid mahogany wood ukulele, but it is still entry level. Premium, high end ukes, are the hand crafted ones. Anything that's made by hand, and not by machine, are instruments that are a little more costly. Although you ARE paying for the brand name, you are getting something that at the least, had some tender loving care put into its construction. As far as Pono ukes are concerned, they are considered mid price range. They are hand-crafted, but not in Hawai'i. They're made in a factory in Java, and then finished at the Ko'olau Guitar and Ukulele factory in Hawai'i. There really is no premium priced Pono, but that's where its high end instruments step in. Ko'olau ukuleles are definitely considered premium priced. I've heard from someone that there was a custom ukulele with a $15,000 price tag (of course, that's what I've heard). For me, I have a custom James Hill signature series Gstring ukulele, a T4 semi custom tenor, and a few entry levels. My James Hill uke has Koa sides and back, with a spruce top, and Koa pick guards. It has radiused fretboard, and Fishman Pro Blend electronics installed. It retails for about $3,000, and worth every penny I paid for it. Should you spend $50 or $500, it all depends on if you fell like you got your dollars worth for it. There was a guy who came into my shop just the other day, took out a Hilo brand soprano ukulele that he brought in with him, and started to play for me and my employees. He said that he just got back from Hawai'i, and he bought that in some shop for $300. I asked him if he made a good investment in buying that ukulele. He answered that he loves his uke. Although he bought a $50 dollar for 5 times more than its actually worth, he enjoys it, and no one can tell him any different.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/Dennis_Kaieamakoa_Nakamoto http://www.myspace.com/dennisnakamoto http://www.myspace.com/ukehutguam DON'T THINK.......JUST PICK!!!! |
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20th, 2008 03:40 am |
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15th Post |
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forstadt Approved
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I'm more concerned about getting my own proficiency to a level where I can be worthy of a so-called "high-end" ukulele. My current love interest is an old 1920s-era Martin that I found for nuthin' at a pawn shop, nursed back to health, and currently can't be separated from. I have a lot to learn, and she's willing to teach me... Ah... sweet ecstasy...
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20th, 2008 05:30 am |
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16th Post |
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UkeForever Approved
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forstadt wrote: I'm more concerned about getting my own proficiency to a level where I can be worthy of a so-called "high-end" ukulele. My current love interest is an old 1920s-era Martin that I found for nuthin' at a pawn shop, nursed back to health, and currently can't be separated from. I have a lot to learn, and she's willing to teach me... Ah... sweet ecstasy... Hey, that old uke's a workhorse. And inspiring. My first Martin was a 20s-era Style 0, and it has its share of bumps and bruises. The sound and feel of it definitely raised the bar all around!
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 03:31 am |
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17th Post |
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musicguymic Approved
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I feel it is a disgrace to charge some unsuspecting tourist 300.00 for a soprano hilo...
____________________ WOW I got another Uke!!!! |
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 03:41 am |
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18th Post |
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railroadbill Approved
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musicguymic wrote: I feel it is a disgrace to charge some unsuspecting tourist 300.00 for a soprano hilo... 
____________________ "the music draws you up a valley, & across a mountain . . . ya gather round it like yer gathering around a fountain . . " |
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 06:51 am |
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19th Post |
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UkeForever Approved
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Yeah, I meant to comment on that too. A 10X markup for what the instrument usually goes for retail is pretty darn low.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 08:07 am |
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20th Post |
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ukepimp Approved
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Well, according to this customer, that's what he paid. The last thing I wanted to do was tell him that he paid THAT much for a $60 ukulele.... if anything. Well, so long he enjoys his uke, and he felt like he got his moneys worth, who am I to argue. Just wish I could've run into him BEFORE he bought it though. Maybe I could've sold him a Hula Tenor for the price of a solid Koa Gstring or Kamaka. haha.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/Dennis_Kaieamakoa_Nakamoto http://www.myspace.com/dennisnakamoto http://www.myspace.com/ukehutguam DON'T THINK.......JUST PICK!!!! |
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