The first one i'd grab if house was burning down, even though I could easily replace it (and in fact own others).. But if it wasn't for that purchase I would not be typing this to you now.
I have a concert size with the wooden fret board. I've had mine about as long as you have. It still has 3 of the original strings on it and sounds and plays great! I carry it with me in my camper van when I travel around America and never have to worry about it getting damaged. I would totally recommend one of these to anyone beginner or professional alike.
CORRECTION - I refer to Jim Beloff in this, which is incorrect. Jim started Flea Market Music, but it was his brother in law Dale Webb who developed this instrument.
I visited the Magic Fluke shop in Sheffield, Massachusetts 2 years ago and bought a tenor fluke. Put a Low G on it and it absolutely stays in tune- sounds great and lots of fun. Just bought a used soprano Flea online after seeing your review.
@@GotAUkulele Did you install a pick up on either one of your fleas? If so, what kind. Trying to decide between a K and K Twin and MiSi but not sure if either one is just going to be too big for the soprano.
@@Nursepauli Not the Fleas - put a K&K in my Fluke - sound is nice but far too much body noise for me. Mine is an older Fluke so had no choice as fixed saddle.
I love the thoroughness of your reviews, and the consistency with which you examine and share your findings. Really! Well! Done! So this find was a particular gem for me, watching you review an instrument that you've prized over the years; whose nooks and crannies you obviously know by heart. A treasure.
I remember the ovation guitars that were popular in the 80's had the shell back. I can tell you love this Ukulele. It's an example of something that by all rights shouldn't work but does and that adds to its charm.
I have a flea , my favourite Uke now, have a nice 1880 solid wood concert as well but flea is most played, tough and sounds as good, goes to work with me in truck. I modified friction tuners to geared tuners as I didn't want to tune Uke for 5 minutes every time , beautiful sound but friction tuners went up/ down a semitone or note every time you did a slight twist 1to1 ratio as compared to 12to1 ratio. Way better but g6 tuners could be easier to put in.
I found a Magic Fluke and a Flea M30 on the U.S.A. Goodwill charity online site... both described as being in nearly-new condition... did a little research on both and placed my bids at my personal maximum, for both... lost out on the Fluke, but won the Flea M30 for $128.11... came back to watch your 2017 "review" of your cherished Flea and it made me soooo happy that I won that Flea M30 from the Goodwill auction... I just hope the reality is equal to the description! (I also have several Flight Travel ukes in various colors - love them!)
didn't get the turtle, found a slightly used Flea for good price, so got it because you spoke so highly of yours and I really quite like it. just need to get new tuners & strings and should be good to go. Glad I watched that particular video. Thank you Mr. Maz!
New uke arrived today and I'm returning it. Just ain't right. Something about yr review is soothing/grounding as I make my way through this decision-making process that was, previous to yr vid, mildly stressful. Blessings to you, sir.
first off.. the down-votes for this video are just petty. they make no sense, so i assume they are from people that just wanna dislike any GaU videos altogether. next.. this is a must have ukulele for anyone's collection of regularly played ukuleles. if i had my time back, i would have gotten my flea long before any others i acquired as my second purchase. very durable and plays great. i have d'addario rectified strings on mine, but have had living waters strings before and both played lovely. worth the price, so many ways to customize on the website, and the makers are a friendly bunch too!
I'm sure of it - keyboard warriors who high five themselves when they hit the thumbs down button, yet dont actually contribute anything of any worth themselves.
own one, can recommend! like barry stated, super correct intonation, cool sounding, available in all sorts of cool designs, extremely sturdy! this puppy has FUN all over it!
I picked one up about a month ago as my second uke. Worth the money for sure! Can finally get a bar cord! Your written review helped! I got a concert size. That's the only choice I am not sure about
I got a flight travel for my birthday and I really enjoy the sound of it. And it’s made me more curious about magic flukes. Main question is how is the nut width on magic fluke ?
It does sound very pretty. It would be so amazing to be at something like an estate sale and to find one of these for sale for like $5 because the people running the sale think it's just a toy. That would be so fabulous!
