Lanikai LSM-C Designer Series Concert Ukulele Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been a fan of Lanikai for years and spent quite some time deciding on this solid mahogany concert size, but was sorely disappointed when the item arrived. Overall, the solid mahogany and ebony looked nice, but upon closer inspection I saw the workmanship was nothing short of shoddy: the bone nut was actually crooked, resulting in the E string laying much closer to the fretboard. The ebony bridge was roughly sawn, with jagged edges exposed. The ebony fretboard was not oiled or waxed, which looked unfinished next to the high-gloss ebony headstock laminate. Tuning machines were suprisingly cheap looking (seemed to do their job fine, however), with some of the "gold tone" paint exposing the silver underneath. I was most surprised, however, at Lanikai's decision to string this "designer" instrument with cheap black nylon strings. My little soprano LU-11 with Aquila strings sounds heavenly compared to this one...Dull sound, inability to stay in tune, careless workmanship on this instrument resulted in an immediate return.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lanikai LSM-C Designer Series Concert Ukulele

When the British ship The Ravenscrag first landed in Hawaii they brought with them an instrument never before seen on the islands. The machête was an all mahogany instrument that captured the attention of the locals who wanted one of their own. With no native mahogany on the islands the Portuguese ship carpenters began building what is now known as the ukulele out of koa. The LSM series is a nod to those early builders who would have built their instruments out of the wood they were most familiar with. With great attention to detail Lanikai crafted the all solid mahogany LSM series. Combined with an ebony finger board and bridge this ukulele has a very crisp tone and large projection. With the easy playability, and included instruction booklet written by Mary Lou Dempler you will be playing in a matter of minutes. If you have never played ukulele before get ready for a world of fun. The ukulele is an addicting instrument that can and will be taken everywhere. The standard tuning on a Soprano, Concert, and Tenor ukulele is GBEA, and on a Baritone DGBE. If you can play one ukulele you can play them all! Pick up a Lanikai today and see why people are saying Lanikai Makes Me Happy! For more information about this model or Lanikai please visit www.Lanikaiukes.com

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Lanikai LSM-C Designer Series Concert Ukulele

Read More...

Kala Solid Acacia Concert Ukulele Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This instrument is one of of Kala's top of the line concert ukuleles. I've had a few other Kala's and they're all pretty good. The intonation is no better than their lesser models, which is fair. It's real pretty though. I bought it used, knowing it was a very new model, so it couldn't be an old instrument. A couple of weeks later, the book-end glue joint on the top opened up about 1/16th of an inch. Doesn't effect the sound or playing, but looks very bad. Can't return it, don't want to pay to fix it. Next time, I'd stick with a cheaper Kala Model.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kala Solid Acacia Concert Ukulele

Also called the Mimosa or Shower Tree, these tropical trees are cousins of the Hawaiian Koa tree. They have gorgeous striped patterns of light and dark brown and have a deep colorful tone that match their visual beauty. These solid wood ukes come sized in Soprano, Concert and custom Tenor with a slotted-headstock. They are trimmed with rosewood edge binding and classic herringbone purfling. Custom position markers accent the fretboard. The Soprano has classic friction style tuners. The Concert comes with chrome die-cast tuners with black buttons and the Tenor has vintage geared chrome tuners. The ukes come with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge and an ebony nut and saddle.14-7/8 Concert Scale (Distance from Nut to Saddle)24-3/8 Overall body length11 Body length 6 Upper Bout 8-1/4 Lower Bout 5 Waist 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 Arched Back Body depth 1-3/8 At Nut 18 Silver Nickel Frets Custom vine Fret position Marks at 5th,7th,10th and 12th frets on neck and top of fingerboard Multi-Layered Headstock cap with carved Kala logo Satin Finish Chrome Die-Cast Tuners with black buttons Premium AQUILA NYLGUT Strings

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Kala Solid Acacia Concert Ukulele

Read More...

