Hamano Ukulele
RatingsHamano are Chinese made ukuleles but that doesn't mean, as it can do, that they are low quality ukuleles. Hamano make solid wood ukuleles to a high spec. When they first started doing this, they were the only Chinese made solid wood uke around which made them an excellent choice for someone wanting a high quality ukulele at a reasonable price. However, there are quite a few other companies like Kala and Ohana doing the same thing now. So there's a much wider choice if that's what you're looking for.
The highest profile Hamano user I've noticed is Sophie Madeleine (although she's switched to Pono recently.
On eBay
Sorry, this ukulele is not currently for sale on eBay.
On Video
Sophie Madeleine playing her Hamano H-100C concert ukulele.
8 Comments
Yep I have a Hamano H-100 Soprano Uke. It’s a great uke. really out plays any other Chinese made Uke I have had my hands on.. Mainland Bushman Kala etc.. Deeper more soulful classic sound.. solid mahogany… Use Aquila strings and polish up the mat finish a little and you will be V.Happy.
Have to agree with Roger – the Hamano is in a different class from most of the Kalas and Ohanas I’ve tried. The finish is to a very high standard, lovely narrow frets, and a wonderful tone. Obviously I’m biased, having a lovely Hamano tenor at home, but I think they really are quite special.
this isn’t to denigrate Kalas and Ohanas, but I think you can see where the extra 100 quid goes on a Hamano…
and I second the Aquilas comment – the black fishwire they come fitted with is the only drawback to an excellent uke
Though I am new to ukulele’s, I have been playing guitar for over 40 years and I like to think I can tell a quality instrument when I see one. The Hamano H-100t is just such an instrument. I bought a Kala KA-SMHT solid mahogany tenor from MGM and though it was nicely made, it didn’t feel or sound right and I sent it back. I could see where some short cuts were taken to provide a solid wood uke at a reasonable price, more cosmetic than structural. I paid $100 more for the Hamano and it was worth every penny. The quality of the woods, fit and finish, playability and sound were much higher than the Kala. I think Hamano has completely nailed the vintage 20′s look and feel, sometimes classy is all about being understated. I expect to enjoy this ukulele for many years. I would be happy to recommend this uke to any of my friends. BTW, Michael at MGM is amazing. Funny thing, I thought customer service was dead, it’s alive and well at MGM. They set mine up as a lefty and I got new Aquila strings, no extra charge!
After owning my Hamano Concert for a month, and restringing with Aquila strings, the bridge came clean off! Since I bought the uke from Amazon, it was still under warranty, so have sent it back for a replacement. Hope the new uke doesn’t have bridge problems.
Hamano has been discontinued..??? Any information would be appreciated. I hear that Saga intends to offer something else about 6 to 8 months out. Wonder why the change?
Got my new Hamano concert, after returning the old one to Amazon (please see my comment above of January 26) and have been playing it now for the last six weeks. Got to say: it plays easily and has a lovely tone. I am using Worth CM strings on it. After I bought mine on Amazon, I noticed the price went up by $130!
Well, I also scored one on Amazon..much to my amazement.!! Just appeared…suddenly…Must admit I was concerned that it was the uke returned for the bridge problem! LOL! I re strung it with Worth BM strings. Had trouble with action. Had that adjusted recently. Have had it since Valentine’s Day…2012..so far..so good??!!!!
I have recently bought a Hamano tenor and it is, in my opinion, an extraordinary instrument. The sustain with Worth Brown High G strings is wonderful.
I have had a Martin 000-15s mahogany guitar for many years now and it is my ‘go-to’ guitar, no matter what else is lying round the house (and my son and I have quite a collection between us).
The Hamano just feels ‘right’ in exactly the way the Martin does and I know it will be a keeper. It also has the same understated looks as the old Martin that I love. I can’t think of any way in which this Uke could be improved – hence the 5 star rating.
The only area in which I have marked this uke down is on the price – £350 in the UK which is £130 more than the Mainland mahogany tenor – but then the Mainland ukes are really extraordinary value for money.
Bottom line is that I’d still pay the extra for the Hamono. It has mojo which just isn’t there with the Mainland.
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