Ohana CK-50G - ukulele review

[joeshea1010]

ken, is the cedar top/rosewood back and sides, now available in tenor? thanks for all your help, joe

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@joeshea1010 yes Joe. The great Yan Yalego has one. A terrific uke.

[paulmay7777]

@KenMiddletonUkulele hi ken, UkPaulie from UU, where can I get hold of the tenor version? Any idea?

[paulmay7777]

@KenMiddletonUkulele hey ken I tried the site you mentioned too and it seems to simply list the ukes for sale on ebay....am I in the wrong place?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@paulmay7777 If you are talking about SUS, no problem. They are a big main dealer and sell on eBay. Any problems, send a private email.

[lintlicker1]

Ooooh that's perrttyyy :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@lintlicker1 Thanks.

[zachmilford]

what are your thoughts on the ck-20 and ck-25? Are there major sound difference?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@zachmilford They certainly both sound different from this one. A cedar top is always going to sound different from mahogany. I love the simple lines and excellent tone of the 25 series. They have a fuller tone than the 20 series because they are all-solid.

[JM135030]

your uke reviews are very helpful. I'm a guitar player getting into the world of ukuleles. I appreciate your help.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[krabbers]

excellent review Ken

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The CK-50GS has side gear tuners and is much better for playing live gigs (IMO).

[AaronCracknell]

Ken, if you had the option of the 50g, 50wg or 50mg, what would you go for? They are all relatively similarly priced....

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I would have the 50G. I like rosewood and prefer solid.

[dukeuke1]

I ONLY Play my Ohana Uke`s now & I try to go to China with Louis of Ohana every year @ the Shanghai Music EXPO .....Louis IS the BEST in the BUSINESS & SO NICE!!

[roninathens]

Hi Ken- I've been reading your reviews and wanted to express my appreciation. I'm considering getting either the Ohana SK-35 or the Ohana CK-35 models and was wondering if you might have any idea about the action on the CK-35. Thanks for all the help I've gotten from your reviews!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thde action should be just about right on all Ohanas. Some people though like to have the action too low (IMO). If the action is too low, the tone and the volume go. It is a myth that a dealer does a "full set-up".

[beavis3792]

Ken, This looks like a great instrument but I am struggling to chose between this, the 50 WG and the 50 MG- any advice?

Thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The 50WG is prettier than the 50MG and louder than the 35G. But I personally prefer the sweet tone of the solid mahogany 35 series instruments. Look how often I use them in my videos.

[Mirllyn]

i have a ck 50wg !! thank you ken this helped me get to know my new instrument.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure.

[DoctorFinlay43]

I also have a CK 50wg- love your reviews!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[AaronCracknell]

How do you find the 50wg? Better than the 50g?

[DoctorFinlay43]

@AaronCracknell I love my 50wg and it sounds gorgeous but I have never played the 50g and if it is solid it is prob going to be even better!

[toxophillus72]

Another great review Ken. I have been given a Soprano for a Christmas pressy, to learn on. It is a laminated bottom of the market model. Many years ago when I played Guitar I had a Solid wood Manuel Cond'e and kept a damp cloth in a small perforated box inside my case, to stop the wood splitting,as was recommended to me. Is this nescessary with solid Ukuleles ? as that is what I hope to get.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It depends where you live. I have never worried about, living in the UK. Some places however cause problems.

[toxophillus72]

I was told to do it as I have central heating. The chap in the shop ( Boosey and Hawkes Shaftesbury Ave) remember them Ken? showed me one that had split in his shop, not in the window he assured me but as you have had no problems thtats good enough for me. Happy New Year to you. Ken.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have had good quality guitars for 40 years. I have never let it concern me. If you travel to somewhere with severe changes in humidity or temperature, then do something about it. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry.

[hemiola111]

Thanks for such a great review - and especially explaining the difference on laminate & solid facings. Much appreciated!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the comment.

