tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post5000804302046971128..comments2024-03-26T17:50:42.904+00:00Comments on GOT A UKULELE - Ukulele reviews and beginners tips: Islander MST-4 Tenor Ukulele - REVIEWBarry Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-30948442508153749812017-10-27T11:46:46.258+01:002017-10-27T11:46:46.258+01:00I bought initially Lohanu Tenor package from Amazo...I bought initially Lohanu Tenor package from Amazon for CAD $135, and then I bought Islander MST-4 from local specialized store Cosmo Music for CAD $380, and difference in provided values is *UNBELIEVABLE*!!!<br /><br />Lohanu: is not setup; nut is too high, simple F chord doesn't sound right, tuned 4th string to G4 and pressed 2nd fret: it is sharp A. Action is more than 6 millimetre. You need to send them Email and they will send you basic tools and links to video on how to properly file frets LOL :) Canadian company. Neither box nor ukulele indicate where it is made. I had hard time finding is it laminate or hard wood. It is really hard to press strings on it, even on first few frets. Aquila strings.<br /><br />Islander: out-of-the-box (correction: out-of-the-Cosmomusic!) it is properly setup, I played about ten beginners chords all sound wonderful, I don't need to do anything! Action is about 3 millimetre, very playable. Sounds really great! It has small sticker on headstock "Made in China". It has clear indication on manufacturer site: solid mahogany top, laminated body.<br /><br />In general I am exceptionally pleased with Islander MST-4: playability, intonation, sound.<br /><br />CosmoMusic pre-sales teams does great work; they have standard professional pre-sales QA and even more: within a year I can bring my Ukulele to them for fine tuning & lower action setup. Their prices in CAD$ are even cheaper than average USD$ prices from U.S. and you don't have to worry about import permits for wood & abalone items.<br />Fuad Efendi [2]https://www.blogger.com/profile/06355852602236834160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-64460518356590354892016-04-06T09:16:47.232+01:002016-04-06T09:16:47.232+01:00I enjoy the Islander model very much. I have two c...I enjoy the Islander model very much. I have two concerts and one tenor. They seem to have become of much better quality over time. The bridge pins for the strings don't really require using the washers on other strings. I found that triple knotting the string and letting it set it's own tension under the bridge pin works much better than the stupid washers. I am pretty sure they were not meant to be reused. But if they were, then they should have been a bit larger to make it easier to reuse the washers for restringing. Anyway, though most people think Aquila strings are the s**t, I actually prefer either "Living Water" brand or "Guadalupe Custom" Ukulele strings. Both brands have a much more vibrant, classical sound in my opinion. It's always best to shop around and try different brands to see what works best on which size/style of Ukulele. Or, whichever sounds the most pleasing to your ears! Ukulele On PPL! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-56540438707218794252015-07-23T14:10:19.224+01:002015-07-23T14:10:19.224+01:00I bought one of these 12 months ago on the basis o...I bought one of these 12 months ago on the basis of your review. It wasn't that my playing warranted a quality Uke, but I'd been given £250 as a gift and thought I'd treat myself to a solid wood Uke. Trouble was, to my untrained ear most of those I tried sounded no better than my excellent Ohana TK10 laminate - in fact many didn't sound as nice. The Islander MST-4 though does look different, sound different and feel different - I do like the wider nut. So I went for this and am very glad I did. Thanks for your very thorough review which helped me make a special purchase and one I'm very pleased with.Dave Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905538776239339672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-15176848065504218422013-05-03T19:53:47.101+01:002013-05-03T19:53:47.101+01:00Glad it helped!Glad it helped!