I have a tenor Fluke that was a Covid purchase, and I love it. It’s the basic pine-top model in solid blue with maple back and plastic fretboard. I had them add the side dots, but that’s the only custom feature. I’m not crazy about the friction tuners. However, once you get them set, they do hold tune very well. They’re just a pain to get set in the first place. I didn’t like the factory strings, and I changed them to Worth Clears with a low G. I think it sounds a lot better, and I like the way they play. In my climate, anything with real wood has to be humidified. My Fluke can sit out and is always ready to pick up. It was a bit of an impulse buy, but I’m very pleased with it. BTW, I bought it directly from Magic Fluke online, and their customer service was wonderful!
I just today in fact visited the Magic Fluke shop in Sheffield Massachusetts. Amazing place incredibly wonderful family owned and operated shop. Played almost every one in the shop including the banjos and electric solid body. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for this! I love my Fleas and Flukes. I have wanted to hear a Koa concert Flea and Fluke and was delighted to hear them compared on this video. I have the Koa tenor Fluke and it sounds like liquid gold! I just need the tad smaller concert neck and have debated the Flea versus the Fluke. Now I have to decide! Thanks again!
I took my Flea Soprano Batik pattern to Hawaii 7 years ago. It is the travel uke, par excellence. It's now nearly 10 years old and still looks and plays just fine, with little visible wear, except for the tuners, which have degraded somewhat through regular summer beach outings. Cheers for the review.
My Fluke Flea Concert Surf is the most played of all my ukes (more so than the Kamaka HF-3). The pretty-easy-to-use friction tuners aren't nearly as finicky as those on one of my non MF's (the one in my profile pic). I'm happy with them as is, as I am with the stock fingerboard... That said, if upgrading is in one's budget, I say go for it. Low maintenance, high quality instrument made with honest New England labor & sustainable materials - what more could one want? I pulled some clean cardboard from the recycling bin, made a cutout of the body, used a few rubber bands to attach it to the back, threw it in a back pack & took it to a workshop (With Willie K!!) at a festival this past weekend. Got stuck in the rain waiting for my poke at a food truck. My uke was totally fine..... PS there are ways to get a strap on this, the easiest being the velcro style MF sells on their site. They look relatively easy to make on one's own as well.
I just won a used Flea M30 on U.S.A. Goodwill charity auction. I used to play violin in school (decades ago!) and am familiar with friction tuners from violin. I hope I remember how to tune friction!
This video is gold for those selecting a Fluke. Has the Fluke tenor size fuller sound and more versatility than the concert apart from the larger scale? The playing Alex seems more beautiful on the tenor fluke than in the concert to me….
Love my flea but changed the tuning pegs to geared tuners with better easier fine tuning. I could not get used to cheapest friction heads as you seemed to go up or down a semi tone with a 1 to 1 ratio as compared to the 12 to 1 ratio, definitely recommend swapping at least to the better friction heads as a minimum but did not have that option in Australia really unless ordering online but geared tuners meant very fine quick tuning.
I'm sure it's all personal preference but I usually prefer the sound of concert size ukes over sopranos, but in this line I actually find the tone of the sopranos to be more pleasing.
Thanks for another informative run-through. I am always looking for new and unique ukuleles. Watching from Juneau, Alaska and noticed our state's map on your hat.
I went to Bournemouth right after Christmas last year, spend three hours trying almost all of your instruments and went home with a green Fluke Tenor and i'm still having a hard time playing it. It is so much harder to play than my Hoefner. I thought i'd eventually get used to it but i'm still struggling. I'm wondering if i should try to put some other strings on it. (It came with D'addarios)
That is a shame. A lighter tension or thinner string might make a big difference and it's definitely worth trying that before you give up on the Instrument. The nyltechs on these Ukes from new are quite thick, perhaps try a set of Martin M620's or a set of Worth Browns.
I have a Mango Fluke I found second hand for $80 in mint condition and love it. What brand of strings do you recommend. Also, does a low G work on a Fluke?
Some low G's work just don't get anything too thick. I'd probably try a thin classical D string first. I don't recommend any brand of string, just try something you're familiar with or safe the first time and in a few months try something else for comparison. The Flukes are unique as you know - the factory strings are D'addario Nyltech 👌👍
I love these! I have just ordered one from the States because no-one in this country ever seems to have any. I would have bought the mango long-necked flea from you -- but since I have been in touch with them direct, I'm getting peghed tuners and a bespoke etching. It's coming with the standard d'Addario strings though. What strings would you recommend?
