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Best Ukuleles
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:52 pm
by joepee
This should probably go in "the others" category, but I figured Paul and others would give best advice. I've heard about Koa. Just wondering what brand... and the best that is out there.
What should one look for and how much should someone expect to pay for a good one. Thanks.
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:55 pm
by johnallg
I've wondered about this also.
I have a vintage one brought back from Hawaii back in the 60's as a present to my parents. It still plays with the same nylon strings on it - plastic fretboard and all! The felt pick was really nice though, so nice I used it for bass playing 35 years ago. Wish I could find one like that now; none like it now.
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:50 pm
by dale_fortune
Kamaka makes very fine hand made Hawaiian Koa Ukuleles..Google them and you'll see their models
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:27 am
by kenposurf
I agree with Dale..I've owned several Kamaka's and they are very good...Hawaiian players favor Martins. Many of the workers at Kamaka are legally deaf..they test for proper tone by tapping on the wood...there are many for sale on ebay..watch for cracks and or seperations..the standard six uke is most popular but you might also check out the concert size..tunes up the same but a bit bigger...
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:01 am
by johnallg
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:20 pm
by dale_fortune
MY DOG HAS FLEAS
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:49 pm
by kenposurf
Ukulele=jumping flea...if I was after a Martin, I'd watch for a style 1,2 or 3 used//but for me, I'd rather have a Kamaka..a late 50's gold label or 60's white label would be nice but a brand new one is great as well..they have the mana bruddah
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:54 pm
by jingle_jangle
I know little about ukeleles, except I love the way they look and admire some of the beautifully-crafted ones out there.
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:55 pm
by karl_teten
George Harrison played a Kamaka Concert in The Beatles Anthology DVD.
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:32 pm
by johnallg
Until I get better on one, that Martin or even the Kamakas are out of my price range.
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:43 pm
by kenposurf
You can pick up a Kamaka for $350 =/- if you keep alert...I've found them for $100 before...many people brought them back from Hawaii in the 60's..along with a shirt or two...vintage Harmony ukes are really not bad and can be had well under $100...
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:11 pm
by admin
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:13 pm
by johnallg
George, I have one of those cheapie 60's "back from Hawaii" ukes. I'll have to look at it and see what brand it is. It is good enough to re-learn on. I used to play it many, many moons ago!
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:32 pm
by kenposurf
See what you have John..inexepensive WOOD ukes sound better than you might think..if you have a wood one and it has Duke written in gold script on the front it's worth a few bucks...again the Harmonys from the 60's are cheap and pretty good..I have a baritone and a soprano that were given to me and they play well...Thats a great video Peter..search out Sam Ohta (Ohta San) for some excellent ukulele..
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:45 pm
by johnallg
Yeah, this one sounds alright, all wood except for the plastic fretboard. That's how I know its a cheapie!
Still in its green vinyl soft case. It's been in Arizona since 1972 and I reclained it when we were cleaning out the homestead last year when my parents moved into assisted living.