Wednesday, 28 February 2018

How to tell if you need to change your ukulele strings


How Often should I change my Ukulele Strings?

I generally recommend giving your ukulele a present of some new strings for its birthday every year.

The Aquila strings fitted to most ukuleles are pretty hard wearing and once a year is generally enough, but if you play for a few hours every day you may want to do a restring more often.

How To Test Your Strings For Wear
To test your strings simply run your finger on the underside of the strings, if you feel duvets/indentations where the strings pass over the frets then you may want to change strings.  

Those wear spots cause the string to oscillate unevenly and even though your tuner may say the string is "In Tune"  they just sound funny and a bit off.  Plus those wear spots are weakness points and they will break there. 

If you want to replace your Aquila Strings we stock a whole range of them, or you may want a SOFTER EASIER PLAYING string then try out the Japanese Worth Ukulele Strings



Low G String Wears Out Faster, How Come?
A wound Low G string has a nylon multi-thread chore and an outer wrap of Nylon/Silver thread.  The Wound Low g strings are known to wear out much fatsre than the none wound strings, it is "The Nature of the Beast"  The outer wrap wears out over the freats and exposes the inner core.  You string wont oscillate properly, its will sound and feel hottible and is a string break waiting to happen.  I always suggest that if you use a Low G set then purchase some Single Low G Strings as spares.

YES YOU CAN CHANGE JUST ONE STRING, despite what some people say.  You don't need to change out the CEA strings if its just your low g that has worn out.

Aquila Low G Strings https://www.ukuleletradingcoaustralia.com.au/search?q=Aquila+Low+G+Single

Want a Long Long Looonnnnggggg Lasting Low G String?
Then change to Worth Low G Strings, the Worth Low G strings ARE NOT WOUND and wont wear any faster than the rest of the strings.


Saturday, 13 January 2018

Ohana 39 Series solid mahogany ukuleles in the Martin Model 3M Style.

A Concert and Soprano ukulele made in the Vintage Martin Style, but without the $3,000 US Dollar price-tags.  

No they are not USA made, nor are they Vintage, in fact they are brand spankin modern made Chinese instruments.  But the premium woods and styling cues are bang on point and the price for such quality is amazing. 

New to The Ohana Vintage Line is the much anticipated Ohana 39 series. Having been introduced at Winter NAMM’17, the SK-39 & CK-39 are modelled after the original Martin 3M ukuleles.


SK-39 & CK-39
The anticipated -39 series finally made its way to the public earlier last month. Inspired by the early Martin 3 ukuleles (known as 3M), these NEW ukuleles are instant vintage classics looks and sound.

The Design  The -39s feature premium solid Mahogany, with a multi black and white rosette and purfling along the top and back of the body as well as down the middle of the fretboard. Pearloid double dot inlays adorn frets # 5, 7 & 10, solidifying the classic aesthetic while simultaneously serving as a visual cue for ease of play.

The -39s also feature a Maple pendalogue (the contrasting triangle maple inlay on the lower bout), complemented by Maple binding which further unifies the look and feel of these ukuleles.

Designed with the discerning ukulele player in mind, these all-solid instruments are the perfect addition to any collection!

DEMO
Friend of Ohana, Rachel Manke, talks about what makes the 39 series unique as she compares and test runs SK-39 & CK-39 in the video below!


SK-39 SOPRANO
The SK-39 soprano is styled after the classic Martin 3M ukuleles from the 1920s and is part of the Ohana 39 series, part of the Vintage Line.

DESCRIPTION
The new Ohana SK-39 features premium solid Mahogany, with multi black and white purfling and Maple binding. Its all-solid construction provides this soprano with a very bright and balanced sound, producing really good sustain and resonance.

BODY
Top: Premium Solid Mahogany with Maple
Back: Premium Solid Mahogany
Sides: Premium Solid Mahogany
Sound-hole: Rosette in black/ white
Binding: Maple with multi black/ white purfling
Finish: Vintage satin
Body Length: 9-1/2"
       
NECK
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: Black/ white purfling strip on center; Pearloid Double Dot Inlay on Frets # 3, 5, 7, 10 & 12
Frets: 12 frets to body; Total 17 frets
Finish: Vintage
Nut: Bone
Scale Length: 13-3/4"

GEAR
Headstock: Mahogany
Tuners: Gotoh friction
Strings: Aquila
Saddle: Bone
Total Length: 21“

CK-39 Concert
DESCRIPTION
The new Ohana CK-39, like its soprano counterpart, features premium solid Mahogany, with multi black and white purfling and Maple binding. Its all-solid construction provides this concert with a very bright and balanced sound.

BODY
Top: Premium Solid Mahogany with Maple
Back: Premium Solid Mahogany
Sides: Premium Solid Mahogany
Sound-hole: Rosette in black/ white
Binding: Maple with multi black/ white purfling
Finish: Vintage satin
Body Length: 11"

NECK
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: Black/ white purfling strip on center; Pearloid Double Dot Inlay on Frets # 3, 5, 7, 10 & 12
Finish: Vintage
Nut: Bone
Scale Length: 15"

GEAR
Headstock: Mahogany
Tuners: Gotoh friction
Strings: Aquila
Saddle: Bone
Total Length: 24“