As someone who occasionally plays uke as a busker, and with a virtually-nil spare budget at the moment, and also tends to work his ukes hard and knock and dent them in transit and on the pitch, this would interest me. When my beat-up Aiersi soprano fails (and despite being ultra-cheap, that has done my proud) or my concert uke wears too much (I am literally wearing the top, just under the bottom of the fretboard end and towards the soundhole, and the top edge of the fretboard as well), Octopus is definitely on my list for the replacement.
I teach Uke to adults and I use Octopus for my student Ukes. They have been good instruments - the first concerts that I saw didn't have great quality control but they seem to have improved. One thing that I have to say is that Octopus are responsive to user feedback. Overall, a great value manufacturer and I agree, a champion of the budget instrument.
Good review, I like it. I’m also pleased to see The Uke Room poster on your wall. I’ve been following Matt’s. Uke lessons and they are excellent. Southern Ukelele are great too, goes without saying. Have a good weekend.
All good shops on that wall. I put them up not because I am paid to, but because they are genuinely good shops I recommend people use. Matt is a good guy!
For $40 you can’t go wrong! Sounds plenty good for starters or school classes. I started with a $40 Vangoa soprano but I think this one is a little better sounding... good to know for my Grandkids first! Thanks ...
Yep - so many out there at this price now - but I liked this a lot. Simple, but got it where it counts and doesn't need a free strap and tuner to seal the deal!
Great review and yet again encouraged to get one for myself to check it out, as well as recommending to students. Also free shipping from Octopus direct? Complete bargain! thank you Baz
I wish these were available in the US. This brand and Baton Rouge are the brands I am surprised have migrated to the US as of yet. I contacted Baton Rouge and they said there were no plans to sell in the US. I hope both of them eventually do, but I won't hold my breath. Great review as always!
It's actually sounds quite nice and brilliant for a learner, especially kids. If they are bitten by the Uke bug and stick with it...upgrade! It's honestly better than my first Ukulele AND cheaper. 🤷🏻♂️ It's good to see both ends of the spectrum - ain't many that started with a Kanalea! 👍
Okoume wood is an excellent choice for the neck. It's a very light weight, yet quite strong wood. They make boats out of it. Should make for a non-neck heavy balance. This would be perfect for elementary school programs.
My children have concert Octopus ukes - bought by someone else (a couple of years ago I think). I was surprised by how nice they sounded (was expecting something horrible for a bottom end instrument). A bit later I bought myself the Concert Makala (I was aiming at a slightly more grown up instrument). After a while I realised I wasn't enjoying it - even as a beginner. Went and played my daughter's instrument and realised it was better! (Turns out the person who bought the Octopus instruments got advice from a friend who knows what he's talking about). It's not the exact same model you've reviewed here - starburst gloss finish, no edge binding (the ends of the frets are a bit sharp) and no edge dots - but otherwise very good.
Minor point, really unrelated to the review: is it possible to do the "thank you" ticker switching sets of names rather than scrolling? The scrolling movement on video is always mildly nauseating...
@@GotAUkulele interesting.. because I read your whole "in depth" written review and you said the same thing.. was that on the fly too? Was just offering a suggestion.. no need for sandy knickers.
Good Morning Barry I did a blind online buy of Octopus Tenor 225C & it's sounding boxy. It's not bright as a typical Uke. I made the purchase from Octopus website but it was delivered by Chamberlain Music store. Did a make wrong decision?
I couldn't possibly answer if it was wrong or right for you. These are all laminate instruments so likely all identical. I didn't think the sound was 'boxy' on this one, but that's a subjective thing. If that's what you get from yours, then that is what you get.
For the money sounds really good oh Barry what tuner did you use to tune it with I must get one just wondered if you would recommend one thanks and keep well
You've played much worse sounding ukes for thrice the price. These days if asked about an entry level I'd say Flight, but at $35, this goes on the list. Thanks man!
Holding tune is not a function of quality in a uke - it's merely a function of strings that are settled or (if it has friction pegs) that they are tight enough. Settled strings and geared pegs never go out whether the uke is £30 or £3,000.... Sorry - bugbear of mine!
