tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post5549426959693083073..comments2024-03-26T17:50:42.904+00:00Comments on GOT A UKULELE - Ukulele reviews and beginners tips: Kiwaya KS-5 Soprano Ukulele - REVIEWBarry Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-18407962264112301102023-10-03T06:13:08.010+01:002023-10-03T06:13:08.010+01:00I'm fortunate to have several of these Famous ...I'm fortunate to have several of these Famous FS-5s. The first one I literally rescued from a rubbish collection point in nearly perfect condition! All I had to do was give it a tidy-up (I use liquid car polish to buff the shine!) And put on a fresh set of Martin strings. She sings beautifully. So enamoured by looks and sound that I began to watch auction sites and have snapped up 6 or 7 at under ~"$100" (not in actual USD).<br />EXCELLENT REVIEW!<br />I've also sold some on at a modest profit. Hervénoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-35018602711613045682018-04-23T15:59:47.444+01:002018-04-23T15:59:47.444+01:00This may be the best laminated wood uke out there....This may be the best laminated wood uke out there. I have the Famous FS-5 version with geared tuners. I put Gotoh planetary tuners on it because I like them much better. Kiwaya/Famous koa laminates really are in a class of their own. Can't address the mahogany laminate version because I've never hear or played one. Close examination of mine suggests that the three very thin layers, with koa on the visible outside, are either koa or some very similar acacia (koa itself is an acacia). End-grain of koa and its close cousins has a very distinctive look if you've seen a lot of it as I have.Ernesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02745334304543585986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-20059507402086063582015-11-03T06:38:13.294+00:002015-11-03T06:38:13.294+00:00I have the Famous FS-5 version of this and it'...I have the Famous FS-5 version of this and it's fantastic. Amazingly light. Great low action. Love it. The Famous seem to have Geared tuners vs. Kiwaya which seems to have friction tuners.pfathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04340961584990213588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-54302589360185196322015-02-28T07:10:12.697+00:002015-02-28T07:10:12.697+00:00Just tried one of these at a Uke gathering in Cast...Just tried one of these at a Uke gathering in Castlemaine...<br />Remarkable! Such a full sound and so easy to play too. <br />I find my big hands often struggle with Sopranos, but not this one.<br />Very reluctant to hand it back to the kind person who let me try this jewel.<br />Such a pity about the price...<br />BigBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13892330033415897315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-4347119542345720852014-12-20T16:49:10.193+00:002014-12-20T16:49:10.193+00:00Martin - definitely better than the Islanders in m...Martin - definitely better than the Islanders in my opinion - nobody does fine laminates like Kiwaya and they are as good as they always were. Not played the concert myself though.Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-64128047763870362922014-10-15T00:23:27.155+01:002014-10-15T00:23:27.155+01:00I totally agree with your review. I've had the...I totally agree with your review. I've had the chance to play one and I fell in LOVE with it...and I'm planning on getting one. it's really THAT good!. Mariofromadistancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15329342556036176658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-30411327089024473612013-06-07T19:18:14.420+01:002013-06-07T19:18:14.420+01:00Thanks. Kiwaya make superb ukes!Thanks. Kiwaya make superb ukes!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-31483316841936296292013-06-07T18:07:29.471+01:002013-06-07T18:07:29.471+01:00Great review. It convinced me to get a KS-5 for my...Great review. It convinced me to get a KS-5 for myself...until I found out it now costs 300 pounds. Oops!Andrea Austonihttp://andreaaustoni.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-78275025124551868042012-12-06T23:44:56.112+00:002012-12-06T23:44:56.112+00:00Ahhh, The Kiwaya. What a beautiful ukulele. My m...Ahhh, The Kiwaya. What a beautiful ukulele. My main uke is the pineapple version of this one you've reviewed. I picked it up on my last tour of Japan. When purchased in Japan the name on the headstock is 'Famous' and if purchased anywhere else in the world the 'Kiwaya' logo appears. I do agree with everything you've said in all positive aspects. A couple of differences perhaps. My gloss finish is perfect, no 'orange peel' and even though through this model Kiwaya has done a wonderful job of re-making the vintage 'Martin', I'm not a big fan of that bridge. It feels soft, not strong to me and I've already (my stupid fault) chipped a little sliver of the wood off whereby I have to double knot the 'A' string. That was both disappointing and annoying. When in Japan last year I immediately replaced the stock strings with a set of Worth browns, about three months ago installed a set of the Living Waters and decided that for me the sound was a little 'brittle' and switched back to the Worths very recently. I was determined to come home with a beautiful Japanese ukulele and I'm in love with this lifer! Cheers!Craig Manningnoreply@blogger.com