Kala Solid Acacia Soprano Ukulele Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It was with great anticipation that I awaited this little soprano's arrival as I needed a gift for my wife for our 38th wedding anniversary.
With all of the great reviews on Kala Ukuleles, I had to try their soprano.
As far as the looks go, although not the Koa looking one in the picture, the one that arrived was still nice.
This is a simply made instrument and that's to be expected as it is not on the same build or cost level as a Kamaka, Ko'olau or Pono.
But that in no way takes anything away from this ukulele!
The fingerboard is nicely done especially the nickel silver fretwork. There are no fret ends sticking up and they are nicely rounded at their ends.
After tightening the screws on the end of the friction tuners the soprano stayed in tune perfectly. Do not over tighten these screws! Tighten only in small increments.
The intonation was great. The neck is very comfortable with no surprises. Bar chords are easily played with a nice rolled edge on the fingerboard.
The real gem, in this instrument, is the sound quality! It has excellent projection with the traditional "Bark" when bouncing around on the strings playing chords.
Fingerpicking produces very clear and melodic notes! Fretting is also effortless.
This little instrument was singing to me when I was taking the wrapper off, so I knew it was going to sound great!
I love playing it and my wife loves her gift!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kala Solid Acacia Soprano Ukulele

Also called the Mimosa or Shower Tree, these tropical trees are cousins of the Hawaiian Koa tree. They have gorgeous striped patterns of light and dark brown and have a deep colorful tone that match their visual beauty. These solid wood ukes come sized in Soprano, Concert and custom Tenor with a slotted-headstock. They are trimmed with rosewood edge binding and classic herringbone purfling. Custom position markers accent the fretboard. The Soprano has classic friction style tuners. The Concert comes with chrome die-cast tuners with black buttons and the Tenor has vintage geared chrome tuners. The ukes come with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge and an ebony nut and saddle. 13-11/16 Soprano Scale (Distance from Nut toSaddle) 21 Overall body length9-3/8 Body length5-1/4 Upper Bout7 Lower Bout4-1/2 Waist 2-3/8 Body depth1-3/8 At NutCustom vine fret position Marks at 5th,7th ,10TH and 12th frets on neck and top of fingerboard12 Silver Nickel FretsMulti-Layered Headstock cap with carved Kala logo Satin FinishFriction style tuners with Black buttonsPremium AQUILA NYLGUT Strings

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Kala Solid Acacia Soprano Ukulele

Read More...

Dean Performer Acoustic Electric Guitar Quilt Ash Gloss Natural Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This guitar is beyond good looking. I opened it, and I swear my pants got shorter, this thing has looks to spare. I can see me pulling more tail than a slow kid at a petting zoo with this beauty in my hands. The sound is underwhelming however. Open chords are weak, especially on the treble. This is probably because the top is a laminate, but I also suspect the nut has something to do with it. Dean makes some fantastic looking specimens, but looks are only half the of what makes a guitar.
Edit: After careful inspection, I found that the nut was the culprit. I took it to the shop and got the grooves re-cut and now this beast has the looks and the sound to kill. I never thought I'd find perfection in an acoustic guitar under $1000, but I believe I have. Also, I just found out it has a built in tuner. I am not going to tell you where, but just look for a switch that says tuner, and then close your jaw. I love this guitar.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dean Performer Acoustic Electric Guitar Quilt Ash Gloss Natural

Dean Performer Series of Mini Jumbo acoustic/electrics have been around over 10 years and keep getting better. New for 2010 Performers feature the Aphex Exciter built into the preamp, when turned on it gives the guitar more depth and tone. Performer Quilt Ash features a Quilt Ash Top/Body ~25 1/4" Scale ~Mahogany Neck ~Rosewood Fingerboard ~Pearl Block Inlays ~Sealed Die Cast Tuners ~Gold Hardware ~Celluloid Binding ~Abalone Rosette ~Dean DMT Preamp w/Tuner an Aphex Exciter ~Gloss Natural ~Trans Blue

Click here for more information about Dean Performer Acoustic Electric Guitar Quilt Ash Gloss Natural

Read More...