2011/12/30

Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele


Customer Rating :
Rating: 3.9

List Price : $104.90 Price : $52.49
Oscar Schmidt OU2  Concert Ukulele

Product Description

This concert ukulele features a mahogany body, geared tuners, bound mahogany neck, and a beautiful sound at an affordable price. Each is inspected and adjusted in the USA by a skilled technician, your assurance for smooth fret ends, precision low action and resonant sound quality.

Amazon.com Product Description

These satin finish mahogany ukuleles offer a lively full body that resonates with sparkling highs and warm lows--an affordable instrument to make you fall in love with playing a ukulele.

An affordable instrument to make you fall in love with playing a ukulele. Click to enlarge.

Ebony bridge.

Geared chrome tuners.

The OU2 Concert Ukulele
The OU2 concert ukulele features a mahogany top, back and sides, along with a bound mahogany neck. Geared chrome tuners and the ebony bridge keep your tuning in check. The satin finish shows off the wood grain--why ruin a beautiful thing?

Each ukulele is inspected and adjusted in the USA by a skilled technician, your assurance for smooth fret ends, precision low action and resonant sound quality.

Oscar Schmidt instruments feature a lifetime warranty.

About Oscar Schmidt Musical Instruments
The Oscar Schmidt Company was founded in 1871 and incorporated in 1911. By the early 1900s, the company had five factories in Europe and a factory on Ferry Street in Jersey City. They made all kinds of stringed instruments, guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, zithers, and Autoharps.

The company prospered through the early 1920s. Oscar Schmidt instruments were sold in many rural parts of the country where no music stores existed. Salesmen distributed the products far and wide, making them available in general, small town furniture and dry goods stores. Country guitar pickers and blues musicians living in areas of the South and in Appalachia, far from the city, frequently played Oscar Schmidt instruments because they were both inexpensive and available locally. But equally important, they were often chosen solely on merits of their superior tone and volume.

Today at Oscar Schmidt, premium woods, quality hardware and modest prices create an ideal instrument. Each is inspected and adjusted in the USA by a skilled technician, your assurance for smooth fret ends, precision low action and resonant sound quality. Unequalled standards in easy playing comfort and tone response creates the perfect value... Oscar Schmidt.

What's in the Box
Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele


  • Mahogany body
  • Geared chrome tuners
  • Bound mahogany neck
  • Inspected and adjusted in the USA by a skilled technician
  • Smooth fret ends


Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele Reviews


Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele Reviews


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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
67 Reviews
5 star:
 (28)
4 star:
 (22)
3 star:
 (9)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (7)
 
 
 

100 of 103 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Great beginner's instrument, March 28, 2005
By 
John M. Thomas (Danville, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Amazon Verified Purchase( What's this?)
This review is from: Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele (Electronics)
Having listened to George Harrison's "Brainwashed" and seein the lovely Concert for George DVD, I have become fascinated with the possibilities of the little four-stringed ukulele. Not being inclined to playing stringed instruments, I figured the uke would be good for an absolute beginner. The OU-2 is a pretty good quality instrument with clear tones and appears well built; this is not some cheapie plastic toy, but can be played easily in a little bit, mastering the three or four chords taking a little practice. The instrument sounds nicely, especially as one gains a "touch" on the strings, and it can take a beginner to more complex studies easily. Would recommend highly to the novice (like me) as a great starter instrument.
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83 of 86 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start, June 25, 2006
By 
Thomas Elliott "Uke Lad" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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This review is from: Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele (Electronics)
This is a fine Uke. It has good machine tuning pegs. It needs to be tuned regularly however. That is not to say that it slips badly out of tune. But is a mighty fine practice and travel instrument.
Follows a standard GCEA string configuration and the strings installed with the instrument are satisfactory.
However, if you are a serious UKE player, this instrument isn't good for much beyond travel and messing around. But, then again if you are a serious UKE player you wouldn't be expecting to get a serious instrument for under $40.
Update 08/26/06
Upon futher use of the instrument, I find that the fret-board/intonation is off. The third fret is off by degree which is causing the pitch to be sharp.
An open 4th string is a G and the third fret on the 2nd string should be the same G. It is more of a G#. Which again is ok for messing around, but after playing a while on a higher quality instrument has begun to bother my ear.
This may be a localized... Read more
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66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Looks over Playability, March 8, 2007
By 
A. Pingol (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oscar Schmidt OU2 Concert Ukulele (Electronics)
--AESTHETICS AND BUILD--
Considering the price point for this uke, I was pleasantly surprised at the build quality. Nice neck, pretty good tuners, great-looking bridge. Feels solid. The mahogany ply is a lot darker and less textured than the stock photos shown here and most other websites, but still looks quite nice under bright lighting and natural daylight. The headstock is a little weighted thanks to the geared tuners, but you get used to it quickly. I was complemented on the uke's looks when I brought it into a coffee shop.

