Lanikai Custom SM-T Ukulele
RatingsThe SM-T is part of Lanikai's more recent move into higher quality, solid wood ukuleles. Spalted mango, because of its striking looks, is becoming an increasingly popular wood to make ukuleles out of.
On Video
Musicguymic playing a song using the Lanikai Custom SM-T Ukulele.
On eBay
US $399.00
Specifications
Size: Tenor
Construction: Solid Spalted Mango top, back, and sides
Fretboard: Rosewood
Frets: 19
Bridge:: Rosewood
Neck:: Flame Mahogany
Tuners:: Gold Gotoh tuning machines
5 Comments
I love this uke. The wood is strikingly beautiful.. After lowering the action just a bit at the nut, the response and playability is incredible. SM-T is great.
Anyone else have that same issue with the Lanikai’s? I have an S-TEQ and need to lower at the nut…seems really high. What should I expect to pay to have this done? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Well worth the money spent. The action for me is about right, any lower and I would get fret buzz. All I plan to do in the future is to install a Mi-Si Pre-amp. I have already dressed it up a bit (Courtesy of Jockomo) and right now couldn’t be happier with the instrument.
I purchased this instrument and upon receipt gave it a close once over with the following impressions/thoughts.
1. Looking at the grain pattern advertised, I thought mine to be a little plain… until I realized that Spalting made the wood more fragile so mine actually was a better choice. It still looks great.
2. When compared to my Lanikai LKP-T Tenor Koa, there seemed to be less volume upon playing, but a sweet sound. Tests with a sound meter tended to agree. No problem in that I installed a Mi-Si Acoustic Trio aand now the output does whatever I want it to with NO PROBLEM.
Am I happy with the purchase… You Bet. For pictures of how I dressed it up a little contact me.
I bought the Lanikai Custom SM C for its looks basically. And yes, it is beautiful… BUT:
1. The wood has a lot of seams. After a close look from a luthier, I’ve been told it wouldn’t last. It will eventually crack open.
I got it on sale, so I don’t regret buying it, but I did have to change a tuner, which came stripped. I am now playing my other ukes during the gigs or at home. This I have it for… well, to show to my guests haha…
Bottom line: gorgeous uke to show off, the sound is not that great, and the quality… dunno, maybe I had bad luck.
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