[avonflow]

Grateful for the review. The new CK35 at southern ukulele is mahogony, is mahogony as good as cedar ? Would you say that the CK50G is the same instrument as the CK 35 you reviewed, the difference being that the 50 has geared tuners ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The CK-35 isn't new. The two instruments are totally different. The rosewood/cedar combination sounds very different to the all mahogany.

I personally prefer the mahogany. Both use all solids woods and both sound superb though. Check out my review of the SK-35G to give you some idea.

[avonflow]

Thanks for the answer and useful information Ken. I'm afraid I was getting mixed up. What I meant to ask was ; Is the CK50mg the same instrument as the CK50g except that it has geared tuners and also, has it replaced the CK50g ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

No, the 50mg has a very wavy laminate mahogany back and sides and solid cedar top. The CK-50G and the CK-50SG are still very much in production.

[avonflow]

Thank you for the advice Ken. I have looked at your CK35G review and it is excellent , the instrument sounds really lovely. So now I am torn between buying the CK35G concert and the CK 50G - it's a tough one, the only thing is, I can't find anyone in theUK who is selling the 50G at the moment. Do you know of anywhere?

[casarole45]

I'm looking at getting the CK50G, just go through Elderly music from America its well enough discounted to make up for the import tax.

[bikejen]

thanks for the review - especially like the comments about the saddle and bridge - never thought of those issues before.

Cheers!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Go to Southern Ukulele Store. Get an up-to-date price.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Can't remember.

[finkylinky]

Hello. many thanks for all your postings on the different ukes you have reviewed. i am trying to buy my first solid wood concert uke and i was thinking of the Ohana ck-35g (hopefully 'gs' with geared tuners). I was wondering if you knew anything about this instrument, or indeed if you held any general opinion on ohana or any other recommendation. any help at all would be very very much appreciated. many thanks again for your posts and the information they pass on to new uke players like me.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, It is a great instrument. I have the SK35G, the Tk35G and the TK35CG. I don't have the concert one. Remember that I work for Ohana. But I did have 4 Ohanas before I took the job. You can't go wrong with this.

[finkylinky]

thank you very much for your reply. it looks like this is the uke i will buy. my only hesitation is that i have a budget of £200 and this uke is cheaper than that - i kind of wanted the best uke i could afford. with the demise of the Ukulele Shop i was going to buy direct from the USA (cheaper uke prices offset by postage costs, but then again you tend to get good deals on free cases etc). Thanks again for your reply. unless you know of a slightly more expensive uke i think i may go for ck35gs.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

There is no reason to pay more. This is solid mahogany with rosewood binding. Get a hard case. See my other message.

[finkylinky]

thank you so much. your help has been invaluable. you provide a great service for uk uke players. I'll let you know how i get on with it - ordering it today!

[MattDjimin]

would laminate koa sound beter? since its a better wood?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Laminate is basically plywood. It is never better wood. It may look better because it will have a very thin layer of real koa glued onto a cheap wood. Laminates do not vibrate as well as solid wood.

[MattDjimin]

im comparing the regular ohana ck 50 and lanikai Ck-c.. what do you think?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't know the Lanikai instrument. Most people would choose the Ohana.

[FunTykoon]

I have a question. If a uke isn't tenor, does that mean it doesn't have the same GCEA as normal ukes.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Soprano, concert and tenor ukus are normally tuned gCEA. Only baritones are usually tuned lower.

[nutmegger1957]

K is for Koa, right?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

No, this one is not not made from koa.

[blackwarrior57]

Sorry but I write my comment in french ;)

Merci beaucoup pour toutes ces précisions sur ce magnifique ukulele, j'avais déjà l'intention de l'acheter et après cette vidéo c'est sûr !

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I hope you will enjoy your new ukulele if you decide to buy it.

[daveyuke8]

Hi Ken,  I was half way to buying this model, I am now sold on it. Great review thanks, Dave

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Do be aware of its faults though.

[00trousertrout00]

thanks ken, such a great help!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure.

[verrecchia805]

Thanks Ken for all your reviews. This one is very helpful as I been thinking of buying this model Ohana.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank. Hope you enjoy it.

