tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post5170650887427981791..comments2024-03-26T17:50:42.904+00:00Comments on GOT A UKULELE - Ukulele reviews and beginners tips: The trials of being Schrödinger's Ukulele Reviewer - RANTBarry Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-68151728093480933382023-06-30T02:42:49.959+01:002023-06-30T02:42:49.959+01:00Hey Barry - just want to add my voice to the long ...Hey Barry - just want to add my voice to the long list of positive comments you’ve gotten (over the tiny tiny number of weird negative ones). I’ve totally loved your reviews and rants. Both were immensely valuable as I was starting to get interested in the ukulele. And helped me avoid some of the massive numbers of bad instruments that would have crushed my interest. The quality instruments you helped me find are a joy to play and hear and central to keeping my interest high as I learn. (I still have a long way to go to do justice to the sound of the instruments you recommended.) And before I started reading your reviews I had almost lost interest because of the bad sound of one I had bought thinking it was an ok, representative, one. The quality ukuleles you steer people toward are night and day from the bad ukuleles that are out there flooding the market and destroying the instruments reputation. Please keep up the great reviews and know they are appreciated massively by us new players who are just discovering the instrument - BryanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-57864718696102280682023-02-08T21:28:59.539+00:002023-02-08T21:28:59.539+00:00Absolutely!Absolutely!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-21474946405078360222023-01-12T16:22:54.289+00:002023-01-12T16:22:54.289+00:00Although I'm sure you don't need any comfo...Although I'm sure you don't need any comforting due to the inevitable negativity your reviews etc may attract from the online community, can I just say that as a non-ukulele owner but as a guitarist who is thinking of dipping his toe into this fascinating world and purchasing his first uke, that I have found your reviews invaluable, meticulous and above all fair and as objective as possible. The whole of the site has provided me with an excellent starting point to understanding the instrument, the pitfalls of buying that first instrument (an Ortega) - others and indeed yourself may chose to disagree - and given me a modicum of confidence in making that first purchase. I can't wait to get my hands on my first uke - partly thanks to you. So as an "outsider looking in" I can only say "thanks Barry and keep up the good work". I'll be back here I'm sure for more tips and info and an occasional rant, either yours of of my own, no doubt Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-75644139398170052422023-01-08T15:21:51.502+00:002023-01-08T15:21:51.502+00:00Barry, for me you're the best reviewer. Even y...Barry, for me you're the best reviewer. Even your rants are good. The best decision I made was after watching one of your videos, and now I have a superb Bonanza Homestead Baritone. Everytime I want to buy strings or a new uke, I check your site first, just in case there's already a review. I can see the joy in your eyes and smile when you have the hands on a great ukulele. Keep up the good work, the ukulele community needs more people like you. Laszlonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-20335056437359883332023-01-03T12:22:22.407+00:002023-01-03T12:22:22.407+00:00I blame you almost entirely, Baz, for the excessiv...I blame you almost entirely, Baz, for the excessive number of ukuleles in my house! You and your reviews, drawing attention to things I want. Grrrrr!! Happy New Year. Keep up the good work.Mike Weedonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13585282148070606734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-80117315470657800542022-12-24T13:30:27.522+00:002022-12-24T13:30:27.522+00:00 Baz, many thanks. Two years ago I began to play u... Baz, many thanks. Two years ago I began to play ukulele, and had the misfortune of knowing absolutely nothing about what to buy. So I made a few mistakes, they weren’t expensive mistakes, but the instruments I bought weren’t particularly musical either. Since finding your site my understanding of what to buy has been aided by your reviews and comments giving me access to Liam Kirby and other luthiers as well as understanding the K brands and helping me choose a couple. I will forever be grateful for the guidance you provide. Love Ukuleles and guitars so keep reporting on both. Would love to have you review the Avenuenue guitar line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-5596011476728626912022-12-23T17:09:35.937+00:002022-12-23T17:09:35.937+00:00I've always thought the job of a critic was to...I've always thought the job of a critic was to have opinions and publish them. So please carry on.<br />RE Fenders: my first uke was a Fender. Bought at a big box music store for £120, I was enthralled by the name and the headstock. It and two further Fenders served me well in learning the instrument. I lucked out and playability was fine. Now some years later, I mainly play a Martin T1k or a Zachary Taylor tenor. Not long ago, I picked up my remaining Fender 52 and started to play. Oh dear, my ears have learned a lot too. It was a bit disappointing, the sound but it shows how far l have come.