Greg Olwell

ohana ukuleles BKT-70G, CK-70-A6, and BK-35CG Marcy Marxer Signature

Ukulele Review: Ohana’s ‘Baritone-Tenor’ BKT-70G, 6-String CK-70-A6, and Marcy Marxer Signature BK-35CG

The concert 6-string and the tenor/baritone are novel in the sense of unusual and the Marcy Marxer signature baritone is a solid take on a standard baritone, but with a cutaway.

Inspired by her Ukulele, Grace VanderWaal’s Star is on the Rise

BY GREG OLWELL | FROM THE SPRING 2019 ISSUE OF UKULELE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF FENDER, GRACE VANDERWAAL Hardly anyone knew what to expect when a 12-year-old girl with a cute bob haircut, a Luna ukulele, and bright yellow pants stepped…

Ukulele Review: Fender Grace VanderWaal Signature Concert and Moonlight Soprano

The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight signature ukulele is available in soprano or concert size with smart features at an attractive price.

The Ukulele During World War II: The 442nd Infantry Regiment

The 442nd Regiment was almost exclusively comprised of Nisei—American citizens born to Japanese immigrant parents. Their ukuleles brought them joy while deployed.

Uke Review: Gold Tone Little Gem Banjo-Ukulele

For the unsubtle strummer, a brightly colored banjo-ukulele just seems so right. The Gold Tone Little Gem a good value for those looking for the bold tones of a banjo-ukulele.

Great Ukes: The Rare, Mysterious, and Valuable Gibson Poinsettia

BY GREG OLWELL | FROM THE SPRING 2014 ISSUE OF UKULELE | PHOTOS COURTESY ERIC SCHOENBERGER Why Gibson chose to festoon a ukulele with poinsettias is anyone’s guess, but it’s hard to argue with the striking results of this rare…

4 New Ohana Ukes, From Tiny to Terror:
O’Nina Sopranissimo, CK-14CL Cynthia Lin Signature concert, CK-450SMP Spalted Maple, and TK-39 Tenor

BY GREG OLWELL | FROM THE FALL 2018 ISSUE OF UKULELE Any ukulele this small is going to make you think it’s a toy, but the Ohana O’Nina is no disposable ukulele-shaped-object. Ohana pulled a fast one on everyone when, a…

Review: Martin Ukulele Premium Strings

Martin’s new ukulele strings are an alternative to fluorocarbon strings and are available in soprano, concert, and tenor sizes.

ukulele friends jake herb bryan the sequel

Bryan Tolentino & Herb Ohta Jr. Ukulele Friends: The Sequel

BY GREG OLWELL Considering their long-term friendship, Honolulu’s tight musical scene, and the fact that their first Ukulele Friends collaboration earned them a major award for “Ukulele Album of the Year” from the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts in 2016,…

Gear Review: Romero Creations ST Concert and Replica Are Loaded with Features for the Advancing Player

BY GREG OLWELL | FROM THE SUMMER 2018 ISSUE OF UKULELE One of the first things to know about Pepe Romero Jr. is that he is a member of the illustrious Romero family of classical guitarists. However, instead of following…