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Original Post By:
poster one
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Date: 11/29/2006 7:53:52 PM |
When it was announced a year ago that Martin was going to make a 100 5K ukes I decided to buy one. I put down my 10% deposit with Eldelry Instruments and then waited diligently for news of its impending arrival. I got the call last week and I finally recieved it today. I was one of the first ones to reserve one of these and according to Elderly there are still twelve more on the waiting list. They also told me they ordered 27 of the 5K's!! So there must be a market for this model.
I will now put forth a few comments about my 5K. First, I am fairly knowledgable of lutherie and how to build guitars and ukes. I am not a luthier, but do all my own repair/refurbishing etc. when I come across an older instrument. So here goes: The one word I'll use to describe my 5K is "WOW". Martin has definately hit a home run with this one. For those of you who play the soprano sized ukes, this is the uke of choice. I can't even begin to relate to you the high level of workmanship. Absolutely the finest. Playability/sound/tone/projection are top-notch. My price was $3135 total, but for a uke that I'll keep for the rest of my life, well worth it. I know it is out of range for most of you, but if you can get one, I recommend it. I now own a total of three ukes, my 5K, a style "0" from the 1950's and a new plain Nakanishi I recently got from Noel Tardy. I'll go with quality over quantity. Better to have a few good ukes than a lot of inexpensive ones.
These are my opinions only and are highly biased towards Martin ukes. Keep on uking!! |
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Posted By:
Dasher
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Date: 11/29/2006 10:18:24 PM |
| I'd like to see and hear your 5K. I have a circa 1925 Style 0 and and circa 1930 Style 2. I WANT to think they're my best ukes; but the truth is I have a circa 1940 Kumalae, and a circa 1960 Kamaka pineapple that I like the sound of just as well or better and even my Jenny sounds just as good in comparison. I don't know if I have a couple of poor Martins or I'm expecting too much.
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Posted By:
William
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Date: 11/30/2006 12:14:14 AM |
| Would you please post the warranty card which comes with the new Martin 5K? I am glad you have such a lovely thing, and that it plays as well as it looks. There are some of us who can afford a quantity of quality. I would like to see if Martin thinks as much of their uke as you do. The Golden Era of Martin simply said the instrument was unconditionally guaranteed to the original owner. That's the confidence they had in their product.
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Posted By:
JanxSpirit
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Date: 11/30/2006 12:27:49 PM |
I would hope they would stand behind such an expensive ukulele unconditionally. There's really nothing to justify that cost except the stamp on the headstock. Throw that kind of money at Dave Means and he could probably make you a uke that plays itself ;)
I can't see why it should cost more than $1200 tops. But I am glad to hear it's a quality instrument. Hopefully they'll start making less flashy ukes like the old Style O's that sound as good and are reasonably priced.
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Posted By:
Taco Man
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Date: 11/30/2006 1:12:24 PM |
| ....Milan: Congratulations! Smart purchase. Worth every penny to you and that is what counts. Good investment? Who knows, who cares! You will obviously never sell this beauty and the elegance and joyful sound will be with you forever.
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Posted By:
UkeCat
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Date: 12/1/2006 12:36:09 AM |
| sounds like you've got a winner! Glad you dig it and I'm sure it is right up there with the best that is being made today.
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Posted By:
Dave Talsma
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Date: 12/1/2006 6:52:58 AM |
| JanxSpiri - I build custom ukuleles, most with lots of shell boardering and inlays, fancy bindings and wood, perfect glass-like finish like the 5K. You can easlily spend have of the $1200.00 on materials alone. People often ask me how many hours into such a project, most often I have no idea. Cause if I did I would stop building, my wage per hour is probably less than whats paid in China!
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Posted By:
Gerald Ross
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Date: 12/1/2006 10:51:30 AM |
An example of Dave Talsma's incredible work.
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~gbross/NewUke.htm
Click on the 'next' link on the bottom of the page to see the uke building in progress.
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Posted By:
Gerald Ross
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Date: 12/1/2006 10:52:37 AM |
| You can also click on each individual picture to maximize the pix.
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Posted By:
J Rick
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Date: 12/2/2006 1:21:35 AM |
Milan: I played a new 5K at the Martin factory last spring. The workmanship was indeed a
"wow", but the sound was on the thin side - I think it was those Martin strings. I'll bet your uke will sound much better with a set of Nylguts.
Congrats on being the first on the block!
Jack
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Posted By:
Dave Talsma
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Date: 12/2/2006 8:31:44 AM |
| I lowered the saddle (which was sky high) and put a set of Worth strings on one of the first new 5K's, it made a complete difference in the sound. I'm not a fan of the slinky Martin strings.
