How Much Do Ukuleles Improve, The More You Spend? 7 Model Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 6 авг 2021
- A comparison of 7 different ukulele models at different price levels, from £109 to £1,299, examining how quality increases between models as you spend more money.
Chapters
00:07 Introduction / Explanation
02.11 The Ukes Being Tested
04:38 Rapid Fire Comparisons
06:23 Fingerpicking Comparisons
08:26 Chord Comparisons
11:06 Chord Melody Comparisons
17:00 Cheapest vs. Most Expensive
19:15 Conclusion
Ukes featured in this video, all available from World of Ukes:
Kai KTI-90: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
Uma UK-16ST: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
Flight Voyager: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
Millar SP-260W: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
Uluru Nehe IIIC: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
Maestro UT-MR: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
aNueNue UT-200: worldofukes.co.uk/tenor-ukule...
The experience of having one in one's own hands, the haptic touch and feel, the details of the form, the ease of playability, the whole multisensory experience ... seems to me more important than the sound alone. The sound: When I play in my bedroom or in the kitchen or the livingroom or the balkony or sitting under a tree ... these circumstances influence the sound much more than what I can detect as differences in your sound samples. The instrument as a whole is "my pride and joy". Becoming a better player, depends on having an instrument which I love to grab and play on. As I get better, the saying "the sound is in the fingers" will show its truth.
I love to go to specialized instrument shops just to adore the beauty and perfections of those instruments on display. (Even instruments which I do not play and do not intend to learn.) Many I cannot afford. And the ones which I can afford and are suitable for my developping level of playing: I already have what I need.
Some day I will fall in love with a new instrument. I will know it, if I have it in my hands and can admire it with all my senses close-up: it will feel (and sound) irresistible!
With regards to the sound the Uluru is my favorite, especially when finger picked. It also looks really nice. One feature I really got to appreciate since I got a Flight Victoria is the armrest, so that is something I would probably miss from the Uluru. The Kai stands out in terms of value for money, it seems like a great choice for a first instrument.
Those Kai instruments are as good as anything I've seen in the last ten years for value for money. I am sure people are buying ukes and starting their up journeys every day - but not so many on instruments that are that good for that little money.
I think after the Millar it gets much harder and subjective to appreciate the improvement
I agree
Thank you for this comparison. I enjoyed it and found it very helpful.
Great review. Good to hear them next to each other. Thanks.
Thanks Graham. I thought it might be a bit repetitive, but I suppose it's more useful that way!
For someone who makes a living by selling ukuleles, your videos are incredibly honest and helpful, aiming to get your customers the instrument that’s right for them. I admire your integrity and hard work. Really enjoyed this video.. my slight favourite was the Uluru…
Thank you - that's very kind. It's strange, if someone gets a Kai, like the one at the start, and I think (and they do) that its right for them, I am as satisfied as if someone loves a Moon Bird. It's not a ruthless, profit-driven approach but it's true!
For me it's the Miller, just edging out the Uluru. Certainly, both live with the high end ukes, very well. Thanks for the video, this was really helpful and definitely worth the trouble. 👍
Thank you Chris. It's one of those questions that I always answer but never actually put it to the test. I do think everything gets a bit blurred once you hit a certain standard. I love the Millar too.
The Uluru is so warm. Love it
Matt, first of all, can I just say thank you so, so much for making this amazing video. I am well aware how much work went into making this video and it is incredible. Thank you! Secondly, I am a bit surprised at how much I loved the sound of the all laminate Kai! What an amazing Uke for £109!!! Loved the comparison of the Kai and the aNueNue at the end. The aNueNue of course wins on that one. I had already made my mind up half way through the video which Uke was my favourite, but chose to watch to the end. It's called respect for the effort that has gone into making this video! The Millar wins for me! If I could afford a Millar with that gorgeous binding at any size, I would snatch your hand off!! Thanks again. Brilliant! (Oh just thought I'd mention how much I am in love with my aNueNue UC10 Uke! I play that Uke the most!)
That is really kind of you Wendy. It is a long job, with the graphics, editing, slideshows and the many, many times I get my tongue in a twist and have to cut bits out! But... at the end of the day it's not a bad thing to have to do. I'm lucky to enjoy what I do and am just grateful that people are kind enough to watch it.
The Kai is very good value (the identical KTI-30 - apart from a different veneer - was my pick for best ukulele for 2021). I sell the odd one, maybe two a month? I'm sure there are people spending more on stuff that's not as good every day....
I appreciate the comment a great deal, thank you.
@@WorldofUkes I know how much work goes into making these videos because I used to do it for a Club that I was a member of. It is a lot of work!! Dare I be cheeky and ask ... which is your favourite?
@@wylancslass I think the Moon Bird was best. But in second it's hard . The Maestro was nicer than it came out on the video as it's so flipping loud, and louder than the rest that it peaked my sound recorder and distorted. I did like the Millar but perhaps the Uluru sneaked into second (possibly as it's the most familiar to me as I play one).
Great video Matt. They all sound great, you wouldn’t be disappointed with any of these Ukuleles. The Moonbird is pure class!
Thanks Gary. And you're right, my point wasn't made easier with some great quality cheaper ukes!
Oooh, lovely!!
With good headphones, the difference is quite noticeable.
What a great comparison Matt! My favorites were the Millar, Uluru, and Flight (not necessarily in that order) But what truly surprised me was how kind of lost the Moonbird was, for me anyway. She’s still a beauty though❤️
Thanks for providing such a great demonstration! They all sound great, but boy do things start taking off for me once you hit the Miller. Beautiful sound at a price I can afford (if I save my pennies). Gonna start saving! I wish I could visit a dedicated uke store, in person, but I’m grateful you’re here to help.