I kept my Flea by my chair as well, in our wilderness cabin. No running water, no electricity, access by 4 wheel drive vehicle or by hiking only. Some low life criminals burgled the cabin 4 years ago, which was easy for them to do as we're only there on weekends. Of course they stole everything including my little Flea 😥. In order to keep track of the local game (mainly dear and wild pigs) we put out game cameras and one camera photographed the burglars leaving the property with our stuff in their truck. The sheriff used the photo to recognize the local scoundrels, find them and arrest them. They told were they fenced our things and that person, when pressed by the sheriff predicted which swap meet (also known as a flea market 😁) our property would likely end up at. Over the next few days we searched and searched the open air market for our clothes, housewares, furnishings etc. The only thing of ours I ever found was my Flea and I bought it back for nearly as much as it had to cost when new. That's okay with me though, it's back at home now next to a new parlor chair. Those low life burglars are still in prison serving their time for that, and other crimes.
It's normal for most uke tops to be a little dipped as they are held under tension. My highest end ukulele has a dip. The worry comes if the dip causes the bridge to tilt. Then you have an issue.
Thanks very much for the reviews!!! Just bought myself a flea. I will see how it goes but after your suggestions on replacement machine heads, any ideas where I could get replacements from? I live in the UK. Again, great videos!
Hi, Baz: I've just discovered you, and glad I did. I know it's been a long time since you posted this, and about ten years longer still since you purchased that instrument. I love your enthusiasm for the prize, and I'd love to duplicate it. That said, I have done some initial looking around and I am confused by the number of Flea models from Magic Fluke, and the variety in them (or at least in their descriptions). So to finally get to my point: If you were replacing it today (because you want to enshrine the original), is there a particular model you would look for? I see Designer Surf, Standard Walnut, Designer Floral, M30 and on and on... and most if not all of these are designated Concert. All of these are around $250USD +/-. On eBay I find a number of Flea ukes for over $900USD. Please forgive the nuisance, but I'm not sure who else I could ask that would know. What I'm really looking for, is a good instrument that won't be badly impacted by temperature changes, that I might enjoy at least half as much as you seem to enjoy this one. (I play outside a lot, in a moderately temperate environment.) I do understand that one man's joy may be another's terror. No unusual expectation here. Thanks for your time.
If replacing it - honestly and truthfully - i'd go for this exact same spec. Basic top, plastic fingerboard. Some people moan about the board, but mine isn't really worn much in over 10 years. People moan about the friction pegs and spend a lot to put new ones on at the point of purchase - I don't find them too bad (though I did swap the originals for slightly better Grovers). But no - would go the same - entry level Flea. They just work!!
Fantastic video!. One doubt, have you be tempted to change to concert size? don't you miss more room on fretboard? Though the sound changes a bit from soprano to concert... doesn't it?
Nope - like it just fine like this (though I do also own a tenor Fluke) - 12 frets is very traditional for soprano and many pro players perform with them just fine. I like the simplicity
I have a Flight TUS35 and can get a basic Flea at a good price (but still 3x the Tus). Is there a perceptible sound difference between them to rationalize the purchase? I know that you like both. Would like a concert Tuc but they are not appearing in NA yet.
@@GotAUkulele thank you Baz. I will keep an eye out for a Flight Tuc travel concert then when available again as you gave that one a good review too. Appreciated. Jeff
I wanted to know If you could review the Makala Dolphin as its also a Plastic Back? I want to get started playing Ukulele but here in South Africa I can either get the VERY cheap Mahalo or a Makala Dophin for about £55 (R1000) and am not sure if its worth it. After that the prices jump up pretty rapidly to the next Price Level.
Yeah - I think that's what surprises people about the Flea. People don't think they are 'serious' - but a tonne of professional musicians carry and play these on stage. They would not do that if they sounded bad.
Stickers on tops of ukes always affect tone to some degree. How much is subjective and depends on size and thickness of sticker. On Fleas though / they are pretty powerful and for what it’s worth - mine has stickers on it
GotAUkulele but for you the harmonic table of the flea (the top, i don't know the name in english), is durable and solid? ps. i have a mahilele soprano, it's very good for the price, ande very similar to flea in the concept (not cost), i hope you review it in the future. Mine was white and i paint whit some markers on it.
Antonio Catino Se posso permettermi avrei una domanda. Dove hai preso il tuo Flea? Abito in Canada ma passo ogni anno un po’ di tempo in Italia e pensavo prendermi un ukulele da tenere là. Mi consiglieresti il Mahilele? O sarebbe da investire in un Flea? Grazie :)
just changed to worth browns myself and at the same time changed the 2b tuners to grover 6bs no drilling or mods needed doing it was as simple as one out and the new one in and now the fluke sounds amazing .The fluke is the M20 koa Tener so wanted the best on it without any mods doing to it .Just fit the strings you will love them
Got to love our "old friends" that live by our living room chairs! Bravo!
