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Original Post By:
Neal
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Date: 2/4/2012 12:07:32 AM |
| Has anyone tried one, seen one close, have a review? Compare to an early? |
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Posted By:
hoaryhead
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Date: 2/4/2012 1:23:05 AM |
Supposedly Buffalo Bros. Guitars down in Carlsbad has one or two on hand. I tried to stop by after a bike ride recently, but they were closed. I've got a couple of days off coming up. I'll let you know.
I have high expectations.
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Posted By:
Ernie
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Date: 2/4/2012 7:40:15 PM |
I do not have high expectations.
The new Martins I've played (of various styles, including a 3K & 5K) have been heavily built, compared with their vintage counterparts, and have had a sound to match that build. They are elegant, 'pretty nice' instruments, but they don't come close to vintage Martins, in my estimation..
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Posted By:
CurtSheller
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Date: 2/4/2012 10:45:09 PM |
I'm getting one of the 2K Koa ukes this March. I'll pick it up at the factory.
I was called in to test out new Martin strings and try out the new ukes beginning of last year. The style 2 ukes are light and pretty nice. I played five or six of them, concerts and tenors both Koa and Mahogany, all really nice.
I can't compare them to any vintage Martins. Didn't get a chance to play them side by site, old and new. I did play one of the old Martins from the museum once and it was really nice. and pretty old.
I think the new ukes will stand the test of time.
Curt
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/5/2012 10:48:47 AM |
| Thanks guys, I hope they're good. John, I look forward to your review. Ernie, keep your chin up! Nothing can compare to 90 year old wood sometimes.
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Posted By:
J Boy Shyne
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Date: 2/5/2012 5:30:02 PM |
| 90 year old wood! You're suppose to seek medical attention if it lasts over four hours.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/5/2012 6:10:53 PM |
| J Boy, when I'm 90, I'm not seeking medical attention, I'm seeking a book deal.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/26/2012 11:34:59 AM |
| Anyone play one yet?
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/27/2012 9:26:01 PM |
| No one yet? I'm sure someone here will play one soon, and am just looking for an honest assessment of the instrument, so I'll bump this back to the top on occasion.
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Posted By:
CurtSheller
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Date: 2/28/2012 11:40:55 AM |
I have one, a Koa 2K tenor. Picked it up last Friday at the Martin factory. Ordered last April. That's even before the public knew of them. Dealers should start getting them soon.
Very light and responsive instrument. Strung with Martin strings, the new "clear fluorocarbon" strings. I actually like the new Martin strings. Maybe my input helped. They had me up last year testing various strings to replace the current (at the time) line of strings A great improvement.
The strings are really close the Savarez Alliance strings I've been using for years on my Ko'olau. I was going to restring it - but like the new Martin strings, so I'll just keep those on. I was give a few sets, so I'll test ten out on my other ukes.
If I get a chance I'll do video in a week or so. to book matched top and back is gorgeous. Matched so perfect I thought it was one piece. You really have to look close.
I can only compare it to an older Martin that I played last year. I played one of the Martin tenors that's in the Martin Museum in Nazareth. That one naturally sounded great. A mahgony 2K tenor. It was light and sounded great. I'd say the new uke is the just as light. But, being new it still needs time to open up. Sounds great as is and will only get better with time.
If you a fan of Martins and for the price I think it's a great uke. it will only get better with time.
I want to get mahgony 2K tenor now.
The economy must be getting good. I was told by a Martin VP, that they can't keep up with guitar and ukulele orders. Good problem to have. Two years ago they could find storage for the guitars they where building. they kept pumping out the same quaint as always.
Curt
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Posted By:
Ernie
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Date: 2/28/2012 1:21:14 PM
(Updated: 3/26/2012 10:43:36 AM)
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mahogany 2K?
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/28/2012 7:31:21 PM |
Thank you Curt. I think he meant a mahogany 2 Ernie..
So now I'm looking at these new Martins, and I have all mahogany ukes. My Glyph, Kiwaya, and 2 Gibsons. All 17 fretters, all mahogany. I should probably spend the extra 80 and get a koa, eh?
Curt, hows the point at the 17? Beveled? Squared?
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Posted By:
Dutch
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Date: 2/29/2012 7:00:03 AM |
| When I'm 90 I'm hoping to be an adult.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 3/21/2012 10:16:36 PM |
Not that it's on anyone's radar, but I purchased a Martin Style 2 soprano today from Elderly. I'll let the forum know what I think soon.
Thanks for the responses. I was influenced by Curt, and a talk I had with Brian Hefferan.
Keep you posted, as there are really no reviews out on these things at this time.
Good luck with that, Dutch....
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Posted By:
Joe Silver
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Date: 3/26/2012 10:37:37 AM |
| Curt, I'd still be very interested in seeing that video of the Martin koa tenor, if you have a chance to make one. Thanks!
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