--PLAYABILITY--
The action on the uke is set very, very high, making it a little difficult to play. I had to file down the saddle considerably before it was set comfortably, although this did introduce a small amount of fret buzz. The nut needed no adjustment, which was nice. 16 frets is also a welcome addition. The intonation on this uke, however, is my biggest complaint. Compared to the harmonic, the 12th fret is sharp, meaning the... Read more
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Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele


Customer Rating :
Rating: 4.4

List Price : $60.00 Price : $35.01
Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele

Product Description

The Kala Makals MK-S is part of the Kala Makala line of quality entry level ukes. As a premier maker of Ukuleles with over 120 models to choose from, Kala knows that its entry level models have to be the best, so you will come back and buy their high end Ukes.The Kala Makala MK-S is crafted of agathis, a wood that is similar in appearance and tonal properties to mahogany and used in guitars from many of the greatest manufacturers. Although the price of the Kala MK-S is very low, the quality is top notch and will satisfy players for years. Fantastic sound and looks and easy on the wallet. Case not included.Get yours today from Sam Ash Direct. Why? Its all in the numbers: Our 87+ years of experience, 24/7 customer support, best in class 45/60 day return/price protection policy, fast, free shipping -- the Ash family will make sure you are satified.


  • Agathis Wood Body
  • Agathis Wood Top
  • Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
  • Mahogany neck
  • 12 Brass Frets


Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele Reviews


Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele Reviews


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Average Customer Review
31 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
4 star:
 (12)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Standard Uke for Beginners, May 7, 2010
This review is from: Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele
For the price, and the looks, this ukulele delivers 100%. It's beautiful, it sounds great- mine has never once had any tuning problems or fretboard problems, and it's an overall great, great ukulele for beginners. I've had mine for a year and a half and still love it.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Ukulele for beginners, December 24, 2010
By 
This review is from: Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele
I bought 12 of these ukuleles for my high school program. They are excellent Ukuleles for beginners on a budget. They hold their tune well, and are pretty sturdy. These do not have friction tuners, which is a plus! My only recommendation is that you purchase Aquila strings for them. The black strings are ok, but they are not as resonant as when you place Aquilas on them :)
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent starter instrument., July 10, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase( What's this?)
This review is from: Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele
I am new to ukulele, and I researched them thoroughly. This one had consistently good reviews, and it did not disappoint me. It has a very sweet sound, and the strings it came with were not too "bright". It holds its tuning wonderfully, and is a joy to play. I would not hesitate to recommend this little gem to anyone looking to spend under $50. I am really enjoying it.
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2011/12/27

Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele


Customer Rating :
Rating: 4.6

List Price : $84.00 Price : Too low to display
Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele

Product Description

The Lu-11 is a wonderful Soprano Ukulele offered by Lanikai.. This handcrafted ukulele is made with Nato wood (otherwise known as Eastern Mahogany) on its top back and sides. This wood choice brings out a crisp texture to the sound of the instrument that is very well suited in keeping with the tradition of this instrument. With the easy playability, and included instruction booklet written by Mary Lou Dempler you will be playing in a matter of minutes. If you have never played ukulele before get ready for a world of fun. The ukulele is an addicting instrument that can and will be taken everywhere. The standard tuning on a Soprano, Concert, and Tenor ukulele is GBEA, and on a Baritone DGBE. If you can play one ukulele you can play them all! Pick up a Lanikai today and see why people are saying Lanikai Makes Me Happy! For more information about this model or Lanikai please visit www.lanikaiukes.com

Amazon.com Product Description

Celebrate a place where heaven meets the ocean when you strum on this soprano ukulele (model LU-11) from Lanikai's LU series--one of its most popular and affordable ukuleles. Offering a classic, sweet island sound, it's a great choice for first-time players or for acoustic multi-instrumentalists looking to expand their tonal palette.