I like how we can see how much it has been played, and all the stickers ! This wear and tear makes it even more precious. 💜
The first one i'd grab if house was burning down, even though I could easily replace it (and in fact own others).. But if it wasn't for that purchase I would not be typing this to you now.
I have a concert size with the wooden fret board. I've had mine about as long as you have. It still has 3 of the original strings on it and sounds and plays great! I carry it with me in my camper van when I travel around America and never have to worry about it getting damaged. I would totally recommend one of these to anyone beginner or professional alike.
Nice!
CORRECTION - I refer to Jim Beloff in this, which is incorrect. Jim started Flea Market Music, but it was his brother in law Dale Webb who developed this instrument.
I visited the Magic Fluke shop in Sheffield, Massachusetts 2 years ago and bought a tenor fluke. Put a Low G on it and it absolutely stays in tune- sounds great and lots of fun. Just bought a used soprano Flea online after seeing your review.
Lovely people too!
@@GotAUkulele Did you install a pick up on either one of your fleas? If so, what kind. Trying to decide between a K and K Twin and MiSi but not sure if either one is just going to be too big for the soprano.
@@Nursepauli Not the Fleas - put a K&K in my Fluke - sound is nice but far too much body noise for me. Mine is an older Fluke so had no choice as fixed saddle.
I love the thoroughness of your reviews, and the consistency with which you examine and share your findings. Really! Well! Done! So this find was a particular gem for me, watching you review an instrument that you've prized over the years; whose nooks and crannies you obviously know by heart. A treasure.
Glad you like them!
I remember the ovation guitars that were popular in the 80's had the shell back. I can tell you love this Ukulele. It's an example of something that by all rights shouldn't work but does and that adds to its charm.
+Mr Photorooster the Flea should get an award. They were a big part of starting this current ukulele boom.
I have a flea , my favourite Uke now, have a nice 1880 solid wood concert as well but flea is most played, tough and sounds as good, goes to work with me in truck. I modified friction tuners to geared tuners as I didn't want to tune Uke for 5 minutes every time , beautiful sound but friction tuners went up/ down a semitone or note every time you did a slight twist 1to1 ratio as compared to 12to1 ratio. Way better but g6 tuners could be easier to put in.
Love my Flea - never had an issue with their friction tuners myself- but then most of my ukes have them
I love mine, in batik design. Tough as nails, looks, plays and sounds great. You can't go wrong!
I found a Magic Fluke and a Flea M30 on the U.S.A. Goodwill charity online site... both described as being in nearly-new condition... did a little research on both and placed my bids at my personal maximum, for both... lost out on the Fluke, but won the Flea M30 for $128.11... came back to watch your 2017 "review" of your cherished Flea and it made me soooo happy that I won that Flea M30 from the Goodwill auction... I just hope the reality is equal to the description! (I also have several Flight Travel ukes in various colors - love them!)
You did well! I'd never be without a Flea
didn't get the turtle, found a slightly used Flea for good price, so got it because you spoke so highly of yours and I really quite like it. just need to get new tuners & strings and should be good to go. Glad I watched that particular video. Thank you Mr. Maz!
Good choice!
I love the way it sounds and I can pack it in a carry on bag.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite uke brands ever
New uke arrived today and I'm returning it. Just ain't right. Something about yr review is soothing/grounding as I make my way through this decision-making process that was, previous to yr vid, mildly stressful. Blessings to you, sir.
What a fantastic instrument. I can see why you treasure it Barry. First time I've seen this.
first off.. the down-votes for this video are just petty. they make no sense, so i assume they are from people that just wanna dislike any GaU videos altogether.
next.. this is a must have ukulele for anyone's collection of regularly played ukuleles. if i had my time back, i would have gotten my flea long before any others i acquired as my second purchase. very durable and plays great. i have d'addario rectified strings on mine, but have had living waters strings before and both played lovely. worth the price, so many ways to customize on the website, and the makers are a friendly bunch too!
I'm sure of it - keyboard warriors who high five themselves when they hit the thumbs down button, yet dont actually contribute anything of any worth themselves.
own one, can recommend! like barry stated, super correct intonation, cool sounding, available in all sorts of cool designs, extremely sturdy! this puppy has FUN all over it!
