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Original Post By:
Neal
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Date: 2/22/2008 7:03:57 PM |
This is the one I purchased from MGM. The KTS-6 has the binding, I think that's the only diff between it and the KTS-5
So, I unpacked it Thursday, it's really nicely built, no finish flaws, the finish is a very nice sort of matte finish, unlike others I've seen, this one looks quality, not sure if it's poly or what. It came with black strings, Hilo perhaps? Tuned it up and played a bit. The playability is excellent, frets nicely dressed, action near perfection, saddle compensated.
Good night, I hated the sound. Those black strings made it sound toy-like to my ear, nothing like I would expect from an instrument with this kind of buzz. I had a set of Aquila that I almost put on my Gibson, so I put those on. Slight improvement, but no cigar. Noisy damn strings.
No one has Worth CDs, no one. Elderly is out, MGM has none. So I became a Worth distributor, I bought 10 packs of CD, so if anyone needs any, cheap. These will come soon, I hope. I did buy some Fremonts from MGM, they seem "Worth-like". I'll let you know.
I took the Worth CDs off my Favilla and traded with the Kiwaya.
Ok, now we're talkin'. Everything falls into place. Still not my Gibson, but really close. Great sound, perfect intonation. This uke has some possibilities.. I like.
The quality of these Japanese made Kiwaya really shine through. Inside is very well done, even the braces are sanded. Very neat. The binding is to my eye perfect, the mahogany is attractive, and it plays and sounds great now. Some may even prefer the Aquila, or the black strings, but the actual tone of the instrument shines through with the Worth. I wonder what this will sound like in a few years.
Nice Ko'olau case, too. I like the Guardian, but this will do very nicely.
There you have it.
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Posted By:
Spats
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Date: 2/22/2008 7:17:05 PM |
congrats, mr. paisley. play it in good health. just don't neglect that gibby -- they're infamous for their jealousy!
those nyguts mess up the sound of alot of ukes. it's just that people don't realize it. don't know why. sounds like there's a squeaking mouse in your sound hole! and some prefer tubby thunking over subtlety.
anyway, glad you're making up for lost time (stuff) and getting back on the horse.
www.spatswhite.com
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Posted By:
Christie
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Date: 2/22/2008 7:30:43 PM |
Hello Neal,
What is the scale length on the KTS-6? MGM's site says the KTS-7 is 14 inches but the KTS-5 is less. I am interested because I am looking for 14 inch scale sopranos (like the Flea).
Christie
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/22/2008 10:08:18 PM |
Spats, can't possibly neglect the Gibson. That one is just too special. Agreed about the "strings".
Christie, it's about 13-3/8"
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Posted By:
Christie
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Date: 2/22/2008 10:30:19 PM |
| Thanks Neal. What does the "D" signify on the Worth's? I know CMs are Clear Mediums.
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Posted By:
bruce.b
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Date: 2/22/2008 11:11:40 PM |
Neal,
I just received a Kiwaya KTS-4 this week. My experience is much like yours. I love the matte/satin? finish too. It looks and feels very nice. The build and finish of mine is also excellent. The neck/action is spot on. The KTS-4 is feather light. It's a 12 fret fingerboard with no binding. I wonder how much variation there is between the various models? The KTS-4 and KS-1 are different in every dim; the KS body is slightly wider and deeper, the neck and string spacing is slightly wider, the neck is slightly thicker, and the scale length is slightly longer on the KS.
I didn't have a problem with the Hilo strings. I think they sound kind of charming on certain ukes, like this one. I'll probably change some day to something else.....I'll take a couple packs of those Worths when you get em. With these strings mine is very resonant (you can really feel this uke vibrating when you play it), fairly loud and somewhat mellow. I think other strings would make it brighter. I'm very happy with it how it sounds now.
The KS-1 laminated soprano I also just bought is a bit brighter with the same strings.This one doesn't have quite the excellent build and finish (the build quality is still really good, the finish is well done but kind of dull and unexciting), but it sounds and plays great. I enjoy playing it about as much as the KTS-4 and find it to be a very endearing uke. I don't think anyone would guess the body is laminated without looking inside and seeing the grain running 90 degrees to the outside grain. It seems like a very sturdy uke. I'm a bicyclist, so this one will be what I take when I travel by bicycle. It plays so well I don't think it will be a compromise in any way compared to a more expensive solid wood uke.
bruce b.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/23/2008 11:14:06 AM |
Bruce b., they are nice, eh?
Christie, the D stands for "hard" on the soprano.
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Posted By:
Kanagawa G
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Date: 2/25/2008 12:58:18 AM |
Good review. I have played Kiwaya ukes for quite some time now and find them very well built and affordable. There is even a Kiwaya museum in Tokyo if you are ever in the neighborhood. They have a lot of vintage ukes and recordings. I'm taking the family for a visit this spring!
I have my eye on K-Wave Les Paul Rock uke. I'll post a review if I ever get my sweaty paws on one.
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Posted By:
Mike Atkins
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Date: 2/25/2008 1:18:36 AM |
Neal,
"No one has Worth CDs, no one." ????
........... well, last I looked ...........
Welcome to the world of string distributorship.
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Posted By:
lecky
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Date: 2/25/2008 4:36:23 AM |
| I visited the Kiwaya museum, it's in a room above the shop. The people there were wonderfully friendly and kind. They were using the museum room for a meeting which they broke up so that I could see their collection, and they gave me a great deal on a K-wave Les Polfus (which I want to see now, but as I'm in the UK it wouldn't make a good deal for you Kanagawa G).
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Posted By:
Kanagawa G
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Date: 2/25/2008 8:59:27 AM |
Great story, lecky!
If they make me a deal, I'm sure that I couldn't refuse. Especially since I'm planning on picking one up anyway.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/25/2008 5:10:28 PM |
Oops, Mike at Alternate Tunings has Worth CDs. Sorry Mike!
This is a serious uke, folks. Thumbs up.
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Posted By:
mLKauai
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Date: 2/25/2008 5:23:24 PM |
looks like a very nice uke and the K story backs it up well. would like to see some tenors...
thought i saw some on MGM ads.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 2/25/2008 6:37:52 PM |
| Looks to me like they're gearing up for the American market. Tenors will be available soon I'm sure.
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