Thank you Baz for the review. If there is at all a zebra wood ukulele in the world that you could find attractive it must be mine. I had Rob Collins build a solid tenor ukulele very similar to your own. He sent me some pictures of raw wood panels that he had. I picked the zebra wood and he finished it with a tru oil rub. It is absolutely gorgeous. On the caramel ukulele I fully agree with you. The only reason someone could have to buy them is to hang 10 different ukuleles on the wall and not break the bank in the process. But since most people can only play one instrument at a time I would rather have a small number of ukes that you actually can enjoy playing.
It's a very personal thing of course - my original aversion to zebrano was because every single Amazon brand was using it - was everywhere! I've mellowed a bit more lately though. No need to convince me on Rob C - I own two of his ukes!
Great review as always! And while it’s not much fun to do the poor quality instruments, it’s educational. And I’m getting really good at guessing your rating on the written review.
The reason they get a lot of 5 star reviews is well known. Despite their denials, Amazon or the supplier offer “Promotions” for the 5 Star reviews. I once got offered freebies from a supplier ( not Ukulele related) if I put up a great review, I haven’t used the site much since then and now take all Amazon reviews with a large pinch of salt.
I always breathe a sigh of relief when it is one of these ones. If it is a good and not super expensive one I always have to battle my impulse to buy it on the spot and I don't need more than the 15 or so ukes I have... well maybe I "need" an electric uke and resonator and a few others down the line but for the most part yeah..
Yeah, looked like you just going through the motions playing that one! A ukulele should be a joy to play in my opinion and this one... Just doesn't. And why put a pick-up in a budget uke? I understand people buy budget ukuleles for all sorts of reasons, I've got a couple myself for taking on holiday or letting the nephew play/destroy, but I wouldn't want to get a low end uke to be amplified! Aaaanyway, great review, enjoyed it as always. 👍🏼
I really appreciate you doing the Amazon reviews because when I was first looking at Ukes I didn't know much and did a bit of looking there. Dodged the bullet though. There are some Islanders for sale on Amazon. Do you think they might be OK?
The main brands are a better bet - but more importantly - check who is ultimately doing the selling. There are some real stores on there doing marketplace sales who may set them up, but the majority are drop shipping from the factory - which means they've likely never been inspected.
I guess I'm just low class but I thought it looked and sounded very decent. I have a caramel by the side of my bed and a 2020 Manages 2020 platinum in it's spot 8 feet away. I guess I got a good one. I rotate what kids I am playing that week, but the caramel gets played the most. Think your show is great. I never miss it!!
To me tha wood looks like plastic from a distance. Up close maybe not so bad. It looks like they tried but missed. I started playing on an Amazon Vangoa. I was really lucky it was set up perfectly and still sounds great for the price. I play a Ohana 35 Soprano and a 38 tenor and I got them from Mim’s Ukuleles. She sets them up beautifully. The sound is a little boxy or hollow I agree with you Baz. I enjoyed the review… thanks as always…DOC
Thanks Baz, Caramel is not something I would consider and always prefer specialist stores. The cable used inside looks like a house junction box. Bet that copper weighed in would half the cost of the uke😉 if needed. I do quite like the look of the wood, but that’s all. You enjoy the rest of your Sunday and thanks for covering this, your entry level list is spot on.
Cheap ukulele or expensive firelighter? 🤔 I regularly buy from Amazon, just NOT [wooden] ukuleles. I make the distinction because my daughter bought plastic Enya Nova concert scale, for my grandson and it was a great little instrument. 🤷🏻♂️ If this uke was £30, then fine but as you mentioned, there are MUCH better out there for that money. Buying ukes from Amazon, is a bit like buying a handbrake for a canoe; it might look good but ultimately, good for nothing. Thanks as ever for the review Baz (painful but informative), stay safe mate! 👍🏼
This appeals to me on no level whatsoever. Even regarding price, you point out better quality for near the same price. After passing through RUclips, I didn't cringe at the tone, but I'm sure it's different holding it and playing it. I definitely trust you on that. The instrument seems rather meh. Good review, very fair given significant faults. Oh well, somebody has to do it.
Everyone should keep at least one of these in their emergency "end of the world" bug out bag. Not for entertainment, but for kindling. Great for fire starting! Thanks for suffering so we don't have to!
I wondered the same, not for adjusting the action/overall height of strings at 12th, but the angle at which the strings traverse from nut to saddle, relative to a potentially bowed neck. I do agree that ukes should not need a truss rod at all, so it's perplexing! Seemed like some intonation issues around the 5th-7th? I wonder if it's like there may be several problems at once in that 'fatal flaw', and if that high nut is a kind of compensation that seems to be set up ok but is actually a response to something terrible going on with the low saddle and possibly something subtle in the neck? For the price and given the other issues, not worth dedicating energy, money, or effort perhaps!
