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Original Post By:
Kirbster
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Date: 3/13/2010 2:49:29 PM |
So, now Republic is producing a regular, non resophonic concert uke. Solid spruce top, some bling inlay, laminate zebrawood body........ eh, at least they got the position markers right this time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Republic-Ukulele-w-Hard-Case_W0QQitemZ160412564657QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2559557cb1 |
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Posted By:
Jamie_T
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Date: 3/13/2010 3:17:08 PM |
| They make some really nice stuff. Have had a few of Franks instruments and they were well made for the price
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Posted By:
Walter in Austin
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Date: 3/13/2010 3:40:11 PM |
For those of us who are unfamiliar with Republic, please give us a quick description of the company & their products. Who is the "Frank" I keep reading about when I looked at the Web sites?
I'm assuming that these instruments are made in China, due to the low prices. True or false? Thanks.
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Posted By:
Jamie_T
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Date: 3/13/2010 5:06:34 PM |
| Hi Walter..frank is the owner. Like gold tone, they spec and set up here on China built instruments.
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Posted By:
Smiler
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Date: 3/13/2010 5:32:51 PM
(Updated: 3/15/2010 6:18:08 AM)
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I have had one of Republic's brass bodied resonators ukuleles for a couple of years and am very happy with it (and so are most others ukers who have tried it). I did have to get it set up properly but with very little adjustment and a set of concert Aquilas it makes a very good sound.
But a couple of weeks ago I saw Frank was offering for sale a Prototype Mahogany Resonator Uke on eBay so I just had to go for it....and luckily won it!
It arrived safely in Ireland a couple of weeks ago and has hardly been out of my hands since. I love it! I think it is a big improvement on the metal bodied Republic and is much better finished and the neck has a nicer profile making it more comfortable to hold and play.
The top is solid mahogany and the sides and back are mahogany laminate and this model has geared tuners.
All in all I think there will be a stampede for these reso's when they go on sale in May. There has been an obvious gap in the market for a wooden resonator at a reasonable price and I could not understand why no manufacturer had stepped up to the line on this one, but I';m glad Republic has!
I know Ken Middleton begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting of Ohana and Delta Cones of the UK are collaborating on a wood bodied resonator but I expect it will most probably be a more expensive ukulele than the Republic and I wish them well. Ken is a good friend.
The Republic is no threat to the National but it does bring the possibility of owning a reasonably priced wooden reso uke to those who might not otherwise be able to afford a National or similar.
here's a link to the finished ebay listing. :-)
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[link]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160401382015&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT[link]
PS: I seem to have screwed up that link-can anyone help out? thanks.
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Posted By:
Ernie
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Date: 3/13/2010 6:05:40 PM |
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160401382015&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
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Posted By:
Kirbster
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Date: 3/14/2010 10:38:28 AM |
| Actually, I really like the look of that wood bodied resonator, Smiler. And I've heard a lot of good things about Republic's metal body resonators. I just have trouble with the fact that they keep producing them with the position marker on the 9th fret instead of the tenth. I see that on the wood bodied resonator they have it in the correct position.
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Posted By:
Queequegowitz
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Date: 3/14/2010 10:41:43 AM |
| I have one of Frank's resonator ukes. It was well worth the money, and Frank is a pleasure to deal with.
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Posted By:
NinaC
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Date: 3/14/2010 9:17:56 PM |
| I have a Republic reso parlor guitar and it is the bees' knees.
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Posted By:
Smiler
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Date: 3/15/2010 6:20:20 AM |
Thanks for sorting that out Ernie!
Hi Nina- Those Republic parlor guitars look gorgeous!
:-)
Tony
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