Great tips !!! Ukuleles are like potato chips you can't have just one. When I wanted to upgrade I listened to the different types of tenor ukuleles on line over and over. Just researching as many as I could. I ended up purchasing the one I loved in low G without trying it since I'm not in a place where they carry many. When it came it sounded totally different, so I took it to a Luthier and he filed the nut so the strings Sat lower and changed the strings to a set of low G fender strings. I had my ukulele. I did have an option to return it after 90 days but chose to get it worked on. Total investment $550. My hubby decided on a tenor fender with a solid koa face. Mine is solid acacia. I find myself switching for different songs. Mine has this rich lovely sound. The koa can be rich but clear as bell and louder if needed. Just take your time and enjoy the journey.
Ohana makes a fabulous all wood Bari-tenor. This is BEAUTIFUL instrument for about $500 with the baritone body and a tenor neck. I get about 10 sec of sustained tone with it. My violin luthier says it has a beautiful tone.
If the intuition is off, slightly, like in the Kanilea, can that be fixed by a luthier making small adjustments? Also, what if the intuition is way off? any hope of fixing that?
Hi Marlene, Often the intonation can be fixed by adjusting the neck/bridge/saddle/nut but this is is often difficult and expensive so not worth it for an inexpensive instrument. Always check to make sure the tuners work and hold the intonation as well. Mahalo!
Nicely presented with good examples too. Great video idea, I'm sure it'll help a lot of people get introduced to the instrument and hopefully buy a ukulele.
Thanks for the tips. I also do those. I also sight the fret board from below, saddle to nut, to see the bow of the neck. How much it is bowing and making sure it is bowing up and not back over itself.
I replaced the tuners on my G-String tenor and tried those GraphTech 6:1 graphite tuners. I like the 6:1 ratio however I've had two of them fail (one broke off at the hole for the string and another just sort of cracked apart). I talked to local luthiers and at least two have experienced problems. I informed GraphTech of the first failure and they were very responsive (the second failure occurred over a year later and i didn't inform them as I still had extra tuners from the replacement set they sent).@@JeffPetersonGuitar
I haven't tried the Kohala brand entry level instrument. You could try it at a store if you can find one near you and check the tuners, intonation, sustain, and tone. I know that the Kanilea Islander and Kala are good to start with and you won't outgrow them quickly.
Great tips !!! Ukuleles are like potato chips you can't have just one.
When I wanted to upgrade I listened to the different types of tenor ukuleles on line over and over. Just researching as many as I could. I ended up purchasing the one I loved in low G without trying it since I'm not in a place where they carry many. When it came it sounded totally different, so I took it to a Luthier and he filed the nut so the strings Sat lower and changed the strings to a set of low G fender strings. I had my ukulele. I did have an option to return it after 90 days but chose to get it worked on. Total investment $550.
My hubby decided on a tenor fender with a solid koa face. Mine is solid acacia. I find myself switching for different songs. Mine has this rich lovely sound. The koa can be rich but clear as bell and louder if needed. Just take your time and enjoy the journey.
I ordered mine from Georgia(US), more than 1500 miles from where I live.
Great thanks
very important !!!
Ohana makes a fabulous all wood Bari-tenor. This is BEAUTIFUL instrument for about $500 with the baritone body and a tenor neck. I get about 10 sec of sustained tone with it. My violin luthier says it has a beautiful tone.
If the intuition is off, slightly, like in the Kanilea, can that be fixed by a luthier making small adjustments? Also, what if the intuition is way off? any hope of fixing that?
Hi Marlene, Often the intonation can be fixed by adjusting the neck/bridge/saddle/nut but this is is often difficult and expensive so not worth it for an inexpensive instrument. Always check to make sure the tuners work and hold the intonation as well. Mahalo!
Nicely presented with good examples too. Great video idea, I'm sure it'll help a lot of people get introduced to the instrument and hopefully buy a ukulele.
Thanks for the tips. I also do those. I also sight the fret board from below, saddle to nut, to see the bow of the neck. How much it is bowing and making sure it is bowing up and not back over itself.
Those are very good pointers. I also check the tuners to make sure they hold the tuning and are easy to use.
I replaced the tuners on my G-String tenor and tried those GraphTech 6:1 graphite tuners. I like the 6:1 ratio however I've had two of them fail (one broke off at the hole for the string and another just sort of cracked apart). I talked to local luthiers and at least two have experienced problems. I informed GraphTech of the first failure and they were very responsive (the second failure occurred over a year later and i didn't inform them as I still had extra tuners from the replacement set they sent).@@JeffPetersonGuitar
Great info. Thx
Love the guidance for choosing. Do you recommend an entry level tenor Kohala ukelele for a beginner?
I haven't tried the Kohala brand entry level instrument. You could try it at a store if you can find one near you and check the tuners, intonation, sustain, and tone. I know that the Kanilea Islander and Kala are good to start with and you won't outgrow them quickly.
Forgot my ukulele is an Islander.