@@13miette Whilst a truss rod 'can' change action, that's actually an unwanted effect of what it's for. So even if I tried (and I think that would just deliver issues elsewhere) - it would indicate that the uke is not built right. The nut isn't high (just sharp on the edges) so that is all ok. I think even if I 'could' take the saddle down, that would bottom out the nut action - so again - not good at all. Agreed - not worth the effort
I've got the baritone version of this, which actually I really like. It's not a high end instrument but it's very playable and certainly good enough for what I paid for it.
This rather reminds me of a “ukulele shaped object”. I think it sounds pretty one dimensional. How do people manage to make a tenor ukulele sound as chirpy as a concert ukulele? Is it the thick coat of enamel? Did they dip the body into a vat of gloss enamel? This embodies most of the things I dislike about cheap ukuleles that try to look expensive. Especially those heavy, unnecessary preamps. No, I repeat, NO uke should have one in it. Thanks Baz. Sorry, but people that buy on price and looks will swallow this whole anyway.
Loud, too loud. I talking visually, not sound wise. I can’t get my eyes off that zebra wood. It’s like not being able to turn away during a horror movie scene.
It's a shinny turd 💩💩💩 you'd be better off spending $139 us dollars for an Enya Tenor PU 100 Polycarbonate that you reviewed the gray one which they say is black that comes with a gig bag I think that one would be money well spent this caramel no thank you
Maz, the look on your face when you said “Ukes from Amazon” actually made me chortle! Great job as always
I try not to pre-judge them - it's just that they are usually so underwhelming...
Oh man... I laughed so hard.
Thank you Baz for the review. If there is at all a zebra wood ukulele in the world that you could find attractive it must be mine. I had Rob Collins build a solid tenor ukulele very similar to your own. He sent me some pictures of raw wood panels that he had. I picked the zebra wood and he finished it with a tru oil rub. It is absolutely gorgeous. On the caramel ukulele I fully agree with you. The only reason someone could have to buy them is to hang 10 different ukuleles on the wall and not break the bank in the process. But since most people can only play one instrument at a time I would rather have a small number of ukes that you actually can enjoy playing.
It's a very personal thing of course - my original aversion to zebrano was because every single Amazon brand was using it - was everywhere!
I've mellowed a bit more lately though. No need to convince me on Rob C - I own two of his ukes!
Great review as always! And while it’s not much fun to do the poor quality instruments, it’s educational. And I’m getting really good at guessing your rating on the written review.
Yeah - quite tiresome doing these!
The reason they get a lot of 5 star reviews is well known. Despite their denials, Amazon or the supplier offer “Promotions” for the 5 Star reviews. I once got offered freebies from a supplier ( not Ukulele related) if I put up a great review, I haven’t used the site much since then and now take all Amazon reviews with a large pinch of salt.
Correct Dave - I get offered them all the time
Really like watching but i struggled through this one looking forward to next week 🏝️💪
Thanks for bearing with it!
I always breathe a sigh of relief when it is one of these ones. If it is a good and not super expensive one I always have to battle my impulse to buy it on the spot and I don't need more than the 15 or so ukes I have... well maybe I "need" an electric uke and resonator and a few others down the line but for the most part yeah..
Guess that one is going back to Amazon Barry. Thanks as always for all you reviews whether high end or Amazon specials
Was bought with blog funds - will either get sold on or more likely given to charity shop
Yeah, looked like you just going through the motions playing that one! A ukulele should be a joy to play in my opinion and this one... Just doesn't. And why put a pick-up in a budget uke? I understand people buy budget ukuleles for all sorts of reasons, I've got a couple myself for taking on holiday or letting the nephew play/destroy, but I wouldn't want to get a low end uke to be amplified!
Aaaanyway, great review, enjoyed it as always. 👍🏼
Yeah - no fun to play. Yet there ARE cheaper ukes that are fun!
I learn something from each and every one of your reviews. Always appreciate the work you do for all of us. Best regards! Thank you
My pleasure!
I really appreciate you doing the Amazon reviews because when I was first looking at Ukes I didn't know much and did a bit of looking there. Dodged the bullet though. There are some Islanders for sale on Amazon. Do you think they might be OK?
The main brands are a better bet - but more importantly - check who is ultimately doing the selling. There are some real stores on there doing marketplace sales who may set them up, but the majority are drop shipping from the factory - which means they've likely never been inspected.
I guess I'm just low class but I thought it looked and sounded very decent. I have a caramel by the side of my bed and a 2020 Manages 2020 platinum in it's spot 8 feet away. I guess I got a good one. I rotate what kids I am playing that week, but the caramel gets played the most.
Think your show is great. I never miss it!!
Guess it's all relative!