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-57285159299424858062013-05-03T08:36:11.617+01:002013-05-03T08:36:11.617+01:00I have purchased an MST4 on the strength of your r...I have purchased an MST4 on the strength of your review.Its the first tenor I have owned and I must say its lived up to my expectation in every way.It can produce a true uke chiming sound or a soft mellow tone depending on how you play it.It has great sustain and volume.For a production line instrument it takes some beating..Your review was a great help cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-61525418918565834652012-08-11T17:44:46.618+01:002012-08-11T17:44:46.618+01:00used - Interesting to note that by set up "pr...used - Interesting to note that by set up "properly" you mean "low". A low action does not suit all playing styles!Monkennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-53911453309122538152012-08-11T11:21:06.180+01:002012-08-11T11:21:06.180+01:00Uked - well yes and no. Very high end ukes do tend...Uked - well yes and no. Very high end ukes do tend to come pretty close. With far eastern factory stuff it's hit and miss. I don't mean to say SUS sent it out unplayable - just high for my liking. I've seen much higher though. The setup and finish dropped points because of the string snapping. The G string went this morning and on inspection the inside of that hole was rough also. Shop could not have spotted that.Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-72293177665871817402012-08-11T11:00:49.198+01:002012-08-11T11:00:49.198+01:00About the setup: Doesn't about every ukulele n...About the setup: Doesn't about every ukulele need a post-factory setup? The Southern Ukulele Store should have set it up properly before selling it. I think it's odd for a ukulele-dedicated store to drop points on that matter. My experiences with both Highly Strung and Courtney and Walker are far superior when it comes to setting up ukuleles.ukedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12790761660513254225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-87942105397884124242012-08-11T10:28:58.011+01:002012-08-11T10:28:58.011+01:00Yeah, they do look similar. The binding doesn'...Yeah, they do look similar. The binding doesn't have the white edge trim either, and of course this has the Kanile'a shaped headstock. Of course, the majority of far eastern ukes are made in the same factories!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-91922670921998558902012-08-11T10:07:32.614+01:002012-08-11T10:07:32.614+01:00it looks very similar to the Kala SMHT uke. apart ...it looks very similar to the Kala SMHT uke. apart from the abalone round the sound hole. neck construction the same, arched back the same, and faux tortoiseshell trim,but yes the bridge is different. have a look on "highly strung " page , I'm satisfied with the Kala which is a bit cheaper and sounds great now I've fitted Worth clear stringsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-35270707139342486662012-08-10T14:38:58.943+01:002012-08-10T14:38:58.943+01:00I really am quite happy with mine, it feels great ...I really am quite happy with mine, it feels great in my hands and sounds perfect to me. It's my most-played Uke which drives my wife a bit crazy as I rarely play the Kala Concert she gifted me that started my whole Ukulele obsession.Sporinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06047009276267477435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-24479959177775796372012-08-09T21:50:49.568+01:002012-08-09T21:50:49.568+01:00Thanks Sporin - must say - finish on this isnt lik...Thanks Sporin - must say - finish on this isnt like yours - it's very smooth. Whilst I can see pores and grain they are not rough.<br /><br />I look back at my review and think maybe I was a bit harsh - but the setup things bothered me. The sound though is great!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-86262334568157334862012-08-09T21:38:54.290+01:002012-08-09T21:38:54.290+01:00One other thing, thank goodness they redid that lo...One other thing, thank goodness they redid that logo. I have the big, bright white logos. The text barely fits the width of the head, and has a large oval logo image below it as well. Gaudy stuff.Sporinhttp://www.ukemafia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-19281698842782102142012-08-09T21:31:28.523+01:002012-08-09T21:31:28.523+01:00I have the laminated version of this uke and quite...I have the laminated version of this uke and quite like it but agree with you on some of the finishing. If I run a cotton ball over the sides of mine, it will pick up cotton, the finish is almost unbearably thin. I'm going to try some restoration wax at some point to see if I can "bury" that roughness a bit.<br /><br />http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?61635-Add-another-coat-of-varnish<br /><br />Mostly though, I'm quite pleased with it. I love the feel of the neck and wider nut. Makes playing with my less-than-dainty fingers quite a bit easier. The sound is very much to my liking, though I plan to swap off the Aquilas soon for a set of D’Addario's. I'm using a Aquila Red Low-G.<br /><br />I waffled over getting the solid wood version, but eventually decided I wanted a pickup installed so put the money to that instead. I'm happy with that decision and am saving my pennies for a more "special" solid wood uke sometime next year (probably Mya-Moe).<br /><br />As always, excellent review, thank you!Sporinhttp://www.ukemafia.comnoreply@blogger.com