Kiwaya KTS-4 Soprano Ukulele - Review by Ken Middleton

[1997ilovepringles]

Hello really good review again though I'm thinking that I will buy one and stop looking at them, what would you say would be the best ukulele to get for a beginner ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@1997ilovepringles That question is really impossible to answer. If you can afford it, get a factory made uke with all-solid woods. You need to choose the size for yourself though. I play a tenor. Lots of people like the soprano size, or the concert. I work for Ohana. That's the brand I would get, but there are plenty of good ukes out there.

[1997ilovepringles]

@KenMiddletonUkulele ok thanks that has been the ukulele that i have been looking at before thank you.

[ombracorta]

Thanks for the review, it was very detailed and interesting!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@ombracorta Thanks for watching.

[thefutureproofed]

Hi Ken, really nice review again! I was wondering if you could answer me a question please. I currently own a Kanilea K1 concert which is very nice but am now wanting to own a nice solid Soprano. Have been looking at this and the KTS5, and also the new Martin S1. What would your opinion be? Many thanks for your help.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@thefutureproofed I have sent a PM.

[superasian619]

Wow, the way you review is amazing. I love it!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[reyalpEleluku]

Hi Ken,

thanks for the reivew. Would you say that the fretboard for the Kiwaya is wider than most other modern soprano ukes? From what I've seen, the older ukes were wider (at least, the Harmony's I've played give me that impression) and I like wider fretboards.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Don't know, and I can't get at it at the moment to check. If it is wider, the difference is only slight. It is very playable.

[xXCaptnPeteXx]

Thank you very much, I will check them out now. By the way, I thought your playing was great.

[xXCaptnPeteXx]

Hey, I'm a guitarist but I just recently got into wantin to learn how to play a ukulele. I was wondering if you have some consumer advice for a misinformed begginer like me. What brand is a good beginer brand, what strings to use, and any fun chord progressions that you like? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I work for Ohana. That is the brand I would recommend for a beginner. Get a solid top or all solid if you can afford.

[turmss]

Hi Ken!

Thanks for your reviews are always very helpful!

I decided to buy this model after seeing your ukulele video.Can you advise me what are the best strings for this istrument?

you said Worth strings, if iI remeber.What models of Worth strings?

Thanks, Dario

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Either CM or BM.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't remember saying that. Can you send me the link?

[senorsquiid]

I like your reviews. They're very relaxing. You have a very relaxing voice. You should do voiceovers or audiobooks for children.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for that.

[dbpjake]

@senorsquiid And I would agree!

[pureness323]

this is a nice review

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[hrlarson]

Thanks for a very thorough review Ken! I'm going to try out a KTS-4 in a week. I wasn't sure mahogany was the wood for me, but this uke seems to be very nice in tone. I'm a bit concerned about the being light bit. I always wanted feather light ukulele, but recently I realised my old uke was starting to fold, which is why I'm no in market for a new uke. I'm using Aquilas because I find other strings to floppy usually, and I tune in D6th (aDF#B). Will the Kiwaya stand for that, do you think?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

D tuning with a high A is no problem. It is light but very well-built.

[sillybilly884]

Hi

nice review i'm interested in buying one

but cannot find one in uk.

If importing from u.s from mgm do you know if there additional taxes , it worrys me that i'll receive it then get a large tax bill from vat man or someone.

Thanks again

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Import duty, VAT, shipping, admin fee from UK courier. Why not buy from the Southern Ukulele Store?

[AnkaretNikolai]

Ken, Im wondering what's the string height at the 12th fret on your KTS-4? Ive just got one and love it but wondering if I should have it lowered just a bit for a little better playability and intonation. Thanks!

Great review video!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Don't have access to it at the moment. Why do you think it needs lowering? The intonation on a Kiwaya should be perfect.

[AnkaretNikolai]

It gets just a bit sharp as I move up to the 12th, seems like the string needs to bend more to reach the fret as the action gets higher from the fretboard, thus making it just a tad sharper than it should be, lower action should fix that it seems. Im right at 3mm at 12th now.

[bikejen]

love ur review and tune selections!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[wolf69a]

Hi, any opinion abaut pineapple ukuleles ?, i like them a lot

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

All-solid pineapples, like the Ohana, sound great. they don't have that traditional soprano sound though. The body produces more mid-frequencies. This is why they sound so mellow. I personally do not like the shape that much.

[philipearlwilliams]

very nice ukulele..thanks !

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[laurelundhardy]

Forgot to ask: after trying a little bit more, which strings would you recommand? And where to buy? Thanks!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I use Worth browns (Worth BM). Try Exquisite or JusteCordes.