Everyone should own a Flea!
i agree. EVERYONE, especially folks who play the recorder and roof tilers ;-)
GotAUkulele man I can’t decide on the Soprano or a concert. I love Soprano Ukes but don’t yet have a concert.
I picked one up about a month ago as my second uke. Worth the money for sure! Can finally get a bar cord! Your written review helped! I got a concert size. That's the only choice I am not sure about
I think EVERY uke player should have one!
May I ask why you’re not sure about choosing the concert?
Nice fluke and I loved your over all attitude in the video so nice video too. :-)
Hey, I'm the 65th viewer, and tomorrow (Aug 7) is my 65th birthday! I think that means I should buy one of these.
You should!
a CLEAR sign from the heavens above…
would be great gift for a great year
I hope you ended up getting one.
I got a flight travel for my birthday and I really enjoy the sound of it. And it’s made me more curious about magic flukes. Main question is how is the nut width on magic fluke ?
Concert Fluke is 1.4 inches. Tenor Fluke is 1.45 inches
Great job brother I love my Flea very much too! It has a beautiful tone and is definitely one of my favorite ukuleles!!!!
Awesome! Thank you!
Yeah, I do not have a soprano Uke,( as of yet). Been looking for one, though.
I do like this one a lot.
Yeah - one of those that I think every uke player should own
I have wondered about these! Glad I found your video.
Glad it was helpful!
It does sound very pretty. It would be so amazing to be at something like an estate sale and to find one of these for sale for like $5 because the people running the sale think it's just a toy. That would be so fabulous!
That would be a nice find!
@@GotAUkulele 😄
have one like it, easy to play, sounds good, sturdy as all get out
Great!
I kept my Flea by my chair as well, in our wilderness cabin. No running water, no electricity, access by 4 wheel drive vehicle or by hiking only. Some low life criminals burgled the cabin 4 years ago, which was easy for them to do as we're only there on weekends. Of course they stole everything including my little Flea 😥. In order to keep track of the local game (mainly dear and wild pigs) we put out game cameras and one camera photographed the burglars leaving the property with our stuff in their truck. The sheriff used the photo to recognize the local scoundrels, find them and arrest them. They told were they fenced our things and that person, when pressed by the sheriff predicted which swap meet (also known as a flea market 😁) our property would likely end up at. Over the next few days we searched and searched the open air market for our clothes, housewares, furnishings etc. The only thing of ours I ever found was my Flea and I bought it back for nearly as much as it had to cost when new. That's okay with me though, it's back at home now next to a new parlor chair. Those low life burglars are still in prison serving their time for that, and other crimes.
Sounds like fate!
@@GotAUkulele I like to think so.
Wish I could post a pic of my " Uke Can Change The World" Flea. Love it!
Is it normal that the top of the flea I saw (walnut) is a little bend inwards from the string tension on the bridge...
It's normal for most uke tops to be a little dipped as they are held under tension. My highest end ukulele has a dip. The worry comes if the dip causes the bridge to tilt. Then you have an issue.
Sounds beautiful. Do the strings you put on the Flea sound very different from the ones it came with?
Yes they do - they used to come with Aquila (not sure what they come with now), which I find really boomy
Thanks very much for the reviews!!! Just bought myself a flea. I will see how it goes but after your suggestions on replacement machine heads, any ideas where I could get replacements from? I live in the UK. Again, great videos!
Personally don't have an issue with Flea pegs - but Grover 4's should work the same - maybe stick out a touch more.
Thanks. Its just you mentioned in the video changing the pegs for grover 4's? I'll see how they go. Thanks again. @@GotAUkulele
Hi, Baz: I've just discovered you, and glad I did.
I know it's been a long time since you posted this, and about ten years longer still since you purchased that instrument. I love your enthusiasm for the prize, and I'd love to duplicate it. That said, I have done some initial looking around and I am confused by the number of Flea models from Magic Fluke, and the variety in them (or at least in their descriptions). So to finally get to my point: If you were replacing it today (because you want to enshrine the original), is there a particular model you would look for? I see Designer Surf, Standard Walnut, Designer Floral, M30 and on and on... and most if not all of these are designated Concert. All of these are around $250USD +/-. On eBay I find a number of Flea ukes for over $900USD. Please forgive the nuisance, but I'm not sure who else I could ask that would know. What I'm really looking for, is a good instrument that won't be badly impacted by temperature changes, that I might enjoy at least half as much as you seem to enjoy this one. (I play outside a lot, in a moderately temperate environment.)
