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Original Post By:
BrianT
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Date: 6/18/2009 5:55:55 PM |
There is a Nakanishi 3M Soprano for sale on ebay. It is starting at $695 with no bidders. What is a good price for this ukulele?
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Posted By:
poster one
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Date: 6/18/2009 6:15:55 PM |
This uke is priced at the bottom of it's value which is $700-$1100. These are as fine a sounding ukulele that has ever been made.
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Posted By:
musicguymic
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Date: 6/18/2009 11:06:10 PM |
these listed at retail 1295.00 when i sold that one so its a deal
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Posted By:
BrianT
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Date: 6/21/2009 11:08:42 PM
(Updated: 6/21/2009 11:09:09 PM)
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Thanks for the advice Ukeslavian and Musicguymic. I was the only bidder.The description says this uke is from the early eighties. Is there a serial # or something that I can use to date the uke?
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Posted By:
poster one
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Date: 6/21/2009 11:34:41 PM |
Probably not. Musicguymic is the expert and knows about dating these. I'm willing to bet you'll be amazed at how good and loud this uke is going to sound. I've bought from this particular seller and he is truthful in his descriptions.
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Posted By:
ToeBone
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Date: 6/22/2009 1:33:15 AM |
So, BrianT, did you win the auction? I'd be interested to know what you think of it once you get it in your hands. Nakanishi has a fine reputation but I have never seen or heard one.
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Posted By:
BrianT
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Date: 6/26/2009 11:11:02 PM |
The Nakanishi arrived today. It sounds great. It has a problem, though. The top is warped around the bridge from the string pressure. I just emailed the seller. I'm bummed.
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Posted By:
Neal
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Date: 6/26/2009 11:49:50 PM |
Warped as in the strings are now not intoning correctly? Warped as in the strings now are so close to the board that they buzz? Warped as in they are so far away that you can't play?
Or warped as in slight deflection downward toward the fretboard that every ukulele will have sooner or later unless it's made of formica...
Please don't expect the top plate of an instrument to stay level, I have a Kiwaya that plays and sounds like a dream, and the top is "loaded" somewhat. Same on my Gibson uke-3, and my '37 Martin 00-17 guitar, and I have some slight top sinkage on a '20's Gibson style A mandolin. These are normal things. As long as the instrument can play and be an instrument, it's nothing to worry about.
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Posted By:
poster one
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Date: 6/26/2009 11:55:40 PM
(Updated: 6/27/2009 11:26:18 AM)
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Brian, unless any "twisting" of the top causes any problems with buzzing and/or intonation, don't worry about it. It is natural for some deformation to occur, especially in an instrument that is over twenty years old like this uke is.
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Posted By:
ukola
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Date: 6/27/2009 5:01:01 AM |
Some people say that top deflection is a desirable thing (including luthiers). If it's too much it does look like hell and it is an easy thing to obsess over. Nobody wants to look over at their ukulele and say to themselves, my, that looks like crap. I've heard that more than a 8th of an inch dip is excessive, but don't take my word for it because I don't really know. I've got an old kumalae that has top deflection in spades. after lowering the action at the nut and putting some new tuners on it it sounds great, and plays just fine. When I first got it I thought I had bought a real piece of junk, and honestly I probably did.
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Posted By:
BrianT
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Date: 6/27/2009 10:20:48 AM |
Thank you all for the advice. I couldn't remember the proper term. Warp is overstating the case. Deflection sounds so benign in comparison. The uke's fit and finish are so nice that the deflection shows up like dimples on either end of the bridge. My ear isn't that great and I think the uke may have new strings since it isn't staying in tune, so I am not sure about the intonation. The seller is working with me so I will wait and see what happens.
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Posted By:
BrianT
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Date: 7/2/2009 1:07:21 PM |
Thanks, everyone, for talking me down. The seller and I worked out an agreement. The strings are settling in and the intonation is spot on. The seller installed Martin strings. He told me he prefers these for vintage ukes because they take less tension. They sound good, really ring and have good sustain. Martin strings are usually denigrated on this board. Ukeslavian, which strings do you prefer?
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Posted By:
poster one
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Date: 7/2/2009 3:22:34 PM |
Worth medium. I used to use Martins but then Worth came along and they are much better. The clears are just a little brighter than the browns so you'll have to make that choice. I use browns on my 5K and it sounds fantastic!!
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Posted By:
hoaryhead
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Date: 7/2/2009 5:29:02 PM |
I'm sure it's psychological, but I like the Worth browns too. Perfect for koa, spruce, and mahogany. Brings out the warmth of mahogany, tempers the hollowness of koa, and mellows out the spruce.
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Posted By:
BrianT
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Date: 7/23/2016 2:51:41 PM |
I have a Collings Concert that plays and sounds wonderful and it also has some deflection from the bridge. I revisited this post to be reminded of all this much appreciated advice about deflection. The uke came with Acquilas but I think I'll change them out to worths. Thanks again.
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