Ohana SK-22z soprano ukulele review

I thought I’d take some time to compile a few thoughts on my newest ukulele. I originally purchased the instrument from Omega Music in Cumbria, UK on the 18th of November, 2013. Being one of only two that Omega Music had in stock at the time, I was drawn to the unique looks of the instrument. Also, I should disclose that I purchased the instrument at a 10% discount, due to my participation in the Omega Music Ukuvision Song Contest.


The uke came with Aquila strings, as seem to be the standard for pretty much any (non-custom) ukulele these days. When I first started playing ukulele (admittedly only eight years ago) these had not yet come to prominence in the same way that they have today.

Although fabricated in China rather than California, where Ohana Ukuleles are based, this instrument boasts excellent quality wood at this price point. (Retail when Omega had them in stock was £97.) The top is solid spruce, whilst the back and sides are laminate zebrawood. All in all this makes for a striking instrument






                                                                                                                                      














Turning to the sound, the instrument delivers in spades. It requires a little room to get the resonance right (so probably best not to hug it too closely) but when this happens, something magical also happens. The volume that emerges from the spruce top belies the instrument’s small size. It’s easily the loudest soprano ukulele I’ve played, although the Aquila strings make it a bit brash with it. If I were braver, I might swap them out for fluorocarbon strings at some point, but there are new Aquila ‘super nylgut’ strings on the market, which promise to round out the sound.



It’s very comfortable to play, as well. The frets are well-dressed, there are no little niggles with the nut, either. (Unlike my £100+ concert ukulele, I might add.) All of these little bonuses add up to a ukulele which is an absolute delight to play, and which I am reliably informed will only get better with time. If you’re in the market for a factory soprano ukulele, you really couldn’t go far wrong with this. Ohana make superb instruments at human prices. If you listen to these samples and disregard my playing, you may be able to see what I mean.





https%3A//soundcloud.com/shady-wilbury/sk22z-picked
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