Newbie Ukulele help needed

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Mac Carter	Newbie Ukulele help needed	Lead	[-]
(11/06/09 7:31 PM) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hi all, My daughter will have the opportunity to spend some time in the Hawaiian Islands this winter, and she is interested in purchasing a ukulele. She has asked my advice, and since I know nothing about ukes I am turning to this august and knowledgeable group. I suggested that she should look for an all solid wood model, Koa if possible, but that Mahogany or Cherry would be OK. I don't know her budget. Do any of you have any suggestions as to brand or where she might look to shop locally? Many thanks, Mac
k6mms		#1	[-]
(11/06/09 8:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Martin makes a fantastic soprano uke for about $300. You will L-O-V-E it. I've also purchased a Samick orhestra uke new for $50. It's nice enough, but teh glue on the top came off and I had to fix it.
Mac Carter		#2	[-]
(11/06/09 8:25 PM) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Wow, I totally missed that S-O. Many thanks! Mac
NealP		#3	[-]
(11/06/09 10:40 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I don't like the SO. There, I said it. Some are good, some are very not good. Made in Mexico, not that there's anything wrong with that. She's headed to the Island, tell her to find a Kamaka or Koaloha, they offer tours, you can look it up on the web. On the SO, you can still find an older real Martin uke on the bay for under 500. The difference is night and day. Having said that, an SO is one of those ukes you really have to have in your hands, play, check intonation, etc., before you shell out the bucks. Neal's YouTube MySpace Neal and Jon's YouTube
MikeHalloran		#4	[-]
(11/07/09 1:18 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	NealP wrote: I don't like the SO. There, I said it. Some are good, some are very not good. Made in Mexico, not that there's anything wrong with that. She's headed to the Island, tell her to find a Kamaka or Koaloha, they offer tours, you can look it up on the web. On the SO, you can still find an older real Martin uke on the bay for under 500. The difference is night and day. Having said that, an SO is one of those ukes you really have to have in your hands, play, check intonation, etc., before you shell out the bucks. There is nothing wrong with the SO. It's just that, for the money, you can do better. As Neal points out, they are mediocre and, for not too much more, you can get a Style 0, a wonderful sounding instrument. I still think that, with a few minor tweaks, the S-O could be really good all the time. Mike Halloran '49 00-28G, '03 000C-16SGTNE, '03 000-15S, Backpacker Mandolin, '60s Style 0 uke, '67 D12-35, '75 D-35S, Cowboy X, Cowboy II (I think that's all the Martins) Many Guilds, Gibsons and Goyas
Chef Bill in Florida		#5	[-]
(11/07/09 10:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	To Mac's question about local dealers, I recently purchased my first ukulele online from MusicGuyMic's Ukulele in Kaneohe, on the Big Island of Hawaii (telephone: 757-777-7873) . His communication and service were terrific, prices very reasonable (tuners, cases, upgraded strings and set-ups included with many models), and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again. He does a lot of business on eBay (100% positive feedback on more than 11,900 ratings), and seems to specialize in Kala and other major brand instruments. Check out his online store on eBay, and many videos he's posted on YouTube. eBay - MusicGuyMic's Room YouTube - MusicGuyMic's Channel I purchased this model, without the pickup... Chef Bill in Florida 000X1 - "Bonnie"; DX1 - "Clyde"; D12X1 - "Bogie"; Epiphone Sheraton II - "Bacall"; 000-15S - "Arnold", Kala Tenor Ukulele - "Danno" Last Edited By: Chef Bill in Florida 11/07/09 10:33 AM. Edited 2 times.
Ukola		#6	[-]
(11/07/09 5:01 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	She should go on a tour of the KoAloha factory. That'd be a fun thing to do and while there she could buy one of thier solid koa sopranos for about 450 or at least try one.
fguidry		#7	[-]
(11/10/09 11:55 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Chef Bill in Florida wrote: To Mac's question about local dealers, I recently purchased my first ukulele online from MusicGuyMic's Ukulele in Kaneohe, on the Big Island of Hawaii (telephone: 757-777-7873) . His communication and service were terrific, prices very reasonable (tuners, cases, upgraded strings and set-ups included with many models), and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again. He does a lot of business on eBay (100% positive feedback on more than 11,900 ratings), and seems to specialize in Kala and other major brand instruments. Check out his online store on eBay, and many videos he's posted on YouTube. eBay - MusicGuyMic's Room YouTube - MusicGuyMic's Channel I purchased this model, without the pickup... I think Music Guy Mike is a great dealer too, but don't go looking for Kane`ohe on Hawai`i Island (the "big island"). It's on O`ahu, the main island, the most populous island, the center of trade and government island. Fran E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key in California - www.kaleponi.com "Kaleponi" at CD Baby My YouTube Clips The Homebrewed Music Blog
Boz		#8	[-]
(11/11/09 1:10 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The folks a Kamaka factory do tours as well and they've been at it for a long time. A good place to get some first hand ukulele history as well as a great ukulele. Your Signature ...00-18 1954, 0-15,1949,00-28C Converted to style 42 1967, 5K Uke 2007, Martin Baritone & soprano Ukes- 60's, OM10VRR Koa Reserve Larrivee, D03 Larrivee, 000-18NB, Parker Nitefly, St. Blues Tele, M42 David Bromberg.
