Saturday, 11 October 2014

Ohana TK-35G-5 Five String Tenor ukulele ALL Solid Mahogany wood

TK-735G-5 Five String Tenor Ukulele.
All Solid Mahogany wood.
RRP is $549 In Australia.

FREE Quality Hardcase
FREE Headstock Tuner
FREE Setup included
FREE Postage
Warranty and After Sales Service Backup from Aussie Ohana Ukulele Dealer.

TO ORDER
Click Buy It Now 

Call 0434 306 920 or email ChrisFromUkuleleTrading@gmail.com 



Life is too short to play a crappy instrument;
Happy Strumming is where it’s at. 


"Ohana Ukuleles, Made To Be Played" is the company slogan... and they are not messing about.

Ohana ukuleles are some of the most inexpensive solid wood ukuleles around, and the TK-35G-5 is all solid mahogany, not just the top, but the back and sides too.  A deep gloss finish and fine details adorn this solid mahogany tenor ukulele with outstanding tone and playability.


LOW G STRING OR HIGH G STRING... HAVE BOTH
Ahhh,   every ukulele player's conundrum... High-G or Low-G!?
With Ohana's unique 5-String model, featuring both G's, all the guess work has been taken out!

Personally I think it sounds amazing...Very loud and boy that low and High G string combo is fantastic, Jangle from the Octave G Strings but you still have single course of C E and A strings for picking and runs etc...

Very happy to have added this model to the range of Ohana ukuleles available in Australia.

WHY TWO G STRINGS?
Well having the g strings doubled up (similar to a 12 string guitar), with the high G and low G an octave apart adds a much fuller bodied rhythm tone, gives it a beautiful and interesting sound but still a ukulele sound..

The Ohana TK-35G-5 has a big sound with a bit of jangle. It’s actually a very loud instrument.
The other strings are normal single and so the cea strings do not sound different to the normal 4 string ukulele.


CONSTRUCTION
The uke is a tenor, and is made from solid mahogany, imparting a more full tone but still a bright attack to notes… very rock.

Being a Solid Wood ukulele it will sound even better as it opens up over the years. As the wood dries out it becomes stiffer and lighter and become even better at transferring string energy to the sound waves we hear.

The headstock on the 5 string is visibly longer than an ordinary ukulele's headstock to accommodate the extra 5th string tuning key.

This is a top of the line instrument with its beautiful gloss finish that makes it look as good as it sounds.

SETUP IN THE USA
Like with all Ohana instruments the workmanship is superb. Ohana ukuleles may be made in China but they all travel to you via Ohana Head office in the USA where they go through a detailed premium adjustment, ready to play.

SPECIFICATIONS
Solid Mahogany Top/Back/Sides
Body Binding
Grover Geared Tuners
Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
Bone Nut & Saddle
Aquila Strings
Gloss Finish
19-fret




VIDEO REVIEW with Ken Middleton
  















Thursday, 9 October 2014

Kala KA-ASAC-C Solid Acacia Wood Concert Size ukulele, It's the Goldilocks Size, not too big not too small.

Pictures for comparison only.
Ukulele and Case Package $599
Concert Ukulele Kala KA-ASAC-C and Hard-case Package.



Kala KA-ASAC-C + UC-C Case


The Concert size Ukulele fits in between the smaller Soprano and the larger Tenor Size.  It's the Goldilocks Size, not too big not too small.  


A soprano has less Volume, has less Bass and has less Frets (notes) than a Concert.  And a Soprano, being so small an instrument, may prove to be quite a squeeze playing chords.  

Whereas playing the larger Tenor size you may find the neck getting too big for smaller hands.  

So why struggle with the Tenor size ukulele when a Concert Uke offers the number of frets you need, with the full loud tone you want.


Setup Options: String Brand
High OR Low G
Right / Left handed


Includes; 

KA-ASAC-C Ukulele ($595)
Polyfoam Hardcase  ($80)
Clip On Headstock Tuner ($15)
Setup ($50)
Free Shipping (approx $45 value within mainland Australia).

Your Choice of
1. Aquila or Worth Strings. 

2. Low or High G String.
3. Right or Left-handed.

MAX BANG FOR YOU DOLLAR
Kala have got a lot of things right with their acacia range of ukes. They’re obviously going after a more serious ukulele player but they’re keeping it affordable by using Acacia wood (a close relation of Koa and much cheaper) and manufacturing it in China.
'Definitely worth checking these Solid Acacia ukuleles if you’re in the market for a quality uke,
but don’t have a massive budget.'

Solid woods are usually reserved for high end professional luthier constructed ukuleles great to see a solid wood ukulele at this mid range price point. If you were looking for a beautiful, solid wood concert in this price range, then put this All Solid Acacia Concert from Kala on you short list, check out the pictures and the sound demo and you may find that the KA-ASAC-C may be just what you want.

SOUND DEMO


Pictures for comparison only.

