Comments on: Mele Ukulele http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/ Advice, videos and reviews of ukuleles. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:58:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kimo http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1209 Kimo Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:19:43 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1209 Ukulele was my first instrument at age 6 or 7. I am a working professional musician but I didn't come back to ukulele until around the mid 1980's. I bought 2 Mele ukuleles in 2004 - an all koa tenor cutaway and a Kalia rosewood/cedar concert. Since then I have learned a lot & played many expensive ukuleles, buying an extremely expensive soprano from a famous maker. I will tell you happily that my Meles are made better, age better & sound better than the $$$ soprano, & that my experiences with Cheryl and Mele have been stellar. I can't say that for the famous maker, who treated me quite shabbily. I did have a crack in my tenor after some time and I paid them I believe around $100 total with shipping to fix the crack. But I don't feel that they tried to rip me off in any way or that the instrument was made poorly. Their cracks have never come back and I humidify them year round. I always feel & play best when I have them in my hands and I have traveled the world with them. You will not be disappointed with a Mele. Ukulele was my first instrument at age 6 or 7. I am a working professional musician but I didn’t come back to ukulele until around the mid 1980′s. I bought 2 Mele ukuleles in 2004 – an all koa tenor cutaway and a Kalia rosewood/cedar concert. Since then I have learned a lot & played many expensive ukuleles, buying an extremely expensive soprano from a famous maker. I will tell you happily that my Meles are made better, age better & sound better than the $$$ soprano, & that my experiences with Cheryl and Mele have been stellar. I can’t say that for the famous maker, who treated me quite shabbily.

I did have a crack in my tenor after some time and I paid them I believe around $100 total with shipping to fix the crack. But I don’t feel that they tried to rip me off in any way or that the instrument was made poorly. Their cracks have never come back and I humidify them year round. I always feel & play best when I have them in my hands and I have traveled the world with them. You will not be disappointed with a Mele.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Don Spaeth http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1207 Don Spaeth Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:45:09 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1207 I was researching Mele Ukuleles this morning to confirm that Mele Ukuleles are made on Hawaii when I noticed all the bad press about cracks and nasty service. Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experience is so different I had to comment: I have 7 Mele ukuleles--soprano, concert, tenor--acoustic and acoustic/electric. I've spoken with Cheryl a number of times by phone from my home in NE Connecticut where we heat with wood in the cold months. My experience is this: If you want an excellent ukulele--wonderful tone, stunning looks, great playability, good value and friendly service--check out Mele ukuleles. I play out with a Mele Koa Tenor A/E and each time someone will come up to marvel at the beauty of the instrument and the amazing sound it produces. I own over 40 ukuleles--Martin, Gibson, Gretsch, Favilla, Tangi, Kamaka, Kelii--and Mele is always my 'go to' uke for reliability and sound. I wonder about the negativity expressed by those few folks. Certainly not my experience. Not by a long shot. I was researching Mele Ukuleles this morning to confirm that Mele Ukuleles are made on Hawaii when I noticed all the bad press about cracks and nasty service. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but my experience is so different I had to comment: I have 7 Mele ukuleles–soprano, concert, tenor–acoustic and acoustic/electric. I’ve spoken with Cheryl a number of times by phone from my home in NE Connecticut where we heat with wood in the cold months. My experience is this: If you want an excellent ukulele–wonderful tone, stunning looks, great playability, good value and friendly service–check out Mele ukuleles. I play out with a Mele Koa Tenor A/E and each time someone will come up to marvel at the beauty of the instrument and the amazing sound it produces. I own over 40 ukuleles–Martin, Gibson, Gretsch, Favilla, Tangi, Kamaka, Kelii–and Mele is always my ‘go to’ uke for reliability and sound.
I wonder about the negativity expressed by those few folks. Certainly not my experience. Not by a long shot.
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Lucas http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1179 Lucas Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:42:00 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1179 I picked up a Hula Uke Concert Ukulele while on vacation in Maui in January 2011. The customer service was outstanding, and they were quite patient with me, as an absolute beginner. I had a quick tutorial with Uncle Peter who had some valuable pointers. For the price, it is an outstanding instrument. Based on that, I ended up purchasing a Mele solid Mahogany Tenor Ukulele, and am very pleased with it. It looks great, with a lot of attention to detail in the construction. It sounds great (even with me playing), and the neck is very comfortable. It looks like they don't sell Hula Ukes online anymore, so the ratings will apply to the Mahogany Tenor only. I love the sound, but don't know enough to compare it to other makes and models, so I will leave it blank. If you happen to be in Maui, it is definitely worth your while to drop in and check these instruments out! I picked up a Hula Uke Concert Ukulele while on vacation in Maui in January 2011. The customer service was outstanding, and they were quite patient with me, as an absolute beginner. I had a quick tutorial with Uncle Peter who had some valuable pointers. For the price, it is an outstanding instrument.

