| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| chunky monkey |
Posted - 11/30/2018 : 10:45:06 AM
Thinking about getting a Kanilea Guitalele; baritone size with a classical guitar neck and six strings, 23.5 inch scale. Any of you Uke guys every play one? I've watched the Youtube videos. Since I play slack key tunings on my Martin tenor, I'm intrigued, but they're pretty pricey and I'll have to order one or go to Kauai to get one; I'm headed there next March. Any thoughts? |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| chunky monkey |
Posted - 12/10/2018 : 09:53:55 AM
Ok guys. Thanks for the info. Thanks, Duke, for the link; that is an impressive instrument, but I have no idea where to look for one. I've abandoned my quest for a guitalele. A Kanilea is $2K; just too much for a questionable upgrade. I played a slightly used Taylor 812E last week for about the same price. I'll stick with my Martin Ukulele for now and maybe get a GS Mini. Ozzie seems to like them a lot. Couldn't ask for a better reference. In reality, it's just a GAS issue for me. I have lots of good stuff now; why would I want anything else? |
| sirduke58 |
Posted - 12/02/2018 : 9:34:25 PM
Howzit Terry
I've played a couple of Yamaha guitaleles & a high end one (don't recall the brand name) and they didn't impress me. Like Dusty said "Very little sustain & plinky sounding" That has been my exerience too. I also don't care much for the intonation. Seems like these instruments are right on the cusp of having intonation issues.
I would suggest you take a look at a requinto. The body is nearly as big as a Taylor GS Mini & the fretboard is very playable. Guitalele frets get uncomfortably narrow way up the neck. Ozzie has a requinto that is a very nice instrument. His was designed by Jeff Linsky ( who I've had the honor of jamming with once) Check out Jeff in his "Wizard of Oz medley" on a requinto. Then you can see the potential of the instrument. BTW, the video was recorded about 20 years ago at the University of Hawaii.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl_KMjHB4n4 |
| wdf |
Posted - 12/01/2018 : 08:10:37 AM
Terry,
I have a Mele Guitarlele (from Maui), which I like but rarely play. It is easy to play but it still sounds like an `ukulele - very little sustain and "plinky" sounding. They're not cheap. My advice to you is to play before you buy. I don't know where to look in our area anymore, so maybe you should wait for Kaua`i.
I have a video of Led playing it. I don't have permission to post it. If you are going to the So Cal Slack Key festival in January, I can let you see the video or If you like I can bring the instrument.
Good luck. |
| thumbstruck |
Posted - 12/01/2018 : 06:59:20 AM
I've seen Led play one years ago. Sounded cool, but anything Led does sounds cool. It's an interesting instrument. The other end of the guitar spectrum is baritone guitar, another neat idea. Too many tunes, no moa nuff time! |
| Eynowd |
Posted - 11/30/2018 : 8:24:22 PM
I haven't tried the Kanilea guitalele, but I do have a Cordoba Mini-M guitalele that I play slack key on (in fact, I played a solo performance of Hapuna Sunset on it this afternoon at my local uke group).
I'm really fond of it, and it's a lot of fun to play.
So, if the Kanilea one is anything like mine - and I would actually expect it to be better, if anything - then I would say, "go for it!" |
