Sunday, 31 July 2016

Aquila Red Ukulele Strings AQ-86U Concert Low wound g string

AQ-86U $14.95
CONCERT LOW G SET
RED SERIES®

A unique feeling and a strong, consistent sound. Until now, it was necessary to increase the gauge of a string for it to produce a lower-pitched note. But increasing the string’s diameter also increases internal dampening. That makes the string less bright, less responsive and more muffled; the thicker the string, the duller the sound.

Aquila's revolutionary new approach — unique to Aquila — changes the specific weight of the material, increasing it progressively to leave the gauge almost unchanged.

The result is amazing: instruments sound brighter, more powerful and more responsive through the entire range of the fret board. The strings also maintain their intonation better, because thicker strings need to be fretted harder, pulling them further out of tune.

RED SERIES® sets provide superior performance over traditional strings for musicians who love bright sounds and powerful voicing across the full scale of the instrument.

You never heard a sound like this before, simply because before it did not exist.

WHY ARE THERE DIFFERENT SHADES OF RED? 
In the manufacturing process of our Red Series strings we use different percentages of metal powder to optimise each string’s performance within the set. Because of this, the colour varies slightly with each string in a set of Reds.

LOW G TUNING
Density is in fact the secret of quality sound in a low string and Aquila are happy to announce that they managed to overcome this difficult technological challenge (tried by many others but without success).

Now, with Aquilas RED SERIES® strings you can finally tune your ukulele to Low G with the certainty of powerful sound quality and a superior intonation across the frets that is fully integrated with that of the upper treble strings.

MAIN FEATURES
The technical solution adopted was firstly to make the Nylgut elastic and then add  red copper powder in order to increase the density to about twice that of standard white Nylgut.

  • Color: red-brown
  • Surface: slightly rough; this texture has eliminated the squeak that sometime occurs with the Nylgut strings.
  • Elasticity/Elongation: consistent with white Nylgut!
  • Performances: better than the first elastic version! They do not break under tension providing rapid, stable tuning!
  • Intonation: accurate past the 12th fret
  • Pressing the string firmly down on the frets does not cause the note to sharpen.
  • It is  not necessary to file the nut slot wider to accommodate our RED SERIES® string.
  • Density: about twice than standard white Nylgut.

Katie Kitchen Sponsored Artist Uses Kala Traveller Series and Padauk Series ukulele

Welcome aboard to Sponsored Artist Katie Kitchen.  Direct from NYC USA to Australia (via Plympton)

Katie Kitchen is a Singer, Songwriter, Artist, Radio Personality, Writer, Publisher and Ukulele Player, a real Renaissance woman.  


And Now Ukulele Trading Co Australia's First Sponsored Artist. Katie K currently uses a Kala Traveller Series and a Kala Padauk Series ukulele.

Unlike Phil Spector we would never shout at Katie Kitchen on the phone.

"regardless of what I have done in my life, 
from living in other countries to drawing a lot to having kids to working various interesting jobs – 

when I meet new people (which happens often because of the lots of different things I like to do), my introduction almost inevitably includes the phrase “She plays the ukulele”. 

Except for one friend, who always introduces me with the phrase ... 

“She got shouted at on the phone by Phil Spector!” 

Which is true, but another post."
Katie Kitchen

Thursday, 21 July 2016

CK-28 Concert Size "Vintage Nunes' Style Solid Mahogany Ukulele with FREE Hardcase Tuner, Setup and Postage

CK-28 Concert Size "Vintage Nunes' Style 
Solid Mahogany Ukulele.


Retail is $495.
Includes

FREE Hardcase,
FREE Tuner, 
FREE Set-up*
FREE Postage in Australia.



  
*Plus as per normal I bundle ukes with 
a full set-up with your choice of 

either Low or High G




The CK-28 Limited Edition Concert Ukulele is a crackingly good instrument and a
Star Seller of mine.


A sweet tone and great Playability with those Ultra Hip Retro Looks.


This Ukulele is really Rocking the look of that centre racing stripe and rope binding.  


And it is made fully of Solid Mahogany too boot



The Concert sized Nunes style ukulele now joins the little brother the Soprano SK-28. And it is a  Seriously Good Quality Concert Ukulele because it's an Ohana Ukulele.


