#1
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guitar player wishing to purchase a ukulele
i'm planning on purchasing a ukulele. i ran across this link of enya ukuleles in a closeout sale. seems like a good deal but i'd like others opinions.
it is probably the same in the ukulele world as the guitar: preferably solid vs. laminate, but, what about the different types: tenor, soprano, etc? and, what about differing strings and tunings? thanks, mikeB play music! https://ventura.craigslist.org/msd/d...357404180.html
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#2
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I’m a soprano player, mainly because it’s different, way different, than guitar. Tune in today’s standard tuning, gcea, with a high ‘g’. Sure, folks say larger sizes are easier for guitar players, but I don’t agree, switching from a guitar with a 1-⅞” nut width is no issue. You may want a smaller, more portable guitar-like Instrument, so a Tenor with a low g would be up your alley.
Haven’t heard of Enya, but take a look at Pono, Kala, Mainland, those seem to be the choice in inexpensive solid wood ukes nowadays. Just like guitars, cheap is cheap. A little suspicious of 50$ Stringed instruments.. Of the 4 main sizes, soprano(13”) concert(15”) Tenor (16+”) and baritone(bigger) all but baritone are generally tuned “gcea” nose-to-toes, bari like the 1st 4 on a guitar, dgbe, so chord names would be familiar, but as the shapes are the same anyway, the learning curve isn’t that steep with gcea. Problem with cheaper no-names is poor construction, intonation and action issues, poor setup. Strings? Ah, it’s a journey. Fluorocarbon strings are the most stable, Worth, the new Martin strings and a few others. Aquila are a bit meatier, and some say they sound great. When changing strings,btw, don’t leave slack like metal guitar strings, pull them all the way up, lock em, and tighten. That way you’ll have 3 winds around the Post and they’ll settle quicker. Last edited by Neal; 10-23-2017 at 02:37 PM. |
#3
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Quote:
play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#4
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I recommend a tenor size to all my students who are transitioning from guitar. The tenor fretboard has a little more space to make the transition smoother, but still maintains the gCEA ukulele tuning to keep the transposition of uke keys/chords. The baritone ukulele will be tuned like a guitar, so will still feel more like a guitar than an uke.
For these Enya ukes, it seems like they're made in Asia and their original price range also supports that theory. Honestly, at that slashed price, I'd go down and play all three of the Koa, Mahogany and Spruce versions and see which one you like best. I can almost guarantee that they will all sound quite similar, and that the only difference in sound would come from a difference in finish (i.e. gloss vs. satin, the satin ukes tend to be better sounding). If they all sound similar, just buy the one that looks the best. If you can afford it (because they're so cheap!), get both a tenor and a concert in the same woods. Or, you can also get two different tenors and string one up gCEA and GCEA (low-G) - it's always good to have both of these formats on hand. Good luck!
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#5
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Quote:
play music!
__________________
2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#6
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#7
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Quote:
as with guitars, i think i'll give up on cheap and instead go for quality but used. mikeB
__________________
2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |