Ohana 5 String Tenor Ukulele - REVIEW

[BigJimAllenTampaBay]

Ken...mine arrived today, and what a beautiful instrument!. What a sound...very full. Thanks for our past chats on this. One of my businesses in SW Florida is beach and garden uke weddings , and this instrument will bring a new texture to the fingerstyle and classical pieces.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@BigJimAllenTampaBay Wow! Thanks for the positive feedback, Jim. Glad you like it.

[BigJimAllenTampaBay]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Only changes are...I'm having Donna LoPrinzi install a Mi-Si pickup and gold tuning heads....it is an amazing sounding uke for specific applications.

[MusicMonsterW]

Great demo. Very tempting.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@MusicMonsterW Thanks for watching.

[Andi0012345]

this uke sounds really wonderful, full and warm. I love it. Ken, I noticed you have done a number of ukes review. Do u buy them or they are complementary ukes?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@Andi0012345 Thanks. At first I reviewed instruments I bought or that people loaned me. I now work for Ohana, as it says in the blurb under the video.

[FranOglesby]

Ken, can you string the low G on the outside and the high g on the inside? Does it matter in regards to tension?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@FranOglesby Tension is not the issue. It is the nut slot that would have to be altered. You can string it that way, but the high G would not be heard as clearly.

[JavidOnd]

The idea of having a uke with the G string doubled popped into my head just a few days ago. I am overjoyed to find that someone else has also had this idea, because now I won't need to create such an instrument myself

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for watching.

[superdarkhypersonic1]

i just have one question

where did you get that id like one bad...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Check your nearest Ohana dealer (info on the Ohana website).

[GregS635563]

Great review! I want one!! BAD!! Great sound. Where do I get strings for a 5-string tenor uke? Do I get a regular set of tenor strings then bust up a set of classical guitar strings?? Thanks in advance. Greg

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Buy a regular set and a separate low G.

[wwelti]

Wow! An uke with renaissance guitar tuning! Must have!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is available now, Wilfried.

[wwelti]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Great... I'll look for it. (I probably can't afford it at the moment, but I'll see what I can do...)

[freackykit]

I love my Ohanas and the picking was wonderful...

Got to say though the strumming cam across a bit guitarish for my ears....Just personal, wonder what others think?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Maybe that's because the low G makes it sound like a guitar.

[MrJnobianchi]

Very lovely rendition of "In a Little Spanish Town", Ken. You actually made it sound Spanish, and not Tin Pan Alley! Just wonderful.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have just listened. I was playing it in a straight 3 time. I think it probably sounds best this way. it is often played in 4 with a tango feel to it.

[DaneUni]

Very cool Ken, thanks for sharing with us.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure.

[DaneUni]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Is this out? I can't find it on their website.

[EtnyreWines]

What a sweet uke. A hi/low G is a great idea. Just one more reason to try to get to the wine country fest. I may be a bit busy with harvest too. Will you/it be at any other uke gatherings this summer and fall?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, but all of them in the UK or Europe.

[SomebodynamedTor]

hi/low G is presumably exactly why Taimane Gardner is using an 8-string tenor with only five strings attached.. I believe I've seen one (possibly old) video where the C string was doubled, but in all other videos where the five strings are visible the G is doubled.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

That may well be the case.

[archivestereo]

Ken, this is the best solution to the hi G, low g problem and I am so excited to see it. You play beautifully, by the way. Thanks for presenting this. Mike

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, it works very well.

[esTebanLRD]

??????5??????fake!!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

They should be available by August, Tony.

[4DJB25]

Oooh! I definitely would like that. A late summer purchase would be well worth the wait. Thanks for the review.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

If you are at the Wine Country Fest, DeLonde, you can come and try it out.

[ukeKaLori]

Thanks for the preview! I can't wait to try one out!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'll probably have it with me at the Wine Country Fest, if you're there. But by then it should be in the shops anyway. Come and say hello if you do attend.

[ChoiFungWa]

Would it be like stepping on the peddle when playing piano?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I know what you mean. That extra string really fills out the sound.

[JohnsLoveBakery]

Whoever came up with this is my hero. I must have one with a good pickup!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It won't come with a pick-up as standard, but you easily have one retro-fitted of course.

[VesperPete]

Very enjoyable review. Thanks.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[mugambisuke]

Thank you for this interesting review, Ken!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Dirk. I appreciate the comment.

[cepinobel]

Great explanation maestro.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[ukeshale]

Really beautiful. Another great idea from Ohana. I won't be buying a new uke for a while but this is definitely on my "want" list

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I think this is going to be popular Shane, and not too expensive.

Will you be at the Cheltenham Fest, by the way? It looks like being the best show of the year.

[thesebinextdoor]

The low+high G combination is just a superb idea, and it sounds fuller indeed. Great instrument.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'd forgotten but I think you played this at Frankfurt.

[thesebinextdoor]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Yes, I played it in Frankfurt. I was amazed by how much fuller the sound was. I think the 5-string tenor ukulele brings more fun to strumming.

[theBradlands]

That low G would come in handy.. Many times, I've been plucking away in the lower register and run out of uke.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It's quite hard to pluck just the low G though, Brad. Easier to pluck only the high G.

[josephhoh]

that's it SOLD. I am going to get one. I can't wait!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Excellent Joseph. Available in August.

[josephhoh]

@KenMiddletonUkulele I just tried a six string and was surprised that the double courses were the C & As. Did not seem to make sense to me whereas the double for the G in the 5 string I can understand. Any explanation about the six double Cs & As?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I can't explain it sensibly, but we didn't think of the idea.

[krabbers]

sounds great Ken . im stillin two minds about getting an 8 string

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

One concern I would have is that they are heavy on the fingers. Like playing two ukes at once.

[idrnoel]

I want to work with Ohana, so I can also own a prototype uke ;) But seriously, it's one instrument that I would like to own if I've managed to save enough. I was just wondering if it would sound differently (or better?) with both nylgut strings for the high and low G instead of wound? I agree she has a lusciously fat and warm voice. Very nice.

I'm trying to recall if there was there commandment saying, "Do not covet your neighbour's uke". You know, you could have a competition again.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't own it, Dylan.

No, I think it wouldn't sound better with a thick Nylgut string.

[loondoo]

Very interesting and clever, to double just the low and high G! It sounds quite nice as well! I actually tried several Ohanas while in New York City recently, and was quite impressed by the quality and tone of them all! Great stuff and great video review as always Ken.

[loondoo]

P.S. It looks really nice, but I agree with you, I'd square the headstock off a little to make it look nicer aesthetically.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, we intend to do that.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. This 5 string actually plays and sound really lovely, in my opinion. Glad you had a good time in NYC.

[JChoneybell]

That's a beauty Ken. Can't wait to play one.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'll have one with me at every festival I attend and it will be available to buy around August time.

[BaronK69]

It sounds great Ken! I wasn't sure about the look of the head, but when you trim it down a little I'm sure it will be perfect. Very warm sound to it.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks R. It does have a really warm tone, yes.

[fgyar]

I really like the sound of this instrument much more than the double course C and A, 6 string ukes.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, it's much more logical, isn't it?

[casetone2514]

I liked the sound and feel when I tried it at Belper but it was just a little complex (the sound) for my liking. You are right, thought it does give a very rich and full sound, particularly the G chord, which sounds incredibly lush.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Tony. I like it a lot. so do most people that try it, but I pretty much agree with you.

[ruth7784]

P.S. You'd be a brilliant story-teller! :-) X

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Caroline says my videos are like Jackanory. Do you remember that programme?

[ruth7784]

@KenMiddletonUkulele hehe, they are! :-D I vaguely remember it, I think it disappeared in the 90s, but it's back now! :-) You should audition! :-) X

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

it is what comes from reading "The Gruffalo" to a two year old over and over.

[ruth7784]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Ah wow, I love the Gruffalo! Next time, record it! :-D X

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Maybe.

[HaileISela]

great review, as usual, and a beautiful instrument!

is that a Pono Mango in the back?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

No, it is my Pete Howlett koa tenor.

[HaileISela]

@KenMiddletonUkulele still a very beautiful one^^

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[ruth7784]

Oh, Ken, I love your reviews! For some bizarre reason they make me feel better about the world. haha. If you were on the tele, I'd actually watch it. Who came up with the 5 string idea? It's genius! :-) Sounds great! X

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'd like to say it was my idea, but, sad to say, it wasn't. It was Louis' idea. He's my boss. I didn't like the idea at first, but now I too think it is brilliant.

[Little6ster]

very nice warm sound, instrument and very interesting review! Thanx Ken ;°)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much, N.

[1ferronato]

Wonderfull Uke!!!

i shall pick a Tenor too. I think i shall wait for this one. I really love it!!!

Thanks for this wonderfull review, Ken

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[Ukeffect]

Ken...Ken...Ken! I would have never thought of you as a uke tease before this! My UAS just kicked into overdrive! I must have one! =`)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

You'll probably have to wait 'til August, I'm afraid.

[ruth7784]

@Ukeffect LOL! :-) X

[StudentvsMaster]

Looks great, sounds great! Definitely a very interesting uke! :D

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[CustardGrenade]

now i get it! thanks!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Excellent. Thanks.

[revdrjim]

informative vid ken and she sounds lovely

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the comment, Jim.

[UnluckyMum]

Brilliant. I really like the way you play a bit and then ' hi everyone' it reminds me of Jackanory :) This sounds fantastic, I want a go !!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Haha. Several people in Dallas commented on my review style. I see what you mean.

Try this uke at Cheltenham, Caroline.

[waterdog226]

It sounds pretty fine in your hands.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you, Lynda.

[russbuss415]

it sounds great Ken! i prefer to stick with high G for most applications but this is an interesting concept.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I prefer high G too, Russ. This is a great alternative though. just about everyone who's tried it, liked it.

[deach69]

A great answer to the low g vs high g question. Nice review Ken!

[okvolleyball]

great sound!! and very nice video Ken . what about a 5 string red cedar ukulele ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Not likely at the moment Stephen. Sorry.

[manoftheleaf]

I have an 8-string Kamaka Ukulele and I agree. When you have doubled up strings picking can be very difficult, however the strumming sound is heavy and full. FYI The hawaiian word Ohana literally means "from the shoots" which refers to the corm of the Kalo or Taro plant, what poi is made from. When the corm of the plant starts fully matures you can see other corm's start to branch off of the original corm. Kalo being the life plant of the Native Hawaiians... Great Review...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Wow! I didn't know that about the word "ohana". Thanks very much.

[manoftheleaf]

@KenMiddletonUkulele No Thank you! There is so much garbage out there that seeing something wholesome and fruitful is refreshing. And yes Ohana is a very deep word that can mean more than just family but also a underlining statement of our ties to the earth and to each other as human beings.

[kavadale]

It must be a challenge to replace the string set !!???

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Why? Just by a regular set of Aquilas and a single low G. All easily available.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

That should read, "Just buy ..."

[kavadale]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Thx Ken.  I hope to meet you at London's Ukefest, if/when they set a date, on my way to Spain. David in NY

[UKISOCIETY]

Picking both. Show-off! :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I actually did it by accident and had to continue.

[Gcow55]

Great review, as always. Keep them coming!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

One or two more to follow shortly.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure.