Mid-East, Kala Pocket Uke: Ukulele Window Shopping

There are a few bits and pieces from, the big guitar shindig, NAMM flying around but easily the best finds come from thejumpingflea. He came across Mid-East Ukuleles which have ukes based on the oud, the balalaika and (OMGOMGOMG!!!!1!) a sitarlele. There’s a brief and dark video of one here.

Other new stuff:

– Is that a ukulele in your pocket or do you just have a strangely shaped penis? Kala have a new 16-inch Pocket Uke. Here’s the pocket uke being played by Bob Brozman and here’s a clip of a guy telling you how to use it to pick up chicks.
aNueNue have made a Nunes style ukulele. I’ve been wanting a company to make something like this and they’ve done a great job with it. I hope the make it a regular.
Blackbird carbon fiber ukulele (sounds and looks fairly nasty in the video).
Jake Shimabukuro MIGM.
Ibanez Iceman.

On to ukuleles you can buy right now.

Kalos ukuleles are a new one on me. Unusually, they charge the same price for soprano, concert and tenor ukes.

New Kala Reggae ukulele.

Photos: sailors dance the Charleston, clown string band.

View Comments

11 Comments

  1. Jeff January 22nd, 2010 6:44 pm

    Welcome back, Al!

  2. Paolo January 22nd, 2010 7:35 pm

    Mmmn, that Nunes style is right up my strasse.

    (Hope you had a great break.)

  3. Hello Jodi January 22nd, 2010 7:59 pm

    OMG, a babylele! I bet it’s a bitch to play, tho.

  4. Armelle January 22nd, 2010 8:11 pm

    Glad to read you again, Al !
    A sitarlele ! Wow. I want one !
    Bob Brozman is really amazing, playing the Pocket Uke with such ease !

  5. Tony Boland January 22nd, 2010 9:04 pm

    Nice to see you back Al!

  6. todd January 22nd, 2010 9:50 pm

    not sure about the ibanez thingy ha ha… :)

  7. Dan January 22nd, 2010 9:56 pm

    Is “nasty” a compliment in British English? I think the Blackbird looks cool and sounds at least ok.

    Welcome back!

  8. robgonzo January 23rd, 2010 3:26 am

    The bowl back ukes look nice! If I had seen these coming I might have waited before getting one made.
    http://tinyurl.com/ykal5y4

  9. Ron Hale January 23rd, 2010 7:08 am

    When you mentioned a Nunes style uke, Al, I thought you meant someone else entirely. Couldn’t imagine why you were waiting for someone to make one.

  10. Woodshed January 23rd, 2010 10:34 am

    Jeff: Thanks.

    Paolo: Mine too. I’m going to start saving right now.

    Jodi: The guy in the shop was certainly struggling with it. Doesn’t stop me wanting to try it.

    Armelle: I want a sitarlele too. But I can’t imagine how you’d go about playing it.

    Tony: Thanks. Good to be back.

    todd: No, it must be an acquired taste.

    Dan: No, ‘nasty’ means ‘nasty’. I don’t like the look at all. The sound would be okay if it was cheaper than I suspect it’s going to be.

    rob: Holy cow! That thing is sweet.

    Ron: Ha ha ha! Yes, there’s only one Nunes in my ukulele world.

  11. drfrancov January 29th, 2010 12:57 am

    Has anyone played one of the Kalos ukuleles? I asked them about the built and they answered me they are laminate top with Cecilio strings and gig bag…Any idea of how they sound?

Sorry, Comments Are Broken Right Now

You must be logged in to post a comment.