Before hearing it. I like how it looks a lot. Before I knew that handmade and absolutely gorgeous stuff can be comparable I'd have owned it. I'll be back to reply after I hear it.
Thanks as ever Baz. Great review. Mr Mai are not alone on using the word Koa to infer Hawaiian wood. There is an increasing use of adding the country of origin before the word Koa.As if that makes it correct. There is nothing wrong with Acacia as an identifier and it bugs the life out of me. I was going to purchase a Uke that said it was Koa, but from another country, and it put me off. Dealers should also know better. It’s a spiral that does want nipping in the bud. Have a great week.
Good review as always Baz not a bad uke at all but when I can get a anuenue colour series for around 120 quid less and to my ears sounds far better hmmm only one winner there me thinks 🤔 maybe I'm being biased as I own a colour series but there we go ,cheers 🤙🏻🎼🎶🎵👍
Do you mind if the ebony is dyed? Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars is on a campaign to make ebony which is not pure black more acceptable. The colored wood is every bit as dense and hard. Woodsman, in the area where ebony grows, cut down a tree and let it rot on the ground if the wood is not saleable because of light color or streaks. Many ebony groves are being decimated because of it. It does seem wasteful and a habit of disregard. I, for one, appreciate "character" in my ebony fittings. But as I asked you, Do you think that's a luthie-ary sin to dye the ebony? I work on instruments and have found that black India ink makes a very good and just right ebony dye. I have done so for clients dissatisfied with their not pure black fittings.
No I wouldn’t - and don’t mind variable colour ebony for the interesting look. But this simply doesn’t look like it. And considering the ticket price, I think it should be a more premium wood here
@@GotAUkulele I agree about the price. For $300. one can get an all solid Islander which I have found to be impeccable . . . at least the the all solid class with which I have experience.. They come with a wide nut, flatter neck profile and nice looking wood. I remember you didn't like them as much as me though.
I like the looks on this one. To me it looks a little more like a guitar style with the two holes. I agree with you about the yellow neck. I don’t like the open head on ukuleles … guitar like again.. I like the neck inlays. It is jangly for a tenor… I agree it sounds good maybe more like a spruce concert. Agree on the it being a little high in price..Nice review there is a lot to this one. Thanks…DOC
Agreed - I double checked my thoughts on that - you can get solid top Uma and Snail ukes for £150 - £200 - also with 'exotic' woods. Heck you can get an all solid mahogany tenor for £200!
Ukulele marketing irks: referring to non-Hawaiian acacia as “koa,” calling an instrument “solid mahogany” when only the top is solid (one maker is currently doing that on Amazon) and the age-old ploy of calling an instrument “rosewood” or “spruce” or whatever when the named wood is actually a paper-thin veneer sitting atop laminate (experienced buyers know to look for the term “solid” preceding the wood name, but newcomers will, often as not, be misled). The industry needs transparency.
Thanks Baz, my only gripe with Mr mai is their availability (in the uk). there seems to be no way of getting them in the uk without importing them which obviously smacks import tax on top. Been after the mt60 for my wife for 9 months now hoping freebird would get some back in but it's not happening. Hopefully your reviews will boost demand!
I rub a piece of a freshly cracked walnut on the ebony and fret board whenever I change strings, the oil brings the wood alive like you wouldn’t believe.
The scientific term for seeing faces in things that aren't there is Face Pareidolia. This looks less scary than the one with the Tiki face on the back, though, but I still wouldn't trust a ukulele that looks at me 🙂
Great review! Definitely overpriced since it's not koa. I like the look of the sound holes/port and it sounds decent. However, that logo looks like something that would have been cool in the 70s or 80s not the 2000s.
Before hearing it. I like how it looks a lot. Before I knew that handmade and absolutely gorgeous stuff can be comparable I'd have owned it. I'll be back to reply after I hear it.
Not what I'd buy now but 3 years ago? Yep
What is the name/model of the clip on tuner you used in this video?
I looked for a direct link to it in video description but don't see one :(
Peterson Strobclip HD ruclips.net/video/kkO3XpDgkRU/видео.html
Wow you are priceless! I also thought a bit too thin sounding for a tenor. Thank you for your review. It also sounds a tad harsh.
Thanks - can't tell if that is a positive or negative comment??
Thanks as ever Baz. Great review. Mr Mai are not alone on using the word Koa to infer Hawaiian wood. There is an increasing use of adding the country of origin before the word Koa.As if that makes it correct. There is nothing wrong with Acacia as an identifier and it bugs the life out of me. I was going to purchase a Uke that said it was Koa, but from another country, and it put me off. Dealers should also know better. It’s a spiral that does want nipping in the bud. Have a great week.
