Review: Mainland Mahogany Tenor

[xbox360haha123456]

Mannnn i can't wait for my MAINLAND tenor to get here already!!!! By the way the review convinced me to buy my own.

[okvolleyball]

I want my Mainland to get here ! did you put the pick up in ??

[irvingjohn]

@okvolleyball Nah. I had to return this one, and Mike sent me one back that had a pickup. Mainland ukes is awesome like that.

[okvolleyball]

@irvingjohn sweet my mom  thinks i may not need a amp but I play with a loud guitar player and with a guy on the drums .

[henriness]

I know this video is old, but I have never seen it before. And it popped up in my recommendations. Your rendition of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" made me smile. And I officially have a non-sexual man crush on you. You nasty!

[choezkevin]

somewhere over the rainbow ukue used :

martin tenor ukulele :)

[JCMcGee]

Lovely review!

[HoldinCoffee]

I really like your snippet of Raindrops! Kickass!!

[UkuLeLesReggAe]

hmmm.. this or red cedar??

[okvolleyball]

I know what one to get ?

[UkuLeLesReggAe]

eh?

[okvolleyball]

I do not what uke to get this or the red cedar they are both really nice .

[christien023]

i'm thinking of buying the mainland mahogany tenor with the pickup system. how does the mainland under saddle pickup sound? also, how is the action?

[irvingjohn]

Plugged in to something appropriate, ie an acoustic special amp or a PA system, or a DI, then it sounds truly great. Plugged in to a regular guitar amp, like and other under saddle or acoustic p-up, will just sound hollow and metallic.

The action is actually a tiny bit high. Some people prefer that. Guitar shops in your area can adjust it, usually for around $40, if you even need it adjusted. I haven't had mine adjusted, it's just fine for me.

I highly recommend this ukulele.

[irvingjohn]

BTW, I have since obtained the one with the pickup, so I do speak from experience with the Mainland pickup.

[christien023]

did you have to install it yourself?

[irvingjohn]

Nope. I swapped for the one that has the pup from Mainland.

[saipanboy670]

Okay Another question. Should I buy the Mainland Tenor with the undersaddle pickups, a Lanikai CK-TEQ, or Oscar Schmidt OU7T?

[irvingjohn]

In this comparison, undoubtedly the Mainland. I have played Lanikais and OSs, and can say for sure that they don't hold a candle to the Mainland.

[saipanboy670]

Should I buy a regular Mainland Tenor or a Mainland Tenor with an under saddle pickup?

[irvingjohn]

I've got the tenor with the pickup now.  It sounds great through a PA system, which is what it should be run through. It's not really meant for guitar amps, because it's not a guitar and it's not a solid body electric instrument. So yes, if you're going to be using it through a PA system.

[saipanboy670]

but what about the electric acoustic guitars?

[irvingjohn]

Depends on how big of a sound freak you are. If you play an acoustic through a PA, then through a guitar amp, you'll see what I'm saying.

[saipanboy670]

Should I get a concert or tenor ukulele? because I already have a concert so I'm leaning towards the tenor

[irvingjohn]

If yo already have a concert, get a tenor. It's nice the have a few more frets to work with, especially if you play some instrumental stuff. Besides they have a nice tone, and you should have one of each size before having doubles of one size, in my opinion.

[saipanboy670]

Should I get a Mainland Concert Mahogany ukulele or a Lanikai CK-C?

[irvingjohn]

Definitely the Mainland. Lanikai's are okay.. But the Mainland is better in every way. I can't find anything saying that the Lanikai is solid wood, either.. so go for the solid Mainland.

[saipanboy670]

When it gives you the option Geared tuners or Friction tuners, which do you prefer?

[irvingjohn]

Definitely geared. Friction is an old school style of tuner that exists these days perhaps only to please the purists. Geared are easier to tune with, more precise, and stay in tune just as long or longer.

[okvolleyball]

I thinking about  getting one .

[llx2o1]

between this and the koa pili koko tenor, which is better? i just start learning the uke, sorry for the stupid question.

[irvingjohn]

I never played a KPK. I hear bad thing about the nut though. Its made of wood, which messes you up when you tune it, apparently. (the nut is what holds the strings in place at the headstock, or top of the uke.)

[llx2o1]

from the photo the nut is made out of chrome or something. doesn't look like wood. the uke cost about 300 so i think they are aware of that? you can ebay this item number for photos 250359862891

[tux325]

u are definitly high lol....and i just got this uke and its awesome!!

[irvingjohn]

LMAO. Nope, hungover.

[brettnord]

Hey irvingjohn, great review, thanks! btw, just confirming that your uke is glossy not matte, right?

[irvingjohn]

That's right my friend. Gloss finish.

[cumulustree]

Hi!

what strings are you useing/ redommending?

great playing!

[irvingjohn]

Hello. These are Aquila strings. I recommend them if you want a loud, bright, punchy tone. For a more mellow, smooth, and blended tone I would go with Worth browns.

[cumulustree]

ah, good to know, thanks for advice!

[sirant]

Can't wait to get mine!!!!

[irvingjohn]

Great choice!

[UkuleleHill]

That thing is B E A UTIFUL!!! Thanks for the review and the isight on what will be my next Uke!

[irvingjohn]

Can't possibly go wrong with this one. Not a fault with it, especially the price!

[deach69]

Nice review and playing as well. Congrats on the new uke.

[irvingjohn]

Thank you, deach. A million times over.

[hoosierhiver]

Thanks bro,Enjoy!

[miller1944]

Thanks for the great review. Beautiful uke!

RonVa

[Boondockflyfish]

sounds and looks GREAT!

[russbuss415]

nice review John! i'm lovin my mainland uke too.

[benmealer]

I'm jealous, but happy for you. Congratulations on your favorite possession;)

[irvingjohn]

Haha thanks for watching the whole thing. LOL.

[AwesomeAsHell]

so john finally got a new uke? very pretty

almost makes me want one....too bad im broke

and i miss your comments on my new vids john! where'd you go!?

[irvingjohn]

Dude they rock! And I do comment your vids, foo...

[okvolleyball]

nice uke

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Looks terrific. Very clear and thorough review, John.

KEN

[kharmachanic]

LOL I was referring to the loud audio buzz that is on your video..

its seems to be a problem with your mic or your connection.. sounds like a ground issue.

[irvingjohn]

Oh, yeah. Crappy mic in the webcam. I use a different mic during the actual sound samples, but I have to boost the mic so loud to get a decent level of sound, that it causes bad quality. Maybe a good mic will be my next thang. Thanks for watching bro.

[kharmachanic]

that sure is a nice uke..

but it sure does give off a terrible buzz...

LOL

[irvingjohn]

There is no buzz. It was my bad playing. Like it says in the vid, I am not used to a tenor size.

[kharmachanic]

naw dude you played fine..

and the uke sounds great..

it was the mic buzz...

[UKISOCIETY]

Sweet! I may have to get the Red Cedar tenor.

[irvingjohn]

Do it man! Give in to the temptation!

[UKISOCIETY]

Agh! That would mean I have 1 of each size of Mainland ukes!

Okay, twist my arm... !

[superjer4]

WOW!! love that.. now we can PLAY!

[irvingjohn]

Hellz yes!