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Clearwater Ukulele

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Clearwater are a UK based musical instrument company who sell a number of re-branded ukuleles - most notably their version of the BugsGear EleUke and their Harmony Vita uke copy.

On eBay UK

On Video

9 Comments

  1. Jonathan Mellor November 28th, 2009 3:45 pm

    I own the NEW CLEARWATER TENOR ELECTRIC UKULELE IN ROSEWOOD, and have for several months. Firstly, the sound quality is superb. I play with guitarists and the tinny sound of a soprano often sounds cheap and shallow compared to the guitarists. Not so with this instrument. The electric pickup system is very good, offering clear feedback and huge volume. The frets take a bit if getting used to, especially from a soprano uke, but they offer a well spaced area to play. The dark rosewood styling is different and looks great, as well as the stylish f hole on the body. The tuning is good, staying in tune for several days, and each string rarely straying far from the desired note. I recommend this uke to anyone with an eye for quality and playability.

  2. Woodshed December 7th, 2009 8:45 pm

    Thanks for the review, Jonathan.

  3. Ambient Doughnut March 10th, 2011 10:57 am

    Has anyone tried the solid telecaster shaped clearwaters that are cropping up on ebay? Quite fancy an electric for quiet practice and am torn between these, Eleuke and Risa.

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  4. Uke Dave March 16th, 2011 1:00 pm

    I just got a Clearwater Pineapple soprano for the pick-up feature but I can’t get on with it.Changed strings immediately for Aguilas and it still sounds shocking.I don’t know if the shape affects the tone but I find it virtually unplayable which is a great shame as I look set to play my first uke gig in a few months.HELP!

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  5. Uke Dave March 20th, 2011 12:11 pm

    Hi. I need to revise my previous review.Played around with tuning and managed to get it about right.Sounds quite sweet but I am afraid struggles to hold the tuning for much more than a song.Definataly a wise move to dump the original strings.Happy strumming.

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  6. Unclekenny February 23rd, 2012 11:46 am

    I have had a Clearwater roundback concert uke for a couple of years now and I must say I am really pleased with it. It cost less than £100 at the time (although it now seems to be unavailable) but if the quality and sound of this particular model is anything to go by, I would recommend Clearwater ukes to anyone looking for a reasonably priced yet good quality instrument. It is well constructed with a solid spruce top, rosewood fretboard, mahogany neck and a bone nut and saddle. It has a lovely tone and a clear, bright sound but without sounding harsh and is surprisingly loud when played acoustically (perhaps due to the round-ish back shape). It does have a built in passive pick up but without tone or volume controls. However I rarely use it and then only through a cheap Yamaha practice amp, so I don’t really feel qualified to comment on it’s efficacy.
    I recently visited my local uke store with a view to a possible upgrade. I tried out several different ukes but I found that I was playing instruments costing more than twice as much before I even started to be tempted. In the end I decided to stick with the Clearwater and intend instead to invest the money in a new Clearwater soprano of which will post a review at a later date.
    Before I end, a brief word about the strings. Unlike the uke in the previous review, mine arrived already fitted with Aquila clear nylon strings which I changed a few weeks ago for D’Addario black nylons. It still sounds pretty good but the Aquilas definately gave it a fuller and more rounded tone so it’s back to Aquila at the next string change.

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  7. Everlasting Ed January 25th, 2013 7:14 pm

    Just sent off for the Clearwater tenor electric Uke from eBay. Looks great!
    Will review it once I get my hands on it :-)

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  8. bob March 19th, 2013 6:06 pm

    Im waiting for delivery for the clearwater tenor uke will review soon

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  9. Mike Nightingale May 31st, 2013 12:58 pm

    I’ve just recieved a Clearwater Tenor Ukulele from “The Really Useful Music Company” via ebay. It’s the “High Gloss Mahogany” model UCW2T. On first inspection I was delighted with the quality. It looks fantastic, I bought it as “B-grade” but in all honesty, if I’d looked at it in a music shop I probably wouldn’t have noticed two places where there is a tiny amount of extra glue that squeezed out at the side of the fretboard and on the bridge – I only found them because I was expecting something!
    Of course I’ve had to tune it up and as the strings have not settled down yet can’t speak as to longer term tuning. That said it tuned up easily enough and the geared, screw tensioned, machine heads are of good quality, it’s pre-fitted with Aquila strings so I’m hopeful for long term stability. The action is ok, perfectly playable, though it could be improved and there is easy scope for that if it becomes necessary. It plays very nicely and I am delighted with the tone. Nominally it is a £70 instrument discounted to £60, with a further £15 off because of the B-grading. For £45 (Inc delivery) I think it is tremendous value for money. And I would say that if you don’t want to risk the B-grade, it would be worth consideration at the full price. All in all I am very pleased with my purchase!

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