03/01/2016 - 04/01/2016

12 Mar 2016

Hey, What's The Best Ukulele?

Probably the question I see from beginners on forums and social media the very most - the extremely open question of 'What's The Best Ukulele'? Which Ukulele To Buy? It's probably the same in all musical instrument circles.

You see that question really can't be answered without more information.... if at all. Too many things come in to play to choose a 'best' of anything. What is your budget? What scale do you want? What are your tastes in looks (plain, traditional, fancy, modern, crazy?). Without knowing these things it's impossible to advise on what I think are good purchases. Asking 'What is the best ukulele?' is like asking 'what is the best car' or 'what is the best food?' It's totally subjective. If you see a site listing the 'best' then move on - quickly!

What I do is  provide a link to my ukulele reviews page with a suggestion that they have a browse, but to be honest, I suspect that some people don't really want to read through all of that to come to a view. A shame, but true. That is always up to date though and anything with a score of 8 out of 10 or more is worth a look. Still, people still dont look

So in an attempt to summarise in an easy to share single post, I looked back over my review scores and thought I would give my 'best of' for different price categories at the date of writing!. Even if you don't want to go through all my ukulele reviews, these are the ones that I (currently) think you should have a read of. And before you complain that something is missing - these are taken from the many instruments I have tested and reviewed, but only those - hard to make a recommendation for something I haven't played!

Think of this as the Got A Ukulele Awards.. Ultimately though - this is just a list of the top scores on Got A Ukulele for easy reference.  It is also time limited to the date of this post - ie MARCH 2016.. Be aware of that - other ukes HAVE been reviewed since!!

Got A Ukulele Best Instrument £0-£50

A difficult price point because there are genuinely so many bad ones around with poor quality control.

For me the first prize goes to the Octopus Soprano Ukulele - just remarkable for very very little money. Great sound and the neck is an absolute joy!

Octopus Soprano Ukulele
Octopus Soprano Ukulele


Runner Up: The Makala Dolphin - what else?


Got A Ukulele Best Instrument £50-£100

At this price point we are starting to get into the realms of instruments that are usually playable from the get go, with some truly nice surprises for what is, again, very little money. It's a close call at this price point for me, but I will give the first prize to the Baton Rouge Sun Series Concert Uke. A fairly plain looking affair and built from laminate woods, but seriously - great tone, great build quality, just really really great actually!

Baton Rouge Sun Concert Ukulele
Baton Rouge Sun Concert Ukulele


Runner Up: Snail UKS-220 Rosewood Soprano


Got A Ukulele Best Instrument £100 - £200

This is the price point where the majority of my reviews sit. There is a clear winner, but the problem here is that they don't make this one any more. It's the Omega Zedro II ukulele which I found quite remarkable for the money. But fear not - Omega have replaced it with the Klasiko model which I hear is just as good.

Omega Music Zedro Ukulele
Omega Music Zedro Ukulele

Runner Up: Several could have taken this spot, but I will give it to the Riptide Electro Concert (with an honourable mention to the John Daniel Pixie)


Got A Ukulele Best Instrument £200 - £500

Quite a price range this one, but this is where we start to get into serious territory. It's shared hours for me between the Big Island Koa Concert - so nice looking it featured on the cover of one of my books. Looks to die for and a beautiful delicate tone that I really really liked and the Pono ATDC

Big Island Koa Concert Ukulele
Big Island Koa Concert Ukulele


Runner Up: Again - several to choose from here, but I give it to the Pono MTD Tenor - just really really nice in every way.


Got A Ukulele Best Instrument £500 plus

An odd one here and one where I am clearly opening myself up to criticism - 'Hey what about Kamaka? What about Martin?' Well, as I say - these are just based on ukuleles I have tested. For me the winner is clear and I think it's a stunningly good instrument. First place goes to the Kanile'a K1 Tenor - no frills, but wonderful clear woody tones that still make me smile to this day.

