Glad to hear you are adding a low g to your repertoire. The ukulele is definitely a family of instruments. Yes, aesthetics do matter. Thanks for sharing. Getting a new instrument is such an exciting thing. One of life's great experiences.
I have a Bruce Wei custom tenor with maple body and mahogany neck. I ordered friction tunes. I like it, I think they did a good job. It is nice but not quite so pricing. I have a Kala that they call the long neck soprano but really it is a small body concert. Crazy but it is probably my favorite uke. I've had it for 12 years, love the sound and it still very well balanced. Thanks for the videos and the lessons
Welcome to the family! Glad you’re happy with your new ukulele. Very clear, crisp intonation when you’re playing single notes. It seems to have the depth of tone you would get from a tenor on the low notes. I hope you enjoy it!
It was really interesting seeing your experience custom ordering from a luthier in another country. The passion and care he puts into making his instruments is so evident! Love the tone you’re getting out of that thing…I would say mission accomplished! I played your wish upon a star rendition on my nice speakers and MAN that sounded amazing. Such a lush and clear tone May you play it in good health 🤙
Thanks so much Smitty! This was the first time I recorded it with a proper mic, not through my phone and was so happy with how the tone is captured. Glad you dig it :)
There is something about the simplicity of that all mahogany uke, isn't there? I don't think there is a better high G uke out there honestly. Oddly enough I did recordings of them back to back and despite the Ancestor's having a larger body and longer scale length the Wunderkammer is the louder of the two. That little thing really packs a punch.
Oh what a lovely presentation of your new "family member" 😂🎉👏!! Japanese are such marvellous and diligent craftsmen. Love my japanese fiends and collegues!! Also: Loved your statement about the no strap!! 🤚😂😂😂
Very excellent review, Christopher and what a delightful instrument! 2k seems absolutely reasonable for the quality of craftsmanship not to mention the customization aspects. I totally understand the fear of the unknown when playing something for the first time. I'm lucky to live within an hour of a local builder. Each instrument he builds has it's own personality and even though I've auditioned each of the 4 I've bought this year (!) you're so right, it does take time for each ukulele to open up and reveal it's final sound. All to say, I thoroughly enjoyed your review and I'm sure I'll be lurking in Hajime's website soon and will be making some plans for a stretch instrument someday 😊
You're so lucky to have a builder close by! To be fair I'm fairly spoiled on this island with some great luthiers as well (Wunderkammer is only an hour from me). Who do you have in your neighborhood?
@Banjoleletinman he's a retired gentleman on an island nearby. Been building off and on for years but really started focusing on ukulele after he retired. I met him through the ukulele underground forum. His username is IslandJim and we've become good friends over the last year 🙂 My wife and I hope to get to England soon and I want to meet Alex and visit SUS when we do. It would make my trip if I were to catch you in the store 🙂 Enjoy your new soprano and have a wonderful holiday!
What a beautiful instrument - in terms of both appearance and sound. I really enjoyed the video. It’s funny that was talking the other day about you being one of the great high G soprano only players, and you’ve diversified!
Beautiful! Thank you for the great explanation of ordering a custom from another country. I recently purchased two tenor ukuleles from Pete Howlett and had them sent to the USA. Customs and shipping costs are definitely something people need to understand so there are no surprises. I usually default to a Fremont Soloist for low G. I need to try some others. Congratulations! 👍
Pete is making some fabulous instruments! That Fremont soloist is the same string I'm using (they're both rebranded Labella classical strings). If you want to try something similar give the Thomastik CF30 a try if you can find it. In the same ballpark but certainly a different character.
It truly is. One thing I think I forgot to mention in the video that it is probably the cleanest build I've ever held. I have no idea how he achieves such incredible craftmanship by hand.
Hi Christopher! Thanks for the interesting story. Yours is definitely my favorite ukulele channel on TH-cam. In your experience, do you think that after a certain amount of time (maybe years) a ukulele starts to sound better because the wood dries out and resonates better?
Thank you! I do think ukes change over the years from the wood settling in, getting used to certain vibrations and such. Even within a month of having a new uke I usually see a pretty big difference. I honestly think the changes after that are much smaller and can also be attributed to you getting to know the specific instrument better and how to coax the best tone out of it.
Christopher that was such an interesting video, to hear about the journey of that uke, from someone who clearly knows what they want. Thank you. Regarding the strings, I know it's a subjective thing, but have you ever tried the Kiwaya low G set ? I think, for my ears, they are terrific. Anyway, thanks again for your video's, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. Cheers 🥃
Glad to hear you are adding a low g to your repertoire. The ukulele is definitely a family of instruments. Yes, aesthetics do matter. Thanks for sharing. Getting a new instrument is such an exciting thing. One of life's great experiences.
So beautiful 🙌🏻
Congratulations, Awesome uke! Thanks for giving us the full story. Its always interesting to hear the thought behind your ukes.
ありがとう！Thanks for sharing your journey. Sounds awesome.
What a gorgeous looking and sounding instrument. You know, the Flea M30 soprano ukulele also has a 14" scale length. Enjoy!
I have a Bruce Wei custom tenor with maple body and mahogany neck. I ordered friction tunes. I like it, I think they did a good job. It is nice but not quite so pricing.