SOLID WOOD AGES LIKE FINE WINE

Solid wood ukuleles sound better from the get go, but they get better with time, the wood ages like fine wine.  Unlike Ply (which is a laminate of 3 slices of wood glued together) solid wood ukuleles will dry out over time.  

As moisture leaves the wood the top, back and sides become stiffer and lighter, that’s a good thing as the lighter and stiffer the wood the more resonant it is.  

The stiffer and lighter the wood the better string energy can be transferred, that means a better dynamic range of frequencies and more volume.

Ply Ukes will sound pretty much the same now as in ten years, solid wood ukuleles will  improve every year you own it.
Pictures for comparison only.


A RELATIVE OF KOA WOOD
Solid Acacia trees are also called the Mimosa or Shower Tree; these tropical trees are cousins of the Hawaiian Koa tree. They have gorgeous striped patterns of light and dark brown and have a deep colourful tone that match their visual beauty.

My analogy for the Koa v Acacia wood is its 'Champagne if it’s made in France, sparkling wine if it’s made elsewhere'.  Do not think that Acacia is inferior to Koa, it's not.

These solid wood ukes are trimmed with rosewood edge binding and classic herringbone purfling and custom position markers accent the fret board. 

'This beautiful, all-solid Striped Acacia
has the WOW FACTOR, 

that is going to get admiring looks from your friends at ukulele club'

Pictures for comparison only.

Some of the key features -  a rosewood bridge and fingerboard, and ebony nut and saddle. Decorative features include custom abalone fret marker inlays, rosewood binding and vintage-style herringbone purfling.

With the all solid acacia wood construction this Kala is sweet and loud... a sweetness that ply laminate construction just cannot achieve.

DON'T BUY A LEMON
I never ship unopened boxes, every Ukulele I sell gets a thorough inspection for cosmetic flaws and a play test, every note at every fret, then is setup to play the best it possibly can.


SETUP IS INCLUDED
Mass produced ukuleles come with "factory settings" and to get more units 'out the door' they err on the side of Medium to High-action (ACTION = The Gap between the bottom of the string and the top of the frets). 


 The Higher the 'Action',  the harder your ukulele is to play,
sadly some ukes I've seen you can drive a 
truck under the strings.
 I don’t like that and you won’t either.


TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CHANGES
Ukuleles are made in the Far East and travel to Australia via Bulk Cargo Container Ship.  Sitting in 40 foot containers out at sea for months takes its toll on the wood, as it reacts to the changes in temperature and humidity. 

That's why I never ever ever ship out an unopened uke box, every ukulele is checked, tuned and played and then Set-up for proper play.

SET-UP INCLUDED

I set up each instrument to ensure you get the absolute best feel possible from your ukulele for your money. 

This includes, if required, altering Saddle and Nut heights/slots, Fret work and intonation checks, with levelling, re-crowning, fret end filing and fret polishing.

In Set up Ukuleles, the Fret ends will be smoother so your instrument feels more comfortable in your left hand, frets will be level and polished so you get the best possible contact between string and fret to extract every ounce of energy and tone.

Also fret boards dry out a little and shrink leaving the ends of the frets exposed and feeling sharp.  I remove these rough fret ends and treat the board with lemon oil to hydrate and protect it.  

You get your choice of 
1. Aquila or Worth Strings. 
2. Low or High G String.
3. Right or Left-handed.
Standard is Aquila High G Right-handed, let me know if you want something else

Pictures for comparison only.
CAN YOU FEEL THE DIFFERENCE?
YES YOU CAN FEEL THE DIFFERENCE A PROPER SETUP MAKES
Just about every Ukulele can benefit from having a thorough setup.  You can feel the difference between a non-set up uke and a uke that has been through the Set Up Process. 


SPECIFICATIONS
Size: Concert
14-7/8 Concert Scale (Distance from Nut to Saddle)
24-3/8 Overall body length
11 Body length
6 Upper Bout
8-1/4 Lower Bout
5 Waist
2-1/4 to 2-3/4 Arched Back Body depth
1-3/8 At Nut
All solid Acacia Top, Sides and Back
Rosewood Binding with herringbone purfling
18 Silver Nickel Frets
Custom vine Fret position Marks at 5th,7th,10th and 12th frets on neck and top of fingerboard
Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
Ebony Nut and Saddle
Mahogany neck
Multi-Layered Headstock cap with carved Kala logo
Satin Finish
Chrome Die-Cast Tuners with black buttons

Ukulele and Case Package $599
Concert Ukulele Kala KA-ASAC-C and Hard-case Package

Setup Options: String Brand
High OR Low G
Right / Left handed
 

Includes; 

KA-ASAC-C Ukulele ($595)
Polyfoam  Hardcase  ($80)
Clip On Headstock Tuner ($15)
Setup ($50)
Free Shipping (approx $45 value within mainland Australia).


Your Choice of
1. Aquila or Worth Strings. 