@@GotAUkulele ok reasonable intonation that isn't going to be impossible to sort out. I bought a cheap telecaster-alike no make guitar online in the past and nothing could save it.
One thing I see on the horizon is that possible shutdown of all chinese ukulele production should the CCP decide to invade Taiwan. That will dry over night. I wonder if anyone is even thinking about it?
I think a lack of Chinese ukuleles is the last thing most people will be thinking about if there was a halt on exports from China, when pretty much every single every day item would be affected
Might have to purchase one of these for my daughter! Another great review helping separate the wheat from the chaff Barry.
Perfect first uke!
go for it, your daughter will love it!
I teach the uke to kids and these are the only ukuleles I’d recommend at this price - great to see you reviewing one 😀
Thanks!
Blimey, those 7 years have gone fast... Thanks for having us back!
You bet!
Finally, a really decent entry level ukulele that won’t break any budget!
As someone who occasionally plays uke as a busker, and with a virtually-nil spare budget at the moment, and also tends to work his ukes hard and knock and dent them in transit and on the pitch, this would interest me. When my beat-up Aiersi soprano fails (and despite being ultra-cheap, that has done my proud) or my concert uke wears too much (I am literally wearing the top, just under the bottom of the fretboard end and towards the soundhole, and the top edge of the fretboard as well), Octopus is definitely on my list for the replacement.
Thank you for this review. I have just bought it as my first ukulele. I am a beginner and I can’t wait to practice with this ❤️
Enjoy it!
I teach Uke to adults and I use Octopus for my student Ukes. They have been good instruments - the first concerts that I saw didn't have great quality control but they seem to have improved. One thing that I have to say is that Octopus are responsive to user feedback. Overall, a great value manufacturer and I agree, a champion of the budget instrument.
That's a great real world endorsement right there! Thanks Mark!
Good review, I like it. I’m also pleased to see The Uke Room poster on your wall. I’ve been following Matt’s. Uke lessons and they are excellent. Southern Ukelele are great too, goes without saying. Have a good weekend.
All good shops on that wall. I put them up not because I am paid to, but because they are genuinely good shops I recommend people use. Matt is a good guy!
Octopus was my first ukulele.
Think a lot of people started on them. Their first sopranos were great value!
That’s great for the money! 🐙 Great review 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks!
Great, now I have octopus's garden stuck in my head😂Great starter uke!
Ha ha! 'I like to be, under the sea...'
For $40 you can’t go wrong! Sounds plenty good for starters or school classes. I started with a $40 Vangoa soprano but I think this one is a little better sounding... good to know for my Grandkids first! Thanks ...
Yep - so many out there at this price now - but I liked this a lot. Simple, but got it where it counts and doesn't need a free strap and tuner to seal the deal!
Great review and yet again encouraged to get one for myself to check it out, as well as recommending to students. Also free shipping from Octopus direct? Complete bargain! thank you Baz
Hope you enjoy it!
Sounds good for the price, love the logo, for a beginner a great ukulele, ps is it Sunday already? 😀
Sorry - stuff on tomorrow so had to re-arrange earlier review!
I wish these were available in the US. This brand and Baton Rouge are the brands I am surprised have migrated to the US as of yet. I contacted Baton Rouge and they said there were no plans to sell in the US. I hope both of them eventually do, but I won't hold my breath. Great review as always!
`That's a shame
It's actually sounds quite nice and brilliant for a learner, especially kids. If they are bitten by the Uke bug and stick with it...upgrade! It's honestly better than my first Ukulele AND cheaper. 🤷🏻♂️ It's good to see both ends of the spectrum - ain't many that started with a Kanalea! 👍
I totally agree! I'd gift this to any child wanting to start over some of the factory direct junk on Amazon.
I think it is a well built entry level uke. It sounds decent too, so a good choice for someone just starting out.
Agreed!
Okoume wood is an excellent choice for the neck. It's a very light weight, yet quite strong wood. They make boats out of it. Should make for a non-neck heavy balance. This would be perfect for elementary school programs.
It would indeed - I hope they do go for them rather than some of the junk on Amazon that is factory direct!
