OHANA SK-35G - Ukulele Review

[MrBob6939]

After seeing Kens review I decided to buy one of these Ukuleles... I decided however to get the matt version rather than the gloss. I think this makes the Ukulele look much more traditional and expensive (my opinion) . Ive never played a musical instrument in my life, i'm 44, apart from the triangle at prinary school. Six weeks on and i'm still totally useless at playing the Ukie, but I'm having so much fun with it and its one of my best buys ever... ..Cheers Ken for your outstanding review.

[kd5txo]

I must admit that Ohana ukuleles are one of the few production ukuleles that has never disappointed me...they always play well, improve in sound over time, come already set up and play spot on..... in short, I don't think you can go wrong with buying Ohana. I have a few better ukuleles that are rare and expensive....but the Ohans SK25 is the one I carry around and USE every day to practice and experiment with. the SK-21 sopranino that I own is also fun to play. For the price, no better value.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@kd5txo Excellent to hear. It is exactly why I now work for the company.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@thdrjsdnBRB Already answered this. Check out my other reply. If you want all-solid, you should go for the Ohana SK-25. You won't get it for $90 though. My advice is to save a little more and go for all-solid. Other people may tell you different though.

[MrShornus]

Hi there Ken. I'm a novice ukelele player, though I play acoustic guitar. I'd like to ask you a question if that's ok. I am thinking of buying an Ohana sk 35 g, but am also slightly taken with the sk 25z zebrawood, as it looks so unusual. I would like to know your opinion about the difference in sound quality between them, because of the wood type and build quality..

Thanks very much for your reviews, I have found them really informative and thorough.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@MrShornus Private message sent.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@MrShornus The 35G is probably the best selling all-solid soprano you can buy. the sound is rich, mellow and loud. The 25Z has stunning looks but the sound is less traditional. It is very hard to describe them in words.

[MrShornus]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Thanks for that Ken.

I guess the best idea would be for me to compare the two by playing them... I doubt finding a place that has both models in stock is really an option. With that in mind, I now know which one makes sense... very exciting!

[DesignerGoat]

Thanks for the review! It's helped my decision a ton!

Is there any particular reason you don't like the Concert as much as the Soprano and Tenor? I'm looking to purchase a concert ukulele and the CK-35G is my top contender at the moment.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for watching.

[simonrcarson]

Ken's reviews and playing are wonderful! As a newcomer to the ukulele, I am learning so much. I've decided to get myself a tenor (the Ohana TK35G) on the strength of the reviews here. I've uploaded a video response, a review of my own soprano ukulele. Not very good quality, I'm afraid, but my first contribution to YouTube, so inspired am I by Ken!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much, Simon.

[sweentnhot0104]

Wow....... I'm certainly buying this. Now I get to own a soprano ukulele! :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Excellent. I am sure you will enjoy it.

[buffydu92]

it's mine since this morning , yeah it's xmas ;)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Congrats.

[curtismichael14]

@KenMiddletonUkulele thats the most beautiful uke i have ever heard...honest

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I am glad that you like it. Do you have one?

[curtismichael14]

@KenMiddletonUkulele no,but i want to start getting into it..the ukulele has always had an appeal to me,i'm not sure to get this one or,a lanikai

[AaronCracknell]

Ken, I like the song that you play to start this video. Do you know if I can find the tabs for this anywhere on the net, or could you tell me what the tune is called? Thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is the Iggle Piggle song from In The Night Garden. You won't find the tabs anywhere. I was just making it up. Sorry.

[TheAquaticSloth]

Hey great videos! What are your thoughts on the concert versus the soprano for this? If you've played them both are there really any differences quality and sound-wise?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

There is certainly no difference in quality. A concert is always going to sound different to a soprano though, but this applies to all ukuleles. There is a difference though. the concert is available with a choice of either friction or geared pegs.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

There is certainly no difference in quality. A concert is always going to sound different to a soprano though, but this applies to all ukuleles. There is a difference though. the concert is available with a choice of either friction or geared pegs.

[Tonefid115]

Great review nice playing!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[beavis3792]

Ken,

How would you rate the CK-25Z compared to the CK-35 at the same price?

Thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Both are great instruments. The 35 should cost $20 more. I would prefer the CK-35 myslef, particularly if they are priced the same.

[Bazzerhull]

Ken I think I have watched all of your reviews at least 3 times and love em all. I am a guitar player looking for my first tenor uke. i have 200 - 300 pounds could you recommend an instrument? Thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I think I would go with thew Ohana TK-35G or 35CG or 35CE. I think it is one of the versatile ukes you can buy.

[Bazzerhull]

@Bazzerhull Thanks for that, I will try and find an outlet for ohana near Hull. A legend and he spoke to me!!!

[smyrna5]

Thanks for all your excellent reviews Ken. I just got my SK-35G last week, and I was not disappointed. Its a beautiful little instrument, both in look and sound.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'm really pleased for you.

[rocker9455]

I got this as my first 'proper' uke about 3 months ago, and for the price (£140 from the southern ukulele shop, there were a few marks on the back of the headstock so i got a discount) I really am just blown away, it sound fantastic!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I am very pleased for you.

[jamestoo]

Received mine today. The sound is lovely, but you certainly notice the difference build-wise with regards to something factory made in comparison to hand built like my Bruko (just a few things such as some frets and the nut a mm too small, paintwork chipped a bit, insides a bit rough - purely cosmetic). But take nothing away, I really like my SK-35G, such a warm happy sound. A welcome addition to my collection, for sure.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Glad you like it. My Bruko has a few minor faults too, but great value for money.

