I came back a year later. Iv enjoyed the heck out of this. Iv replaced the tuners with the small Grover uke tuners to give it the complete look of a banjo. It rolls along clawhammer style with old time groups over here in North Carolina area of USA.
@MattyPeq6 жыл бұрын
Yessssss! I bought a Little Gem about one month ago and I was really hoping it would get a Got A Ukulele review!!! I am glad you liked it, Baz!!!! Great review!!!
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Matty - yeah - they are very cool
@eviltwin23224 жыл бұрын
Aquila Red strings work beautifully on the Little Gem. They really clean up it's default, slightly muffled tone.
@GotAUkulele4 жыл бұрын
I like what the Aquila brand do for the uke world but.... can't ever recommend Reds. They snap too easily for me.
@KeefsCattys6 жыл бұрын
Over my somewhat limited speakers, I like the way it sounds picked . Quite an authentic sound. Really thorough and enjoyable review. Thanks
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
yes it is - sounds harsh when the string notes overlap to me. Easily solved with a cloth inside.
@chuckvt51966 жыл бұрын
Such a pretty little thing, and she does have a cool sound to her! The price is right, she looks stunning! Thanks for a great review!
@Diy_Mike3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the review. I picked up a few of these lately to play with. They sounded great but the frets shredded my fingers. Don't know who else had this problem but I tried 3 and they all had that same build quality issue. If I buy one I'll definitely spend some time filing the frets.
@mikek47082 жыл бұрын
Daughter just had one delivered too me. Fret ends are an issue. Will be sending it back.
@kingstumble6 жыл бұрын
Nice review. I'm not usually a banjo uke player but I recently bought a Gold Tone BU-1 which, until they released this Little Gem, was their cheapest model but I have to say I absolutely love it. It plays like a dream and is very loud. I am tempted by the Little Gem now too! If they were to bring out a tenor version I wouldn't hesitate.
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Yeah - I think that's the hook for these. They are not silly money and a bit of fun. Can see them attracting a lot of people wanting to try banjo uke out
@evelyndoyle48304 жыл бұрын
I got one for my birthday last year and I really like it. I agree I prefer strumming on it than fingerpicking bc the notes aren’t as clear. Other than that it’s an fun, unusual instrument that is sure to get looks.
@UKISOCIETY6 жыл бұрын
*adds to my list*
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Just below the Waterman..
@eviltwin23226 жыл бұрын
They have these in the window of Forsyth's in Manchester, and every day I find myself pausing for a look as I pass by. It's a bit outside of my means, but I think you've helped me decide to get one. Who needs food and rent anyway?!
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Don’t think you’d regret it
@eviltwin23226 жыл бұрын
@@GotAUkulele After some serious budget calculation I bit the bullet and bought one in ruby. It's a thing of beauty and so much fun to play!
@alexcarter88075 жыл бұрын
I tried one at my local ukulele store (always always always go to your local ukulele store) and I like it. Checking reviews now to see if there are any gotchas, but I'm ready to go out and get one tomorrow!
@GotAUkulele5 жыл бұрын
Didn’t win best in show at NAMM for no reason!
@alexcarter88073 жыл бұрын
@@GotAUkulele I went and got one, it's a lot of "uke" for the money.
@marieandersson57302 жыл бұрын
This one is MUCH too funky for me, but I didn't turn the video off, because I realy enjoy watching your reviews ❤ The sound then? Well, I must admit this Goldtone has a far better sound than my cheap banjolele 😊 (I payed about £ 80, if I remember right) Thanks for a very good review ❤
@GotAUkulele2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Marie!
@michellezalph2281 Жыл бұрын
I really like the sound of this banjo! Thank you so much for this review! I only have one instrument and want to purchase another instrument soon. Been practicing the clawhammer technique.
@GotAUkulele Жыл бұрын
as banjo ukes go - this is a bit of a marvel!
@kharmaviv2 жыл бұрын
I am banjo curious, and now that I have seen this video, I now no where to look. Thank you! 😃 🎵
@GotAUkulele2 жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
@PeteyHoudini4 жыл бұрын
Bought one on the Big Island of Hawai'i and brought it back to Canada. Kind of a whim really since my Firefly banjo uke can never stay in tune. What's funny is that I noticed a mini USB connection on mine (the clear diamond) and it is used for Christmas tree-like lights in the banjo. Mode 1 stays bright and Mode 2 is dimmer and flashs every 10 seconds like a Christmas tree. Would be good at a Christmas concert. Cheers. Pete BTW - how do you take off the resonator back?
@GotAUkulele4 жыл бұрын
How cool! I think the resonator just requires a screwdriver in the holes Peter - can't quite remember.
@johnjriggsarchery24572 жыл бұрын
I like how they have a traditional banjo headstock..Not so thrilled about the purple plastic, but hey, different strokes for different folks.
@GotAUkulele2 жыл бұрын
Indeed!
@clawhammer7045 жыл бұрын
Barry made me go buy one......
@GotAUkulele5 жыл бұрын
Oops!
@FinnBjerke5 жыл бұрын
@@GotAUkulele UAS is not Barry responsibplw, responsvbyl respons... sorry I can spell I WANT THIS ONE TOO....
@benperea84834 жыл бұрын
Awesome...I need one!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍
@GotAUkulele4 жыл бұрын
You and me both!
@nickiemcnichols53976 жыл бұрын
Very nice review! I have the original Duke 8, which is similar, and I have a ball with it.
@TubeJLF6 жыл бұрын
For a moment There I thought you had the ball inside it...