<br /><br />So remember there's a lot of us baby boomers who grew up watching the rock stars wailing on Fenders. So the chance that we could finally in retirement get our hands on one was fantastic. I just wish they would make better ones.Larrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-20770153696313415382022-12-20T13:06:13.630+00:002022-12-20T13:06:13.630+00:00What grumpy joyless sad little man John Leys must ...What grumpy joyless sad little man John Leys must be to write a response to a rant, like anyone gives two ducks about his opinion!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-69254146054238263092022-12-15T14:40:24.821+00:002022-12-15T14:40:24.821+00:00I would be very suspicious of any reviewer who onl...I would be very suspicious of any reviewer who only found good things to say, whether about ukes or anything else......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-1059602002235302702022-12-15T05:58:06.001+00:002022-12-15T05:58:06.001+00:00It might be possible some of the discontent people...It might be possible some of the discontent people are stakeholders in the company you are critical of. That would make a lot of sense. <br /><br />I find some of these complaints amusing as you are very aware of your biases as in your reviews. Many a time you will state a certain look or feel is not your taste but remind readers that it could be theirs! Even going so far as saying this is very personal and subjective.<br /><br />Keep up the good work. The format of your reviews are very consistent and make it easier to compare. This is the greatest database of ukuleles.Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-55722468085345452772022-12-14T15:04:36.717+00:002022-12-14T15:04:36.717+00:00First review of 2023 will be one of those!First review of 2023 will be one of those!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-51234364608446434592022-12-14T15:03:23.377+00:002022-12-14T15:03:23.377+00:00Frankly Barry, I'd say the concise, objective,...Frankly Barry, I'd say the concise, objective, honest reviews of shit instruments are the single most useful and important service you've provided over the years. Give full candour to your public opinions of ukuleles in the £20-£50 range, and if possible try to cover more of them. These are the ones that beginners are likely to try and kick off their uke journey with, and (as I've witnessed with school students all too many times) a crap one is likely to put them off playing for good.Beardy Music Teacherhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEiba9nAXrxQUZCU8oHOnHAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-22332931579091041012022-12-14T07:50:11.928+00:002022-12-14T07:50:11.928+00:00You can't please all the people all the time! ...You can't please all the people all the time! Well done Baz, I think you do a very difficult job very well. An instrument is a personal choice, some would put looks above sound when choosing. I think you honestly reflect the true nature of the instrument, allowing us to choose what would be suitable for each individual. Keep up the good work.Barry (no relation!)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-54906147557687297972022-12-13T22:27:32.177+00:002022-12-13T22:27:32.177+00:00I Love your site and am at the moment using it b...I Love your site and am at the moment using it because I started in Feb with a cheapo brunswick as a learner.co is was easy to carry on to a plane and practice when overseas. my Easter egg was a really lovely Kala concert which I love. Im ready for an electric pick up concert level and am interested in a tanglewood that I heard you review but dont need a tuner .I should add that Im a keyboard musician and quite fussy about sounds and tend to favour the meelow rather than the bright sound Keep going Baz ,and have a merry strummer of a Christmas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-45843342227922583512022-12-13T18:17:34.573+00:002022-12-13T18:17:34.573+00:00Keep up the great reviews. I really enjoy watching...Keep up the great reviews. I really enjoy watching every week. Regards Richard SAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-29101977994301840812022-12-13T17:51:55.854+00:002022-12-13T17:51:55.854+00:00I always found you to be quite exited when you get...I always found you to be quite exited when you get a good uke to review, but shit ukuleles are mmm shitBrian Calderwoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-70244090591228409432022-12-13T13:42:17.295+00:002022-12-13T13:42:17.295+00:00With so much dishonesty in so many areas in the wo...With so much dishonesty in so many areas in the world, it is surprising that anyone would complain about someone being honest!!! Especially since there ARE people who need to scrape money together with difficulty to be able to buy an instrument. Your honest reviews HAVE saved me money, and given me the opportunity to love good ukuleles and make better investments. Thank you Baz!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-28230848109342291502022-12-13T05:10:19.344+00:002022-12-13T05:10:19.344+00:00Keep them coming Barry.... All of it. Rants and re...Keep them coming Barry.... All of it. Rants and reviews. There are so, so many of us that appreciate all you do. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-58333929084187528522022-12-12T20:51:11.996+00:002022-12-12T20:51:11.996+00:00You are entitled to your rant. Right on point. The...You are entitled to your rant. Right on point. The interwebs have given the village idiots a voice well in excess of their importance. illegitimi non carborundum: Don't let the b---tards wear you down. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com