Brunswick, More Pineapples: Ukulele Window Shopping

Brunswick have jumped onto the ukuleles-that-look-like-guitars bandwagon with a couple of electric/acoustic ukuleles. It’s probably not a coincidence that they’ve gone for exactly the same models as Mahalo have: the Les Paul and a the Telecaster. Visually, they’re an improvement on the Mahalos. And the Southern Ukulele Store says they’re, “These are a step up in quality and playability from the Mahalo LP and Tele style ukes.” Must say, I’m very tempted by the Telecasters (although this is one of those rare occasions where I’d go for a blonde over a brunette).

I used to be a bit of a pineapple h8r but the quality of the models coming out now is turning me round. I creamed myself over a few last week. And this week the Pono Mango Pineapple and the Ko’olau SP-1 have caught my attention.

Some rather fine photos: ukulele girl pyramid, Poncie Ponce, flapper sailor girl.

I think everyone remembers where they were the day the Cheesecake Factory opened. Now you can have this wonderful souvenier of the day. A slice of history.

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11 Comments

  1. cardboardfrog August 28th, 2009 7:28 pm

    damnit am i ever annoyed i wasted money on my mahalo tele now, it plays like crap and the paint is TERRIBLE (big Discolouration on the back) gonna have to get a brunswick tele methinks, now i just need cash.

  2. Nick Bardy-Chivor August 28th, 2009 8:18 pm

    I’m loving the Idea of the elec’ Brunswics, had a twang on a brunswick concert a while back and it didn’t seem half bad, I’m a Gibson man so it would be the LP all the way…if it wasn’t for the speedos and ukulele I’d have had old Poncie Ponce down as a bit of a ponce…

  3. Woodshed August 29th, 2009 10:14 am

    cbf: Really? The Les Paul Mahalo is pretty good.

    Nick: Man, he Poncie must have had a hell of a time at school.

  4. Nelson August 29th, 2009 4:57 pm

    Pah! Away with these wannabees!
    If I was gonna buy anything that looked like something else…it’s be a guitar that looked like a ukulele!
    Not the other way ’round…

    Psh, guitars think they’re sooooo cool…

  5. Woodshed August 30th, 2009 1:52 pm

    Nelson: Someone must have a Fluke-shaped guitar in the works.

  6. karl September 2nd, 2009 8:10 am

    The Brunswicks are extremely similar to the Kiwaya K-Rocks (excellent review on http://www.ukulele.fr/dc/index.php/2006/07/10/320-k-wave-rock-uke-tele) and the Billy Rae.

    And if you’re interested, I’m selling mine (a ‘tobacco sunburst tele, black pickguard). Pictures and pricing are available upon request, but the latter is lower than new. End of my small classified – sorry!

  7. Woodshed September 2nd, 2009 8:18 am

    karl: I thought it looked a lot like the K-Wave too. Quite a bit cheaper, though.

    Is that a Brunswick or a K-Wave you’re selling?

  8. keith Collishaw September 7th, 2009 7:35 pm

    I have purchased the Brunswick LP – very nice little Uke – seems very well made and has a good low action. I did try a telecaster style – the action seemed very high (mayb can be adjustaed) but if you get one you should try it out first – I think I will change the strings to try and improve the tone at some stage – but I love it (shame it doesn’t come with a gig bag or something)

  9. Woodshed September 13th, 2009 9:14 am

    Keith: Thanks for the info. I’ll be careful with the action on the Tele.

  10. ukegirl64 May 31st, 2012 3:39 pm

    Are pineapple ukuleles played the same as a normal concert? do they sound the same?

  11. Woodshed June 2nd, 2012 8:06 am

    ukegirl64: Yes and yes.

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