tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post3100123171262254001..comments2024-03-17T09:56:58.379+00:00Comments on GOT A UKULELE - Ukulele reviews and beginners tips: Why Can't People Accept That A Ukulele Review Is Just An Opinion?Barry Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-42750794963431016742018-08-21T21:51:19.714+01:002018-08-21T21:51:19.714+01:00Thanks man!Thanks man!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-47519811158162188482018-08-21T21:26:11.334+01:002018-08-21T21:26:11.334+01:00Well-informed and presented reviews, Barry. I watc...Well-informed and presented reviews, Barry. I watch them even when not considering a new purchase. Recently, I did purchase a Kala Ziricote Tenor after watching your review of a couple of times. And I love it. I truly hope you continue to do these reviews for as long as you are into doing so. I consider them a major asset to the ukulele community. Burnell Yow! (The Hippie Ukuleleist)https://instagram.com/thehippieukuleleistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-65591254779613456002017-10-31T10:26:47.205+00:002017-10-31T10:26:47.205+00:00BTW: A couple of years ago Scientific American Mag...BTW: A couple of years ago Scientific American Magazine had a short article about people who write reviews on sites such as Amazon or Yelp. The authors found that the majority of reviews tend to fall on the two ends of the spectrum. The people who loved what they were reviewing, and those who hated it. I believe the number was 80+ percent of all reviews fell into these classification. Less than 20% rated a middle rating of OK or average. When studied they found that the majority of people didn't feel strongly enough about something to bother writing a review. They were only moved to comment when they really, really liked it or hated it. So keep that in mind when you read those reviews on a store's site. Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03144297044143173502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-85760123974685638602017-10-31T10:21:06.616+00:002017-10-31T10:21:06.616+00:00Thanks Ken!
Thanks Ken!<br />Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-24557619856863271642017-10-31T10:16:18.763+00:002017-10-31T10:16:18.763+00:00Barry, I wish I had known about your site (and you...Barry, I wish I had known about your site (and your books) before I bought my first uke. Yes, it was from Amazon--I had a $200 USD gift card. I had never heard of "setup" until I read your materials.<br />I bought my second uke with your reviews in mind in the price range I had in mind and I am pretty happy with it. My third was a uke you highly touted. I too was impressed and like it very much. My fourth was not so good. The uke sounded good, but the finish was a very light satin with many voids that looked like cracks, in the spruce top. Yikes! I returned it. I certainly didn't blame you. You mentioned that you like the thin, light finish. Your taste and mine differs in that respect. My point is, your reviews are a starting point. If you really don't like a uke, I don't bother looking at it. If you like it a lot, or give it a good review, I put it on the list to consider. Then narrow it using other sources. (Not many places around here sell anything but a handful of low to mid-range ukes.) <br />You are a terrific resource for both beginners to advanced players. I find your reviews honest and relatively impartial. If you do have a bias you state it upfront. For that I thank you. Keep it up.Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03144297044143173502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-59148807918355372172017-10-13T12:51:42.117+01:002017-10-13T12:51:42.117+01:00But what people seem to miss is that - whilst a uk...But what people seem to miss is that - whilst a uke is much smaller than a guitar - the costs of production are much higher. The bill of materials cost is not the big factor in price - it's the skills to make such a small thing resonate well, intonate well and, simply, play well - harder to get that right than you can with guitars on a budgetBarry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-90938854791119063822017-10-13T12:50:15.956+01:002017-10-13T12:50:15.956+01:00Not sure I follow you? You CAN get a decent qualit...Not sure I follow you? You CAN get a decent quality ukulele for £200?Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-75695831830677631002017-10-13T12:41:07.183+01:002017-10-13T12:41:07.183+01:00Hi Baz,
Just thought Id share my thoughts on ukule...Hi Baz,<br />Just thought Id share my thoughts on ukulele prices. For £200 I would expect too pick up a decent quality instrument, like you can with mandolins & yes guitars etc, but so far I'm a bit disappointed with what you get for your money when it comes to a ukulele.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-28362950536815712862016-09-14T20:38:57.258+01:002016-09-14T20:38:57.258+01:00Thanks Kit - it does make it more worthwhile when ...Thanks Kit - it does make it more worthwhile when you hear the positives! Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-49439276738995821642016-09-14T20:27:42.474+01:002016-09-14T20:27:42.474+01:00I do a lot of reviews of different thing, so I fee...I do a lot of reviews of different thing, so I feel your pain (I did a review on the Schoenhut Uke over on Amazon not long after they came out - one guy knocked me WAY upside the head and accused me of all manner of dishonesty). It takes courage to come back week after week, year after year, and provide the level of assessment you do. If I had found you a few years earlier, I'd have saved myself a lot of money (and my friends and families would not have benefited by my giving them my castoffs!). I come to your site and channel before I purchase any new ukes now. Yep, I'm a groupie. I'm okay with that! Thanks for your excellent work!!Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00034192065109220138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-71961358224255163802016-08-25T10:29:09.792+01:002016-08-25T10:29:09.792+01:00Hi Barry, maybe you need a preface to all of your...Hi Barry, maybe you need a preface to all of your reviews specially for the "hard of understanding" who read them?<br />I've read many reviews of ukuleles and the one from buyers that really makes me smile and pops up many times. "I've had this uke for a week now and it won't stay in tune". I think many of these folks form a large part within your harshest critics. My guess is that if they read 9 reviews that go against their opinion they will search for a 10th review that matches and then say "See, I told you so". I wonder if these folks are happier with the reviews published by retailers who's job is to make money by selling the reviewed ukes? I never saw a retailers review of a uke they wanted to sell you that said things like, the finish is poor and there are glue spills, the intonation is off, it has very little sustain etc.<br />Me? I enjoy reading your reviews. They are by far the most concise available in any great number and range and there are often plenty of others online to find second/third/fourth......opinions.Ed Dohertynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-65854391600856422772016-08-19T02:45:10.057+01:002016-08-19T02:45:10.057+01:00Written well to clear the air.. All points noted.....Written well to clear the air.. All points noted...... I love reading your reviews and it gives me a chance to see these ukes that are not available for me to touch. If I can retain this info when I do try them I have some other opinion besides the dude presenting me his (insert brand name here)uke. LOL. I must say I learn something each review, keep them coming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-12589961182189624022016-08-18T10:06:57.792+01:002016-08-18T10:06:57.792+01:00Thanks for the rant and valid points.
Some of you...Thanks for the rant and valid points.<br /><br />Some of your arguments (1, 2, 4 and 6) are relativistic: it's a matter of personal taste, your own way of playing... In fact, I find your reviews often quite factual and objective. Yes, some people like the action higher than others, but you measure it.<br /><br />User/owner reviews are another bias for the 'mine is good'-arguments (3, 4, 6, 8) and basically what amazon and other online shops rely on, more so than flagrant review fraud. If you paid for it, you either have to like it (or boast about it, when invited) or call yourself a foolish idiot.<br /><br />Arguments 9, 10 and 11 are the reasons I like your reviews: you have the guts to say negative things in a product review. Try finding that in any printed magazine on ukuleles.<br /><br />And #14 gives you something to work on. Keep it up, take it higher, become better!<br /><br />Thanks for the Kala Waterman I won from you - it's been used in the pool a lot.Liesbeth en Karlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16859920679736825433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-40670115409987592642016-08-18T07:44:19.788+01:002016-08-18T07:44:19.788+01:00I've read and watched many of your reviews and...I've read and watched many of your reviews and I realise they are your opinions. However in this crazy world we live in now, people have much too strong opinions, look at the UK referendum, and will even kill to defend it!! I can see that the really nasty and insulting comments are hard to take, but that's where are unfortunately.HChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951727032733406880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-85737931932442545582016-08-17T21:09:14.188+01:002016-08-17T21:09:14.188+01:00Keyboard warriors Bob!Keyboard warriors Bob!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-12441380843312066412016-08-17T21:08:17.891+01:002016-08-17T21:08:17.891+01:00If folks are so convinced your reviews are crap......If folks are so convinced your reviews are crap... They have every opportunity to create their own YouTube channel, website, etc... It's ever so easy to criticize when you aren't spending time building content yourself. Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08405145486006108557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-34896537033830024752016-08-17T19:21:45.722+01:002016-08-17T19:21:45.722+01:00Your reviews are great, have learn't so much b...Your reviews are great, have learn't so much by reading/watching them. Always look forward to the next one. However a really good review often means trying to sneak another uku into the house.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08749913984779065344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-17196264793451766732016-03-06T08:55:59.351+00:002016-03-06T08:55:59.351+00:00Thanks man!Thanks man!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-39194467357785543802016-03-06T07:30:23.149+00:002016-03-06T07:30:23.149+00:00Hi Baz,
