Excellent comparison. They both sounded good but the Flight appealed to me more, despite the fact that I found the Bee's design more interesting. Also, I enjoyed your playing. Thank you.
I have the Flight TUC-KITTY and like it very much. I've never heard of Bumble Bee, but I'm in the U.S.A. so perhaps it's not sold here? I also have several Flight TUS models because I like the feel of them and don't worry about taking them places. I have several wood and/or laminate ukes also. I love your playing... very graceful and smooth; you make it look so easy!. You clearly have a love of ukulele playing and have spent a great deal of time practicing and learning the art,
I believe BumbleBee are a British company and I think currently only supply to the UK/Europe. Maybe they will find their way over to the USA one day. How does the TUS compare to the TUC? I see Flight has brought out a version with a pick up as well which is interesting and nice to have that option at a low price compared to most other electro-acoustic ukes. Thank you for your kind comments about my playing. It's very nice of you to say so! I do really love the ukulele!
@@ashleylittlemusic - The TUC, being concert, is easier for normal hands. The soprano TUS is more compact for traveling with and can fit into luggage (not carry-on size though). I also have a TUSL soprano body with concert neck. I love the feel and ease of playing with Flight ukes and Enya Nova U and Nova mini. They are so positively predictable from unit to unit, unlike wood or laminate ukes, which can vary from unit to unit of the same model. I also like the wood mahogany Aklot ukes.
How does the sound compare between the Flight soprano and concert? I also like the Novas. I love how much variety has appeared in the ukulele market in recent years. (Though variety is just another excuse for me to keep adding to my collection! 🙃)
@@ashleylittlemusic - The Flight soprano sound is somewhat thinner and plinkier, but not bad. Good volume for such a small ukulele. The concert is definitely better sounding, but is not as convenient to travel with, unless in a car. You're right about variety making it "necessary" to add to our collections! I finally came to my senses and decided to have a "Ukulele Yard Sale" soon... I already have sorted the dozen or so to keep, and have almost finished putting price tags on the outside of the bags of the nearly 100 others... but I have to confess that I'm waiting for four more ukes to arrive is the mail within the next week... even if I do end up adding them to my planned Ukulele Yard Sale, I will have the opportunity to try new ones! I hope to resell my ukes for about what I paid, since they have been lightly used, and most were purchased on sale or clearance (another reason that I keep buying, as I can never say "no" to a bargain!).🤪
Wow that’s an impressive collection! I agree it’s always good to have the opportunity to play as many ukes as possible! Hope you enjoy your new ones ☺️
Your observations on both instruments are spot on - good review! I own a Flight concert scale (minus the cats!). For what it is, it’s actually a pretty decent instrument, and darn near indestructible. It’s almost grandkid proof. 😉The first thing I did was swap out strings; like you, I found that the original nylguts were not great. I’m currently running Worth brown fluorocarbons with an unwound low G. Much better, and with the Flight’s zero nut I didn’t have to play with the setup at all for the low G. (However, I don’t think there’s enough room for a wound low G string.) I also dislike the faux wood texture on the Flight fretboard; it makes it very difficult to bend a note. I wish it were smooth. It looks to me like the action is a bit high on the Bumblebee; I prefer a lower action. What are your thoughts on it? I agree the lower volume and thinner sound on the Bumblebee (in comparison) is likely attributable to the smaller soprano body. I’d sure like to hear it in a concert body size. Thanks again! 😃
Thank you Tracy. That's interesting that you didn't have to make adjustments for the low G, maybe I will try this on it at some point. I love Worth browns, they are probably my favourite strings, if I had to pick! The action on the BumbleBee is actually quite comfortable to play. It's mainly just that neck profile that really lets it down!
