Original Post By: Rob Uker Date: 3/25/2015 10:54:53 AM I've been playing ukulele for at least 10 years now. I've accumulates way to many ukuleles in every size, shape and wood type. I love them all and could never part with any of them. But some get pushed aside and forgotten for awhile. Recently, I rediscovered my Bushman Jenny soprano. OMG!!! It's the best sounding uke I've ever played. If you haven't played a solid mahogany soprano before stop what your doing and run to your local music store and find one. Even though I prefer to play a tenor for the comfort of the longer scale, the sound of a SOLID MAHOGANY SOPRANO can't be beat. Of course that's just my opinion. Although, for many people it's all about the koa and spruce is great too. Mahogany has a unique tone and the reduced tension on the strings of a soprano for me creates the classic ukulele sound. I know everyone has their own opinion but for me rediscovering my Jenny brought me back to the sound that attracted me to the ukulele in the first place. Posted By: Boswell Date: 3/26/2015 6:53:13 AM   (Updated: 3/26/2015 6:57:17 AM) I prefer to perform with sopranos. I always have. Tenor scale is somehow just not right. It has to do with tone, primarily, but there is also an esthetic to consider, in my opinion. Soprano was the original scale, after all. And, there is something magical about how musical such a tiny instrument can be. To my way of thinking, if you want to play a tenor, why not capo your guitar at the fifth or seventh fret, and be done with it? I play primarily in D6 tuning, but I do keep one uke in C6 for three Beatles' song. I'd rather play them in D6 for them, as well. The keys of D and G are better suited for my voice than C and F. However, I also play harmonica on a neck rack, and there is a peculiarity about diatonic harmonicas that dictate I have to use a C6 ukulele. It has to do with harmonica reed lengths. Shorter reed lengths produce a brighter and faster response. Longer reed lengths are lower in tone and slower to respond. You dig? A harp in the key of F has the shortest reeds, whereas a harp in the key of G has the longest reeds. Hence, an F harp is a much better choice to play first position for All You Need Is Love, or second position (cross harp) for Love Me Do and Hello, Goodbye. It sounds a lot better, brighter, and faster to play those three songs on a F tuned harmonic, rather than a G harp. Therefore, the F harp dictates that I have to play a C6 tuned uke. I could extend the analogy to state that an F harp is a soprano, and a G harp is a tenor. LOL What do you think about that? By the way, to be, or not to be, may be a question to ask on a stage. But to many, in a superlative sense, is simply too wrong!. Remember to buy the extra vowel to be superlative. Or, not to be. It's all up to you now. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 3/28/2015 4:49:49 PM While it may sound a bit flip, the "look" can actually be as important as the sound. One of my personnas is the classic Tin Pan Alley ukulele crooner. (Think Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards.) Straw hat, bow tie, spats, the works. So I have at least two performance ukes (one with K&K Twin-Spot through preamp and pedals, the other "naked," but sounds wonderful if the sound tech knows what he or she is doing with an instrument mic set-up) that are classic wood and shapes. Neither the tunes nor I would present as well were I playing one of my Flukes. But the soprano is just a bit too small for my fingers. So both of those ukes are concert scale. And both sound just right. But I also have a couple of tenor ukes (none of them a "traditional" look) that work just fine when I'm doing more contemporary music. Bottom line: All uke sizes, from sopranino to tenor, are cool in their own ways. BTW, Boswell: You'll appreciate this story. I started learning harmonica a while ago and have added it to some of my performances. I don't use a rack. Instead, I use a looper to lay down some of the chord progression, then pull a harmonica out and solo over the chords, between vocal verses. Haven't been thrown out of any place yet, so my playing must be tolerable. I've already assembled quite a collection of harmonicas. They multiply worse then ukes! Most of the classic keys for cross-harping blues, of course, plus I've gotten interested in Irish music (e.g., Brendan Power) and have some "Paddy Richter"-tuned harps. I'm working in the band for a local theater company's variety show (playing electric and acoustic guitar and ukuleles). We have a couple dueting Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice," and in C our director thought my folk-song harmonica playing worked well. But the singers insisted on performing in E. Who has a harp in E? Cross-harping on my A didn't really do the job, so I telephoned the local Guitar Center to see what they had in stock in a regular E diatonic. I asked the switchboard to connect me with someone in the harmonica department. Me: "I need a Richter diatonic in E." He: "We don't sell "Richter" harmonicas." Me: "Huh? Last time I was out in your store you had about seven different models of Hohner in various Richter-tuned keys, plus a bunch of different Lee Oskar harps in both Richter and Melody Maker tunings. Usually about 90% of what you've got in stock is Richter-tuned. Are you telling me that the only harmonicas you've got left in stock are chromatics and other non-Richter tunings.?" He: "I have no idea what you're talking about. I thought you were asking for the "Richter" brand. I just started here, and they sent me to the harmonica department even though I have no idea how these things work." With that confession on the salesman's part, my heart took pity, and I walked him through a 5-minute lesson on harmonica tunings. And then drove out and picked up an inexpensive Chinese-made Hohner "Hot Metal" in E that he set aside for me. And at last night's first show, it worked just fine. Maybe Guitar Center could hire either you or me (or both of us) to train new hires in the science of harmonica? Posted By: Iuke Date: 3/31/2015 7:58:09 PM Speaking about the soprano sound...there's nothing like that percussive sound of a soprano when strummed. I have a laminated mahogany slimline by Ohana (SKS-15e) and I'm surprised how nice it sounds. And when strummed and brushed, it sounds like many of the higher priced sopranos I've tried. But I must add that I did replace the stock Aquila strings with Worth Mediums. Made a world of difference. It's funny how string compatibilty plays such an important role as far as projection and sound quality. Posted By: Dave in Petaluma Date: 4/2/2015 3:12:43 AM Is it coming back ? It seemed the entire ukulele world was going tenor. I've preferred the soprano and reentrant tuning. Inspried by an the strumming of Fred Fallin. I have a lot of Martins of various ages, Kamakas, Harmonys, Regals, no names, and yes a Bushman Jenny. Collection aside. The afore mentioned ukuleles have always seemed to have the ukulele sound. A Tenor is more guitar like and the Bari well enough said. some songs call for something that isn't so happy and I play most Dylan songs on the Baritone. Even tuned a Treholippee Bb6 to play Season of the Witch. Posted By: Rob Uker Date: 4/2/2015 11:51:33 AM I'm more of a picker then a strummer and that's what lead me to start playing tenors. Then I kind of forgot about my sopranos. I'm a short man with small hands but there are some songs that require more the 12 frets an more space in general. From a comfort stand point I still like the tenors. But based on sound alone you can't beat a soprano. To me a mahogany soprano is the sound I think of when I think about ukuleles. Although I do play guitar I still also enjoy playing my Fortune Baritone too. I think every uke band needs a baritone to avoid sounding like a swarm of bees. lol Posted By: Dutch Date: 4/2/2015 6:10:05 PM All analogy is suspect, Rob, but I think you're onto something. Great metaphor! Strength & Honor Dutch Posted By: Iuke Date: 4/2/2015 10:45:16 PM Since Ukulele Rob plays harmonica...was wondering if he (or anyone he knows) would be interested in a Suzuki BR-21 Baritone harmonica. I'm selling it for $65 shipped ConUS. I've played it maybe 3 to 5x and realize this is way over my head. Just can't do it. It's been stored, is in perfect and clean condition. I also have a Hohner Tremolo Soloist, and a Tombo Octave. All hardly blown on and very clean. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 4/3/2015 5:32:50 PM Luke: I've updated my profile so you can click my name and email me. Let's talk about the Suzuki BR-21 via email. At that price (and assuming it's as little-played as you say), did you drive your truck over it or something? And back to sopranos: I don't currently own one, and they're not my favorite playing size, but I just entered Ukulele Magazine's on-line drawing for one of those cool new Kala Waterman plastic 'ukes, and if I win, I definitely won't be throwing it back in because it's too small! Posted By: singndance Date: 4/7/2015 5:51:28 PM Have mercy on the music store clerks. They have a lot of inventory and not necessarily your education or skills. I am impressed myself at all the harp erudition. As to the uke sizes that I love to play--concert is my last several years favorite, previously mad for the sound of my Martin old sopranos. Tenor is fine too. Some things sound better on different sizes. Posted By: Tom B. Date: 4/8/2015 12:08:51 AM I picked up a KoAloha T2, a soprano body married to a tenor neck, and I've been having a ball with it. My ear enjoys the soprano voice; my fretting hand enjoys the tenor neck. And even though it's tuned as a soprano, the longer strings do change the sound somewhat. It has a longer sustain and a more rounded tone, and it lacks that characteristic percussive soprano bark. It won't replace my regular sopranos (well, not all of them, anyway), but it's been a thoroughly enjoyable addition to the stable. I'd recommend a longscale soprano (concert scales are more common) to anyone who wants the soprano voice without the small fingerboard. Posted By: Iuke Date: 4/8/2015 11:24:57 AM Very interesting was the tidbit about the marriage of a soprano body and tenor neck. I hope they'll live happily everafter...meaning, what about the stability of the neck as time goes by? Would it not need a truss rod of some kind? Since a soprano body is so much smaller than a tenor body, it makes the ”unsupported” neck that much longer. I've often wondered. Time will tell? Posted By: Tom B. Date: 4/8/2015 2:24:11 PM I can't speak for other brands of longneck ukes, but I don't worry about the neck on the KoAloha. I believe it's the same neck that's used on their tenors, so it's built to handle the load. Also, the uke uses soprano strings, so there's less tension there. I just keep it cased and humidified, and I don't worry. And if a problem ever develops ... well, KoAloha's warranty is pretty amazing. Here's a link to the T2 if you want to see/hear one in action: http://www.theukulelesite.com/koaloha-soprano-tenor-neck-new-model-3.html Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 4/9/2015 6:03:26 PM Hey singndance: Thanks for the gentle reminder to be nice to music store clerks. (Same holds for front-line folks in just about any retail or customer service business.) I try to favor independent music retailers, but my experiences at a lot of GC stores have been really positive, in large part because regardless of the salespeople's areas of expertise, their interests, etc., overall they all focus and trying to help the customer get maximum enjoyment out of the customer's own musical interests. Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 4/9/2015 6:05:17 PM Oh yeah, and more re sopranos: The ones with tenor necks can look a little weird, but if you'd like to be re-infected with a terrible case of UAS, take a look on Mya-Moe's site at the "super sopranos" they've been building. Posted By: Rob Uker Date: 4/10/2015 3:40:22 PM I think one of the things that give sopranos a unique sound is because the string tension is different then a tenor. I'll have to try a long neck soprano to see if it's the body size or the string tension that creates the sound that I've been into lately. Could be both. Don't get me wrong I still love my tenors. I've just been re-examining what drew me to the ukulele in the first place and for me it's brought me back to the soprano ukulele. Posted By: Iuke Date: 4/20/2015 1:19:48 AM   (Updated: 4/20/2015 1:21:18 AM) Well, this is actually not about a uke; it's a short and quick message for our harmonica player Ukulele Rob regarding the Suzuki BR-21 Baritone. I have it listed on eBay. Posted By: spoefish Date: 6/1/2015 6:37:55 PM Another vote for trying longer-scale soprano ukes. In addition to my Pohaku quilted mahogany (everyone thinks it is koa) soprano, I have a G String koa soprano with a concert scale neck. It is a nice compromise - good soprano sound with more room on the neck. I still think a "pure" soprano may sound the best, but a well made soprano with a