Comments on: Lanikai Ukulele http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/ Advice, videos and reviews of ukuleles. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:32:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Lily http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1621 Lily Wed, 16 May 2012 23:09:24 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1621 Recently acquired a Lanikai Concert sized. I have not been able to put it down! Such a Sweet sound from this instrument!. I've been playing Guitar and other instruments for over 40 years, and I can't for the life of me figure out what took me so long to start playing the Ukelele. I'll be getting a Tenor very soon. Recently acquired a Lanikai Concert sized. I have not been able to put it down! Such a Sweet sound from this instrument!. I’ve been playing Guitar and other instruments for over 40 years, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what took me so long to start playing the Ukelele. I’ll be getting a Tenor very soon.
Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
Value for Not Rated Looks Not Rated Construction Not Rated
]]> By: Jackson http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1559 Jackson Mon, 09 Apr 2012 04:08:51 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1559 CK-TEQ (CKT-EQ) I bought one and glad I didn’t spend more than 200 delivered. Was really hoping it would be more then what it turned out to be, judging from all the positive reviews. Turned out to be a piece of .... Shoddy construction: - slapped on binding, uneven, rough, used lots of filler. - stain slopped over headstock & uneven - frets not filed well, sharp edges - had to sand nut down. Edges too sharp made it very uncomfortable - Action is too high - Sound is a bit dead, but sounds ok through an amp - intonation is fair - If this is curly koa, then my a.. is, well never mind. Very ugly, gray looking stained whatever kind of wood they claim it is. posted originally under the ck-teq link, but is more appropriate here. CK-TEQ (CKT-EQ)

I bought one and glad I didn’t spend more than 200 delivered. Was really hoping it would be more then what it turned out to be, judging from all the positive reviews. Turned out to be a piece of ….

Shoddy construction:
- slapped on binding, uneven, rough, used lots of filler.
- stain slopped over headstock & uneven
- frets not filed well, sharp edges
- had to sand nut down. Edges too sharp made it very uncomfortable
- Action is too high
- Sound is a bit dead, but sounds ok through an amp
- intonation is fair
- If this is curly koa, then my a.. is, well never mind. Very ugly, gray looking stained whatever kind of wood they claim it is.

posted originally under the ck-teq link, but is more appropriate here.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Aloha Brian http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1524 Aloha Brian Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:05:37 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1524 After some research, headed out to Guitar Center near Seattle. Was hoping to find an LU-21. Found one with only three strings (naughty shopowner!) and also an LU-11. For this year, the LU-11 is even more similar to the LU-21. Same Nato top, same Rosewood fretboard, same strings. The only difference I saw was that the LU-11 had brass frets and the LU-21 has nickel frets. The sound is really similar, but it seemed the brass frets made the sound just a touch more mellow. That makes sense since brass is a softer metal than nickel. Still, a tough call. I think some of the other reviews online are completely incorrect, calling this an inferior uke when compared to the LU-21. Definitely not. They are more alike than ever right now. In the end, I fell for the LU-11. It just seemed to capture the sound I was looking for. I'll vote this well since I don't have much experience with other ukes. Definitely easy to play and construction appears good for a sub-$100 instrument. What's not to love? Aloha Ukulelehunt! After some research, headed out to Guitar Center near Seattle. Was hoping to find an LU-21. Found one with only three strings (naughty shopowner!) and also an LU-11.

For this year, the LU-11 is even more similar to the LU-21. Same Nato top, same Rosewood fretboard, same strings. The only difference I saw was that the LU-11 had brass frets and the LU-21 has nickel frets. The sound is really similar, but it seemed the brass frets made the sound just a touch more mellow. That makes sense since brass is a softer metal than nickel. Still, a tough call.

I think some of the other reviews online are completely incorrect, calling this an inferior uke when compared to the LU-21. Definitely not. They are more alike than ever right now.

In the end, I fell for the LU-11. It just seemed to capture the sound I was looking for. I’ll vote this well since I don’t have much experience with other ukes. Definitely easy to play and construction appears good for a sub-$100 instrument. What’s not to love?

Aloha Ukulelehunt!

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: anxious uker http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1483 anxious uker Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:31:07 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1483 I just ordered my first ukulele and it is a lanikai lu-11. I am so excited to get it i can't wait! My best friend has one and she has been teaching me some. I can't wait, I will never put that thing down! :D I just ordered my first ukulele and it is a lanikai lu-11. I am so excited to get it i can’t wait! My best friend has one and she has been teaching me some. I can’t wait, I will never put that thing down! :D
Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
Value for Not Rated Looks Not Rated Construction Not Rated
]]> By: Cazteclo http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1436 Cazteclo Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:03:40 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1436 I bought a Lanikai LU-21CE two years ago. It was my third Uke; the first was a toy, the next was a beginner, and this one is just great. I have been playing guitar for over a decade and Ukes for about 4 years and I just love the tone and feel of this instrument (esp. after I fount the proper strings). Although I will probably upgrade in the next year, or two, the LU-21CE is a great instrument and will always have a special place in my heart. I give if 5 stars in everything except sound (the sound is excellent but sometimes it feels thin... but only sometimes), looks (looks nice, but also looks a bit like every other uke) and construction (sometimes I think I hear a faint vibrating sound coming from the pickup; but when I actively try and find the sound it is nowhere to be found... ) Basically the LU-21CE is a great instrument to listen to and brilliant to play. I bought a Lanikai LU-21CE two years ago. It was my third Uke; the first was a toy, the next was a beginner, and this one is just great.
I have been playing guitar for over a decade and Ukes for about 4 years and I just love the tone and feel of this instrument (esp. after I fount the proper strings). Although I will probably upgrade in the next year, or two, the LU-21CE is a great instrument and will always have a special place in my heart.
I give if 5 stars in everything except sound (the sound is excellent but sometimes it feels thin… but only sometimes), looks (looks nice, but also looks a bit like every other uke) and construction (sometimes I think I hear a faint vibrating sound coming from the pickup; but when I actively try and find the sound it is nowhere to be found… )
Basically the LU-21CE is a great instrument to listen to and brilliant to play.
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Basement Ruthie http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1296 Basement Ruthie Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:53:54 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1296 I moved up from a no-name cheap uke to a Lanikai Tenor, the CTK-EQ, a few months ago. I've been nothing other than delighted with it; it has a rich, fruity sound, nice proportions and is very easy to play. The only thing was that as I bought it in a music store, in retrospect I could have got it cheaper off the internet. However, I was happy to pay the price at the time and it's no reflection on the quality of the product. I moved up from a no-name cheap uke to a Lanikai Tenor, the CTK-EQ, a few months ago. I’ve been nothing other than delighted with it; it has a rich, fruity sound, nice proportions and is very easy to play.

