tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post8768328735322558086..comments2024-03-26T17:50:42.904+00:00Comments on GOT A UKULELE - Ukulele reviews and beginners tips: Makala Waterman Soprano Ukulele REVIEWBarry Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-78938386090974728792024-03-04T19:51:32.512+00:002024-03-04T19:51:32.512+00:00New redesigned versions have different top "b...New redesigned versions have different top "bracing" and removable & adjustable saddles. Any change you'll review that one?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-29482562076625545612018-09-29T18:03:03.610+01:002018-09-29T18:03:03.610+01:00I have and have enjoyed a Waterman Soprano. It is ...I have and have enjoyed a Waterman Soprano. It is all I expected and I have had a lot of fun with it. The comments about the action up the neck are correct, but that part of a soprano neck is a bit tricky for me anyway. The tone of course does not have the complexity and warmth of even a laminate wood-bodied uke, but has a good deal of snap to it. Also, all the silver paint (frets, position markers, side dots) disappeared within half an hour of play. But, as another commenter said, it is what it is: a fun, casual, well-built plastic uke.<br /><br />I should add that when introduced with only two color options, I immediately jumped on the Concert version of this uke. It's my favorite size of uke and I had wished for a concert Waterman when the original was introduced. An important difference is the tome. It is strikingly different--much warmer and smoother--but still un-complex as one expect in a plastic uke. No one else that I've read has mentioned this about the concert: the silver paint problem is solved. I've had my concert over a year and played it regularly. The silver paint has shown no wear. I love these two little axes and recommend them to anyone looking at this segment of the market.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324014860830482266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-15303328706923034192018-09-12T19:33:03.647+01:002018-09-12T19:33:03.647+01:00I'm finding it's really variable Dan. I...I'm finding it's really variable Dan. I've had 5 through my hands. Two had dipping tops. The other three were fine. Very odd.<br />Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-57295276596597140342018-09-12T19:30:40.320+01:002018-09-12T19:30:40.320+01:00An update on the dip at the bridge. I emailed Kala...An update on the dip at the bridge. I emailed Kala and their service team said it should not have a dip, and to return it for a replacement. I'll update when the replacement arrives, lets see if it dips, or it don't...Dansimpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06269547298037680610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-3260488761369317582018-08-08T13:03:47.345+01:002018-08-08T13:03:47.345+01:00My daughter just got me one for my birthday, they ...My daughter just got me one for my birthday, they are what they are, designed to be tough and get wet. Plays ok, although on mine the fretboard is narrower than the neck so there is a lip. That dip by the bridge looks terrible, but so long as it doesnt get worse it will be fine. A little redesign on the bridge extrusion would have made it all the better, lean it back, lower it, reshape the back so the string break at the saddle was greater, but hey, £30 and its fun to play :-)Dansimpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06269547298037680610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-34247977930364166332017-09-03T19:25:50.094+01:002017-09-03T19:25:50.094+01:00I just bought a Waterman. It was the one hanging o...I just bought a Waterman. It was the one hanging on the wall. Unfortunately, when I tune it the E string loses at tuning after a few strums. I know the strings need a week to settle, but this seems excessive. Thoughts on whether this is normal or abused while it was on the show floor. Thanks for the great resource here!!!susieweehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663983656057320115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-56790716002072542402017-06-03T09:59:06.871+01:002017-06-03T09:59:06.871+01:00Great pics for your review thorough comments, help...Great pics for your review thorough comments, helpful. This is the similar one I have, but its painful to play when I tuned it. Also quickly goes out of tune, I installed geared pegs and new strings. I need help with solving problem of the bridge is too high. The brige appears to be pushing from a hollow to pop up on surface. Any advice welcome! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-43937877311585398932017-05-11T03:40:05.893+01:002017-05-11T03:40:05.893+01:00Hey Barry, love all your reviews. I did notice th...Hey Barry, love all your reviews. I did notice that the Kala seems to have two slighty different name structure and logo for the Waterman. One called "Makala Waterman" with a bit wider paddle board logo and "Waterman by Kala" with thinner paddle board logo. ? why and what's the difference between the two, if any?<br />-DebCelestial Questhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083878984714095761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-15904513328821021162017-03-15T21:14:07.611+00:002017-03-15T21:14:07.611+00:00Love it Tony!