I'm a beginner, both Flea and Fluke in concert sound nice (laptop speakers), do you feel solid top or the wood fretboard are worth the premium expense? Any particular recommended combo for a beginner? The different art choices are great.
I've always felt like there is no difference in tone but the wooden board feels better. The audio on these clips hopefully shows that the wooden tops are worth the extra expense.
Southern Ukulele Store Thanks. I’ll see if I can find the fluke or flea with koa and fretboard. In concert size, I guess the fluke vs flea is personal preference. It all adds up the price, but the peg heads are probably nice too. This might be an order type item rather than a mail order.
I have a tenor Fluke that was a Covid purchase, and I love it. It’s the basic pine-top model in solid blue with maple back and plastic fretboard. I had them add the side dots, but that’s the only custom feature. I’m not crazy about the friction tuners. However, once you get them set, they do hold tune very well. They’re just a pain to get set in the first place. I didn’t like the factory strings, and I changed them to Worth Clears with a low G. I think it sounds a lot better, and I like the way they play. In my climate, anything with real wood has to be humidified. My Fluke can sit out and is always ready to pick up. It was a bit of an impulse buy, but I’m very pleased with it. BTW, I bought it directly from Magic Fluke online, and their customer service was wonderful!
I just today in fact visited the Magic Fluke shop in Sheffield Massachusetts. Amazing place incredibly wonderful family owned and operated shop. Played almost every one in the shop including the banjos and electric solid body. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for this! I love my Fleas and Flukes. I have wanted to hear a Koa concert Flea and Fluke and was delighted to hear them compared on this video. I have the Koa tenor Fluke and it sounds like liquid gold! I just need the tad smaller concert neck and have debated the Flea versus the Fluke. Now I have to decide! Thanks again!
I took my Flea Soprano Batik pattern to Hawaii 7 years ago. It is the travel uke, par excellence. It's now nearly 10 years old and still looks and plays just fine, with little visible wear, except for the tuners, which have degraded somewhat through regular summer beach outings. Cheers for the review.
My Fluke Flea Concert Surf is the most played of all my ukes (more so than the Kamaka HF-3). The pretty-easy-to-use friction tuners aren't nearly as finicky as those on one of my non MF's (the one in my profile pic). I'm happy with them as is, as I am with the stock fingerboard... That said, if upgrading is in one's budget, I say go for it. Low maintenance, high quality instrument made with honest New England labor & sustainable materials - what more could one want?
I pulled some clean cardboard from the recycling bin, made a cutout of the body, used a few rubber bands to attach it to the back, threw it in a back pack & took it to a workshop (With Willie K!!) at a festival this past weekend. Got stuck in the rain waiting for my poke at a food truck. My uke was totally fine.....
PS there are ways to get a strap on this, the easiest being the velcro style MF sells on their site. They look relatively easy to make on one's own as well.
8
I just won a used Flea M30 on U.S.A. Goodwill charity auction. I used to play violin in school (decades ago!) and am familiar with friction tuners from violin. I hope I remember how to tune friction!
Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time out to make this video. It answered some questions I've always had about the Magic Flukes.
Thank you for watching!
This video is gold for those selecting a Fluke.
Has the Fluke tenor size fuller sound and more versatility than the concert apart from the larger scale?
The playing Alex seems more beautiful on the tenor fluke than in the concert to me….
The longer scale creates more tension and the Tenor has more attack and sustain as a result.
Bought the other day a second hand Fluke Design Concert Cowboy. With Worth Brown Medium strings. One year old, hardly used. For €100 😀
Love it!
What a bargain -- lucky you!
Margot Williams ❤️
thankyou alex and phil
Love my flea but changed the tuning pegs to geared tuners with better easier fine tuning. I could not get used to cheapest friction heads as you seemed to go up or down a semi tone with a 1 to 1 ratio as compared to the 12 to 1 ratio, definitely recommend swapping at least to the better friction heads as a minimum but did not have that option in Australia really unless ordering online but geared tuners meant very fine quick tuning.
Your and your guitarist makes it very hard to choose as they all sound awesome.