Thanks for a very well written article he...Hi Baz,<br /><br />Thanks for a very well written article here. You are fair and to the point, as always. I too have seen that lots of times folks want a sugar coating instead of the truth. This bugs me since life is too short to be following hype and propaganda.<br /><br />Any way, I have always found your reviews fair, honest and most importantly INFORMATIVE. I have not had the opportunity to touch and play as many ukes as you, so with your reviews, I am living and learning vicariously through your experience, and that in-and-of-itself is personally of great value to me.<br /><br />I am mature enough to know that we do not have to agree, and I've come to have a deep respect for your opinion, and your guidance as it were. One time I went off on a defiant streak, and since I like to modify my instruments somewhat to suit my own needs, and I got that Schoenhut Flea copy, thinking that *I* could fix it up proper to overcome all the issues, and after lots of time and effort, realized that in the end, you were correct in everything you said. However, it was not a total loss for me as I still learned a few things about how these instruments are constructed, so whether I followed your adviced or not that time, I still gained something, and need to at least give partial credit to you for the inspiration...<br /><br />Also, I wanted to give kudos to you since most folks on UU and reddit are simply ignornant of the fact that you have true experience as a performer, and from your deep passion for music and the ukulele, you do these reviews and host this web site at your own expense, without compensation, as a labor of love. Yes OMG, you are NOT endorsed by vendors and you do this as a SERVICE to the ukulele/music community, and folks that want to denigrate you, and slam you for your efforts are truly clueless.<br /><br />TO me, this is the perfect example of malicious ignorance. On UU some time ago, fellow brother Mascompro said 'You cannot reason with someone who does not rely upon reason.' and I think this can apply to your detractors here. Yet for some folks you are preaching to the choir, and for others, they just love to troll honest people, and then there are 'normal' folks (whatever that is) that can read your thoughtful articles and be thankful for the gift of your time.<br /><br />I am thankful for your web site, and have directed many curious folks here as a source of no-BS info to get started ont he right path with the ukulele, and many have thanked me for helping them to cut through the overwhelming crap of misinformation that exists online and in the local B&M Guitar-Mega stores (which know nothing or very little about ukulele).<br /><br />So in closing, thank you for your time, effort, energy and experience. As long as you are writing, I will keep reading, and directing others to consume your thoughtful wisdom...<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Booli<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09353621278451003629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-40945321043097220042016-03-05T19:16:33.305+00:002016-03-05T19:16:33.305+00:00Wow! Thanks Tel!Wow! Thanks Tel!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-66678774578096522142016-03-05T16:19:25.614+00:002016-03-05T16:19:25.614+00:00Hi Barry, I think your reviews are literally every...Hi Barry, I think your reviews are literally everything a review should be. Honest, straight and fair. I think the content is always well researched, packed with accurate info and as a uke player, teacher and someone who is often asked by students 'what's a good uke to buy as so and so price' they are brill for pointing people in the direction of. Most crucially they always provide a brill 'guide' and I think the resonsibility is then for us as as musicians to work with that info and do they extra bit of research to see if the instrument is the best fit for us. For instance I'm just about to invest in a top end Beltona (the starting point was your review) but I'm also loving playing a second hand Kala bari in open tuning which I picked up for £50 and has high enough action for slide playing. So just highlighting that for some people they'd say the action is too high but for the job I need it for it's perfect - no right or wrong either way but just personal choice. <br />I think also worth a mention that you've said that procuring the instruments for the reviews is done at your own personal cost, so you really are doing a brill service for uke-world in that and that should defo be appreciated by us all. Please keep 'em coming.Tel Smithhttp://www.playtheuke.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-51685752600017863952016-03-04T22:49:08.901+00:002016-03-04T22:49:08.901+00:00Hey, I love the honesty. Keep it coming. Even if y...Hey, I love the honesty. Keep it coming. Even if you give one of my ukes a bad review one day. ;-)<br />As for consumer reviews (of anything, not just ukes), you'll generally get better information reading thes 2, 3 or 4 star reviews than the 1's and 5's. Glennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-13877599495900380962016-03-04T14:46:40.601+00:002016-03-04T14:46:40.601+00:00I read all your reviews (and watch the videos) I a...I read all your reviews (and watch the videos) I am not buying anything I just like to hear your opinion.<br />By reading them all I get a good understanding of what is out there without having to buy each one.<br />One day you will do a review that I disagree with, that's life. Please keep batting for the side with open minds.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00392372802818141968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-54066819004939912922016-03-04T13:35:55.151+00:002016-03-04T13:35:55.151+00:00Barry, all eight points have one thing in common, ...Barry, all eight points have one thing in common, I think. Some people take the reviews personally. They have bought a ukulele/strings/amp and now they read negative reviews. And feel it as a personal offence. :-) As if you told them they were stupid. And of course, the crapier ukulele they buy, the more aggressive their reaction. Because deep inside, they KNOW they bought a crap, but refuse to admit it. :-)<br />Please do not stress about such complaints. Your reviews are great, detailed, honest and helped me a lot. And many others too, I believe.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837049767297176391noreply@blogger.com