To Buy: Ukulele Shopping List

1. KoAloha Sceptre – I’ve been lusting after one of these since they first came out two years ago. And listening to Jason Arimoto, Terry Kinakin and Alvin Okami’s mythologising just exacerbated it.

2. Le Domino – Surely the coolest ukulele ever made.

3. National Resonator – So I can play as loud as a banjolele without having to play a banjolele.

4. G-String James Hill Custom – Because if I get one then I’ll definitely be able to play like James Hill.

5. Martin Style 3 – They appeal to me more than the 5K. Don’t have quite the same air of conspicuous consumption.

6. Pono Mango Pineapple – In the past I’ve been less than enthusiastic about spalted mango and pineapple ukuleles. But I still want one of these.

7. Kala Archtop – Because I want to be just like Christofer Drew Ingle. hes like so totally dreamy lolz

8. Brunswick Telecaster – I’m too cheap to get a K-Wave, so this will do nicely.

9. Obama with uke dashboard doll – The phrase ‘Only in America’ was invented for items like this. I don’t think there are many people buying Gordon-Brown-plays-the-bassoon hood ornaments.

What’s on your shopping list?

View Comments

16 Comments

  1. cardboardfrog September 11th, 2009 7:21 pm

    my shopping list currently consists of:
    a Lanikai LU-8E Acoustic-Electric 8-string Tenor
    an ohana vita uke concert
    and a risa concert stick uke

    i have to say i tried the archtop and didn’t love how it played, looks phenomenal though

  2. zym September 11th, 2009 9:22 pm

    the telecaster doesnt look to bad, actually.
    After buying a Koaloha Soprano last month, Mrs Zym would do her nut big time if I tried to sneak another uke into the house ;)

  3. victor jofre September 12th, 2009 4:07 am

    hello, i construct tahitian ukeleles, my website is http://www.asonu.com you can hear my ukes in http://www.youtube.com/asonu

    thanks

    Victor

  4. keith Collishaw September 12th, 2009 9:09 am

    Just check the telecaster before you buy – I looked at one and it had a very high action – bought the LP instead which I love and which has a very low action

  5. krabbers September 12th, 2009 9:23 am

    that KoAloha Sceptre looks sweeeeeeeeeeeet

    i played one of them kala’s the other day in guitar village Farnham
    very nice , i was V impresed

  6. Chunky September 12th, 2009 3:37 pm

    I have the exact model (#7) that the whiney little so-and-so from that whatever band has. The action is too high and the internal cables for the pickup vibrate at various frequencies making it sound like I’m fretting incorrectly which of course is incorrect, since my technique is beyond reproach. The worst part is because of the tiny little slits for holes it’s near impossible to remedy the problem by say taping the cables to the backpiece so they don’t move about, considering taking it to a luthier or somesuch.

  7. Nelson September 12th, 2009 5:43 pm

    Haha I just noticed my comment is still on the Terry Kinakin page!
    Ever since you put that up I’ve craved one of those suckers…
    But I’m saving up for a cello and my recent acquisition of two ukulele’s is more than enough….for now.

  8. Franny September 12th, 2009 6:43 pm

    Lately I’ve been drawn to the jazzy archtop look. I’m stuck on trying to decide whether the Kala Archtop is a good enough (affordable) substitute for a Sonntag Jazz Uke. Maybe I can just get a cheap tenor archtop guitar and pretend it’s a baritone ukulele!

  9. Woodshed September 13th, 2009 10:21 am

    cbf: Oh, I could use a Vita myself.

    zym: She brought home a baby. How much do those things cost?

    Victor: Those instruments look great.

    Keith: I’ll be careful. Thanks.

    krabbers and Chunky: Differing opinions on the Kala. Looks like a try-before-you-buy.

    Nelson: Your comment outlasted Terry’s video.

    Franny: I’m really tempted to get an archtop guitar. It’s been so long since I’ve bought a guitar.

  10. Nick September 16th, 2009 7:13 pm

    I just ordered a Kala Thinline travel tenor. Can’t wait to play it!
    That sceptre sounds so amazing! Wow.

  11. Woodshed September 18th, 2009 4:43 pm

    Nick: Hope you enjoy it. Let us know what you think of it when you get it.

  12. Howlin' Hobbit October 11th, 2009 2:31 am

    Yeah, I know I’m late to the party, but too bad you’re looking at the wood-bodied Nationals as I’ve about convinced myself to part with my steel bodied soprano.

    Still arguing with myself about it, but I’m winning!

  13. Woodshed October 11th, 2009 4:06 pm

    Hobbit: These things change so quickly. I’m currently tempted by Pete Howlett’s uklectics, which isn’t even on the list.

  14. Howlin' Hobbit October 11th, 2009 7:10 pm

    I’m with you on that one. Long been tempted by Pete’s work.

  15. karl June 21st, 2010 3:34 pm

    Here’s one on the continent for you: http://www.ukulele.fr/forum/index.php?topic=8917.0

  16. Woodshed June 23rd, 2010 2:00 pm

    karl: Thanks for the link.

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