review

Uke Review: Kala Wanderer and Striped Ebony U-Basses

BY E.E. BRADMAN | FROM THE WINTER 2018 ISSUE OF UKULELE In the last few years, Kala’s line of U-Basses has made quite a splash. The company’s nearly 20 bass ukulele models—including fretted, fretless, and left-handed models made of mahogany,…

A Letter From the Geraldine Ukulele Festival: A Warm Welcome (Kia Ora) a Long Way from Home

By Aaron Keim This July our duo, The Quiet American, was invited to perform and teach at the Geraldine Ukulele Festival in Geraldine, New Zealand. Our hosts, Fi and Hugh McCafferty, also offered to help us find some other events…

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.

Review: Duke Uke and Gold Tone BU-1 Banjo-ukuleles

The open-back Duke is a tenor-sized model with a mahogany neck, high-density polyethylene rim, and a pickup. Gold Tone’s BU-1 is a concert-sized open-back banjo-uke with a pickup that comes in under $200.

Reso Ukulele Roundup Kala Luna National Gretsch New Gear

Reso-Riot! 7 Modern Resonator Ukuleles Destined to Get Your Blood Flowing

While resonator ukuleles are known for volume, they also have a uniquely sweet tone when played at lower volumes. Here are 7 modern reso-ukes tested by us!

Review: Sweet, Zippy, and a Great Time, the Goodtime Banjo-ukulele Lives Up to Its Name

For the most part, the new American-made, concert-scale banjo-ukulele features the same high-quality woods and construction for which Deering is known, at a price point that won’t break the bank.

Review: Kala Waterman Ukuleles Revive the Island Spirit

With its Waterman series of plastic ukes, Kala is banking on the enduring appeal of the inexpensive Islander ukes made by the millions in the ’50s and ’60s.