Flea Soprano Comparison

The Magic Fluke Company run by Dale and Phyllis Webb have been around since the beginning of the latest ukulele craze. These ukes are absolutely iconic but in this video I compare three different formats of the same instrument.
M30 Lava Soprano Flea
M30 Ukelyptus Soprano Flea
M30 Solid Koa Top Soprano Flea
More information on The Magic Fluke Company at: www.magicfluke.com/
Thanks to Mark Pugh at Stones Music for the loan of these three amazing ukes.
sites.google.com/site/stonesm...

[@lisacompton3661]

Love this review. Thank you so much. All these Flea are gorgeous - so iconic, as you say.

[@lisacompton3661]

Matt, can I ask you a question? In your opinion, could you put a Low G string on a SOPRANO Flea if it has a hardwood fretboard? I appreciate a Low G string is more appropriate for concerts and tenors.

[@Lesterweb]

It's worth giving it a go but in my experience low G comes into its own with concert or tenor ukes

[@lisacompton3661]

@@Lesterweb Many thanks. You inspired me to buy Fleas! Perhaps a Fluke, one day and I can put a Low G on. All best.

[@Lesterweb]

@@lisacompton3661 that means the world. Good luck and keep me posted.

[@jimwarnock1250]

Loved hearing your playing!

[@Lesterweb]

Thank you

[@bonniedavidson936]

Interesting history. Thanks for sharing

[@Lesterweb]

Very kind words. Thank you

[@pedrosanchezpalma4443]

Hesitant between a soprano Flea (plastic fretboard) and a concert Fluke (wooden fretboard). Before throwing a coin, which do you prefer most? Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Lesterweb]

It’s very subjective. But I’ve always been more of a soprano man and I think the flea concert is a perfect instrument. That said the concert flea is stunning and has lots and lots of positives. There’s not a huge amount of difference in tone. Maybe a slightly more sustain on the concert but not a huge amount. Go with what you like the look of. You won’t be disappointed with either.

[@pedrosanchezpalma4443]

@@Lesterweb very kind from your side. Thanks!

[@bonniedavidson936]

You play the ukelele very well ! Beautiful

[@Lesterweb]

Thank you so much!

[@Mandobird1]

Very happy with my bog standard Flea, going on 12 years now. But, having recently acquired a Firefly banjo uke with walnut fretboard, I can definitely agree with your comments about the workmanship and feel of wooden fingerboards on these instruments. Cheers!

[@Lesterweb]

The big standard flea is an amazing uke

[@Mandobird1]

@@Lesterweb You can't improve on perfection! 😉

[@pedrosanchezpalma4443]

Do you mean the soprano with plastic fretboard? I have the Firefly too with wood and thinking to buy a soprano Flea I wonder whether I will feel too much the plastic as negative instead of the wooden fretboard. Is ok the fretboard after this so long time?

[@Lesterweb]

@@pedrosanchezpalma4443 the fretboard gives a different experience but I love it. I have a fluke which is over 10 years old and the fretboard is still brilliant.

[@Lesterweb]

Also intonation is better than any uke I’ve ever played

[@rogerhay1348]

LOVE THIS MATE - AND MISS YOU

[@Lesterweb]

Rog!!!!

[@jeffwatson4908]

Interesting comparison. Thanks. Have been debating between a Flea and a Martin OXK soprano? Of these Number 2 sounded brighter than 1. Number 3 (Koa) was in the middle but was noticeably more resonant and high end sounding. Between 1 and 2 the plastic vs maple fretboard should not make a sound difference and both having laminated sound boards, where does the difference in sound come from? To me either the Lava(1) or Koa (3) are the best choices. I have not heard of any complaints about premature fret wear on plastic neck Flukes.

[@Lesterweb]

You'd be surprised at how sound can change with how it travels up the neck. It's probably lost a little on this video but wood fretboard makes a difference. That said, for me I love the polycarbonate fretboard. I've a very old fluke and the frets have no wear at all. Overall the quality of sound, volume and tone lies most with the koa. But for me the polycarbonate lava stole my heart massively enough to buy it.

[@Lesterweb]

Haven't played a Martin OXK. Probably a very different beast to the flea. I wouldn't like to comment.

[@pedrosanchezpalma4443]

@@Lesterweb do you prefer the soprano Flea to the concert one in terms of sound? Much ukelele original? Thanks for all your excellent demos which are invaluable for those who can’t try a Flea before buying 😊

[@vincemincevince]

what strings would you recommend for the koa top please Matt

[@Lesterweb]

Any flurocarbon strings. Worth, Martin's, Freemont Blacklines.

[@vincemincevince]

@@Lesterweb thanks allot

[@roberttylee231]

Hi Matt , have you heard or played any of the flight travel ukes people are raving about and saying they sound like a Flea ? Can't believe it myself.

[@Lesterweb]

I have. They’re really very good for the money. Probably the first port of call for your first uke. Are they comparable to Fleas? No way. They sound good. Very playable but they’re not as robust and their sound is thinner.

[@roberttylee231]

I was tempted to buy one I'll stick with my 10 year old battered flea . Save the money towards a Firefly,ever little helps.

[@MichaelStoneham]

Next the fluke models, then the Firebird models.

[@Lesterweb]

As it happens....

[@fzelders]

Can't wait!

[@sonijam]

Ha! The old switcheroo.

[@Lesterweb]

Ssshhhhh