Lanikai LU-21 Ukulele

The LU-11 uses nato wood for top, back and side construction as well as for its fret board. Reddish nato wood, also known as eastern mahogany, is often used in more affordable guitars and ukuleles and offers many of the same acoustic properties as mahogany. This package includes an instruction booklet that will guide into a lifelong enjoyment of this instrument.

Specifications

  • Size: Standard
  • Scale length: 14 inches
  • Width at nut: 1.375 inches
  • Top construction: Nato
  • Back/side construction: Nato
  • Fret board construction: Nato
  • Frets: 12
  • Machines: Chrome/ivoroid geared
  • Binding: None

Ukulele History

The Ukulele is actually the descendant of a four-stringed musical instrument known as the machête or, less accurately, the braguinha from the Portuguese island of Madeira. There are many theories about how the ukulele got its name. The two most-circulated stories include one about an English army officer, Edward Purvis, who became quite adept at playing the machête. Because he was small and sprightly (as opposed to the markedly larger frames of the Hawaiians), he was nicknamed "Ukulele," which in Hawaiian means "jumping flea" (also translated as "bouncing Flea" or "leaping flea"). A more literal theory likens the fingers of an accomplished player flying nimbly up and down the fretboard of the machête to the movement of "jumping fleas."


  • Soprano-sized ukulele-great for first-time players and multi-instrumentalists looking to expand range
  • Constructed of reddish nato wood for bright, bassy sound
  • Nato fretboard with 12 frets
  • 14-inch scale length
  • Includes instruction book


Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele Reviews


Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele Reviews


Amazon.com
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
40 Reviews
5 star:
 (27)
4 star:
 (10)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Same as LU-21 Model but with less expensive materials and workmanship, March 28, 2010
This review is from: Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele (Electronics)
I'm a former solid-body guitar builder and also a music teacher of younger children, teenagers and adults. I also play bass, guitar, ukelele and piano.

I bought this LU-11 ukelele to experiment with the idea of turning the ukelele into a soprano guitar that is easier for younger children to learn than even a 1/2 size guitar. That way they get all the benefits of the small size, while still learning chords and notes that apply to the top four strings of a guitar. Eventually, they can move onto 6-string guitar, and everything they've learned with the soprano guitar applies.

This instrument met all my expectations for playability and sound. It sounded good, was well intonated, and was pretty loud for such a small instrument. I didn't notice a big difference in the sounds between this model, and the more expensive LU-21 model. It was just as easy to play.

The finish was pretty good -- a deeper, richer color than the LU-21 model I also own... Read more
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars nice sound, good product, September 12, 2009
By 
Mother of two (South Holland, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele (Electronics)
We bought this ukelele for our son who has taken an interest in all things somewhat off-beat. He has recently taught himself the basics of the guitar, and wanted something more portable and different from everyone else. This little ukelele has become his constant companion. It has a great sound and has held up surprisingly well, considering it goes with him almost everywhere, neatly tucked away in his backpack. It does need constant tuning, as ALL ukeleles do, but he has found a website with a ukelele tuner on it, thus eliminating the need for us to buy anything additional just yet. It appears to be well made- this thing has survived bike rides, train rides, and large groups of high school boys trying to make music on it. We were pleasantly surprised at how nice it sounds. He also is able to find chords for many songs, again through various websites. It is a bit different than playing a guitar, but we are very happy with this product and definitely recommend it!
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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ukulele, July 7, 2009
By 
flash (Cumberland, MD. USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase( What's this?)
This review is from: Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele (Electronics)
I bought this little wonder three months after a trip to Hawaii where I had purchased a lesser quality Leolani ukulele in a music shop on Waikiki. The shop also had some of these Lanikai Ukulele's selling between $80-$100. I was shocked to later find these on Amazon for a buck less than I paid for the Leolani. Upon receiving it I tuned it and could not believe the difference in quality! This little gem really has a nice sound! The Aquilla Nylgut strings sound amazing! and for $39! you simply can't go wrong with it.
It comes with a small instruction book with a few tunes , a basic chord chart and tuning instructions. Although I recommend using an on-line tuning site or an electronic tuner for more accuracy.
This is a very nice ukulele at an unbelievable price.
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