Kanile'a K1 Tenor Ukulele
Kanile'a K1 Tenor Ukulele


Joint Runners Up: Beltona Tenor Resonator - one instrument that has made me smile more than many others recently. The other one being the quite simply amazing Blackbird Clara. 

So there you have it - I will, in time, adjust this listing as new instruments get reviewed if they change the top spots. But for now, the next time I get asked 'What is the best ukulele', this is the post I will give them the link to!





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aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele - REVIEW

Ukulele review time, and a brand name that I haven't yet featured on the site despite me having played a few for several years. It's a Concert model from far eastern brand aNueNue - their Africa Mahogany II Concert model.


aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele


When this one arrived it was one of those 'intake of breath' moments as I opened the case. It's not often a ukulele does that to me, and I do see a LOT of ukuleles. On occasion though one just looks really rather beautiful on the first lift of the case lid. This one did that to me, because I think it is, frankly, rather lovely. But let's get down to the specifications before I gush too much.

It's a Concert scale model, and a fairly standard one at that. I make that point as aNueNue also offer this in a jumbo bodied concert size as well as a concert. The instrument is made from all solid tone woods, with this one having a body made from African Mahogany. I say it's fairly standard, but the shape for me has enough uniqueness about it to make it stand out. That lower bout is wider than most common concert shapes and the butt of the instrument is not flat but curved. Little things like that can give an instrument that certain something.

The top is made of two pieces as is the unarched back and the sides. The wood is really rather splendid. Mahogany is not always recognised for its beauty but the choice of wood coupled with the gloss finish on this really creates an instrument that glows in the light. It's a warm brown orange with some stripe and flame that I think is absolutely delightful. That gloss is another star of the show here as it really is mirror flat and flawless. There is no finish pooling or bubbles on the instrument anywhere.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele top


Setting off the rest of the body is dark (possibly ebony) edge binding to the top and back an and inlaid abalone sound hole rosette. It all goes together I think to create an instrument that looks fancy but classy at the same time. Regular readers will know that I don't go in for bling and often even class gloss as bling. I could happily live with this one though - as I say - it's a combination.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele sides


We have a bridge plate that is an unusual shape that I think works well complete with a bone compensated and arched saddle piece. It's a tie bar style and is finished very well.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele bridge


Looking inside I note a very tidy build, with notched kerfing and delicate braces. The top is clearly not overly thick so I expect good things from the sound.

The neck is fairly standard in profile and width and appears to be made from three pieces of mahogany. It too is finished in gloss. Topping the neck is a rosewood fingerboard that is even in colour and nicely finished. The edges of the fretboard are unbound, but you don't see the fret edges as they are stained dark under the gloss.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele neck


Frets are nickel silver and we have 20 in total with 14 to the body join. These present my first (and only) gripe about the instrument - I would prefer them to have a softer crown to their tops. This is something I am seeing more of in ukuleles these days and it may just be personal opinion. It's a more traditional style of fret work but for me I find these jar the fingers a little when you slide up the neck. I prefer frets to be smooth. That isn't to say they are rough (they are not) or unfinished (no sharp edges here). Just that I find the crowning a little angular. Minor point.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele fingerboard


We have position markers in pearloid inlays at the 5th, 7th, 10th and 12th spaces and thankfully these are repeated on the side.

Past the bone nut we have a headstock that thankfully isn't a common crown shape, faced in what looks like rosewood or possibly ebony (or darker mahogany!) with the aNueNue logo inlaid in pearl.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele headstock


Tuning is provided by open gears that look very like open geared grovers, but are actually stamped 'aNueNue'. Either way, they are high quality and work great - trust me, I can tell. They are finished with black plastic buttons which are not overly large.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele tuners


Completing the deal are strings that appear to be clear fluorocarbon. I think they are aNueNue own brand choice, so could be anything really. They work well though.

And all of that can be yours for about $500... if you can find one (more on that later).