concert scale neck comes pretty close. Not any experience with a soprano with a tenor neck, but I think you might be giving up a little of the brightness that is so unique to sopranos. I guess selecting strings could influence things also. Posted By: Dave Means Date: 6/3/2015 11:58:23 AM   (Updated: 6/3/2015 11:59:42 AM) One cautionary note about longer-scale necks on soprano ukes: A soundboard of a given size can handle only so much energy input from the strings before it reaches its "limit of excursion" (the distance it can swing in and out during each vibration cycle). Because of higher tension and greater mass, longer strings feed considerably more driving energy to the soundboard via the bridge than normal lengths for a given intensity of picking or strumming. Bottom line is that the waveform of the sound produced by the soundboard will "flat-top" if you are not careful not to play too aggressively... producing some not-too-pleasant-sounding distortion. Further, the characteristic soprano sound comes largely from the absence of fan bracing under the soundboard (normal scale-length sopranos have low enough string tension that they don't need fan braces). Longer-scale versions have considerably more string tension, and this either requires overbuilding to prevent self-destruction or installing fan braces... the latter solution leading to a sound more like an aenemic concert than a soprano. There are very good reasons that traditional body sizes have the scale lengths that they are normally paired with. Posted By: juke jeff Date: 6/3/2015 8:58:33 PM Boswell, a Low F harmonica has the longer reeds than a G. They make them and I like mine when I don't want an F harmonica that high. They also make a Low D which I have not played. It's really low. Posted By: M.Vinsel Date: 6/4/2015 4:04:00 PM Also to Boswell, Lee Oscar makes a high-G diatonic harmonica or reed plates if you already have any Lee Oscars. I don't play professionally, but for playing along with the uke using the rack, I like the Hohner 364 which is tuned the same as a 12-hole chromatic harmonica in C, but without the button for the sharp notes - three complete C major scales rather than the blues style notes in the bottom three holes on regular diatonics. I got used to playing a chromatic but since you can't use the side button without a free hand, this fit the bill for me. The basic old holder I use can hold this plus a regular diatonic one atop the other, which can come in handy with some songs. -Vinnie in Juneau Posted By: Ukulele Rob Date: 6/7/2015 10:26:19 PM Luke: Sorry not to get back to you sooner. Found a Suzuki Baritone at a good price from another source. Hope yours found a nice new home. Vinnie: Have you played any of the Lee Oskar "Melody Maker" or Seydel "Melodic Maker" harps? They're a lot of fun. I have an Eb Seydel Melodic Maker for Great American Songbook tunes I do in that key, and the cool thing is that no matter what I play for an instrumental break (I use a Ditto looper pedal to set up the chords off the 'uke), there are no wrong notes! Everyone: How did we get from soprano ukes to harmonicas? Maybe because both are really small, and easy to carry around? Posted By: M.Vinsel Date: 6/9/2015 8:10:31 PM   (Updated: 6/9/2015 8:18:49 PM) Ukulele Rob, no I haven't tried those, but I'll take a look later this summer. There isn't much selection here in Juneau Alaska; we're lucky enough to have a music store at all. I will take a look - thanks. -M Vinsel Posted By: M.Vinsel Date: 6/9/2015 8:23:11 PM ... and back to the original post. I love the sound of mahogany sopranos as well. My first was a Bradford Donaldson from the window of Thiels music store in Astoria, priced very low. I went on over the next few years to make three kits and bought a few nice ukes to learn more about their design. I got used to the larger sizes and gave the Donaldson soprano to my daughter in law, who used it in teaching pre-school. That uke has the sweetest sound and is as loud or louder than any of the others I've come across. This year I ended up with a very old Gibson that had been a wall hanger with three strings and a crooked bridge. After about a month of playing it has come back to life and has a very mellow warm tone. As convenient and sweet sounding as all ukes are, the sopranos are even moreso.

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