That's very kind of you, thank you!
Hi Matt, appreciate your time and effort with the videos. I agree with everyone’s comments. The Kai is excellent for the money, really impressive sustain on a laminate. I really enjoyed the difference in clarity as the price increased. The moon bird seemed to have a more distinct note separation for me. That said I would take any of them, my appreciation of the Millar is getting there and probably know what my next uke will be. Can I also say I really enjoy reading all the comments from everyone. Have a great week one and all.
Thanks Isaac, I've also enjoyed the comments and thanks for yours too.
Kai at 109 super sound excellent value
My favourite came up with the Uluru. Fabulous for me.
Matt, great video demonstration. You make them all sound so good your talents are magnificent. Thank you for this.
That's very kind Marie - but I'm not a particularly good player. If I have a talent it's for doing 'twiddly bits' which sound fancy but aren't that hard!
Millar and the two after...but, all were pleasing to my ears, and I have some very nice ukuleles! Thanks... very interesting!
Hiya Matt, Thanks very much for another great video and I really appreciate the hard work that it took. The Kai sounds great and so does the Uma. Overall, the Uluru Nehe 111c stands out and for me it beats the Maestro and the Moonbird, although the Millar comes very close. Thanks again and take care, David.
Thanks David - it's good that there's a range of responses on favourites - I suppose it goes some way to prove my point that money isn't everything!
One interesting point is the difference to the sound that strings make. As you may recall, Matt, a few months ago I bought a top-end Maestro tenor from you, and didn’t like the sound at all. I then swapped it for the Uluru Sedera III which was great, but what really made the uke come to life for me was replacing the fluorocarbon strings it came with, with Aquila “Nylgut” strings. I know you probably think I’m crazy, but to me the whole instrument sounds warmer and richer with the Aquila strings on it! Now I absolutely love it.
Haha, I remember - and the daft thing was it came with Aquilas on and I took them off!
Apparently I’m an extremist hahaa.. I liked the very first and the last one the best in terms of sound quality and performance. Thank you for putting this super helpful comprehensive review together :)
It's handy if you have inexpensive taste! Although you've got inexpensive AND inexpensive taste - so not sure where that leaves you!? Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it :)
That Maestro has some serious volume, especially when you hear the Moonbird right afterwards. As a first instrument I don't know if you can do much better than that Kai. The Flight does everything pretty good across the board. I think it would make an excellent first upgrade. But...the midrange on those Moonbird's is almost angelic. Of all the ukes at that price point it's still my fave.
Yes, very impressed with the Kai model, a lot going for it for £109. Amazing what you can get for that, compared to ten years ago when something not as good would cost twice as much!
My favourites are the Millar and the Maestro.
I honestly think that without playing and having a feel of the instruments by oneself it is very adventurous to decide. The differences are too small. Thank you for the video!
I can understand that view. Thought there's a bit of 'you can't go wrong' too, creeping in, if the differences are small.
By the way Matt, how much of a improvement in sound can be expecteted in a all solid wood instrument with playing? I suppose it is not easy answer. Thank you!
@@juanlczpi7170 It is tricky, yes! I find that spruce and cedar is often more 'ready to go' and it's acacia and koa that can improve. My Uluru is koa and is 6 years old - I think it's about 10% better than the new ones. But there's an element of doubt in the argument as technically I suppose I could have just got a really good one.
I also think sometimes people think their instrument sounds better over time, and perhaps its just that they have improved their standard of playing!
Basically I'd say, if you like the sound now, it might improve and that's a bonus, but I wouldn't buy one hoping it will become what you want it to be in the future.
It’s interesting. The Kai at the cheapest end is already good, but there is a slow and steady increase, and to me the Flight sounds like a relatively big jump in quality from those before. The Millar stands out from the Flight when it comes to chord melodies. At the top end, it’s all a little subjective, though I find the Moonbird sounds absolutely sublime - which could be as much personal taste as anything else.
Interesting, thanks Paul.
I think in recent times there's been such good stuff at the serious beginner end of the market that it blurs the lines a bit. Five years ago, when many of these models weren't available, a similar test of what you could get might have been more clear cut.
@@WorldofUkes the only really “easy” comparison video you’ve done that I’ve seen was the Uma vs Epiphone one about a month ago.
I wish I’d started ukulele ten or fifteen years ago rather than the start of this year, but there are huge advantages in terms of instruments available!
Thanks Paul. I guess because I tend to deal with stuff I like, rather than try and sell things that net the most profit - it makes the test slightly difficult to work out, as hopefully, nothing sounds bad, just different!
I think the cheapest one the kai kti-90 sounds as good as the most expensive ones. My least favorite is the flight Voyager, but it sounds ok
From one who is a bit of a price snob, I am really impressed with the Kai, and the Flight. As far as strumming goes, the Maestro was nice and loud. I think among the more expensive, the differences are more noticeable with fingerpicking. For that I liked the Millar, the Uluru and the Moonbird. But just personal preference. Just gonna have to buy them all 😂
In the video I made before this one, about buying mistakes, I did suggest people didn't buy too many, but I am willing to make an exception ;)
Hi Matt,
Long time.
Some really great uses here.
Just one comment, did I notice a slight oriental bias in your choices?
Are we going to get together soon for a weekend fest or a train ride. Hope so.
Best wishes to you and the rest of the gang,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, I'm more a specialist in instruments from the Far East. I think they're getting so good at it, and I like the value. I wouldn't call it a bias, just an area of expertise.
@@WorldofUkes sorry Matt, just joking.
Personally I can’t really tell the different on RUclips and I would prefer your opinion.
Yes, it was an interesting exercise, but it doesn't beat having them in your hands.