"I play lots of different ukuleles every week, 

what with Personal Shoppers getting Demos 

and doing Ukulele Setups everyday. 
the Ohana CK-28 is becoming a favourite of mine, 
they are so damn sweet sounding, and they play great." CHEERS CC

ABOUT 
The 'Figure 8' or 'Peanut' body shape is a true classic, it is the closest relative of the  
Portuguese instruments brought to the Hawaiian islands.  

Dias and Manuel Nunes the earliest ukulele makers and crafted ukuleles for more than 40 years 
and are legend amongst ukulele  enthusiasts.

History tells that Samuel Kamaka and Nunes own son, Leonardo, 
were apprentices and continued making quality ukuleles. 

In 1998, the Ukulele Hall of Fame inducted Manuel Nunes  into their honorees.  

WELL DONE CREATING THIS UKULELE
Louis Wu of Ohana Music has come up with a fantastic homage to the 'original' ukulele, 
made in the traditional Portuguese / Hawaiian style.

SUMMARY
If you are serious about your ukulele playing and uke collecting then a 'Peanut' body style Concert is a must have for you. 

The fretboard is completely flush with the body, another vintage style feature - this leaves more of the top to vibrate, helping to shape the tone of the instrument.

This Concert has such a pleasing warm tone and easy playability that you soon realise that the old master Luthiers really were onto something good!

SPECS
Premium Solid Mahogany top, back and sides 
Friction tuning heads 
Rosewood fingerboard and bridge 
Vintage Nunes/Dias Style Rope Binding 
Bone nut and saddle 
14 frets Aquila Nylgut strings (or Worth) 
Limited edition
Vintage re-issue
Nunes/Dias style body shape
Solid Premium Mahogany top, back & sides
Rope binding
Vintage finish
Gotoh tuners

CK-28 Concert Size "Vintage Nunes' Style 
Solid Mahogany Ukulele.

Retail is $495.
Includes
FREE Hardcase,
FREE Tuner, 
FREE Set-up*
FREE Postage in Australia.








Sunday, 17 July 2016

Tenor Electric Ukulele TK-70KE Ohana Premium Solid Spruce Top Koa back and Sides.

$649 Ohana TK-70KE Tenor Electric Ukulele. Premium Solid Spruce Top, Koa back and Sides. 

INCLUDES.
FREE Hardcase
FREE Setup with Aqila or Worth Strings Either Low or High G, Either Right Handed or Left Handed.
FREE Postage in Australia.



OHANA MEANS FAMILY
The TK-70KE Tenor Size Ukulele comes from Ohana Ukuleles Limited Edition Range of Premium ukuleles.  

Ohana means Family, and its where where you will find the many hand-crafted ukulele models being manufactured. The Ohana selection ranges from: soprano to baritone, mahogany to selected koa from the islands of Hawaii, conventional to vintage models, and also unique models for those who are looking for something different.

"At Ohana, our goal is to provide the highest quality product at a reasonable price. Every ukulele that leaves our warehouse is carefully inspected and set up for maximum playability. 

Yes that's right — EVERY UKULELE, regardless of model and price. Should musicians compromise on quality just because they need an entry-level ukulele? We don't think they should.

At Ohana, we believe in the basic concepts of  QUALITY, PLAYABILITY, and VALUE. As a player you deserve each of these when you purchase a musical instrument.

Ohana Music markets its products primarily through a network of excellent dealers around the world. However, we are here to answer any questions you may have. So go ahead, send Ohana an email or call; we will be happy to inform you about the products Ohana offers.
Meanwhile, have fun, share the Aloha spirit with your loved ones, and Happy Strumming!"

SUPERIOR  TONE-WOODS
Featuring a combination of Solid Spruce wood top with Solid Koa wood back and sides results in both a bright tone (The Spruce) Combined with the Koa you also get that big sustain and full sound.


GREAT LOOKS
The faux tortoise shell binding creates a a really upmarket look too separating the classy Spruce Top and the golden honey toned Koa Wood sides.

The quality Belcat Preamp of the Pick-up is fitted perfectly into the side of the ukulele.

The gloss finish is very good too, it will offer a strong long-lasting protection of the woods and it is applied smooth as glass.

Gold tuning Machines with small black buttons suit the look of the headstock.  Also the small head buttons are so much easier to use, a thoughtful touch.

