Got A Ukulele Reviews - Tanglewood Tiare TWT 20 Baritone

[@fbales]

At first I wondered why you would review such a uke, but decided that it was a message to the company-do better. That is one of the values of your reviews. Thank.

[@GotAUkulele]

I've always reviewed all points between the ultra cheap junk through to boutique stuff. Important that I do that as not everyone can spend big

[@stellathefella]

Thanks!

[@GotAUkulele]

Thank you Steve - very kind!

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Don't mind the darkwood. Soundbox sounds resonant whilst handling. Does sound echoey. Don't mind the sound. Might get a little dull after a while. Not bad but would look elsewhere before deciding. Good review.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks!

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Very interesting watch. Especially intrigued by the decisions over the laser etching! Would rather have the side dots

[@GotAUkulele]

Lots of odd decisions - guitar brand making ukes!

[@madcyril4135]

From u.k. I’ve been playing guitar for decades, I should be better. Discovered the baritone uke, about a year ago. Bought a Tanglewood baritone second hand e bay 65 quid. All over it in no time, always struggled with guitar. I like the look of it old fashioned, and dark. I don’t like pale instruments, looks aside I like the old sound as well. I like the smoothness of the neck, I also have large hands. But found it o.k. Agree with what you said about the edges Mine doesn’t have the odd joint at the base It’s got joined together almost undetectable. Mine maybe a better build, probably a few years old? It does me. Don’t want to go down the same road as guitars. Too many! I like mine, I feel attached to it. I like your channel.

[@chuckvt5196]

Baz: "I like the bag." Enough said! Thank you, Baz!

[@GotAUkulele]

Ha ha!

[@sadie771]

The mismatched wood would drive me crazy and I really don’t like the sound. Thanks for reviewing such a wide range of instruments! It’s really helpful to see what’s out there.

[@GotAUkulele]

My pleasure!

[@MariUSukulele]

" … i made a joke …" That was hilarious 🤣😂😂

[@GotAUkulele]

A bad one...

[@MariUSukulele]

@@GotAUkulele that is exactly what made it so hilarious❗️

[@shaung75]

That's a real shame, I love my Tanglewood Concert (Union Series); it's well made and sounds great. I was looking at getting the TWT 20 and this has really put me off. Thanks for the great thorough review

[@GotAUkulele]

Sorry to hear that

[@hilltop1845]

If you like the looks, ok, I guess. For another 30 bucks you can get an Iris...solid top, slotted headstock and better tuners. A month or so back Matt had that Baton Rouge all solid tenor with the baby baritone strings at about the same point. If I was just getting into baritone I might consider that set up ahead of this. As usual, nice work Mr. Cheers

[@GotAUkulele]

If you shop around you can get the Iris for the same money!

[@saulchapnick1566]

“You either like this or you don’t.” I thought it was beautiful, even the tail. I even enjoyed the laser produced decoration around the sound hole. However, you were absolutely right about how it sounded and performed. That’s a shame.

[@GotAUkulele]

Fair enough!

[@uknavynige]

Yep, totally agree with everything. Seen tanglewood tiare in many guises at good discounts. It is what it is! Kind of an above average looking basic uke. I think it is booked matched though..does it state in the rules it has to be the same book?😂😂😂

[@GotAUkulele]

Ha ha!

[@dpetro1377]

I like the ebony look because it's not all that common and isn't like anything else I have. But the mismatched bottom is a turn off. That just doesn't look right. Would every uke look like that or would there be variation in laminates? If so, then definitely purchase in person. Great review as always!

[@GotAUkulele]

Definitely will be variation

[@tommorrisey3999]

I actually like the mismatched tail. That said, not on my Christmas list.

[@GotAUkulele]

It's just too obvious how it 'could' have been joined for me - which makes it worse!

[@nigeldavey1043]

Well........ I was going to say 37mm, 30mm D to E is OK on a Baritone because you have that little extra between the frets in first position until I saw the rest of the ergonomics was forcing your thumb up and crowding the finger positioning. So my arthritic Polarbear paws are saying NOPE. I think I'm going to go for the very nice Carabao model that SUS stock. I have a Kala Baritone with the width of the nut about the same as that but it must be a better neck shape because that fine for me to play (badly 😬) with Worth Browns on it because they give it a bit more tonal depth but was thinking of ordering a second to try those octave lower GCEA strings they have in. I didn't mind the mismatched veneer on the sides but I have to say I'm not a fan of the laser etched embellishment around the soundhole. Might be better on a lighter veneer though. Incidentally that's the sort of fumble fingers I get trying to play a Soprano. It's painful for me after a couple of minutes but it's painful for anybody listenfrom the start. 🤔🤣

[@GotAUkulele]

This one is like holding a baseball bat!

