Mickey Maguire has started an electronic ukulele related magazine called Ukulele Player. The first issue is available in PDF format and features some interviews with notible players, as well as a couple instrument reviews and more. Check it out and let him know what you think.
I think we can all agree that a ukulele is a really small instrument. But If you enjoy traveling and are also obsessed with packing as lightly as possible, even a soprano sized ukulele in its case can require too much room in your luggage. Not to worry though, I have a great solution for you. It’s the RISA Uke-Solid Ukulele from the Uke Surfer Shop in Germany.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down (virtually) with Mike Pereira of MP Ukuleles. I learned of Mike’s instruments from one of my favorite Ukulele related forums at Ukulele Underground. Someone was complimenting his ukuleles, so I had to go check out his site. The next day I called him and started the process of ordering a custom instrument. UAS, thou hath an unnatural hold on thee.
My vacation this year was to Treasure Island, Florida. This is a barrier island on the gulf side of Florida, near St. Petersburg and Clearwater. I’d visited there several years ago and really enjoyed its relaxing atmosphere and sugary white sandy beaches. As fate would have it, I learned that the LoPrinzi studio was located less than 45 minutes away from where I was staying. I gave them a call and asked if I might be able to come by for a visit. The friendly female voice on the other end of the phone said sure, come on over and I did.
“Night of 100 Ukes” — Thursday, Oct. 16 at New York’s favorite tiki bar, Otto’s Shrunken Head (538 E. 14th Street, between Ave. A & B). This will be a great night of uke excitement, with five fun acts and best of all, no cover.
UAS (Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome) is a condition that once acquired can never be truly cured. I caught this disease very shortly after discovering the ukulele late last fall. In that time, I have purchased and reviewed instruments from several popular brands. But then something happened. I decided to have a custom instrument made - a Boat Paddle uke. Folks, if you think regular UAS is bad, CUAS (Custom Ukulele Aquisition Syndrome) is even worse… 
One of my favorite sites Ukulele Underground is offering live streaming lessons with Aldrine every week for FREE starting 9/17, Wednesday at 2pm HST (5 pm PST, 8pm EST)
Here’s the page you all need to be on Wednesday:
http://ukuleleunderground.com/live-l…-with-aldrine/
Aldrine is one of my fave players, so this is a great opportunity!
There’s more even more info here:
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5591
- A guest review by Ben Hinkley
I received my Kamaka ukulele yesterday, and what an instrument it is. I bought it from Elderly Instruments, Lansing MI. I was offered a really polite and efficient service ordered on Friday morning of the 29th August and shipped to the U.K where I received it on Monday morning of the 1st September. This was a lightning fast delivery from a company that I would recommend to anyone…
The Boat Paddle ukulele wasn’t the only custom instrument that I’ve had on order. I just learned a few minutes ago that my Mike DaSilva custom concert has shipped and should arrive Friday I’ve been waiting awhile for this one, and can’t wait to test it out. Here’s a sneak peak…
Well folks, my experience of wanting, ordering, and receiving my very first custom instrument is now complete. If you’ve been following along, I have been writing about my Boat Paddle Ukulele journey since the end of March when Jerry Hoffmann began building my custom concert sized uke. I won’t re-write that entire story as you can go back and read it yourself, but as a re-cap, I ordered the instrument in December and took delivery of it at the beginning of June. A problem with the finish caused me to send it back and it was returned to me in July. I’ve had it for a month now, and am ready to share my thoughts…