When I got the invite to test drive Pick Smith’s Jam Kat I agreed, not knowing what exactly a Jam Kat did or who Pick Smith was. Twenty minutes of poking around their website got me only marginally closer to answering those questions, but I did eventually determine that the Jam Kat is a rather clever device for quickly switching between playing fingerstyle and using a pick. … [visit site to read more]

I’ve never been a particularly handy person. My friends know better than to ask for my help with home improvement projects, and my instrument repair skills are mostly confined to string changes. But after building Stewart-MacDonald’s soprano uke kit, I have a new found confidence in my abilities. … [visit site to read more]

Owen Holt may not be a name you know, but he’s one of the great innovators of the ukulele. His Road Toad shop produces some amazing-shaped ukes, like the Sharkfin and Mana, that are some of the finest sounding ukes made today. But more importantly, he’s created a fifth uke to add to the set of soprano, concert, tenor and baritone: The bass uke. For a few years his Big Bufo Bass has quietly been earning a solid reputation in uke circles. While similar in size to a baritone uke, the BBB was created for Pahoehoe unique polyurethane bass strings, which Owen developed. … [visit site to read more]

Title: Monkey Swing Monkey Doo
Artist: Doctor Sparkles
Label: Kevin Patrick Baiko
Year: 2008

… [visit site to read more]

It’s been a year since I rediscovered music by picking up the ukulele. Now I’m completely obsessed with this little instrument and in addition, all the accessories that go along with them. Ok, there really aren’t THAT many ukulele accessories… But, one accessory that I use every time I play is a tuner. As a result, I’m always on the lookout for an easier to use and more compact tuner than my current favorite, the Intelli IMT-500 Chromatic Tuner. That’s why the Korg DT-4 caught my eye the other day while flipping through a Muscian’s Friend catalog. I ordered one, and now you get to hear all about it. … [visit site to read more]

I don’t live in a big city and it’s rare to find a ukulele store within 100 miles radius of my town. For that reason, I was super excited when I learned about a new ukulele store opening up only 8 miles from my house! Mainland Ukes in Nashville, Indiana is run by Mike Hater and his wife Tookta. Mike was the instrument setup person for another well known uke company and recently had the opportunity to strike out on his own.

… [visit site to read more]

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.

… [visit site to read more]

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…

… [visit site to read more]

- 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…

… [visit site to read more]

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…

… [visit site to read more]

The ukulele originated in Hawaii, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that someone who is interested in this little instrument, would want to try a uke built in its native habitat. My goal is to be able to review at least one model from each major Hawaiian luthier. My first review towards that lofty ambition was the KoAloha KCM-00 and the next one is the C1 Sun Concert from the GString Ukulele Company…

… [visit site to read more]

A couple of months ago, I attended an all day ukulele intensive workshop that was led by Geoff Davis of the Blue Stone Folk School. During the class, a couple of students were asking for ukulele instructional book suggestions. Geoff recommended Ukulele Method Book 1 by Lil’ Rev. I’ve seen several of Lil’ Rev’s videos on YouTube and immediately plunked down $9.95 for the book with CD.

… [visit site to read more]

Title: Ukulele Journey
Artist: Herb Ohta, Jr.
Label: Lele Music Productions
Year: 2007

Tracks:

1. Sand Castles
2. It Might Be You
3. Kaleohano
4. Together
5. Tsunami
6. Waiting in Vain
7. Hawaiian Sky
8. Holo Wa’apa
9. Thousand Springs
10. Sunny Day
11. Nada Sou Sou
12. Ka Na’i Aupuni [bonus track]

… [visit site to read more]

I’ve had the opportunity to play with quite a few wacky USB devices in the past few years via my other website The Gadgeteer. Everything from a USB refrigerator and a USB drum kit, to a USB letter opener. The latest interesting USB gadget to show up on my door step is the USB Hygro-Thermometer fromBrando. This flash drive sized device can measure both temperature and humidity.

… [visit site to read more]

Title: The Complete Ukulele Course! Taught by Ralph Shaw
Label: Ralph Shaw Productions
Year: 2003
Price: $29.95
Target audience: First time ukulele players

Ralph (King of the Ukulele!) Shaw has two popular DVDs on the market. The newer Essential Strums for the Ukulele and his first instructional DVD that I’m reviewing here.