Nice. Maybe the thinner body helps prevent some of that boxy laminate sound.
It looks and sounds like a nice little instrument. Thanks, Baz.
It is!
It is always great to see budget Ukuleles that are also decent instruments.
My children have concert Octopus ukes - bought by someone else (a couple of years ago I think). I was surprised by how nice they sounded (was expecting something horrible for a bottom end instrument). A bit later I bought myself the Concert Makala (I was aiming at a slightly more grown up instrument). After a while I realised I wasn't enjoying it - even as a beginner. Went and played my daughter's instrument and realised it was better! (Turns out the person who bought the Octopus instruments got advice from a friend who knows what he's talking about). It's not the exact same model you've reviewed here - starburst gloss finish, no edge binding (the ends of the frets are a bit sharp) and no edge dots - but otherwise very good.
Yep - great first ukes I think!
It sounds better than mine. 🤩
Your what?
Seriously, how can one go wrong for so little money? It's cute and looks like the perfect uke for a kid who is just starting out. Amazing value!
Agreed - great first uke for a child or starter
Thank you for the video
My pleasure - thank you!
Minor point, really unrelated to the review: is it possible to do the "thank you" ticker switching sets of names rather than scrolling? The scrolling movement on video is always mildly nauseating...
Too many I think - might try slowing it down
@@GotAUkulele It's only mildly nauseating if his/her's name is not on there!
Pro tip.. buy a straight edge so you can see if the fingerboard has a radius or flat instead of guessing 😉
I wasn't 'guessing' and know how to check - was just a spur of the moment thought whilst recording the video on the fly!
@@GotAUkulele interesting.. because I read your whole "in depth" written review and you said the same thing.. was that on the fly too? Was just offering a suggestion.. no need for sandy knickers.
@@PremiumBlendHerbal Yep - final add to the text before hitting publish. Wasn't a serious comment...
cool little banger; i like it! how much more fun and joy can you get for that kind of money?
You got that right!
Good Morning Barry
I did a blind online buy of Octopus Tenor 225C & it's sounding boxy. It's not bright as a typical Uke. I made the purchase from Octopus website but it was delivered by Chamberlain Music store. Did a make wrong decision?
I couldn't possibly answer if it was wrong or right for you. These are all laminate instruments so likely all identical. I didn't think the sound was 'boxy' on this one, but that's a subjective thing. If that's what you get from yours, then that is what you get.
The logo really needs a pair of googly eyes. 👀
Ha ha!
For the money sounds really good oh Barry what tuner did you use to tune it with I must get one just wondered if you would recommend one thanks and keep well
Peterson stroboclip - this is the older one as my newer one battery went flat. Both reviewed on the website if you use the search box at the top.
@@GotAUkulele Thanks Barry keep well
Thanks Baz.
What contributes to sustain? Is it body size, bridge/saddle?
The build and body size. How freely the instrument vibrates - thickness of woods, thickness of bracing etc
Good day sir - would you recommend this one over the Fender Ukuleles?
Every day of the week over the entry level Fenders.
Thank you 🙂
You've played much worse sounding ukes for thrice the price. These days if asked about an entry level I'd say Flight, but at $35, this goes on the list. Thanks man!
Thanks Jonathan!
Can't go far wrong for that money. If it holds tune for a few minutes? can't complain
Holding tune is not a function of quality in a uke - it's merely a function of strings that are settled or (if it has friction pegs) that they are tight enough. Settled strings and geared pegs never go out whether the uke is £30 or £3,000.... Sorry - bugbear of mine!
@@GotAUkulele ok reasonable intonation that isn't going to be impossible to sort out. I bought a cheap telecaster-alike no make guitar online in the past and nothing could save it.
@@mickhaslam3847 Oh - definitely agreed on that!
One thing I see on the horizon is that possible shutdown of all chinese ukulele production should the CCP decide to invade Taiwan. That will dry over night. I wonder if anyone is even thinking about it?
I think a lack of Chinese ukuleles is the last thing most people will be thinking about if there was a halt on exports from China, when pretty much every single every day item would be affected
@@GotAUkulele True, every thing is made in China. They are on the virge of a revolution unless the CCP backs down.