To hold, the instrument is not overly heavy and it's nicely balanced in the hands without a strap. That gloss finish is never sticky and it feels 'nice' in the hands. The setup on this example is spot on with an action that needs not adjusting at either the bridge or nut, and intonation very accurate right up the neck. No complaints so far.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele back


I have to admit that I am not actually a huge fan of concert ukuleles. For me they are neither one thing or the other and I tend to go for either tenors or sopranos. This one though feels like there is more to it. Strummed this is immediately noticeable by the great projection and even greater sustain. I do love a ukulele where you can feel the vibrations in the body projecting into your chest where you cradle it and this one delivers that.

Clarity across the strings range is impressive and it has a nice balance of warmth coupled with brightness and chime that I really like. I find many mahogany concerts can be a bit 'plinky' but this has a more complex sound.

Fingerpicked it is divine on account of that sustain with notes ringing out far longer than many ukuleles would deliver at this price. As I say, the fret crowning is the only let down for me here, but it really is something I could get used to I guess.

aNueNue Africa Mahogany II Concert Ukulele sound hole


So all in all I am rather taken by this one. It's about the sum of it's parts. No one thing is stellar and outstanding, but the various things (wood /  finish / shape) seem to come together into a very pleasing whole.

If you are in Australia or the far east you will be lucky enough to find one of these in your area. Less so if you are in the UK or the US as I don't believe aNueNue currently have a distributor in these regions. I think that is a huge shame as based on the quality of this review model I'd love to see them more widely available.

Recommended if you can find one.

Many thanks to aNueNue and Alan Townsend for the loan of the instrument.

Be sure to read all my other ukulele reviews here

UKULELE PROS
Looks and shape
Wood choice
Wonderful gloss
Great sustain and projection

UKULELE CONS

Would prefer softer crown on frets
Not widely available

UKULELE SCORES

Looks - 9.5 out of 10
Fit and Finish - 8.5 out of 10
Sound - 9 out of 10
Value for money - 9 out of 10

OVERALL UKULELE SCORE - 9 out of 10



UKULELE VIDEO REVIEW






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5 Mar 2016

As A Ukulele Performer - Do You Need Insurance?

Here's a ukulele question I get asked a lot. If ever there is a subject guaranteed to cause disagreement in forums it's the subject of Insurance for bands and performers who are going out gigging. Rules and regulations on this can be complex, misleading and confusing and it is not helped by many people spreading false information as to what is what. Actually though, I consider the subject quite simple. For me it comes down to two things. Do you want to be able to play every gig and do you want to lose the shirt off your back if something goes wrong?


ukulele band insurance


First things first, I appreciate that the ukulele world is global and I suspect different things apply in different countries. I write this as a good practice guide that should apply pretty much everywhere, but please bear in mind that these comments are related to my country and experience (The UK).

First up, lets get one thing clear. There is NO law that makes insurance a strict requirement. You are playing gigs, not driving a motor car. Insurance is all about risk and protection. As such, many bands don't carry insurance and many do. And this is where the mis-information starts to spread.

And why are we talking about insurance anyway, and insurance for what? Well in the main I am dealing here with Public Liability Insurance or PLI.  This is distinct from Insurance for your gear and instruments (although I would recommend that if you are gigging that you check whether your home contents insurance does actually cover your kit - it more than likely doesn't).

So - PLI - this is insurance that covers you / your band in the event that an incident happens for which the blame falls with you. Without insurance you could be required to foot the bill which could be anything from thousands of pounds (in the event of a minor incident) to eye watering numbers in the event of a catastrophe. We are talking here about several sorts of costs. Firstly there is repair or replacement of something that is damaged ( such as walking past a punters car in the car park and scratching it with your instrument case, or damaging the venue negligently). Second is the cost of compensation. That is to say the cost claim brought by someone who is injured or harmed (or worse) or suffers some sort of loss on account of your actions (so things like trips, falls, electrocution and the like). Finally we have the wonderful concept of legal costs (yes, if you are to blame you are probably liable for those too). Add them all up and the bill can be huge, even for minor things.