The only thing was that as I bought it in a music store, in retrospect I could have got it cheaper off the internet. However, I was happy to pay the price at the time and it’s no reflection on the quality of the product.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Huy Nguyen http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1285 Huy Nguyen Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:44:36 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1285 I have the Lanikai Lu-22CLK. This uke has a beautiful sound. I got it for $129 and I am very happy with it. It doesnt stay in tune for very long but it gets better after a few days. In my opinion, Lanikai is the best brand out there and mine came with Aquila Strings which I am very happy about I have the Lanikai Lu-22CLK. This uke has a beautiful sound. I got it for $129 and I am very happy with it. It doesnt stay in tune for very long but it gets better after a few days. In my opinion, Lanikai is the best brand out there and mine came with Aquila Strings which I am very happy about
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Hobo http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1171 Hobo Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:39:54 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1171 Hello Ukulele people! I recently bought a brand new Lanikai LKP-C Package deal off ebay -- included a nice padded gig bag and very cool electronic clip-on tuner. $155 with free shipping! The LKP-C (concert sized) is a very well-made and good looking instrument. It's a beauty! Sounds real good when I play it correctly. My finger tips are killing me... and I've been playing a 5-string clawhammer style banjo for several years. I'm thrilled that I can frail the Ukulele very similar to the banjo. Hello Ukulele people! I recently bought a brand new Lanikai LKP-C Package deal off ebay — included a nice padded gig bag and very cool electronic clip-on tuner. $155 with free shipping!

The LKP-C (concert sized) is a very well-made and good looking instrument. It’s a beauty! Sounds real good when I play it correctly. My finger tips are killing me… and I’ve been playing a 5-string clawhammer style banjo for several years.

I’m thrilled that I can frail the Ukulele very similar to the banjo.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Serena http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1163 Serena Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:00:40 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-1163 I finally decided to buy a basic Lanikai LU21C (their entry level concert). Was very happy that my local music store carried them. I've been strumming on my Lanikai for about 2 weeks now and so far it's been a great instrument. The sound is maybe a little thinner than what I'd prefer, but for a $100 instrument I really can't complain (and besides, it's a laminated wood uke, and that's just how it is with all laminated instruments). I can definitely see myself playing on this for a long time before I feel the need to upgrade. I finally decided to buy a basic Lanikai LU21C (their entry level concert). Was very happy that my local music store carried them.

I’ve been strumming on my Lanikai for about 2 weeks now and so far it’s been a great instrument. The sound is maybe a little thinner than what I’d prefer, but for a $100 instrument I really can’t complain (and besides, it’s a laminated wood uke, and that’s just how it is with all laminated instruments).

I can definitely see myself playing on this for a long time before I feel the need to upgrade.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Jan http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/lanikai-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-921 Jan Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:08:23 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=100#comment-921 I wanted to upgrade from my old and cheap Mahalo soprano to a new tenor and went to the music store to buy one. They only had Lanikai instruments there and I chose the S-TEQ for € 259 (the naked instrument without a case). The uke sounded great, felt well-made and solid and I had almost no complaints. The one thing, though, that made me return it to the store, was a rattling sound the uke made when I played it a little louder and the strings touched the fretboard. I did not get the chance to test the pick-up, so no comments on plugged-in playing. Overall, I think the S-TEQ is a fine instrument and would more or less be worth the money, if it would have been set up without the strings touching the fretboard. After returning the Lanikai, I ordered a Kala KA-FMT for € 239 with case but without pick-up, which I am quite happy with. I wanted to upgrade from my old and cheap Mahalo soprano to a new tenor and went to the music store to buy one. They only had Lanikai instruments there and I chose the S-TEQ for € 259 (the naked instrument without a case). The uke sounded great, felt well-made and solid and I had almost no complaints. The one thing, though, that made me return it to the store, was a rattling sound the uke made when I played it a little louder and the strings touched the fretboard. I did not get the chance to test the pick-up, so no comments on plugged-in playing. Overall, I think the S-TEQ is a fine instrument and would more or less be worth the money, if it would have been set up without the strings touching the fretboard.

After returning the Lanikai, I ordered a Kala KA-FMT for € 239 with case but without pick-up, which I am quite happy with.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]>