Love it Tony!<br />Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-5226622514677531142017-03-15T20:39:24.464+00:002017-03-15T20:39:24.464+00:00Malala Waterman part II Barry mentioned in his rev...Malala Waterman part II Barry mentioned in his review that the Waterman is "bomb proof". Although I did not try to blow it up I did have it endure -19c humid Canadian weather in only is frabric sheath. After about twenty minutes of warming up at the jam session and a quick tuning, she was all set to go. It may not be a serious instrument it is a damn sight better than most on the market at this price point. Great learner uke and I do believe it could withstand the riggers of a classroom UKE. It sure can take a beating and still hold its tuning. Well back to Riptide :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14537446630925036266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-69434398644938915192017-03-11T18:57:49.841+00:002017-03-11T18:57:49.841+00:00Excellent!Excellent!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-14160511656739791312017-03-11T18:52:48.909+00:002017-03-11T18:52:48.909+00:00Well I bought the Kala Makala Waterman UKE. When ...Well I bought the Kala Makala Waterman UKE. When I got it home I gave it the appropriate time to acclimatize to the ambient temperature and humidity of my kitchen .a.k.a. test lab. (of course all important when breaking in a fine instrument. I picked her up looked squarely into the sound hole, tuned her and “we danced”. What surprise. It sounded much better than I had expected and at 55$ CDN its sound was far superior to the Outdoor UKE that purchased at twice the price. I was braced for that plastic Tupperware sound but with the resulting sound; It was damn good. I think that the reinforced and deep sided sound hole gives it more resonance thereby overcoming much of the plastic tones. (In my humble opinion). The tuner held better that a Scotsman holds onto his wallet. Overall The frets are silver coloured so we’ll see if it holds but, really who cares. This is not a Strad . My maple sap collection for the maple syrup production will be accompanied by this fine instrument to the sounds of “The Log Drivers’ Waltz” – a traditional Ottawa Valley tune. Barry, your review was bang on. At this price, sound and construction, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have fun!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14537446630925036266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-35695656114263446022017-02-16T19:39:40.246+00:002017-02-16T19:39:40.246+00:00Enjoy it - lots of people disagree with me on this...Enjoy it - lots of people disagree with me on this one, but it's not a super serious ukulele and nor should it be considered as such. What it is though is a lot of fun and bomb proof!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-35828022332679066122017-02-16T19:32:15.180+00:002017-02-16T19:32:15.180+00:00This is the 2nd uke I have bought this week due to...This is the 2nd uke I have bought this week due to your reviews lol! I have the clear one on order from Omega. I am very pleased with the 8 string tenor. You will have me bankrupt :) As a beginner the most used phrase in our house has become "Barry says..." Hubby thinks it is hilarious.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829671442006917956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-51356191915483850302017-02-03T08:25:27.919+00:002017-02-03T08:25:27.919+00:00Rachel - definitely definitely the Dolphins - thes...Rachel - definitely definitely the Dolphins - these are more of a specialist ukulele for existing ukulele fans and can need quite a bit of work getting them to play right. The Dolphins are also plastic back and sides and incredibly tough. I bought my daughter a Dolphin when she was 2. She is now 7, and despite a lot of scratches - it's still perfectly playable.Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-33928579747686266672017-02-02T22:47:52.804+00:002017-02-02T22:47:52.804+00:00Barry, I'm a teacher considering either a clas...Barry, I'm a teacher considering either a class set of these or the Dolphins for a six week unit. Would you consider one or the other? I'm leaning toward these since they seem really difficult to break. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207832145595780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-44249477590541734052017-01-25T20:37:55.667+00:002017-01-25T20:37:55.667+00:00Didn't think too much of these until I played ...Didn't think too much of these until I played up a clear one about a month ago. A transparent uke just looks so cool, plus no paint to rub off from what I recall. I'm trying to convince myself I don't need one ... Glennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-69870089379449700962016-10-19T18:03:15.664+01:002016-10-19T18:03:15.664+01:00Sorry - I can't give string recommendations - ...Sorry - I can't give string recommendations - it's just too personal, What some people like, others don't. It depends as much on your playing style and your own ear as it does what uke it isBarry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-18271661789281352912016-10-19T05:21:24.569+01:002016-10-19T05:21:24.569+01:00I love my Waterman...glow in the dark. :-D But I w...I love my Waterman...glow in the dark. :-D But I was wondering what is a good brand of strings for this uke. Any suggestions? thanks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-38891893894054727992016-07-12T18:42:06.968+01:002016-07-12T18:42:06.968+01:00This makes me happy Andrew!This makes me happy Andrew!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-58720745354527844702016-07-12T17:56:48.915+01:002016-07-12T17:56:48.915+01:00Based on your review, my daughter and I now have a...Based on your review, my daughter and I now have a blue and a pink Waterman. We've played them every day together since they arrived a month ago. One of the best 72 euros ever spent. Priceless father/daughter fun. Thanks for your advice. Andrewhttp://www.sadler.nlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-41640142114265195972016-06-20T01:19:43.671+01:002016-06-20T01:19:43.671+01:00I have had nothing but fun with my pale yellow Wat...I have had nothing but fun with my pale yellow Waterman (bought on impulse) for the past three months! I saw your review just today confirming my luck! It's really lightweight too for canoeing and camping. Might take it on the Pacific Crest Trail next year. Agree with strumming vs picking (even really cheap wood is better).<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />JeffJ Wohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848798713715120045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-77780018316886753852015-11-02T19:37:00.117+00:002015-11-02T19:37:00.117+00:00I do pick it up regularly and took it on holiday -...I do pick it up regularly and took it on holiday - it's more of a fun item than a serious instrument though and I think if I was buying one for a child I would by a Makala Dolphin - same brand but just as tough.Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-31006005724251873192015-11-02T15:13:33.716+00:002015-11-02T15:13:33.716+00:00Hello,
Great review!
I'm looking at picking on...Hello,<br />Great review!<br />I'm looking at picking one of these up for my daughter, I figure that being made of plastic will hopefully also make this one slightly more child-resilient, and at £30, maybe a good entry point for a learner.<br /><br />In your video review you mentioned that you keep picking it up as you walked past it, I wondered if a few months down the line if this was still the case?<br /><br />I've found your site via your youtube review of the waterman, and I've been reading through the rest of the page, keep up the excellent work!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13613823431180312543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-27238640226576801012015-08-06T22:48:24.449+01:002015-08-06T22:48:24.449+01:00Bought a Waterman last month, but it turned out to...Bought a Waterman last month, but it turned out to be a wallhanger, a pretty one.<br />The action is way to high for me to be able to play it proparly, Korala and Alic/Mahilele did better action-wise on their plastic ukeleles. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com