So we now come to the first myth - the 'It will never happen to us' defence, and therefore you don't 'need' insurance. Are you sure about that? The horrible fact of life is this - firms exist to specifically chase claims for negligence for the smallest thing. You will have seen the TV adverts. So this could be something as simple as somebody tripping over one of your music stands, instrument leads or similar and breaking their ankle. That really isn't so unlikely when you think about the fact that a lot of venues contain people who contain a lot of alcohol! Of course, that is the very mild end of the scale. What if one of your PA speakers falls on a crowd member? What if some of your electrical equipment blows the venue fuses or worse, catches fire? What if your wiring electrocutes somebody? (More on electrics below). Yes, you may think these are all unlikely, but in my experience, life has a funny habit of making the most unlikely things happen when you least expect them. If blame for any of these incidents can be attributed to your or your band, you could be staring at a claim.

Second myth - the 'Insurance is the responsibility of the venue' claim. This is not actually true. Most venues that host anything involving the public will indeed carry their own insurance, but they are totally at liberty to ask you to insure yourselves also. Besides, are you willing to rely on their insurance? I see many people get quite sniffy about this point and claim that its 'an outrage' and 'I would refuse to play'. But the really simple fact is this. An increasing number of venues ARE asking for bands to have insurance so it really then comes down to the question of 'do I want to play this gig or not'?  There is no point arguing with the venue if that is their policy - you won't win and the only result will be that you won't get the gig. In my experience, wedding venues, council property and the like will almost certainly require it, and an increasing number of theatres and even pubs are starting to ask for it too. However much you may disagree with the point, do you really want to rule out so many venues on a point of principle? Seems like cutting your nose off to spite your face to me.

But now lets bring both of those myths together. Even if a venue doesn't ask you to carry insurance, are you prepared to take the chance that if there is an incident that you can rely on them to be fully covered, (and rely on the lawyers to not try to mount a tandem claim against you)? The reality of life is that a claims lawyer will look at targeting absolutely anyone who they think could have liability. It might be the venue, it might be you, it might be both of you. In short - are you prepared to defend yourself by relying on a statement that the claim should be directed at the venue and not you?

So, as you can probably tell, I personally think insurance is a damn good idea if you are performing regularly. And the real bonus here is that PLI insurance is not actually all that expensive. I am not a financial advisor so I won't be giving specific recommendations here apart from to say that in my own experience, insuring a band of 8 people playing with all electric gear cost about £70 for 12 months. That is peanuts to each player for the peace of mind it provides. Joining the Musicians Union could be an option too as this gives you cover as part of a lot of other things, but if you want to shop around just google 'PLI cover for bands'. So I personally hold the view that when it's such a low cost, why WOULDN'T you hold insurance? Perhaps you wouldn't on a point of principle, but I am afraid your principles are not a valid defence to a negligence claim.

So to sum up. There is no legal requirement for you to have insurance, but an increasing number of venues are asking for it. Even if the venues you play don't ask for it, are you prepared to rely on their insurance in the event of an incident? I personally wouldn't. Please don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of the vulture mentality of the Insurance and Legal worlds and it would be marvellous if we didn't have this stuff. But we do. In playing a gig you are offering a service and you are working. Things can go wrong and you could be the target if they do. Your decision will be based on where and how often you are playing, but with increasing numbers of ukulele clubs going out now and playing gigs every month, I would say that is frequent enough to need to look into insurance. Even if you are just busking in town do you think the local Council will take responsibility for a member of the public who trips over your instrument case and breaks their wrist?