@honeychurchgipsy66 жыл бұрын
J F - I did a double take as well - I thought "what is the ball for?" - what a twat I am!!!
@Dr.Turkey5 жыл бұрын
The truss rod is an interesting addition. You could probably put steel strings on there and make it sound more like a traditional banjo
@GotAUkulele5 жыл бұрын
Yep possibly (though I stress that isn't a Got A Ukulele endorsement!! - no idea how strong the tail piece is)
@Dr.Turkey5 жыл бұрын
@@GotAUkulele Yeah true, that's definitely a try at your own risk kind of thing. If I got one of these I'd try it with a .007 on the highest string first
@saintsi69976 жыл бұрын
Very Interesting, Thanks. Si
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Yeah very - worth a try!
@janeeleanor48494 жыл бұрын
I have one of these Little Gems and It's a lot of fun. I have two questions as a banjolele newbie, one how do you know if the head needs to be tightened? two: "putting a sponge inside" ? Is that a dry sponge that's cut to stand on edge and rest against the head? Three, OOPS, where do you put the sponge? In the middle? Thanks so much. Love your videos. They've helped me so much.
@GotAUkulele4 жыл бұрын
The head tension is about feel - if you tap it you should get a clear note sound - like a drum. The sponge thing - well - can be a dry sponge, cloth, rag - anything really - between the pole and the inside of the head - up just below where the neck joins
@labmjnj5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the review! I really like the sound of this. I play for fun :)
@GotAUkulele5 жыл бұрын
Yes - this was a joy to write about
@Luke-yv6uo10 ай бұрын
Great review. What screwdriver fits the screws to remove the resonator. I can’t for the life of me find one that works.
@GotAUkulele10 ай бұрын
Couldn't tell you i'm afraid - I no longer have it. But I thought the right tools came with it?
@Luke-yv6uo10 ай бұрын
@@GotAUkulele You’re right some tools do come with it. Truss rod allen wrench, action adjustment wrench, and a final wrench that tightens/loosens the head. No screwdriver to remove the resonator though. Thanks anyway!
@GotAUkulele10 ай бұрын
Oh! It must come off though as that's the only way to get to head adjustment.@@Luke-yv6uo
@finnlynette6 жыл бұрын
Wow! The sound is just amazing! How much was it again??
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
£160
@finnlynette6 жыл бұрын
@@GotAUkulele Aaahh thats out of budget for me...oh well better start saving money. Or a wish for christmas? Who knows! haha :p
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Extremely cheap for a banjo uke though!
@brentevans69236 жыл бұрын
“River boat Baz !” 😆
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Ha ha!
@theadi3394 жыл бұрын
Hi Barry - a while ago you reviewed a more unusual uke and I thought the title was "Banjolele? Not a banjolele?" because it did not quite have the usual banjo type sound. And it had a wood top if I remember. I wanted to look it up but cannot find it in your vids or blog. I do not remember the brand. Do you know what I am talking about?
@GotAUkulele4 жыл бұрын
This one I think? www.gotaukulele.com/2019/06/bonanza-ukuleles-bonanzalele-review.html
@theadi3394 жыл бұрын
@@GotAUkulele thanks for the reply (I was just going to ask you on Patreon, but looked back here first). No- though I am going to watch this review, too. It was by one of these even more independent makers and did not have a 'drum head' at all - maybe not even a round body if I remember. Some sort of 'solid' (or maybe laminate) wood top but sounded more like a banjo. though as you said - not quite and you said 'is it a banjolele or not?' but you liked it for what it was
@GotAUkulele4 жыл бұрын
@@theadi339 Don't remember that. The Bonanzalele I DID say that about - has a wood top, not really a banjo etc.
@s.dmusicandvideos14983 жыл бұрын
I from India, how can i buy this banjolele..plz suggest me
@GotAUkulele3 жыл бұрын
I'm afraid I don't know - think you are best contacting GoldTone and asking about their dealers in that part of the world.
@elizabethwheeler12465 жыл бұрын
The ends of the fret bars on my Little Gem are really sharp. Should I have them filed down or do you think I will just get used to them? Thanks.
@GotAUkulele5 жыл бұрын
Elizabeth Wheeler I couldn’t play a uke like that. A good tech or luthier can fix
@Nick-dw4je Жыл бұрын
I saw one at gutair center for 99 dollars..is it worth it or or should I go witha melucky again
@GotAUkulele Жыл бұрын
As banjo's go - I think these are great!
@jacecockrell46403 жыл бұрын
i got one for christmas, do you think this one is good for a beginner? i have no experience with any instruments besides a hermonica lol, do you think i can learn how to play this thing well?
@GotAUkulele3 жыл бұрын
Yes I think so - it's a very playable instrument I thought. Well made too, which helps a lot more than people think when learning - one less thing to fight against!
@fresh_lemons82426 жыл бұрын
can you review the MEIDEAL UKULELE CONCERT ACOUSTIC 24INCH MUH-19 next ?
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
It won’t be next as I’m booked up for 2-3 months... I will however look into whether they can loan me one
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Actually - appears they are Amazon / Ebay only. They won’t appear on Got A Ukulele for that reason. I now only review ukuleles that are also available in physical music stores where people can try them. Many of my readers refuse to buy from online only brands
@fresh_lemons82426 жыл бұрын
Ok thanks
@GotAUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Doesn't mean it isn't any good.. it's just that I am now careful to not big up brands that are destroying bricks and mortar music stores on the high street.
@derickwinterbottom96313 жыл бұрын
Friction pegs .you have to be joking .they were always useless ???