Greg Olwell

#TBT Lucille Ball Strumming ‘Has Anybody Seen My Gal’

By Greg Olwell For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we tip our hats to the great comedian Lucille Ball. The wannabe star once again works her way onto her husband Ricky’s stage, sliding onto the stage as the “Queen of All…

#TBT Kicking Off Kamaka’s Centennial

By Greg Olwell For this week’s throwback Thursday, we want to take the opportunity to celebrate one of the most important ukulele makers ever. This year marks the 100th anniversary since Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka began building ukuleles in his one-man shop…

#TBT To A 1927 Hula Girl

By Greg Olwell For this #tbt, we’re going back to a thoroughly astounding short film of one of the finest groups of the 1920s. Featuring two steel guitars, two rhythm guitarists, and ukulele player, Kalama’s Quartet is still a favorite for…

#Throwback Thursday With Late Ukulele Master John King

By Greg Olwell This week on #TBT we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the contributions of late ukulele master John King. Though he isn’t around to ride the Third Wave of ukulele love, he planted many seeds for today’s…

Review: Opal Instruments’ New Aluminum-Framed Ukes Are Showstoppers

Opal ukuleles are professional-grade instruments built with an aluminum frame, mahogany neck, and onboard electronics.

Review: Ohana’s OBU-22 Bass Ukulele Packs a Punch

Ohana's OBU-22’s bass ukulele has a larger body, longer neck, and metal-core strings that are more like a miniature acoustic bass guitar than a big ukulele.

Choosing ukulele pickups (pictured, Lanikai Koa Tenor UkeSB)

How to Choose and Use the Right Ukulele Pickups

There are several routes available to ukulele players who need to amplify. Here's how to choose and use the right ukulele pickups.

Kanile’a KSTP Tenor Ukulele Review

The Kanile`a KSTP is an heirloom ukulele. It’s the kind of instrument that you can reward yourself with and keep for a lifetime of fun and exploration.

Stuart Crout Performs “The Final Countdown” on his Kazookeylele

“Epic.” –Ukulele Senior Editor, Greg Olwell

Ohana CPK-70 Vita-Uke-Style Concert Ukulele Review

Based on the Harmony Roy Smeck Vita Uke, of the 1920s, the Ohana CKP-70’s pear-shape design updates the classic Vita shape with a slightly more modern flair.