Thank you, Alex and Phil, for a very informative and comprehensive review. Well done mates.
Where can I find the tabs for the song played by Alex? (I love your playing....)
Outstanding presentation (as always), thank you!
Thanks, Alex, always an education listening to you 👍🏻
That Koa Flea sounds really pretty.
I'm sure it's all personal preference but I usually prefer the sound of concert size ukes over sopranos, but in this line I actually find the tone of the sopranos to be more pleasing.
Thanks for another informative run-through. I am always looking for new and unique ukuleles. Watching from Juneau, Alaska and noticed our state's map on your hat.
I went to Bournemouth right after Christmas last year, spend three hours trying almost all of your instruments and went home with a green Fluke Tenor and i'm still having a hard time playing it. It is so much harder to play than my Hoefner. I thought i'd eventually get used to it but i'm still struggling. I'm wondering if i should try to put some other strings on it. (It came with D'addarios)
That is a shame. A lighter tension or thinner string might make a big difference and it's definitely worth trying that before you give up on the Instrument.
The nyltechs on these Ukes from new are quite thick, perhaps try a set of Martin M620's or a set of Worth Browns.
Thanks. I'll try that. I really like the sound of the instrument and i hope the two of us will get along one day.
Another question: The Fluke Tenor ukulele's with wooden fretboard do they have a radius?
I have a Mango Fluke I found second hand for $80 in mint condition and love it. What brand of strings do you recommend. Also, does a low G work on a Fluke?
Some low G's work just don't get anything too thick. I'd probably try a thin classical D string first. I don't recommend any brand of string, just try something you're familiar with or safe the first time and in a few months try something else for comparison. The Flukes are unique as you know - the factory strings are D'addario Nyltech 👌👍
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thanks
Fluke いいよね、欲しい！その三角の奴！好きな音、コアトップもいいね！
Do you know what song that is that is played at 5:04. I want to learn it!
Dream a little dream
Did you find the tabs for the song ? i would like to have too... :)
I wonder what the easiest way is to buy these if you live in North America
I want to play uke like you. Any suggestions? Love your tunes and style.
Make your partner /wife a widow and don’t stop playing, practice continuously for about a year 😁.
@@chrisdavies7610 Your playing is so beautiful. Love all the comparisons
What is the main difference in sound between the flea and the fluke? I'm very interested in the Koa ones.
The fluke shape tends to be a bit tighter and brighter to my ear. The flea shape is a bit warmer.
I love these! I have just ordered one from the States because no-one in this country ever seems to have any. I would have bought the mango long-necked flea from you -- but since I have been in touch with them direct, I'm getting peghed tuners and a bespoke etching. It's coming with the standard d'Addario strings though. What strings would you recommend?
Congrats!
I like DR Moonbeams and Martin M600's on Fleas.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thanks!
I'm a beginner, both Flea and Fluke in concert sound nice (laptop speakers), do you feel solid top or the wood fretboard are worth the premium expense? Any particular recommended combo for a beginner? The different art choices are great.
I've always felt like there is no difference in tone but the wooden board feels better.
The audio on these clips hopefully shows that the wooden tops are worth the extra expense.
Southern Ukulele Store Thanks. I’ll see if I can find the fluke or flea with koa and fretboard. In concert size, I guess the fluke vs flea is personal preference. It all adds up the price, but the peg heads are probably nice too. This might be an order type item rather than a mail order.
Our next big Magic Fluke delivery is about 5 weeks away. 🏋️
Feel free to contact us through more conventional channels and we can get you a quote.
Can you recommend a Tenor Uke with a thin neck please ?
Big Island, Millar, Romero Creations, Uluru and Ana'Ole are all brands that I would say have a thinner neck than average.
Have these got a thin neck ?
Wide nut width on a thin neck. The neck has a squared off flat point on the back. All of this is mentioned in the video as well - hope that helps.
i love these ukes but they are so expensive nowadays
Does Phil have a channel for uke lessons?
No, he does Skype lessons when he has spaces. If you email me at the shop alex@ukulele.co.uk I can pass on his details.
Flukuleles
The guy dressed in black with tattooed arms needs to smile a bit.
He looks like he has had some extremely bad bad news!!
Noted - to be fair I forced him to play at gunpoint that day.