[jhob101]

Hi Ken, Thanks again for an informative review. I would be interested in hearing how you think the tone, neck profile and overall playability compare with soprano ukuleles from other manufacturers that you have played, such as the kanile'a? I'd be particularly interested to hear how the tone compares to any vintage sopranos that you might have played?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I do not like shallow neck profiles. It is just about acceptable on the Kanile'a. The Ohana neck profile is perfect for me. No modern instrument sounds exactly like a vintage instrument unless it has been well played in. This Ohana's tone is beautiful, but it cannot sound exactly like an instrument that may be 4x the price.

[ukeattitude]

Very informative, well done. Thank you very much and I think add up to my wishlist ;-)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[kennymelodica]

its a work of art

great tone

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Kenny.

[KYOTOZOOM]

Very nice one, I want concert size ukulele like that.

But I can't get it, they are very expensive.

By the way, your "Reviews" are always help my training for English listening. Thank you Mr,Ken.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I would like to sell them in Japan, but it is almost impossible for a US owned company to become established in your country.

[idrnoel]

Couldn't they be re-branded by a local Japanese company and sold there?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

We would want to sell them with the Ohana name.

[idrnoel]

Very simple.... I WANT ONE TOO.

I love her voice when you strummed her.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Dylan.

[BornAgainJeeper]

"thats enough of that one..." hahaha great review

beautiful instrument

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Hi Alex. Thanks.

[PeteyMack64]

Always love your reviews Mr. Ken. I love all my Ohanas, but there is something about that little SK-35 that always makes me smile! It has great sound projection and a lovely tone that I have come to expect from my Ohana Ukes! I love my CK-70G! If anyone has the ability to play one at a music store, you will see how great this one is as well. : ) Mr Ken have you had the chance to play a Cordoba solid Koa at any of your events?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

No, I have never tried a Cordoba, Pete. Although I meet many people who have luthier-made instruments, Ohana is clearly the top factory-made instrument in Europe.

[PeteyMack64]

I agree! I love all three of my Ohanas and wouldn't trade them for anything. I was at a music store the other night and I found this little Cordoba. It is solid Koa and it was affordable, and a very good looking instrument. I just haven't seen a lot of reviews for the instrument and thought you may have seen one. Hope you are having a great day. : )

[creaturo77]

very nice review! I just bought one of them some days before to see that, and now i know my choice is right!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Congrats on your new uke.

[buddhUU]

Nice one, Ken. Sounds great!

Rick

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Rick.

[BaronK69]

Today I had the privilege to try 7 different Ohanas at Gottfrid's! The cedartop concert was beautiful, as was the solid koa soprano. And you know I love my little SK35G of course...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, his order has just arrived. We now have a main dealer in Stockholm.

[GrumpyCoyoteTunes]

One of the baritones I'm considering... Really sweet.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The baritone version is terrific, if you like baritones. A fantastic tone.

[jmmquah]

Great review Ken...I'm a friction tuner man too

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

You've got the concert version, haven't you James?

[jmmquah]

Yes, mine's the concert...I love it. Beautiful resonant tone, I thought it was a bargain. The action was a little high when I got it, but had it lowered a hair with no significant impact on tone.

[ken6675]

great sounding uke Ken

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Ken.

[UKISOCIETY]

I agree about the tuners. I'm changing some of my machine tuners to pegs on the sopranos I have.

LOL at 7:06

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, I've changed my mind about soprano tuners. I now much prefer the traditional ones.

[casetone2514]

Excellent review Ken.

I'm thinking of a sopranino for my next purchase and would love to see a review/comparison by you.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I will do my best Tony. But it is the only sopranino on the market at the moment, so there is nothing to compare it to. Did you try the one I had in Dublin?

[casetone2514]

I had a little go on Barry's and I liked the sound and feel but not the finish.

[russbuss415]

great review Ken. i had a chance to play one of those sopranos and it was a very nice instrument.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

They certainly are. Thanks Russ.

[DonfromMT]

Ohana has some great instruments! Do you know, is there much interest in the company to use more certified sustainable woods? I wonder if that is going to become more of an issue for the entire industry in the next decade or so.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Like any responsible company, we have certainly discussed our wood types and where they are sourced, Don. Our concern is obviously to produce fine-sounding instruments and our tone woods are obtained from all around the world.

However, compared to the huge amount of rare rain-forest trees that are needlessly destroyed each year, the ukulele industry uses a tiny amount of largely sustainable woods.

[ruth7784]

Well, I never thought I'd see you play Iggle Piggle! Have you been made to watch it endlessly? :-) I can't get Bob the Builder out of my head, drives me mad! :-) Great review, as always, you made me want one even more! :-) I wish they didn't have to use bone though! :-( Sounds great though! Is there any difference in sound between the gloss and matt? X

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

In The Night Garden is one the best TV programmes. Holly and I love to watch it.

Gloss and matt sound pretty much the same to me.

[ruth7784]

It's one of my favourites, I mean my children's favourites :-) OK, I admit it, I watch it sometimes when they're not even home :-) I love the Tweenies too. Did you see the Children in Need thing, that video of the characters from children's programmes, I absolutely loved it! I'm going to buy the DVD (for my kids) :-) Bet none of this suprises you! :-) X

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I didn't watch CIN. And it doesn't surprise me.

[ukeshale]

Wonderful review.

'that's enough of that one' haha

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

To be honest Shane, there are so many good versions of that song out there, I wouldn't dare record it.

[phillipsderek]

It was one of your earliest reviews that convinced me to buy an Ohana 35 series ukulele. They are definitely value for money.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have certainly never regretted buying mine.

[deach69]

Great review as always Ken. It sounds a lot fuller than most sopranos.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, it has a lovely full tone, Deach.

[alancramsay]

Great review. Glad you like it as I have the same instrument and also love it.

Love the Iggle Piggle intro :-)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I played it at the weekend for my grand-daughter. It's her favourite tune.