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New toy day - Show me your Uke!

mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
edited July 2011 in Musicians and Gearheads
Got a gift cert to the local shop from my wife for my birthday last week... went in today, gassed over the usual stuff, and then started to look at things within reach of the certificate ($100). Sat down for a long time with a Sigma 12-string, but ended up taking home a Makala Tenor Uke. What a kick this thing is! I've tried a few ukes in the shop, but this one is definitely better than all the other "affordable" models, and had a sound that seemed on par with the better ukes I've played (although not many Martin or Fender ukes or boutique stuff makes it into the local shops).

I know there are a few uke owners out there... thoughts? Reflections? Good songs to cover on a uke (besides the EV stuff, which is too obvious)?
...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • snow_board_ridersnow_board_rider Posts: 943
    Try to do Lukin on the Uke and post the results on you tube.
    Memorial Stadium, Seattle - Jul 21 22, 1998
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  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    My brother and dad play, I play mandolin.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    Thinking about it hard. Something to make me think differently about music. Maybe cause me to come back and approach guitar differently.

    Post a picture when you can
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    i want this one... badly.

    http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell ... Z284743674
  • pandorapandora Posts: 21,855
    B0009TPBUQ01-A21YY8666WOK5V_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg mine... I inherited 8-)
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    exhausted wrote:
    i want this one... badly.

    http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell ... Z284743674

    Yep way to cool
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    Post a picture when you can


    NewUke.jpg
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    Thinking about it hard. Something to make me think differently about music. Maybe cause me to come back and approach guitar differently.

    The really nice thing about a uke is that it's the same intervals as the 4 high strings on a guitar (5th, 4th, 5th), so you can basically adapt chord shapes from those strings onto a uke. Of course, it ends up in a different key (play what feels like open-D-major, and it's actually a G-major chord). But you can just start dicking around with it right off.

    I also like the fact that this is an instrument my daughter can approach really easily when she gets old enough.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    Post a picture when you can


    NewUke.jpg
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    Thinking about it hard. Something to make me think differently about music. Maybe cause me to come back and approach guitar differently.

    The really nice thing about a uke is that it's the same intervals as the 4 high strings on a guitar (5th, 4th, 5th), so you can basically adapt chord shapes from those strings onto a uke. Of course, it ends up in a different key (play what feels like open-D-major, and it's actually a G-major chord). But you can just start dicking around with it right off.

    I also like the fact that this is an instrument my daughter can approach really easily when she gets old enough.

    And its easier on the back!
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • ScrapeMySkyScrapeMySky Posts: 426
    I got a really cheap one a few years back and have been thinking about upgrading ever since. Ukes are really great fun and are easy to take wherever you go. Just put it in a backpack and off you go. I especially like fooling around with what sounds like classic riffs and adapting the big rock classics.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    And its easier on the back!


    Sure as hell better than my Les Paul, or my bass. Not sure if I'm gonna put straplocks on this thing, or what.

    On a related note, the shop also had this thing:
    http://www.kalaukulele.com/UBASS.asp

    That was a trip to play. Surprisingly deep tone from the strings, although the uke body doesn't really push the air. But the guy there said it sounds killer plugged in. They also have a solid-body electric version, and even a fretless version. I'm surprised Jeff hasn't bought one to play with Ed. Makes me wanna start a uke-based metal band, do nothing but Metallica covers...
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • PilateOfTheStormPilateOfTheStorm Posts: 4,319
    i really want to get one like ed's - the one with the cut outs in it - they are so pretty

    i just have a really cheapy one that i bought when i first started playing last year
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    And its easier on the back!


    Sure as hell better than my Les Paul, or my bass. Not sure if I'm gonna put straplocks on this thing, or what.

    On a related note, the shop also had this thing:
    http://www.kalaukulele.com/UBASS.asp

    That was a trip to play. Surprisingly deep tone from the strings, although the uke body doesn't really push the air. But the guy there said it sounds killer plugged in. They also have a solid-body electric version, and even a fretless version. I'm surprised Jeff hasn't bought one to play with Ed. Makes me wanna start a uke-based metal band, do nothing but Metallica covers...