I have a Kala that they call the long neck soprano but really it is a small body concert. Crazy but it is probably my favorite uke. I've had it for 12 years, love the sound and it still very well balanced.
Thanks for the videos and the lessons
Amazing uke, builder, and player! Thanks for sharing 🎉
Welcome to the family! Glad you’re happy with your new ukulele. Very clear, crisp intonation when you’re playing single notes. It seems to have the depth of tone you would get from a tenor on the low notes. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks George! You summed up my exact thoughts on the sound very nicely there. All about the clarity of those single notes for me.
Love it!
Thank you for always playing the best music. I think your sincere attitude towards music is really wonderful.I always respect you.
Thank you Hajime! I'm proud to be playing that music on such a beautifully crafted instrument :)
It was really interesting seeing your experience custom ordering from a luthier in another country. The passion and care he puts into making his instruments is so evident! Love the tone you’re getting out of that thing…I would say mission accomplished! I played your wish upon a star rendition on my nice speakers and MAN that sounded amazing. Such a lush and clear tone
May you play it in good health 🤙
Thanks so much Smitty! This was the first time I recorded it with a proper mic, not through my phone and was so happy with how the tone is captured. Glad you dig it :)
Love the appearance of your little Wunderkammer better (my all-time favorite!) but it sounds beautiful.
There is something about the simplicity of that all mahogany uke, isn't there? I don't think there is a better high G uke out there honestly. Oddly enough I did recordings of them back to back and despite the Ancestor's having a larger body and longer scale length the Wunderkammer is the louder of the two. That little thing really packs a punch.
Congrats Christopher! 💐🤓🎶✨
Oh what a lovely presentation of your new "family member" 😂🎉👏!! Japanese are such marvellous and diligent craftsmen. Love my japanese fiends and collegues!! Also: Loved your statement about the no strap!! 🤚😂😂😂
I"m such a fan of straps for people who aren't me 😂 they just don't feel right when I play!
Told ya...sooner or later....And today is the day! 🤩 ...gone! ✨ 👋😉
I hope you and your new acquisition will be very happy and share some wonderful times! Keep up the good work, I love playing these older songs.
Thanks Ian!
Very excellent review, Christopher and what a delightful instrument! 2k seems absolutely reasonable for the quality of craftsmanship not to mention the customization aspects.
I totally understand the fear of the unknown when playing something for the first time. I'm lucky to live within an hour of a local builder. Each instrument he builds has it's own personality and even though I've auditioned each of the 4 I've bought this year (!) you're so right, it does take time for each ukulele to open up and reveal it's final sound.
All to say, I thoroughly enjoyed your review and I'm sure I'll be lurking in Hajime's website soon and will be making some plans for a stretch instrument someday 😊
You're so lucky to have a builder close by! To be fair I'm fairly spoiled on this island with some great luthiers as well (Wunderkammer is only an hour from me). Who do you have in your neighborhood?
@Banjoleletinman he's a retired gentleman on an island nearby. Been building off and on for years but really started focusing on ukulele after he retired. I met him through the ukulele underground forum. His username is IslandJim and we've become good friends over the last year 🙂
My wife and I hope to get to England soon and I want to meet Alex and visit SUS when we do. It would make my trip if I were to catch you in the store 🙂 Enjoy your new soprano and have a wonderful holiday!
What a beautiful instrument - in terms of both appearance and sound. I really enjoyed the video. It’s funny that was talking the other day about you being one of the great high G soprano only players, and you’ve diversified!
Thanks! Now I get to be a double G sort of guy. In my mind they're just completely different instruments so it's like learning fresh which is nice.
@ I like that way of thinking about things. The same way that ukulele and baritone ukulele are different instruments to me.
Beautiful! Thank you for the great explanation of ordering a custom from another country. I recently purchased two tenor ukuleles from Pete Howlett and had them sent to the USA. Customs and shipping costs are definitely something people need to understand so there are no surprises. I usually default to a Fremont Soloist for low G. I need to try some others. Congratulations! 👍
Pete is making some fabulous instruments! That Fremont soloist is the same string I'm using (they're both rebranded Labella classical strings). If you want to try something similar give the Thomastik CF30 a try if you can find it. In the same ballpark but certainly a different character.
What a beautiful instrument!
It truly is. One thing I think I forgot to mention in the video that it is probably the cleanest build I've ever held. I have no idea how he achieves such incredible craftmanship by hand.
Hi Christopher! Thanks for the interesting story. Yours is definitely my favorite ukulele channel on TH-cam. In your experience, do you think that after a certain amount of time (maybe years) a ukulele starts to sound better because the wood dries out and resonates better?
Thank you! I do think ukes change over the years from the wood settling in, getting used to certain vibrations and such. Even within a month of having a new uke I usually see a pretty big difference. I honestly think the changes after that are much smaller and can also be attributed to you getting to know the specific instrument better and how to coax the best tone out of it.
Christopher that was such an interesting video, to hear about the journey of that uke, from someone who clearly knows what they want. Thank you.
Regarding the strings, I know it's a subjective thing, but have you ever tried the Kiwaya low G set ? I think, for my ears, they are terrific.
Anyway, thanks again for your video's, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. Cheers 🥃
I haven't given those a go yet but I'll put them on the list to try. If the strings are as good as your ukes they must be fabulous. Merry Christmas!