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| FLUKE vs. FLEA - General Ukulele - Ukulele - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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SodaPop-TC Approved 
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Hello All, I am new to the forum and have found the information you have been providing excellent. I bought the Lanikai Soprano as my first uke 6 weeks ago (I had surgery and figured it would be a good thing to learn during recovery) Anyway, it doesnt seem to stay in tune but a couple minutes while I am playing - granted I am new and NOT a guitar player... so I maybe a bit rough with the strumming (not an easy thing for me to learn) Question is ... I have been thinking about moving up to a little better instrument ... one with better tuning keys that will stay tight... I have read all you have had to write on the kala, and then the fluke... so I have been researching them... So here it is... everyone is writing about the beauty of the fluke, but I haven't seen anything about the Flea... What is the real difference? FLUKE vs. FLEA???? Thank you, Scott/SodaPop
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Will Approved 
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SodaPop-TC wrote:
The Fluke and Flea ukuleles have rounded back plastic bodies (reminiscent of Ovation guitars), molded plastic fretboards, and flat bottoms allowing them to be self-standing. The Fluke model is the original model and is generally a tenor size (there may be smaller versions nowadays). The Fluke has a triangular shaped body. There are deluxe versions of Flukes that are more costly, such as those that have a rosewood fretboard and metal fret wires, and fancier binding and trim.  The Flea is generally smaller (soprano/concert size), with a rounder body shape, and is generally less expensive than the Fluke.  Whether or not Flukes or Fleas are an upgrade from other brands is entirely up to the individual. I personally do not own either one, nor do I own an Ovation guitar (I'm not in favor of rounded plastic bodies). I play in the low-G tuning, which wears out plastic fretboards, and I'm not willing to pay extra for the rosewood model fretboard. But, Flukes and Fleas are very popular and are consistently well-made, good-sounding, and reasonably priced instruments. Last edited on Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 07:23 pm 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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Ukulathiest Approved 
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This reminds me of an old joke a fiddle player told me once: What's the difference between a violin and a viola? The viola takes longer to burn.
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HowlinHobbit Approved 
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Fleas are also available with the wooden fretboard upgrade. Fleas come in soprano scale. I have a soprano Tiki Flea (with the rosewood fretboard). You can check out a recording of it here, and a video here. As far as your Lanikai not staying in tune, it does take a bit for the strings to break in. 6 weeks seems to be a longish time though (are you playing it lots?). You might have to gently tighten the screws on the pegs.
____________________ Howlin' Hobbit Got Uke? MySpace ezFolk UkeLand |
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Sworch Approved
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I've got the cheapest Fluke available and love it. I have largish hands and the Flea is just a bit too small. It does have a plastic fingerboard and I do play with a dropped G string. A previous poster commented that a wound low G will chew up the plastic fingerboard/frets. This is true but I was able to find and use Worth CT-LG strings which have an unwound low G. With new nylon strings it does take a long time for them to settle in so don't judge your uke's ability to hold tuning too harshly until you've played the strings in for a couple weeks.
____________________ http://www.myspace.com/stevewaltherorchestra |
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Will Approved
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Ukulathiest wrote: This reminds me of an old joke a fiddle player told me once: This will get you burning...  
____________________ 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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SodaPop-TC Approved
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LOL... good stuff everyone! Thank you so much. I am home right now and play in 20 to 30 minute intervals a couple times a day. Right now just chord progressions as I try to figure out this strumming thing so that at some point it will actually sound like music :o) So based on what you have told me I am leaning toward the Fluke in the tenor length neck, and perhaps the upgraded rosewood and if available elect pickup. Cheers!
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wonderfulremark Approved
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I have a fluke. its a concert size.. I recommend it.. I have the basic model.. everything plastic.. but if i were to spend more money to upgrade to rosewood.. I'd rather buy an all solid uke.. do you want to use low G then get the rosewood fingerboard.. if not the plastic will be just fine 
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ichadwick Approved 
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Flukes come in concert and tenor size. I have both. The only difference is the length of the neck, so the "tenor" would more properly be called a "super concert." The tenor length puts more tension on the strings, so it has more volume than the concert. The big advantage of the Fluke (aside from the tenor size) is the flat bottom, which makes it easy to carry around and stand on its own on any available surface. Mine is always getting propped up on bookshelves, the dining room hutch and various countertops. The plastic back is very durable and takes all sorts of knocking about in a house with cats, a dog and (potentially) children. I frequently cart ot to work on weekends so I can practice in between customers (although today I have my new Kala cedar top instead...)
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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artcrocker Approved
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Guess I will put my 2cents in,,, I have a Flea and really love it, now that I have traded it in on one with a rosewood fretboard. More expensive but it really makes a difference. I have a number of more expensive and nicer sounding ukes, but it is the Flea that I play the most and travel with the most. I am trying to resist getting a Fluke, and have so far. I really like their graphics and may have to cave in some day. I traded my very plain Flea in for a Tiki King and am very pleased. Highly suggest when buying Fluke or Flea, go for the graphics you really like.
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ichadwick Approved
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artcrocker wrote: I really like their graphics and may have to cave in some day.Save yourself $100+ and do your opwn graphics. Use water-slide decals and you can get a really nice result.
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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Carlsbob Approved 
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Went looking for a Fluke (they were out) but bought a (Tiki) Flea. The Flea has a bigger fretboard than the soprano I was playing--I can actually get all my fingers on a D chord. It has a thicker neck, which has taken some time to get used to. It's a great size to carry around and play while surfing the web. I might have to look into the water slide decals if I go for Fluke (later). I like the Tiki, but you do pay a price for the picture...
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PJ Approved
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I have a Flea and a Fluke. Both have the flat bottoms, so they can sit up without a stand. My Flea is a soprano and the Fluke is concert size. I prefer the Flea. The Fluke is harder to hold and play because of its rounded back. A strap would help, but they usually are placed on the flat bottom, and then the uke won't stand by itself anymore. I also like the compact size of my little Flea. The size makes it ideal for travel and also makes it very,very cute They are fun ukes to decorate yourself using acrylic paint or stickers or both.
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| ezFolk Forums > Ukulele > General Ukulele > FLUKE vs. FLEA | |