And now a final word on something connected to electrical risk and Insurance - PAT testing. PAT testing is a 'Portable Appliance Test' that is in accordance with the Electricity At Work Regulations and is essentially a test and certification of anything that plugs in to the mains for safety.  This is not a legal requirement but you may find that venues ask to see your certificate and that your Insurance requires you to have it if using electrical gear. PAT testing is required for any electrical item over 12 months old and needs to be renewed yearly (or in some cases, more often). It will cost you about £5 per item and I would say it is highly recommended. You will know how Insurance companies like to wriggle when they get a claim so you need to carefully read your policy and ensure that you are complying with it in every way. In fact, most band insurance policies will place a responsibility on the band to ensure they take reasonable precautions to avoid damage or injury, and PAT testing is part of that. A PAT certificate  for your gear in the event of a claim for something damaged by electrical causes (like a fire) will certainly assist your case. Insurance aside though, I have played venues who asked to see the equipment certificates before they would let me plug anything in. Annoying perhaps - but it's another one that leaves you with the question 'do I want this gig or not?'





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Why Can't People Accept That A Ukulele Review Is Just An Opinion?

Ahh.. The Internet. The giver of power and bravado to those behind a keyboard to rant about things they would never rant to your face about. And if there is one thing people like to take umbrage at it's reviews of products, usually products they have themselves and dont like people having a different opinion.


Barry Maz Ukulele Rant

To be fair, this isn't a moan, I actually find it quite amusing in a sad way. And of course, if you choose to write an opinion piece about anything (ukuleles, brands of coffee, albums, films, chewing gum, anything) and make it public, it's natural that people will use the button marked 'Comment' to have their say. Funnily enough, the most passionate tend to keep there comments anonymous, but I'm sure that's just coincidence........ erm..

I actually encourage comments and discussions on my reviews. Hey, if I didn't I'd simply turn the comments option off, and switch off the YouTube voting buttons. And that's because I like to hear opinions. I may say I don't like (or do like) the tone or finish of an instrument and you may totally disagree. That's because we all have different tastes, and I want to hear about other tastes. I've lost count of the amount of times I have said that it is perfectly normal to disagree with my reviews. They are just ONE GUYS OPINION...

But the ones that do infuriate are the libellous, crazy or just plain nasty. The most common of which include


And here lies the problem with that approach. Some people cannot take opinions as what they really are. Just the views of one person. They are not written to be gospel. They are not written to say 'you are wrong and I am right'. They are just what I think at the time, nothing more.



So in some sort of attempt at perverse self therapy I thought I would list down some of my most common complaints. Doing so won't change a damn thing, but there you go....



-->

1. Hey I have this ukulele, and I think it sounds amazing, so therefore you are wrong.

Usually in response to my review of an instrument that I think DOESN'T sound amazing. First of all, as I say, they are just opinions. But let's look deeper. Define 'amazing'? Is it the only instrument you have ever played? Perhaps that does indeed sound amazing to you and I am pleased for you. But I review based on the playing experience of a lot of instruments. I have to have some reference point, and in fact it's very hard for me to avoid my experiences elsewhere when coming to a view. Ultimately though, if you like the sound of yours - then that is really all that matters. Doesn't make either of us wrong though. I'm not a big fan of Ford motor cars, but they certainly sell a lot of them. Just an opinion.

2. Hey I bought one of these and it had no faults, so therefore you are wrong.

You bought one that wasn't badly put together? I am delighted for you! I really am. I wish that bad builds and faults never existed. Unfortunately, they do.  I am also extremely conscious that the instruments I review are only single examples out of large batches. There is absolutely every chance that I could get another on another day and not see the same issues. But I can only review the one I am presented with. But let's assume your opinion and my opinion of these are the only two reviews that exist anywhere. Mine is badly made and yours is not. So thats a 50:50 on chances of getting a good one. I don't like those odds.

Or lets put it another way - would you prefer they were reviewed like this?

"The bridge on this one is in the wrong place, the finish on the body is terrible and cracking in places. The fret edges are sharp and one of the tuners isn't working. But hey, I can forgive it those things. So 10 out of 10!". 

I don't think that would make for a very interesting review myself.  I prefer to just say what I see. It doesn't mean yours has the same flaws.