… [visit site to read more]

I used to own a metal music stand, but always found it to be more trouble than it was worth. Storing it when it wasn’t being used was a pain, and on more than one occasion, I tripped over it while it was setup. Yes, I can be a bit clumsy, but still

When I first came across the Kani Ka Pila Klip, I thought it looked like a great idea and immediately requested one to review. A few days later it showed up in my mailbox. Let’s check it out…

… [visit site to read more]

KoAloha ukuleles are one of the most popular Hawaiian made instruments on the market. When I was shopping for my first uke, I kept reading good comments about them, but their looks kept me from actually purchasing one. The pictures that I saw on the web made them look a little boring as they didn’t have any contrasting binding, inlays, etc. Having said that, I don’t really like overly fancy instruments, but I do like my ukuleles to have just a little bit of style. I ended up buying a Ko’olua Pono uke, but kept the KoAloha in the back of my mind because of all the good comments that I had read about them as far as their sound.

… [visit site to read more]

Title: Parlour Music – Ragtime & Classical duets for uke and guitar
Artist: John Kavanagh
Year: 2006

Tracks:
1. Temptation Rag (4:41)
2. Sonatine in D minor (2:51)
3. Sonatine in D major (3:18)
4. The Honolulu Cakewalk (3:11)
5. Gnossienne #3 (2:52)
6. Maple Leaf Rag (3:38)
7. Sonata in D – Allegro (3:08)
8. Sonata in D – Adagio (1:24)
9. Sonata in D – Minuetto (1:59)
10. Elite Syncopations (4:18)
11. Narcissus (1:54)
… [visit site to read more]

If you want to learn to play the ukulele, but you’re on a tight budget, which brand do you buy? While there are many inexpensive ukes on the market these days, you might spend your money on one, only to find out that it is hard to play or has issues with intonation. Today, I want to tell you about an instrument that has neither one of those problems. It’s the FLEA ukulele from the Magic Fluke Company. Made in the USA and sold through Flea Market Music, the entry level model of this ukulele retails for $169.00. I got mine for a little less through Ukulele4u. Let’s take a closer look…

… [visit site to read more]

I taught myself to play fingerstyle guitar when I was a teenager. I would sit on my bed for hours at a time with various tablature books that I had purchased from Elderly Instruments. It was a surprise that as soon as I found myself interested in the ukulele, that I began searching for tablature books on the style I like best: fingerstyle. The first book that I was lucky to stumble upon was the Learn To Play Fingerstyle Solos for Ukulele by Mark Kailana Nelson.

… [visit site to read more]

If you have been searching for an affordable solid wood ukulele with a traditional Hawaiian look and sound, you should take a look at a new line of instruments created by luthier Casey Moore of Kelii Ukuleles. The Koa Pili Koko ukes are not made of Koa as their name implies, instead they are constructed from a relative of the Acacia wood family which looks similar to Hawaiian Koa. These instruments are imported from China, but are setup in Hawaii.

… [visit site to read more]

We’ve all heard of ukuleles that are made with popular woods such as Koa, Mahogany, Cedar and Spruce. But how about a ukulele made of Bamboo? No, I’m not making that up. Just ask Chuck Danford as the Bambukulele is his creation.

… [visit site to read more]

The Ko’olau Pono PKC 1-E was the first ukulele that I purchased when I came down with the uke virus last October. Pono’s are Ko’olau’s economy line of ukuleles. They are built in an Indonesian factory, on the island of Java and then their final adjustments and set-up are done on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. In Hawaiian, “pono” means goodness and excellence. Let’s see if this instrument lives up to that definition…

… [visit site to read more]

Since I recently started playing a ukulele, I’ve been interested in various accessories that go along with playing a stringed instrument. Admittedly, there aren’t many. But the main accessory that I use every time I sit down to play (or try to play) a song, is a tuner. A month ago, I took a look a the Intelli IMT-500 tuner. I like it very much, but like any good gadgeteer, I’ll be happy to dump it for something better. Today I’m going to tell you about the eNote Clip On Digital Chromatic Tuner from ELECA. Read on to see if it beats the Intelli.

… [visit site to read more]

Title: A Flying Leap
Artist: James Hill
Label: Borealis Records
Year: 2006

Click the image above to visit the product page on Amazon.com

Tracks:
1. Uke Talk (2:11)
2. Song for Cheri (4:23)
3. Down Rideau Canal (3:36)
4. Little Wing (3:09)
One Small Suite for ‘Ukulele:
5. I. Allegro con brio (3:30)
6. II. Largo cantabile (3:54)
7. III. Vivace giocoso (5:09)
8. Fleas My Dog Has (2:32)
9. Skipping Stone (3:16)
10. Never On Sunday (3:15)

… [visit site to read more]