[laurelundhardy]

Thanks :0)

[laurelundhardy]

Thank you for this review and for all the details . In Vienna, Austria, good old Europa, there aren't good quality uke's to try. It's the first instrument i by with internet, without trying it myself before. I will get it by mail this friday! From RISA, Germany.: 500 euros (incl. transport and case)

Seems to have everything i need als Clown, stand up comedian and musician. On sunday i do a gig with it! Little bit nervous!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the feedback. There are some good shops where you can try instruments: Fieber in Germany, Charle in Paris, Exquisite in Nice.

[davec432]

Once again an excellent review. Looks like a nice uke.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[sockenfrank]

it´s a pleasure to watch you.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[IanKusekSoloArtist]

whats the difference bewteen the clear/white strings vs the bronish-dark colored strings? which will give me a hawaiian sound? please help, thanks, and by the way, my uke is an Ibanez Koa Soprano.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I personally don't think that there is any real difference in sound. However, I contacted the makers and they say that the brown string are just a tad warmer. Don't know about the trad Hawaiian sound.

[IanKusekSoloArtist]

is koa wood a good wood for a ukulele, i found a koa ibanez ukulele for 190 dollars, and its hawiian koa. please reply.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

If it is solid koa, it is a good buy. If it's not, it's not.

[IanKusekSoloArtist]

yhea i belive it is. im still buying it.

[asalistics]

yes koa wood is what makes the ukulele sound hawaiian offcourse dont forget hilo black strings from hawaii, and you will get the old 50s waikiki sound, enjou

[MrCornstalker]

nice video just got a johnson uke for 40 bucks and it is awsome

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Well done.

[tjames229]

good reviews  man keep em comin

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[jameswaltertaylor]

Sadly, The Ululele Shop web site seems to say that they are out of business. Still very nice links to the manufacturers sites, however.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, it is a great shame that they have closed.

[ketchup521]

whats the average cost of that soprano

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have no idea, sorry.

[ketchup521]

where did you get it ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The Ukulele Shop

[ketchup521]

which one though be more specific

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Watch the video.

[ketchup521]

holy crap your a bitch

[kissing88]

lol thanks for the review ^^

Your reviews not only tell us about the particular ukulele, but some valuable knowledge about ukes in general.

"plastic with fancy name".. I believe it is "Corian" ^^

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[bnc98765]

That ukulele sounds great. It makes me want one.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

They are very nice, but expensive.

[bnc98765]

I like that you do all these reviews. There are so many ukuleles out there that look interesting to pick up. A guy could end up with a hundred of them. And wouldn't that be fun, if we were all rich.

[sgvslp]

the very first thing you played sounded like math is a wonderful thing, from school of rock

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks, it wasn't, though I have recently seen the film.

[cojoneroach]

Hey, I've just lately become really interested in learning how to play the ukulele, so I don't have one yet, and I definitely couldn't afford anything like this. What would you recommend on a budget of about $50 or less?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The problem is that at that price you could get a really good instrument or it could be dreadful. My best advice would be to take someone with you that plays (or plays guitar) and just choose something you like the look of. BUT, make sure it plays in tune.

[cojoneroach]

Thanks!

[masterknow078]

Hey thanks for the review, very good, i want to reconmend you something Ken:

almost never people notice if you had played good or bad (unless, this is a musician, but neither is always looking for errors) in a performance,and less in a exposition like this, dont worry, dont say it,... jeje take it easy, dont worry.... but if u tell us...is all the contrary.. u got it? jeje.. is not the same.... let flow what u play, if u fail in something or: "make a mistake": only laugh :).

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much for that.

[EarlyguardMusic]

Very helpful review. Just thinking about buying such a baby and your review helps a lot :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[whatl2004]

Didn't know Worth made black ones. Thought they were brown and clear with three levels of tension for each color.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Brown. Not sure what tension. Sorry.

[whatl2004]

What type of Worth strings did you have on it?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Don't know. Sorry. Black ones. KEN.

[Ray1933]

Good review that gives us the information that we uke players require. Keep up the good work. Bro. Ray.

[whataboutsky]

how much was it ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Can't remember I'm afraid. I think it was just under £300. They are cheaper in the US $419 at MGM on eBay.

KEN

[whataboutsky]

thanks

[nikolo727]

Even with the aquila strings on it, it still has a warm, full, and beautiful sound!

good work!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

KEN

[BaronK69]

Great review of a great looking uke. I'd buy it at once, but then again I'd probably buy a dozen of bad eggs off of you without hesitation because you have such a nice and trustworthy attitude...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the compliments.

KEN.

[TonkyHonk]

Very nice review, I like your style

[KamakaTexas]

Enjoyed the review! Nice instrument!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. KEN.