3. Why are you so down on ordering from Amazon?  I ordered one from Amazon and it was fine.

Probably one of the most common comments this one. For me, it's all about probability. First of all, ordering through ukulele shops who have storefronts on Amazon is not what I am getting at here - ordering from those can be the same as ordering from the store direct. I am talking about the items that are stocked by and shipped by Amazon direct. It is a simple fact that with those instruments, when an order comes in, Amazon take one down from a warehouse shelf somewhere and ship it, unopened. When it first made it's way to the warehouse shelf the last place it had been was the ukulele factory it came from.  It is another fact that all ukuleles, whether cheap or expensive, benefit from a setup / 'once over' by somebody who actually understands the instrument. Amazon do NOT do this when ordering direct. They just don't. They are shipping millions of products and simply don't employ ukulele techs to sit in their warehouses setting up instruments. So whilst there is every chance that one of those unopened boxes straight from the ukulele factory is in good shape, there is equally chance that it needs a setup. This can affect ANY instrument at any price, but it's fair to say that at the cheaper end of the market, the models need a much closer inspection! If you are a beginner can you do that yourself?

More generally - it's not as if other options are not in existence. There are some great real ukulele specialist stores out there who WILL open the box and check them over before shipping. It may cost you a dollar or two more - so why take the chance? Or putting it another way, I just prefer supporting local businesses more than faceless corporations. Shoot me.

4. Ah yes, but that ukulele would be so much better with (insert brand name here)  strings

There is a reason I don't do a lot of string 'reviews' (if any). It's because opinions on strings are just too personal. There are some strings that some of the worlds greatest ukulele players swear by that I just don't like. In fact strings that I know a LOT of people don't like. It's personal.  So when I review an instrument with a questionable sound, I fully appreciate that a string change may indeed improve things. But with which strings? Lets say I re-string it with the brand you are recommending works so well. What if I don't like those strings? I would still dislike the sound. Or should I be restringing each review instrument with a dozen brands and finding the best one? No thanks!

The point is - anyone buying one of the ukuleles I review may well change the strings and get different results - but they may all change them to something different.

But most importantly, remember this. No amount of string changing will change a ukulele that is inherently awful into something magical. And anyway - who wants a ukulele that only works well with one brand of strings?


5. You always give rubbish reviews to cheap ukuleles

No I don't. I really don't. Have a read of the Ukulele Review Database. You'll see why that statement is wrong. What I DO do however is review instruments that are genuinely awful as being awful. My low scoring reviews do tend to get the most aggressive comments though. Funny that.




6. I have the same electro ukulele and mine sounds great when plugged in.

Another common one. For part of this, point 1 above applies - it's just opinion at the end of the day. But there is also a broad range of options of what you plug the ukulele in to that comes in to play here. A cheap noisy pickup when plugged in to a small battery amplifier or headphone amp for private practice may sound just fine. In fact it will sound just like a ukulele but a bit louder. If that is your only experience with them then absolutely it will sound 'great'.  However people don't just buy electric ukuleles to plug them into basic amps like that. Some will take them on stages and plug them into larger amplifiers, or through mixing desks into a house PA system. As well as those rigs making the core sound of the ukulele much louder, the systems also amplify the weak points too. If your pickup is a noisy cheap one (and by noisy, I mean background noise that isn't meant to be there in the form of hum, crackle or hiss) or has a muddy tone (no clarity between the notes when played) then whilst it may sound acceptable in headphones, through a large event PA system, those bad sounds are just going to be even more noticeable. I've been there and done it - played on stage through a large event PA of several hundred watts next to someone with a cheap pickup that is just throwing hiss and hum through the whole sound. It's horrible.

My comments on electros therefore have to cover all bases. Can you be sure you are only ever going to plug in to a headphone amp?


7. But I can't get this ukulele in my country!

Hey - don't shoot the reviewer - I am not a distributor!