I do understand that one man's joy may be another's terror. No unusual expectation here. Thanks for your time.
If replacing it - honestly and truthfully - i'd go for this exact same spec. Basic top, plastic fingerboard. Some people moan about the board, but mine isn't really worn much in over 10 years. People moan about the friction pegs and spend a lot to put new ones on at the point of purchase - I don't find them too bad (though I did swap the originals for slightly better Grovers). But no - would go the same - entry level Flea. They just work!!
Fantastic video!. One doubt, have you be tempted to change to concert size? don't you miss more room on fretboard? Though the sound changes a bit from soprano to concert... doesn't it?
Nope - like it just fine like this (though I do also own a tenor Fluke) - 12 frets is very traditional for soprano and many pro players perform with them just fine. I like the simplicity
@@GotAUkulele thanks for your fast reply 🥇
We don't have it in Brazil! 😟😞
@GotAUkulele - Do Fleas need any kind of setup? Or does it matter where we buy it?
They are pretty reliable to be honest!
I have a Flight TUS35 and can get a basic Flea at a good price (but still 3x the Tus). Is there a perceptible sound difference between them to rationalize the purchase? I know that you like both. Would like a concert Tuc but they are not appearing in NA yet.
Scarily close on tone!
@@GotAUkulele thank you Baz. I will keep an eye out for a Flight Tuc travel concert then when available again as you gave that one a good review too. Appreciated. Jeff
I wanted to know If you could review the Makala Dolphin as its also a Plastic Back? I want to get started playing Ukulele but here in South Africa I can either get the VERY cheap Mahalo or a Makala Dophin for about £55 (R1000) and am not sure if its worth it. After that the prices jump up pretty rapidly to the next Price Level.
I’ve reviewed one before. Very early days of my website. And long before I did videos. Trust me. The Dolphin is leagues better than the Mahalo
I noticed on their website you can order a Flea or Fluke with a side sound hole. What is your opinion on a sound
hole on the Flea?
Not tried one on a Flea, sorry. I’m not against them but equally never found them to be something ‘essential’ either
beautiful sound
Yeah - I think that's what surprises people about the Flea. People don't think they are 'serious' - but a tonne of professional musicians carry and play these on stage. They would not do that if they sounded bad.
Awww come on down voter - you can't knock my trusty Flea.....
I sometimes get downvotes before I have really shared the videos..
Love the Classic And Reliable. Thanks!
Indeed - every uke player should own one I think
Hi! Mine have two Little scratch on the surface. Not Deep. If i put a sticker on It, is a good idea? Greetings from Italy! Good work!
Stickers on tops of ukes always affect tone to some degree. How much is subjective and depends on size and thickness of sticker. On Fleas though / they are pretty powerful and for what it’s worth - mine has stickers on it
GotAUkulele but for you the harmonic table of the flea (the top, i don't know the name in english), is durable and solid?
ps. i have a mahilele soprano, it's very good for the price, ande very similar to flea in the concept (not cost), i hope you review it in the future. Mine was white and i paint whit some markers on it.
Yes, the flea top is durable. It’s actually laminate wood. Search out my review of the Flight TS 50 - it’s essentially the same as the Mahilele
Antonio Catino Se posso permettermi avrei una domanda. Dove hai preso il tuo Flea? Abito in Canada ma passo ogni anno un po’ di tempo in Italia e pensavo prendermi un ukulele da tenere là. Mi consiglieresti il Mahilele? O sarebbe da investire in un Flea? Grazie :)
What kind of strings are on your Flea? Worth browns?
Lyn Burke at the moment, fishing line
just changed to worth browns myself and at the same time changed the 2b tuners to grover 6bs no drilling or mods needed doing it was as simple as one out and the new one in and now the fluke sounds amazing .The fluke is the M20 koa Tener so wanted the best on it without any mods doing to it .Just fit the strings you will love them
Let’s hear a tenor! Wait run into a burning building..... hmmmmm. Lol
Eh what?
GotAUkulele for an ukulele, lol
Gary Gotori no - still lost.. you don’t like sopranos?
@@garygotori5022 Lots of tenor reviews on this channel if that is what you prefer. I don't pick sides.
GotAUkulele love tenors have 2, nm. Keep up the good work!
sheffield, MASSACHUSETTS!!!!!!!!!
Fluke was founded in Hartford CT - as the label on this one says. They moved to factory premises in Sheffield.