[Tigsalot]

My girlfriend got me this uke last year and I just absolutely love it! Great Review!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. It has a great sound.

[skyblueqld]

Hi Ken, I love your reviews, really comprehensive. I have heard cedar is soft wood, have you had any problems with the top or does the gloss lacquer make it stronger? Cheers.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

There is no problem with strength. Most spanish (classical) guitars have cedar tops. The top need to vibrate freely. the sides and back need to be stronger, so a hard wood like koa, rosewood or mahogany are used. Gloss lacquer just makes it look good and protects it a bit.

[vagaqu7e]

hi ken, really useful review. i'm trying to find a new tenor at the moment, and i've narrowed it down to the ohana tk-50g, ohana tk-35g or the pono tenor made by ko'olau. i'm not sure on the colour of this uke though, is it as orange as it appears on the vid? which one do you prefer out of the two ohana's?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes it is orange. Cedar is a bit drab, so they stain it. Of the 3 I would go for the TK35G without a doubt. I think the Pono is also good, but the 35G has a cleaner, crisper and louder sound.

[seriousmoejoe]

Cheers for the review Ken, I've bought a similar Ohana uke' for my dad this Christmas, review realy helped me pick out a good concert sized instrument. Thanks again!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Glad you found it helpful.

[Ebonyks]

I have the same ukulele (CK-50G), and have an interesting observation. Mine has the opposite problem as yours, and the bridge is actually too high, causing the action to be too high when playing above the 10th fret or so.

I'm a fan of mine, it's slightly older though. Mine was purchased last year (fall, 07), so perhaps they're experimenting with different build styles.

[scsesc]

Thanks Ken. Excellent review. I kept hearing a young Spanish guitar coming out of your new uk'olé'le.

[tinroofblowdown]

Thanks Ken, for all your stuff and for this very informative review. I know what I want for Christmas:)

[guitarsnpucks]

hello KEN! Can you please do a review on the Homano H-100C Concert Ukulele? It is a beautiful instument from what I see in pictures. Don't want to buy it until I have your ideas about it first~ You don't have to but it would be very appreiciated if you did and I think that you will love the quality! Sincerely, Ty

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't have one to do a review on. Also, there are no ukulele shops near where I live. I only review the instruments I buy. Sorry.

[guitarsnpucks]

how is the action?/

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The action on this one is low. I fear that if I put slacker strings on it (like Worths) it may be too low. However the saddle can always be raised a little.

KEN

[bassfiddlesteve]

Hi Ken, I used this same uke on all the Barnkickers recordings except for "Apology Song" on which Amanda played her Bushman Jenny concert. The CK50G is my favorite uke and I also have their CK70RB roundback model which sounds great too. Ohana sure makes a great product...and now both you and The Barnkickers are featured on their new web site! How cool is that?

[Ukecaptain]

Thanks Ken!  I needed this review right now... I'm wrestling between the Ohana and a similar Kala. I think this one wins.

[davidbeckingham]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the great review. I have just received my own CK-50G from musicguymike on Ebay. I have tried many instruments in this price range and this one fits me better than any I have had so far. I have always thought the cedar/ rosewood would be a nice combination, and I have fitted Worth strings and it is singing beautifully already, before they have even stretched fully. BTW the specs say the nut and saddle are bone, and I'm pretty sure mine are. The pegs seem better than most.

[petiepet45]

God bless you Ken. your videos give me so much enjoyment;)

[casetone2514]

Excellent review and very informative. I just wish I'd heard you before buying my new Vintage Soprano - disappointing!

I totally agree with you about friction tuning pegs. My baritone uke has friction pegs and, although they are good quality ones, they are still innacurate and tend to "leap" when fine tuning which is not what you want.

Anyway, great review and congratulations on you beautiful, shiny new instrument. I can't wait to hear your first offering on it.

[diez]

It'a pleasure to hear you. You have warmfull voice, and your words are carefully chosen.

Great review!

[deach69]

Awesome Ken! I've been waiting for you to review this. Thanks. Congrats on the new ukulele.