8. This ukulele has loads of five star reviews on Amazon, so therefore you are wrong

Ah yes, Amazon again. It's well known that whilst there are indeed some truthful reviews on Amazon that their review system for all sorts of products is considered questionable and flawed. Reviewers are essentially anonymous and there is little opportunity for comeback. In fact in the world of books there have been some quite damning allegations of vote fixing / paid reviews and general underhand tactics to either vote items up or down. It's rather like the TripAdvisor scenario. Take what you read with a pinch of salt. One of the best selling and highest rated ukuleles on Amazon UK is the Stagg US10. Some of the 5 star reviews of those have people talking about them like they are playing a Kamaka...

9. You would say that about (insert brand name here) because they gave you a free ukulele...

No, no they don't. Please feel free to contact any brand or store that I have reviewed and ask them. I don't even WANT free instruments, I am trying to de-clutter my house not make it worse. They all either go back or where the cost of a return is not worth it, given away in competitions or to charity. What's that you say now? I would say that wouldn't I? Oh, there really is no winning here is there?

10. But (insert brand name here)  told you to say that.

No they didn't. I tell every brand and store I review for that I retain final say on copy. They don't even  see a final draft.

11. But why would they loan you stuff if there was a chance you would say you didn't like it?

Because this is real life. They don't get it right all the time and they may actually take on board honest critisism. Besides, they also know that people would soon smell a rat if every comment I made was gushing praise. If I regularly say a particular brand is getting it right, maybe, you know, they are getting it right? And if a brand is regularly featured, I personally think that it's a brand that deserves your attention. Apart from anything else, they have confidence in their product and are brave to send them for critisism. That's my kind of brand!

12. But you dont have anything from (insert brand name here)  - that must clearly mean you dont like them...

No. As I say above - I mainly review instruments that are sent to me on loan. I have been in contact with every single brand that is commercially available, and many that are luthier made. With the big brands, if they dont appear its because they havent chosen to send me one. I don't have the money to just buy one of every brand just to make sure they appear on the site. I would LOVE to get every brand on Got A Ukulele, but if they won't send one, then it's unlikely to happen. It's hardly my fault and I don't have the budget to just go and buy them all. Now, I could be cynical and suggest that some brands may actually be concerned about point 3 above.. but I will ask you to draw your own conclusions! If you know of a brand you want to see featured and have a contact - tell them you want them to send me one!


13. You deliberately make sure that ukuleles you dont like are out of tune before you video them.

This one really made me laugh, but I have actually had a lot of comments about this. A suggestion that I am deliberately trying to make them sound off when playing them. No, really - every review video has a ukulele tuned accurately at the nut from the off. If you hear them going out of tune when fretted it meants that they are either built badly (misplaced necks, frets, bridge) or more likely they are in desperate need of a setup. Why dont I set them up before playing them? Well because the idea is to show you what a random selection could be like if YOU bought one. Not everyone knows how to do a setup!

14. Your playing is no good / your microphone is no good / your camera is no good.

Fair points on all three counts. I don't claim to be a virtuoso. The videos are only to supplement the written reviews and are a guide only. I prefer writing to videoing (and early reviews had no videos at all).  But I work on the basis that a more likely recreation of a ukulele in a bedroom type setting from an average Joe is worth more to people than putting an expertly setup instrument into the hands of a maestro. I figure that 95% of people buying instruments from those sort of videos will be at home thinking 'mine doesn't sound like that'... They are independent reviews, not marketing pushes.

15. You do too much talking and not enough playing

See point 14. They are only there to accompany the written pieces. There was a time when reviews of instruments were ONLY written up in magazines. There were no videos. Yes folks, this was before the internet!

16. You are only writing this to look for support...

Groan.. No, I can't win..


All in all though - I understand that putting public articles out there on a website like this does naturally come at a price - one is being opened up to criticism and debate. That's fine. But it really is getting quite tiring. The 'I disagree because of X, Y and Z' I can deal with. In fact I welcome it. The 'You are plain wrong and stupid'... less so..  A negative review is really not a personal attack on you or me questioning your parentage. It's just one mans opinion.

If you like the ukulele you have and I don't - seriously.. don't stress about what I think...





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