Bought a Uke

[brewerpaul]

I just bought one of these on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-LANIKAI-S ... 1|294%3A30

Jake Shimabukuru, watch out!

[Thomaston]

I had a similar model. You'll be well pleased.

[Tim2723]

Very nice! Have a blast with it!

[Sandy McLeod]

Congratulations. It's all downhill from now on. I have a Lanikai tenor but a different model. You will love it.

Sandy

[brewerpaul]

I had a similar model. You'll be well pleased.

You got that right! First of all, the dealer was amazing. I ordered the Uke on the 14th or 15th, and it was in my hands on the 17th. And that's with free shipping, no tax.
The Uke is really beautifully made. I gave it a once over with a fine tooth comb and couldn't find any fit and finish flaws at all. The tuners are nice and solid and appear very well made. Intonation is right on the money. I'm not all that good on it yet, but I'm using my old guitar skills to plunk out tunes and the tone of this Uke is very nice. All in all, for $158 including a nice case, upgraded Aquila strings, chord book with no shipping or tax, I'd highly recommend this for anyone who wants a terrific, inexpensive tenor Uke.

[buddhu]

Paul, have you checked out Aldrine's video lessons at Uke Underground? They're mostly at beginner or early elementary level, but some of them are good for getting the basic techniques that may be slightly different from what one is used to from mando and guitar.

The Lanikais have a good rep for value. My tenor is a Kala. A company started by the same guy who built up the Lanikai line for Hohner, or so I've been told.

A fun instrument. I now split my role in my band between mando and uke about 50/50. Uke fits great for skiffle and Tin Pan Alley type songs, and comping the odd jazz tune.

[brewerpaul]

Thanks Buddhu-- I did look at one or two of those videos and they look very good. I'll look more seriously when I have a bit more time.

[buddhu]

BTW, in my post above, "early elementary" should read "early intermediate". The reason it doesn't is that I only have "early elementary" forum skills.

[brewerpaul]

So far, what I'm getting the biggest kick out of is playing fairly heavy Rock music on the uke. Sunshine of Your Love by Cream and Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull come out so plinky and cheery on the ukulele. Terrific sonic cognitive dissonance!

[Dale]

That ebay link no longer shows the product or the dealer. So, you might want to post the dealer info here.

[brewerpaul]

That ebay link no longer shows the product or the dealer. So, you might want to post the dealer info here.

This is the eBay dealer's store:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/ukulele4u__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Search for the Lanikai spruce top tenor and he has plenty more. The package I got cost $158 including shipping, not tax, etc.

[nashradus]

Yay! Sold a flute and bought a Kala Mahogany Concert uke all in the same eBay session :

http://tinyurl.com/pmupnx

Can't wait to lay my hands on it tomorrow. Let the party begin!

Paul, you've had yours for over a month now. How's the playing?

Suda

[brewerpaul]

I'm having a lot of fun with the uke. I play guitar, so playing chords comes pretty easily for me, although that high G string sometimes trips me up when I try to play melody. I've toyed with getting a low G string, and maybe even tuning the uke GDAE so my mandolin skills would be useful.

[crookedtune]

I've toyed with getting a low G string, and maybe even tuning the uke GDAE so my mandolin skills would be useful.

That would be like a handsome young pop star doing a complete face-makeover. Why would you?

Enjoy your uke for what it is: a sweet, unique instrument with its own noble history and identity.

[brewerpaul]

Yer right Crooked-- I MAY try a low G on it next time I change strings, but no GDAE.