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Posted By:
ToeBone
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Date: 12/2/2006 10:00:40 AM |
| Funny about lowering the saddle. I bought a '60s Marting tenor and took it to Frank Ford to lower the "sky high" saddle. He said that's just how they made them - and apparently still do!
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Posted By:
Dave N
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Date: 12/2/2006 10:25:01 AM |
| Martin ships their guitars the same way, with a high action. As I understand it, their thinking is that many players (like Bluegrassers) want a high action so they can play hard to get more volume. If the customer wants a lower action, it can easily be adjusted down. It's not nearly so easy to raise the action, as this requires a new saddle. I guess this same thinking carried over into their ukes?
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Posted By:
dave pasant
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Date: 12/2/2006 10:58:44 AM |
| Dave Talsma did the set up for me on mine, and the sound really came into it's own. William, the warrantee is lifetime as it is on the best Martin guitars. I really don't understand the point you are trying to make, but as I've said here and other places, this Martin 5K is really outstanding (with a set of decent strings). It's also going to be pretty rare in the US as the bulk of the 100, if that is truly what they stop production at, have been committed to Japan. The number I've heard going to Japan is over 70 of them. If you want one, I'd get on a list pretty quick. You won't be disappointed, and if you are, the numbers are in your favor to sell it as the demand worldwide clearly is strong.
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Posted By:
northern uke
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Date: 12/2/2006 11:39:27 AM |
| Whats the point of making only 100? It serves no purpose at all. If they're testing the waters that may result in further production, I'll be the first in line. If it's for the opportunity for a select few to speculate or boast, I'm not impressed. Martins got a long way to go.
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Posted By:
William
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Date: 12/2/2006 3:59:51 PM |
| Thank you,Dave Pasant, that is what I wanted to hear...unconditionally guaranteed to the original owner for the lifetime of instrument. I don't believe they did that for the little O models; wouldn't expect it, either. Michael Vick has to live down flying the double finger at the fans, and Martin, in my opinion, flicked us the double bird with the SO and the Backpacker. I would love to have a new Martin that did not have to be rebuilt to sound decent.
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Posted By:
Worboys
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Date: 12/2/2006 4:32:24 PM |
| The difference between a luthier built instrument and a factory built instrument is often in the set up. This does not mean rebuilt. A good set up is dependant upon both playing style and brand and guage of strings intended to be used. Adjusting both the nut and bridge. Most factory instruments would play much better with your favorite strings and a proper set up.
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Posted By:
floridaskater
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Date: 12/2/2006 7:18:22 PM |
| Consider what one of the first IBM PC's would have cost you in the mid 80's..probably about the same as the 5K uke. Then consider how much joy for how many years you would get out of each purchase...then consider what each would be worth 20 years later. I'd say the Martin 5K was a fine purchase for this guy. By only making 100 it also helps secure the collectible value as well.
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Posted By:
William
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Date: 12/3/2006 2:02:03 AM |
| #313,000.00 for a short run. hmmmmmmmmmmm.... The next run starts at 200? So #1 to 100 still makes it a first year of production, but I cannot imagine it being limited to only 100 ever.
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Posted By:
mLKauai
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Date: 12/3/2006 5:49:51 AM |
this a "collectors ITEM" ...
It's not much better sounding and play than a non bling great soprano.. i'll bet; (no I havent tried one).
good martin bling; i agree they are going to capitalize on however many will fork up the big bucks.. but theres a limit; and thats what seperates the crowd; $$$.
imo these are not for the average uke fan; and since i cant afford one as part of my crowd of instruments, even if they had a 5k tenor or bari which i play, i dont really see the need.
so; a $500 Martin, made right?
i think they missed the boat already; there's too many good productions and customs at "blue collar" price... especialy with the new improved and improving imports.
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Posted By:
mLKauai
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Date: 12/4/2006 2:12:34 AM |
"I'll go with quality over quantity. Better to have a few good ukes than a lot of inexpensive ones.
These are my opinions only and are highly biased towards Martin ukes"
- even with what i said about it being an "elite" uke for high end collectors, I have to agree with Milan... and his penchant for Martin is well taken. And his collection is soprano only. at 4-5 k invested, that's not bad for an average enthusiast.
- but for me, I want and have quality; but i want/need 4 to 5 instruments: and i have them: a top notch custom tenor, and bari, (Kings)and 2 top quality tenor guitars (a vintage Martin, and a new Hodson Macaferri EFS)... and a solid wood import tenor uke (Pono)... add that up and I'm probably a couple grand over my ideal budget; i think i dont need 2 tenor guitars but i am learning what those are about.
so... could i afford to even swap out a new 5k Martin for any one of those "necessary" pieces? NO. nor do I want to; as I'm not that much of a Martin fan anyway.
but I am happy for Milan and others who are.
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