Based on that, I ended up purchasing a Mele solid Mahogany Tenor Ukulele, and am very pleased with it. It looks great, with a lot of attention to detail in the construction. It sounds great (even with me playing), and the neck is very comfortable.

It looks like they don’t sell Hula Ukes online anymore, so the ratings will apply to the Mahogany Tenor only. I love the sound, but don’t know enough to compare it to other makes and models, so I will leave it blank. If you happen to be in Maui, it is definitely worth your while to drop in and check these instruments out!

Overall Sound Not Rated Playability
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]]> By: LBJ http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1122 LBJ Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:20:25 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1122 I adore my Mele all-koa tenor 4-string. The intonation is fantastic and it is an absolute dream to play. I was the envy of my ukulele group when I unveiled it. Thanks, Dad, for buying this on your trip to Maui earlier this year. I treasure it. Plus, dang, it is an amazingly beautiful sight to behold!!! I adore my Mele all-koa tenor 4-string. The intonation is fantastic and it is an absolute dream to play. I was the envy of my ukulele group when I unveiled it. Thanks, Dad, for buying this on your trip to Maui earlier this year. I treasure it. Plus, dang, it is an amazingly beautiful sight to behold!!!
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Chris M. http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1064 Chris M. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:56:50 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1064 There has to be more to the story regarding the cracked ukuleles. I have three Ukuleles from Mele. One all Koa tenor 6-string, one Spruce top, Mahagony sides and back tenor 4-string, and one Hula Uke tenor 4-string. I love all three of them. The sound and playability are fantastic. The customer service I have recieved from Mele has always been very, very good. I highly recommend Mele. There has to be more to the story regarding the cracked ukuleles.
I have three Ukuleles from Mele. One all Koa tenor 6-string, one Spruce top, Mahagony sides and back tenor 4-string, and one Hula Uke tenor 4-string.
I love all three of them. The sound and playability are fantastic. The customer service I have recieved from Mele has always been very, very good. I highly recommend Mele.
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Rick Schellhammer http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1040 Rick Schellhammer Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:42:41 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1040 Purchased my Mele all-koa tenor from the Mele website 3 years ago, and have never regretted it. Beautiful sounding instrument, with great intonation. Looking forward to perhaps picking up a double-puka model in the not-too-distant future. Love my MELE! Purchased my Mele all-koa tenor from the Mele website 3 years ago, and have never regretted it. Beautiful sounding instrument, with great intonation. Looking forward to perhaps picking up a double-puka model in the not-too-distant future. Love my MELE!
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Joey Genochio http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1032 Joey Genochio Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:50:21 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1032 I have a Concert mele uke and I haven't had a single issue. It was purchased for $380 and produces a lovely sound. The koa wood on the face adds beauty to the display while a rich mahogany backing adds to the strength. My uke is a very simple design and yet holds a clear distinction as an upper class ukulele. No complaints with my mele ukulele as its beautiful sound makes each day I play it better! I have a Concert mele uke and I haven’t had a single issue. It was purchased for $380 and produces a lovely sound. The koa wood on the face adds beauty to the display while a rich mahogany backing adds to the strength. My uke is a very simple design and yet holds a clear distinction as an upper class ukulele. No complaints with my mele ukulele as its beautiful sound makes each day I play it better!
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Ricky Mapa http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1025 Ricky Mapa Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:20:41 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1025 Ooops, I forgot about the ratings. Here goes: Ooops, I forgot about the ratings. Here goes:
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Ricky Mapa http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1024 Ricky Mapa Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:18:43 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1024 I walked into the Mele store looking for a solid wood ukulele just 3 days after I bought my very first a Kala concert - all laminate mahogany. Cheryl patiently helped me as I am one meticulous person always looking for the best bang for the buck. I tried just about every tenor and a few concerts they had in stock. I narrowed my choice to 2 which sounded the best to my ears - both tenors, a double puka and the traditional style. They even helped me do a blind test. My ears picked the traditional style which happen to have a beautifully figured sides and back. It's eye candy and sounds sweet too. (I wish I bought both & took advantage of their buy 1 and get the 2nd at half-off but I want to stay married). Glad to hear that a California uker bought that double-puka shortly after. Mike installed a MiSi pickup with tone and volume controls inside the soundhole - an extra feature which was a pleasant surprise. I like my Mele Tenor all-hog Uke a lot. We have extremely dry winters in Edmonton, Alberta Canada - so my Mele is always humidified like my 5 other guitars. No issues so far. I need to mention that Cheryl gave me a generous trade-in value for my Kala as I bought a second all-hog concert uke for my nephew. He is also enjoying his uke (which I'm so willing to adopt in case his interest wanes.) I highly recommend Mele Ukulele. Good quality handmade all-solid wood ukes at fairly reasonable prices with a warm & friendly staff. Even their cheaper Hula lineup sounded better than the Kala. I'll keep you posted about my ongoing experience owning my Mele and how it compares with my (future - read "hopefully") ukulele$$$. Maholo-salamat-Aloha!!! rukey-ricky I walked into the Mele store looking for a solid wood ukulele just 3 days after I bought my very first a Kala concert – all laminate mahogany.