I bought the Tarrega book after watching your book review but the pieces seem too hard for my level (just playing less than a year) and with no accompanied audios it didn't help either. But after hearing the lovely piece you played in the sound sample here I decided to give it another try. 👍
It is a bit tricky without having the audio of the pieces to refer to. I have used this video ruclips.net/video/weQz5tGEKwE/видео.html as a reference point for some of them. Some of the preludes in the book are a bit ‘easier’ but they are numbered in according to order in the book rather than key (not necessarily the same key as the original) so you have to do a bit of listening to figure out which one is which. However, if I remember correctly Prelude 23 in the book is around 1 hour 15 mins in this audio video. It is one of my favourites in the book. Original is in D major and believe it is in G major in the book but a good reference point. It’s a short piece so makes it a bit less challenging than some of the others. Hope this helps ☺️
Nice comparison, as you said I don't think the Bee has a bad sound, more than acceptable for beginners I would say. The Bee has quite a large soundhole relative to its body, maybe this and the thinner polycarbonate stops it being shrill, it has a warmer sound than I thought it would. Andy
Thanks for this very interesting comparison. It seems, as with most things, one only gets what one pays for! You have inspired me to try some nylgut strings on my black TUC to see if it will inspire me to play it more than the wooden Uke's I have accumulated thanks to U.A.S! I find that the TUC is a little on the strident side, much to my wife's annoyance. 🥺
Thanks for watching ☺️. I prefer my wooden ukuleles as well but it’s nice to have a variety of options! The strings I have put on my TUC are the clear fluorocarbon ones that Flight make which are cheaper than some other brands but still good quality in my experience and I much prefer them to the strings it came with. They are a thinner gauge as well which I find easier to play. I would be interested to hear what you think if you change the strings on yours. Hopefully your wife will approve too!
Excellent informative review! Better to my mind than many of the established uke reviewers, especially because of your fine and varied playing. Please keep doing this! The Flight seems to do really well in comparison, and I love the cats! (I saw a matching strap in one of your other videos, cute!)
Thank you for the kind feedback. I really appreciate it and it is helpful, especially since I've not been doing this long and I'm still learning about how to make the best content for the viewer. Yeah the cats are super cute - every one is different which shows they have taken care with the design!
Excellent comparison. They both sounded good but the Flight appealed to me more, despite the fact that I found the Bee's design more interesting. Also, I enjoyed your playing. Thank you.
Thank you ☺️
Your playing makes these cheap ukes sound good. Thanks
That’s very kind of you to say! Thank you ☺️
I have the Flight TUC-KITTY and like it very much. I've never heard of Bumble Bee, but I'm in the U.S.A. so perhaps it's not sold here? I also have several Flight TUS models because I like the feel of them and don't worry about taking them places. I have several wood and/or laminate ukes also. I love your playing... very graceful and smooth; you make it look so easy!. You clearly have a love of ukulele playing and have spent a great deal of time practicing and learning the art,
I believe BumbleBee are a British company and I think currently only supply to the UK/Europe. Maybe they will find their way over to the USA one day. How does the TUS compare to the TUC? I see Flight has brought out a version with a pick up as well which is interesting and nice to have that option at a low price compared to most other electro-acoustic ukes. Thank you for your kind comments about my playing. It's very nice of you to say so! I do really love the ukulele!
@@ashleylittlemusic - The TUC, being concert, is easier for normal hands. The soprano TUS is more compact for traveling with and can fit into luggage (not carry-on size though). I also have a TUSL soprano body with concert neck. I love the feel and ease of playing with Flight ukes and Enya Nova U and Nova mini. They are so positively predictable from unit to unit, unlike wood or laminate ukes, which can vary from unit to unit of the same model. I also like the wood mahogany Aklot ukes.
How does the sound compare between the Flight soprano and concert? I also like the Novas. I love how much variety has appeared in the ukulele market in recent years. (Though variety is just another excuse for me to keep adding to my collection! 🙃)
@@ashleylittlemusic - The Flight soprano sound is somewhat thinner and plinkier, but not bad. Good volume for such a small ukulele. The concert is definitely better sounding, but is not as convenient to travel with, unless in a car. You're right about variety making it "necessary" to add to our collections! I finally came to my senses and decided to have a "Ukulele Yard Sale" soon... I already have sorted the dozen or so to keep, and have almost finished putting price tags on the outside of the bags of the nearly 100 others... but I have to confess that I'm waiting for four more ukes to arrive is the mail within the next week... even if I do end up adding them to my planned Ukulele Yard Sale, I will have the opportunity to try new ones! I hope to resell my ukes for about what I paid, since they have been lightly used, and most were purchased on sale or clearance (another reason that I keep buying, as I can never say "no" to a bargain!).🤪
Wow that’s an impressive collection! I agree it’s always good to have the opportunity to play as many ukes as possible! Hope you enjoy your new ones ☺️
Fret markers on the flight can fall out, but easy to glue back if not lost. Nice comparison.