To me tha wood looks like plastic from a distance. Up close maybe not so bad. It looks like they tried but missed. I started playing on an Amazon Vangoa. I was really lucky it was set up perfectly and still sounds great for the price. I play a Ohana 35 Soprano and a 38 tenor and I got them from Mim’s Ukuleles.
She sets them up beautifully. The sound is a little boxy or hollow I agree with you Baz. I enjoyed the review… thanks as always…DOC
You are right - too much gloss does that!
Thanks Baz, Caramel is not something I would consider and always prefer specialist stores. The cable used inside looks like a house junction box. Bet that copper weighed in would half the cost of the uke😉 if needed. I do quite like the look of the wood, but that’s all. You enjoy the rest of your Sunday and thanks for covering this, your entry level list is spot on.
Thanks Mike!
It should read Kanalea 2020 platinum. Spell check grrr!
Must admit I was tempted by the price for the slot headed version but remembered that it is always a gamble with box shifters
BIG gamble
Cheap ukulele or expensive firelighter? 🤔
I regularly buy from Amazon, just NOT [wooden] ukuleles. I make the distinction because my daughter bought plastic Enya Nova concert scale, for my grandson and it was a great little instrument. 🤷🏻♂️
If this uke was £30, then fine but as you mentioned, there are MUCH better out there for that money.
Buying ukes from Amazon, is a bit like buying a handbrake for a canoe; it might look good but ultimately, good for nothing.
Thanks as ever for the review Baz (painful but informative), stay safe mate! 👍🏼
Thanks!
This appeals to me on no level whatsoever. Even regarding price, you point out better quality for near the same price. After passing through RUclips, I didn't cringe at the tone, but I'm sure it's different holding it and playing it. I definitely trust you on that. The instrument seems rather meh. Good review, very fair given significant faults. Oh well, somebody has to do it.
YES! A LEMON! AT LAST!
Last weeks was pretty lousy too to be fair - well, I mean overpriced!
That's an odd look. I keep thinking 1970s sticky back plastic and thought they had bought up some old stock from the Blue Peter store.
Yes!
Everyone should keep at least one of these in their emergency "end of the world" bug out bag. Not for entertainment, but for kindling. Great for fire starting! Thanks for suffering so we don't have to!
Ha ha!
All of that gloss enamel would be very polluting.
Could you take out that gap at the 12th fret by adjusting the truss rod?
A truss rod is NOT for adjusting action
I wondered the same, not for adjusting the action/overall height of strings at 12th, but the angle at which the strings traverse from nut to saddle, relative to a potentially bowed neck. I do agree that ukes should not need a truss rod at all, so it's perplexing! Seemed like some intonation issues around the 5th-7th? I wonder if it's like there may be several problems at once in that 'fatal flaw', and if that high nut is a kind of compensation that seems to be set up ok but is actually a response to something terrible going on with the low saddle and possibly something subtle in the neck? For the price and given the other issues, not worth dedicating energy, money, or effort perhaps!
@@13miette Whilst a truss rod 'can' change action, that's actually an unwanted effect of what it's for. So even if I tried (and I think that would just deliver issues elsewhere) - it would indicate that the uke is not built right.
The nut isn't high (just sharp on the edges) so that is all ok. I think even if I 'could' take the saddle down, that would bottom out the nut action - so again - not good at all.
Agreed - not worth the effort
I've got the baritone version of this, which actually I really like. It's not a high end instrument but it's very playable and certainly good enough for what I paid for it.
I can only review the one in front of me though... and the QC on this would suggest the brand are a gamble.
This rather reminds me of a “ukulele shaped object”. I think it sounds pretty one dimensional. How do people manage to make a tenor ukulele sound as chirpy as a concert ukulele? Is it the thick coat of enamel?
Did they dip the body into a vat of gloss enamel?
This embodies most of the things I dislike about cheap ukuleles that try to look expensive. Especially those heavy, unnecessary preamps. No, I repeat, NO uke should have one in it.
Thanks Baz. Sorry, but people that buy on price and looks will swallow this whole anyway.
Agree with you fully Nickie!
Good review for a mediocre ukulele. I don’t get the zebra wood either ! Lot of other choices !
Thankfully not a ubiquitous as it once was, but still not to my taste!
That Caramel is not so sweet.
Loud, too loud. I talking visually, not sound wise. I can’t get my eyes off that zebra wood. It’s like not being able to turn away during a horror movie scene.
Yep - agreed - the gloss does it no favours - as others have said - makes it look like a plastic sticker!
Any instrument built of striking wood patterns or colors should be done in a satin finish.
Hard time watching . . .
Hard time reviewing!!
It's a shinny turd 💩💩💩 you'd be better off spending $139 us dollars for an Enya Tenor PU 100 Polycarbonate that you reviewed the gray one which they say is black that comes with a gig bag I think that one would be money well spent this caramel no thank you
pfff … 🫤