Cheryl patiently helped me as I am one meticulous person always looking for the best bang for the buck. I tried just about every tenor and a few concerts they had in stock. I narrowed my choice to 2 which sounded the best to my ears – both tenors, a double puka and the traditional style. They even helped me do a blind test. My ears picked the traditional style which happen to have a beautifully figured sides and back. It’s eye candy and sounds sweet too. (I wish I bought both & took advantage of their buy 1 and get the 2nd at half-off but I want to stay married). Glad to hear that a California uker bought that double-puka shortly after.

Mike installed a MiSi pickup with tone and volume controls inside the soundhole – an extra feature which was a pleasant surprise. I like my Mele Tenor all-hog Uke a lot. We have extremely dry winters in Edmonton, Alberta Canada – so my Mele is always humidified like my 5 other guitars. No issues so far.

I need to mention that Cheryl gave me a generous trade-in value for my Kala as I bought a second all-hog concert uke for my nephew. He is also enjoying his uke (which I’m so willing to adopt in case his interest wanes.)

I highly recommend Mele Ukulele. Good quality handmade all-solid wood ukes at fairly reasonable prices with a warm & friendly staff. Even their cheaper Hula lineup sounded better than the Kala.

I’ll keep you posted about my ongoing experience owning my Mele and how it compares with my (future – read “hopefully”) ukulele$$$.

Maholo-salamat-Aloha!!!

rukey-ricky

Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
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]]> By: Zoie http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/mele-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1001 Zoie Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:28:57 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=124#comment-1001 I was in Maui in January of this year and stopped in to take a look at Mele's shop- thinking a uke would be a good souvineer- I purposely didn't bring one with me on my trip- with that in mind. I have a few ukes already- including an old kamaka, and martin- both sopranos, so I'm not a total noob. I was astounded at the selection- I've been in plenty of music stores looking at the 'couple a' ukes on their "uke wall" But I've never been in a UKE store-. They had Spruce top with Zebra sides; Solid Mahogany; Solid koa; maple; even REDWOOD! All varieties- all sizes- 4 string; 6 string; and 8 string!!! I wanted to pick up a tenor- but I couldn't believe it. I had to walk out the first time with nothing- my head was spinning. My husband had to bring me back in a few days later and the special they had the last time (free case) had expired- and the NEW special- was buy one get one Half Off... so, you know how this story ends. I left with two-. A four string koa sides and back and mahogany top- and a six string spruce top- both tenors. The service was outstanding- they walked me through all the choices and helped me choose the right ukes for me. Uncle Peter was giving me the run down. It was awesome to get to meet him. The tone on my ukes is perfect- and they are beautiful instruments. I'm very pleased with them- and have had no problems with cracking or anything. I do live on the west coast- but it's quite dry here. I play them often- but they are in a hard case much of the time... I'll keep you posted if anything changes- but had to share my happy uke story because my experience was so different than some here. A happy Uker in Cali I was in Maui in January of this year and stopped in to take a look at Mele’s shop- thinking a uke would be a good souvineer- I purposely didn’t bring one with me on my trip- with that in mind. I have a few ukes already- including an old kamaka, and martin- both sopranos, so I’m not a total noob. I was astounded at the selection- I’ve been in plenty of music stores looking at the ‘couple a’ ukes on their “uke wall” But I’ve never been in a UKE store-. They had Spruce top with Zebra sides; Solid Mahogany; Solid koa; maple; even REDWOOD! All varieties- all sizes- 4 string; 6 string; and 8 string!!! I wanted to pick up a tenor- but I couldn’t believe it. I had to walk out the first time with nothing- my head was spinning. My husband had to bring me back in a few days later and the special they had the last time (free case) had expired- and the NEW special- was buy one get one Half Off… so, you know how this story ends. I left with two-. A four string koa sides and back and mahogany top- and a six string spruce top- both tenors. The service was outstanding- they walked me through all the choices and helped me choose the right ukes for me. Uncle Peter was giving me the run down. It was awesome to get to meet him. The tone on my ukes is perfect- and they are beautiful instruments. I’m very pleased with them- and have had no problems with cracking or anything. I do live on the west coast- but it’s quite dry here. I play them often- but they are in a hard case much of the time… I’ll keep you posted if anything changes- but had to share my happy uke story because my experience was so different than some here.
A happy Uker in Cali
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