Thank you. That’s good to know!
I prefer the Bumblebee. Less harsh to my ears. Thanks for the sound comparisons.
Thanks for watching and for your comment. I’m glad if you found the video useful ☺️
Your observations on both instruments are spot on - good review! I own a Flight concert scale (minus the cats!). For what it is, it’s actually a pretty decent instrument, and darn near indestructible. It’s almost grandkid proof. 😉The first thing I did was swap out strings; like you, I found that the original nylguts were not great. I’m currently running Worth brown fluorocarbons with an unwound low G. Much better, and with the Flight’s zero nut I didn’t have to play with the setup at all for the low G. (However, I don’t think there’s enough room for a wound low G string.) I also dislike the faux wood texture on the Flight fretboard; it makes it very difficult to bend a note. I wish it were smooth. It looks to me like the action is a bit high on the Bumblebee; I prefer a lower action. What are your thoughts on it? I agree the lower volume and thinner sound on the Bumblebee (in comparison) is likely attributable to the smaller soprano body. I’d sure like to hear it in a concert body size. Thanks again! 😃
Thank you Tracy. That's interesting that you didn't have to make adjustments for the low G, maybe I will try this on it at some point. I love Worth browns, they are probably my favourite strings, if I had to pick! The action on the BumbleBee is actually quite comfortable to play. It's mainly just that neck profile that really lets it down!
I bought the Tarrega book after watching your book review but the pieces seem too hard for my level (just playing less than a year) and with no accompanied audios it didn't help either. But after hearing the lovely piece you played in the sound sample here I decided to give it another try. 👍
It is a bit tricky without having the audio of the pieces to refer to. I have used this video ruclips.net/video/weQz5tGEKwE/видео.html as a reference point for some of them. Some of the preludes in the book are a bit ‘easier’ but they are numbered in according to order in the book rather than key (not necessarily the same key as the original) so you have to do a bit of listening to figure out which one is which. However, if I remember correctly Prelude 23 in the book is around 1 hour 15 mins in this audio video. It is one of my favourites in the book. Original is in D major and believe it is in G major in the book but a good reference point. It’s a short piece so makes it a bit less challenging than some of the others. Hope this helps ☺️
Nice comparison, as you said I don't think the Bee has a bad sound, more than acceptable for beginners I would say. The Bee has quite a large soundhole relative to its body, maybe this and the thinner polycarbonate stops it being shrill, it has a warmer sound than I thought it would. Andy
Thanks Andy. That’s a good point about the soundhole being relatively large. It definitely isn’t a bad ukulele for the price.
Thanks for this very interesting comparison. It seems, as with most things, one only gets what one pays for!
You have inspired me to try some nylgut strings on my black TUC to see if it will inspire me to play it more than the wooden Uke's I have accumulated thanks to U.A.S! I find that the TUC is a little on the strident side, much to my wife's annoyance. 🥺
Thanks for watching ☺️. I prefer my wooden ukuleles as well but it’s nice to have a variety of options! The strings I have put on my TUC are the clear fluorocarbon ones that Flight make which are cheaper than some other brands but still good quality in my experience and I much prefer them to the strings it came with. They are a thinner gauge as well which I find easier to play. I would be interested to hear what you think if you change the strings on yours. Hopefully your wife will approve too!
Excellent informative review! Better to my mind than many of the established uke reviewers, especially because of your fine and varied playing. Please keep doing this!
The Flight seems to do really well in comparison, and I love the cats! (I saw a matching strap in one of your other videos, cute!)
Thank you for the kind feedback. I really appreciate it and it is helpful, especially since I've not been doing this long and I'm still learning about how to make the best content for the viewer. Yeah the cats are super cute - every one is different which shows they have taken care with the design!
🎶✨🐝✨🎶 👶👏