iangronow's Reviews
37 reviews Back to iangronow's Equipboard
579
Not very durable, but couldn't be expected to be...
The first time around, it broke after a few months - probably because the input/output are so tight due to the small size.
I was able to get a replacement due to it being still under warranty, and that one lasted about 2 and a half years, before the screen went skewiff - slightly rotated and lighting up partly out of place.
579
A nice balanced sound
I borrowed this guitar from the studio, to record my EP "Ian Gronow & the Gentlemen" (available to listen to at www.iangronow.com) and many people comment that is is a nice balance between a humbucker and single coil sound.
I'm not sure if it is the perfect guitar, but would be great value for a beginner or intermediate player.
579
Fantastic stay on tuner
I have tried to aquire one for each of my stringed instruments, to keep on. It is discrete enough to do so.
Although sometimes, finding a place to fit it can make it awkward to view, dependig on the headstock and layout of the instrument.
Also, the screen sometimes isn't easy to see at some angles or in some light.
579
Avoid at all costs!
Decided to have these installed on my Kala tenor ukulele - which was a mistake. Twice one of the pegs has broken, resulting in it turning back around and not being able to stay in tune.
I would like to get these removed and replaced with a higher quality tuner.
579
Beautiful baritone ukulele!
Around the time I was curious about baritone ukulele, which are hard to come by in Japan, I saw this second hand at a local music store. It was strung with a high D string (dGBe) and sounded beautiful! I have kept this arrangement, and it always stays nicely in tune as well!
579
Good value for trying out the world of 5-string ukes
I picked up this uke on discount from Amazon, as I had always been curious about what a 5-string ukulele would be like. It has satisfied my curiosity, and is very good value. It would be unfair to compare it to a more premium ukulele.
I'm not sure if I will keep it around forevever, but for now it serves a purpose.
579
Not as nice as the No.80 ukulele
About a year or two after aquiring my prized No.80 ukulele, I found that another "Nippon Gakki" (Yamaha) 1960's ukulele was available at about half of what I paid for that one. I decided to go for it, but the sound is quite a bit shallower than the No.80.
I believe this is because it is thinner - and the legend is that it was produced specifically to be quieter to cater for those living in the tight-knit and paper thin housing in Japan.
Still a nice enough ukulele though.
579
Beautiful 1960's ukulele from Japan
At the start of the pandemic, I was browsing the music store websites, and I came across what looked like a steal - a Yamaha ukulele from 1964, made in Japan.
When I went to the store, it had a beautiful history attached as well - the case has been custom painted, and inside there are momentos (photos, a business card etc.) of the original owner - a music teacher and performer from New York.
She sounds stunning, and I would definitely like to keep this ukulele in my family.
579
Excellent value travel sized nylon
I had always played steel string acoustics, although my playing style more recently suits nylon fingerstyle. I liked the tonewood combination, which is ebony back and sides, and I think the top is spruce. The size of the body is comfortable, but perhaps the scale length could be longer. The nut is 48mm, which is about halfway between a typical steel string at 42mm, or classical guitar at over 52mm.