    The UBass is fantastic. Now I have to get one of each. Crap...
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    So MIG, is the Uke purchase review still the same after giving it some time?
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    My brother just got a new one from graduation, I'll post a pic when we pick it up tomorrow!
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    So MIG, is the Uke purchase review still the same after giving it some time?


    It's definitely a ton of fun... What's really funny is that I've been gone a bunch for work recently, but since my uke didn't come with a case or bag, I haven't even been able to travel with it (which seems like a major selling point for a uke in the first place). I am planning on ordering a case on MF, but they're currently backordered until sometime after the robots enslave the human race. But I do look forward to being able to toss it in the car whenever I travel.

    Specific to my uke, I've found it very playable and good tone. No doubt it's not a *nice* uke, but definitely a good buy for the money. Once I get a bag, and maybe some strap buttons, I'll be set.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:
    So MIG, is the Uke purchase review still the same after giving it some time?


    It's definitely a ton of fun... What's really funny is that I've been gone a bunch for work recently, but since my uke didn't come with a case or bag, I haven't even been able to travel with it (which seems like a major selling point for a uke in the first place). I am planning on ordering a case on MF, but they're currently backordered until sometime after the robots enslave the human race. But I do look forward to being able to toss it in the car whenever I travel.

    Specific to my uke, I've found it very playable and good tone. No doubt it's not a *nice* uke, but definitely a good buy for the money. Once I get a bag, and maybe some strap buttons, I'll be set.

    I guess I'm going to have to stop by the store and see what they have. I wouldn't mind keeping it under $100.
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 Posts: 23,303
    i got an electric uke today on sale at guitar center. got a $300 uke for about $170. with instore credit and various gift cards i walked out of there with a new uke for about $20 out of pocket....not sure if the link is going to work or not since it is facebook, but i will try anyway :lol:

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... .555957626
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:
    i got an electric uke today on sale at guitar center. got a $300 uke for about $170. with instore credit and various gift cards i walked out of there with a new uke for about $20 out of pocket....not sure if the link is going to work or not since it is facebook, but i will try anyway :lol:

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... .555957626
    That's sweet!
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:
    i got an electric uke today on sale at guitar center. got a $300 uke for about $170. with instore credit and various gift cards i walked out of there with a new uke for about $20 out of pocket....not sure if the link is going to work or not since it is facebook, but i will try anyway :lol:

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... .555957626


    Actually I bought the same one last night. I walk into guitar center, just wanting to try a few and maybe find something close to $90 or so. Did not even intend on buying from the place (I have a negativeness about guitar center, and the sales staff). I left there a hour after they closed with that one, for about the same price. Typically i barder like mad, but I didn't have to. Got it for $170 and a pack of strings.

    Here is the AMS link

    http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-COD-20TMCE-LIST

    First sales guy I ever had there where i wasn't annoyed. I played every one in that place (about 10). Like I said I was there a hour after they closed, and he not once seemed irritated or pushy. It was a flash back of the old mom and pop store that we loved. We were always in there after hours trying stuff out.

    It's a blast that's for sure. I have a video I have to have wrapped up this week, and I can't put the uke down.

    Now time for some Social Distortion covers...
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Ukul ... 1446872.gc

    What we bought my brother!
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    Dang thing is beyond addicting as can be. I'll be in the middle of something walk by it, and have to stop and pull it out of the case. The wife was even trying to play it last night.
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

    https://www.facebook.com/aghostwritersapology/
  • chimechime Posts: 7,839
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I know there are a few uke owners out there... thoughts? Reflections? Good songs to cover on a uke (besides the EV stuff, which is too obvious)?

    This may give you some ideas http://www.box.net/shared/et5j9y1nnd

    This is a Uke get together I know about in London and their page has a link to their songbook that can be downloaded http://ukeweds.intodit.com/
    So are we strangers now? Like rock and roll and the radio?
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