Mac Carter		#9	[-]
(11/11/09 3:55 PM) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks for all your help! After looking all around, and of course there is always the upward spiral in price the more you look, I finally purchased this 1930 Martin Style 1 Soprano Uke for $600 at Elderly. I checked other prices, and a Style 1 in Mahogany seems to run anywhere from $900 to $1200. I had the repair person at Elderly actually get the instrument out and look at the crack, and he indicates that it is very well done (by them of course), very solid and almost invisible, and the uke sounds great. Hope I didn't make a big mistake, but my daughter is ecstatic about this find. 1930 Martin Style 1 Soprano Uke at Elderly (well, not any more) Mac
Lefty00042		#10	[-]
(11/11/09 4:06 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Excellent choice, Mac. ~ Herb -- Martin D-15 \|Martin HD-28V \| Martin 00-18VS UMGF Custom, #15 \| Martin 000-42 1935 Sunburst \| Martin 000-18 Golden Era 1935 Sunburst Martin LXBlack \| National Reso-Phonic Delphi \| Fender Standard Telecaster \| Epiphone Dot 335 \| Agile Al2800 LP-clone Martin 3 Cherry Ukulele \| Glyph Custom Ukulele \| KoAloha Soprano Ukulele www.angryherb.net
wgmiller		#11	[-]
(11/11/09 5:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Wow, Mac... nice find. I'm sure your daughter will love it. Please keep me in mind should you ever decide to adopt a 61 year-old son. Will 2006 Martin D-15S 2007 Yamaha C40 2007 Zager 50 OM (my beater) 2008 Fender Standard Telecaster 2009 Takamine TF430SS
MrJellyrollBaker		#12	[-]
(11/11/09 6:16 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hope I didn't make a big mistake, but my daughter is ecstatic about this find. Not with a vintage style 1, you didn't! One of the best sopranos I've ever played, my style 1. I made the horrible mistake of selling it, and just bought it back! You can trust the folks at Elderly, too. Very, very good choice!
NealP		#13	[-]
(11/11/09 6:46 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Is it worth 2x the SO? C'mon, tell him! Hmmm.. I'd have to think on that for awhi-yes. Neal's YouTube MySpace Neal and Jon's YouTube
Garry		#14	[-]
(11/11/09 10:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Or 4x the price of my S-O. Yes, still a nice deal for you Max.
Chef Bill in Florida		#15	[-]
(11/12/09 2:50 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Leave it to the native New Yorker to not know anything about the geography of Hawaii! That's a beautiful ukulele, Mac - a real classy vintage instrument for your daughter to begin her musical journey. I had a feeling that the more you researched, the better the chances were that you would select a Martin. Wishing her many years of happiness and enjoyment with it! Chef Bill in Florida 000X1 - "Bonnie"; DX1 - "Clyde"; D12X1 - "Bogie"; Epiphone Sheraton II - "Bacall"; 000-15S - "Arnold", Kala Tenor Ukulele - "Danno"
Winin Boy		#16	[-]
(11/13/09 11:35 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Congratulations, Mac! Best uke money can buy! Like Jellyroll, I can honestly say that some of the best ukes I have ever played were the Martin style 1's. Plus, they just look so very good... I wish I was your daughter.
carl		#17	[-]
(11/13/09 10:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Mac, good deal on the Style 1! Great choice. I have a ~1960 Style 1 and still marvel at its sight and sound.
NealP		#18	[-]
(11/14/09 12:02 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Winin Boy wrote: Congratulations, Mac! Best uke money can buy! Like Jellyroll, I can honestly say that some of the best ukes I have ever played were the Martin style 1's. Plus, they just look so very good... I wish I was your daughter. He'd make a terrible daughter. Neal's YouTube MySpace Neal and Jon's YouTube
Winin Boy		#19	[-]
(11/14/09 6:05 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	NealP wrote: Winin Boy wrote: Congratulations, Mac! Best uke money can buy! Like Jellyroll, I can honestly say that some of the best ukes I have ever played were the Martin style 1's. Plus, they just look so very good... I wish I was your daughter. He'd make a terrible daughter. Now you've really hurt my feelings, Neal. sob

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