ELECTRIC ACOUSTIC WITH PICK-UP
TK-70KE Ohana Tenor UkuleleThe TK-70KE is an Electric Acoustic ukulele and features pick-up with a 3 band eq with on-board pre-amp, output is strong and clear, with plenty of range in tones available from the Treble and Bass sliders, from Dark Smooth Jazz to Bright Country or Funk tones can be had.

QUALITY COMPONENTS
Keeping with the quality focus of Ohana the Ukulele is fitted with a bone nut and saddle.  Bone is not very easy to work with at all, shaping and cutting bone is difficult precision work , and time consuming.  Fitting plastic parts would have been much easier and quicker BUT when "ultimate tone" is the goal, then fitting quality components  is essential, no mater how much longer they take to shape.

The gloss finished applied is smooth and blemish free.  To achieve a fine glass like gloss finish takes time and lots of it, with many coats of spray and hand sanding between coats required to get a finish this smooth.

SPECIFICATIONS
Solid spruce top
Flamed koa back & sides
Rosewood fingerboard & bridge
Tortoise shell binding front, back, headstock
Active 3-band EQ
Bone nut & saddle
Aquila strings
Gloss finish

The TK-70KE Tenor Size Ukulele comes from Ohana Ukuleles Limited Edition Range of Premium ukuleles.
RRP is $649 In Australia.
FREE quality Hardcase and 
FREE Setup included
FREE Postage in OZ.
















# TK-70KE #tenorukulele #ohanaukulele #electricukulele #ohanaukuleleaustralia

Soprano Ukulele Premium Solid Mahogany Nunes Vintage Style Ohana SK-28 FREE Hardcase, Tuner, Lesson

$425 with 
FREE Hard-case, 
FREE Tuner, FREE Set-up (High or Low G String).
FREE Postage in Australia.

BONUS FREE Ukulele Lesson via Skype with Hawaii based teacher Jeffrey Thomas.

In a world overflowing with 'ME TOO' Cookie Cutter ukuleles
the Ohana  SK-28 is a breath of fresh air... the tone, the feel, the look, really are a world away from generic mass produced blandness.


The Rope binding looks fantastic.  Rope binding is difficult to do and it adds to build time and expense but its worth it.

And the Centre Rope binding "Racing Stripe" is set into the length of the neck, the Ohana Logo moves to the back of the headstock, Visual Beauty trumps self promotion.

And at $425 AUD somewhat of a bargain as my Package Includes Hardcase, Setup, Tuner, Shipping within Australia

Since it Launched overseas the SK-28 has been a hot seller for Ohana.  Now available in Australia, keeping up with demand has been the hard part.



Q.  SETUP: DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

A.  "We never JUST pick a box off the shelf and send it.
Every ukulele is checked for quality of finish, Tuned, Play Tested and Setup for best playability. 

YES Setup ... It Makes ALL the Difference."
Cheers CC


The SK-28 Soprano is another homage to a vintage instrument, inspired by  the instruments introduced to Hawaii by the likes of legendary luthiers Manuel Nunes and Augusto Dias.


The 'Figure 8' or 'Peanut' body shape is a true classic, it is the closest representation of the Portuguese instruments brought to the Hawaiian islands.


Dias and Manuel Nunes the earliest ukulele makers and crafted ukuleles for more than 40 years and are legend amongst ukulele  enthusiasts.



HISTORY
History tells that Samuel Kamaka and Nunes own son, Leonardo, were apprentices and continued making quality ukuleles. In 1998, the Ukulele Hall of Fame inducted Manuel Nunes into their honorees.

'Louis Wu of Ohana Music has come up with a fantastic homage to the 'original' ukulele, made  in the traditional style.'


"If you are serious about your ukulele playing and uke collecting then a 'Peanut' body style soprano is a must have for you." 


This soprano has such a pleasing warm tone and easy playability that you soon realise that the old master Luthiers really were onto something good.


SPECIFICATIONS 
Premium solid mahogany top/back and sides
Ebony nut and saddle
Classic rope rosette and purfling
Satin finish
Friction tuners
Aquila strings

$425 AUD 
Includes Hardcase, 
Setup,
Lesson, 

Tuner, 
Shipping within Australia.