2. Low or High G String.
3. Right or Left-handed.



















Ukulele and Case Package $599
Concert Ukulele Kala KA-ASAC-C and Hard-case Package


Setup Options: String Brand
High OR Low G
Right / Left handed
 

Sunday, 28 September 2014

Kala Cedar Top Tenor Electric Ukulele KA-ATP-CTG-CE

KA-ATP-CTG-CE  Cedar / Acacia Tenor Size Ukulele with Padauk Binding and Pickup
$550 AUD

Includes FREE Postage within Australia.

And  FREE Setup:  Choose High or Low G / Aquila or Worth Brown Strings

A Bit of Internet Folklore... people keep asking me if the "Eddie Vedder Kala ukulele comes into Australia?"

Well Eddie doesn't have a Kala model officially, but the net being the net, people sure got excitied when he put out on social media a picture of him holding a  KA-ATP-CTG-CE Cedar top Model.

It seems that ever since Eddie Vedder stopped by Coconut Grove Music to shop for some new ukes, and had his picture taken with his new Kala Brand Music KA-ATP-CTG-CE word of Eddie using this model Kala has spread like wildfire.

A VERY LOUD UKULELE
I have played just about every Kala ukulele available in OZ and the new Solid Cedar Top range are without doubt the loudest ukuleles that Kala make, bar the Resonator or Banjoleles.

The Tilt Back Headstock design puts more string pressure on the Nut and the nut itself being by Graph Tech, ensure that every bit of string energy is transferred to the Ukuleles Cedar Top. Cedar wood topes are renowned for resonating loudly, they are stiff  and have more mid and bottom tone than say spruce.

The Cedar top features strong projection and a deep tone that works in perfect harmony with the resonant Acacia back and sides.

A striking red Padauk binding surrounds the Cedar top, and lends a visual and aural contrast to the darker Acacia. The upscale slotted headstock features a beautiful carved Kala logo, and vintage style open tuners.

FIRE THE LASER
Laser etched Kala logo will not make it sound any better, but I love lasers and Laser etching is cool.

SLIPPERY STUFF NUTS
Fitted with the Graph Tech Nu Bone nuts and saddles too, these are pricey items and guess what, they work..no snake oil..
I have been  fitting Graph Tech nuts and saddles for years when I owned my Guitar shop, I reckon every guitar I own has graph Tech fitted, and  my personal ukuleles do too.

"NuBone XB nuts and saddles give our ukes increased volume and sustain while adding clarity and sweetness to each note.  We are very stoked to be partnering with Graph Tech and featuring their products on the majority of our instruments."  - Michael Upton - President Kala Brand Music Co.

THERE IS NO REASON TO ACCEPT A CHEAP PLASTIC NUT OR SADDLE WHEN YOU CAN ADD TONE WITH NUBONE
Plastic nuts and saddles vary greatly; many are made without any consideration for the instrument, tend to be too soft or too brittle,
even hollow, killing tone and sustain.  NuBone is designed to enhance tone and is backed by 20 years of research and development.

NuBone is a derivative of Graph Tech's highly resonant TUSQ material, manufactured to very close tolerances under high heat and pressure.  Graph Tech uses specific ratios that contribute to NuBone's hardness, workability, appearance, and most importantly, guitar performance.  Odorless when sanded, it is strong, outlasting and outperforming plastic.  NuBone is the answer!

HOW DOES IT SOUND?
NuBone delivers clear highs, a nice low end with overall fullness and a balanced sound that has increased harmonics and volume.

ELECTRIC UKULELE
Features Kala UK-300-TR (active system)
2-Band EQ with Chromatic LED tuner
Input Impedance : 22 MΩ
Frequency Response : 20Hz ~ 20KHz
Control Range
Bass : +/-12dB at 100Hz
Treble : +/-12dB at 10KHz
Battery Status LED
Power Supply : 2 X CR2032 Coin Battery
Battery Life
Only Eq : Over 200 Hours
Tuner on : Over 100 Hours
Pick-up : Omega II Piezo Cable pick-up
















Monday, 11 August 2014

High g Tuning Vs Low G Tuning..whats that all about then?

A customer wrote to me asking to explain Hi g and Low G tuning.

"Hi Gillian, 


Thanks for visiting my site and for the email

Re Hi G and Low G setup,  
It is referring to how people would like their strings.  
Some people prefer the standard re Entrant Tuning, ie the g and A strings are thin, and the C and E strings are thick, 
this is whats generally called a "High G tuning"

The other string tuning is Linear tuned, ie the A is the thinnest, the E thicker, the C thicker again and the G thicker again, also called Low G Tuning.  

Both are used with standard ukulele Chords, so no re learning, 
but the real difference is the Low G string  provides a BIG Bass tone, 
where as on the High G tuning its so much more jangly and trebly sounding  (The C string is as low as it goes in Bass tone).

Ukuleles generally come standard as High g Tuning, but it is a very popular option to restring for Low G Tuning. 

Just sold my last Concert so I am currently out of stock, but that should be rectified within the next month when another shipment arrives at the Aussie Wholesaler.

Cheers CC