Does anyone remeber the name of the company that used to advertise in Surfer and Surfing that make fiberglass ukes and guitars? I am trying to get one for a christmas present for my son.
Hey Daddy-O,
That’s a great idea for your son. Thank goodness mine needs reef booties!!!
Anyway, I would suggest that you go to www.elderly.com. They have a great
selection of ukes & guitars and all sorts of other stuff and about the best prices
you could find including the shipping!! Their quality is outstanding and I have bought
some very expensive instruments from them and always been highly satisfied. I am
getting a uke myself (altho my wife doesn’t know it yet) for xmas! You will be able to
find the instrument you need there and buy if you like or look elsewhere. They also
have travel instruments too. Do a search for ukulele and acoustic guitar.
The brand that you are refering to is either a “Fluke” uke or an Applause with an Ovation
style (fiberglass) back. Good luck,
BKB
ovation makes fiberglass bottom guitars and ukes that have pretty tone and a pretty resilient but they are pretty expensive… but i don’t think theyre the ones that had their ads in surfermag…
A bit of quik history , the Uke came from outside of Hawaii, Potugese(Spanish) origin, comes in 4(?) different sizes, , Soprano,Concert,Tenor and Baritone.( small to large)
There are 2 common shapes, the one that looks like a mini guitar… and the ‘pineapple’, which looks like a pineapple…
The most appreciated of the Ukes is the Kamaka, made in Hawaii, they seem to make the various styles in batches and always have buyers lining up and the older ones sell for $5,000 or thereabouts.
Like collectable boards, condition and history is everthing. Plus they are made with the best wood and a lifetime of craftsmenship.
I bought a cheap one from Ebay and I muck around on it while Im checking out Sways…
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “White Sandy Beach In Hawaii” is a great soothing song, only 3 1/2 chords to learn, Tabs are on the 'net, easily modified ,easy to learn and my wife loves the gentle Ukulele sound wafting down the hallway in the evenings…
If you only ever learn just 1 song… you’ll always impress people at a party with a Uke.
Regards, Surffoils.
the flukes are inexpensive and not bad sounding
I’ve had a Kamaka tenor that Fred(dad’s classmate) picked out for me and 6 string “Liliu” since my 1970’s college days when I used to play for the “hawaii club” luaus. I can’t believe how much they cost now.
We also have a Martin that my dad got back in the 30’s that actually sounds better than Kamaka’s.
The Koaloha is supposed to be a new local design with great sound…
If you want a deal on a mango or koa handmade check out these guys…
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/240852313.html
These are custom handmade units
there’s a bunch of guys here making fantastic ukes…
I seem to remember that Rainsong advertised in Surfer. They’re made of carbon fiber and epoxy. They’re a bit pricey, but if you’re OK with that, then you have a lucky son. The early ones I’ve tried were a little crudely built and some didn’t sound that great, but the newer ones (like for the last eight years or so) are really nice and consistant. Guitar Center is a dealer… I think so are Elderly, Musician’s Friend, Gruhn, and Mandolin Brothers.
Check out this uke site - http://www.ukulelia.com/
panama version ( the mejorana)
consafos: i ain’t forgotten
Another good learning site is – http://www.sheep-entertainment.nl/ukulele/index.html – especially if you have a fast connection
Found it. Ocean acoustics. www.oaguitars.com. Bad news is that I think they went out of business, since the site is no longer working. I found a number which I will try today.
I bought my wife a pineapple Kamaka cause she teaches kindergarden/first grade. Funny you mention White Sandy Beach. It’s the first song I learned to play. Tried to sing it to her for a surprise on her birthday but I no can carry a tune…She liked it though. Little secret about Kamakas, you can get factory seconds at a great discount but you have to be on it because they go fast. A small scratch–big discount.