Quite agree with you Mike
Thank you Baz.
Great review it does sound expensive, great channel 👍, what is the title of the tune you play in your reviews or is it something of your own?
See link below the video!
Good review as always Baz not a bad uke at all but when I can get a anuenue colour series for around 120 quid less and to my ears sounds far better hmmm only one winner there me thinks 🤔 maybe I'm being biased as I own a colour series but there we go ,cheers 🤙🏻🎼🎶🎵👍
I'd agree John!
Do you mind if the ebony is dyed? Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars is on a campaign to make ebony which is not pure black more acceptable. The colored wood is every bit as dense and hard. Woodsman, in the area where ebony grows, cut down a tree and let it rot on the ground if the wood is not saleable because of light color or streaks. Many ebony groves are being decimated because of it. It does seem wasteful and a habit of disregard. I, for one, appreciate "character" in my ebony fittings. But as I asked you, Do you think that's a luthie-ary sin to dye the ebony? I work on instruments and have found that black India ink makes a very good and just right ebony dye. I have done so for clients dissatisfied with their not pure black fittings.
No I wouldn’t - and don’t mind variable colour ebony for the interesting look. But this simply doesn’t look like it. And considering the ticket price, I think it should be a more premium wood here
@@GotAUkulele I agree about the price. For $300. one can get an all solid Islander which I have found to be impeccable . . . at least the the all solid class with which I have experience.. They come with a wide nut, flatter neck profile and nice looking wood. I remember you didn't like them as much as me though.
I think it’s a sin to waste trees like that!
Interesting looking uke! Thank for another solid review👍👍
My pleasure!
I like the looks on this one. To me it looks a little more like a guitar style with the two holes. I agree with you about the yellow neck. I don’t like the open head on ukuleles … guitar like again.. I like the neck inlays. It is jangly for a tenor… I agree it sounds good maybe more like a spruce concert. Agree on the it being a little high in price..Nice review there is a lot to this one. Thanks…DOC
Totally agree!
Wouldn't there be more labor involved in making all those holes and side port? Maybe that brings up the price.
Doubt it - the holes will be cut by a CNC machine that does them automatically
Interesting review, Baz! Not crazy about the looks and the price is just too much for what you get, in my opinion. Thanks for the review!
Agreed - I double checked my thoughts on that - you can get solid top Uma and Snail ukes for £150 - £200 - also with 'exotic' woods. Heck you can get an all solid mahogany tenor for £200!
Like the sound holes, agree it's too much to pay
Compared to obvious completion - much too much
Ukulele marketing irks: referring to non-Hawaiian acacia as “koa,” calling an instrument “solid mahogany” when only the top is solid (one maker is currently doing that on Amazon) and the age-old ploy of calling an instrument “rosewood” or “spruce” or whatever when the named wood is actually a paper-thin veneer sitting atop laminate (experienced buyers know to look for the term “solid” preceding the wood name, but newcomers will, often as not, be misled). The industry needs transparency.
Agreed, agreed, agreed.
Pareidolia- my missus says I’ve got it😜. I see ‘Forky’ from one of the latter ‘Toy Story’ movies when that uke is held upright 😂.
😀 double pukka - not for me
'” … it’s there, it’s 3 … " EXACTLY!
Certainly expect this one to divide people
Thanks
Thank you!
I agree on the price...too much!
Thx Baz!
Thank you!
Sounds almost like your using a pick which you are not. Perhaps the strings contribute to that. Looks like an attractive instrument.
I know what you mean!
Thanks Baz, my only gripe with Mr mai is their availability (in the uk). there seems to be no way of getting them in the uk without importing them which obviously smacks import tax on top. Been after the mt60 for my wife for 9 months now hoping freebird would get some back in but it's not happening. Hopefully your reviews will boost demand!
The Uke Room in Forest of Dean also carry them
@@GotAUkulele I'll check them out again, thanks!
Pretty but too pricey. Better ones out there but still nice I love the sound holes. Thanks again Barry
Thanks Richard!
I rub a piece of a freshly cracked walnut on the ebony and fret board whenever I change strings, the oil brings the wood alive like you wouldn’t believe.
The scientific term for seeing faces in things that aren't there is Face Pareidolia. This looks less scary than the one with the Tiki face on the back, though, but I still wouldn't trust a ukulele that looks at me 🙂
Yes, that was scary!
Great review! Definitely overpriced since it's not koa. I like the look of the sound holes/port and it sounds decent. However, that logo looks like something that would have been cool in the 70s or 80s not the 2000s.
Agreed!
That would be "pareidolia."
That's the one!