[@nigeldavey1043]

@@GotAUkulele or in my case, dropping a baseball bat. 🤣

[@MichaelStoneham]

Tanglewood Have ukuleles in their Union series of instruments too. Not just Tiare series.

[@GotAUkulele]

Not any longer - check their website

[@MichaelStoneham]

@@GotAUkulele the Union series I played on years ago were decent instruments in their price range.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@MichaelStoneham Certainly better than these from my memory

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Baz, if you don’t mind me saying so…..if you try and place the left thumb near the center of the back of the neck, you’ll have better reach around on the fretboard…..but then, everyone’s hands are different. Thanks for the review.

[@GotAUkulele]

With a guitar I’d agree - not a narrow neck uke - throws it forward and pushes it away from you. Common misconception that thumb on the back is good form. It’s not. Andy Eastwood explains better than I can here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHnMpKF7erqckNE

[@e.castlerock8454]

​@@GotAUkulele - Thanks for the link to this video! The very first video I watched when I bought my ukulele said to put the thumb in the middle of the neck and squeeze it while forming the chords. I have weak hands and an even weaker thumb. I've been trying to do it "right" all this time, but it's not easy. I recently noticed some players have their thumb up top. So much more comfortable! But no matter which position, I cannot reach the C and G strings with my third and fourth fingers. I'm doomed to beginner chords forever.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@e.castlerock8454 Honestly - trust Andy totally - one of the finest and most talented uke performers on the planet.

[@richardkelly4667]

Baz, can you think of ANY guitarmaker ukes that are above average? Or are they as a group to be wary of and best avoided?

[@GotAUkulele]

Always been impressed with Gretsch ukes. Martin of course are famous guitar makers - great ukes.

[@jeffwatson4908]

To my ears it didn’t sound like a ukulele bot not like a guitar either. Might be an advantage if you want a different sound but overall lacks the warmth I would want out of a baritone.

[@GotAUkulele]

Agreed Jeff

[@nkogbksb]

I like the look of it (apart from the laser etch, which is kinda superfluous). Seems like the fashion recently for a lot of the instruments that are all one wood is to make them very pale? Dunno why or if it's just what I've seen. Nice to see a dark one but maybe that's just me. Otherwise, pretty average in sound, and it's unfortunate that the neck is uncomfortable. That boomy Sears guitar sound is ok, but it seems like there is more of a notable difference in tone between open strings and fretted in that style or to my ear. It's its own thang, so to speak.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yes - there has been a rash of very pale ukes - not sure why. Agreed on the string balance

[@barbaralaing4114]

Joke? Trust me, you didn't! Review however is up to your usual standard and as appreciated as always, thank you.

[@GotAUkulele]

Sorry!

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

Continue the nitpicking please :)

[@GotAUkulele]

Ha ha!

[@richardsnow7299]

Great review Barry shame about that nut width.

[@GotAUkulele]

I could get on with the width more if it wasn't for the back of the neck feeling like a chair leg!

[@richardsnow7299]

It's a problem. I have large hands.

[@GotAUkulele]

I hear ya - me too

[@MrGrahawk]

It looks like a chocolate and caramel pudding and sounds ok - it's not an M&S chocolate and caramel pudding.

[@marj1585]

A pity. The sneak peak looked promising.

[@BlessYourHeart254]

Not bad, but if I didn’t already have enough ukes 😂 I’d wait, save a few more bucks, and get a Lanikai or Ohana.

[@GotAUkulele]

Oh this is easily beaten for the same sort of money

[@gardnerfiddle2927]

Hey Baz! Your job IS to nit pick! 😜

[@GotAUkulele]

I suppose!

[@deniseforbes2332]

Not for me.thanks as always for the honest review.

[@GotAUkulele]

Nor me!

[@kev5125]

Not really the way to describe a wooden instrument, but to me it sounded tinny.

[@GotAUkulele]

I think you are exactly right!

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

Great review as always, so thanks for that. This Baritone uke is just not for me. I find it looks cheap, ugly, and overall sounds awful to me. In my collection, I have a starter, all laminate mahogany Baritone made by Kala that beats this in every way and that cost me $165 US. My Baritones are all made by Kala, Flight and Klos. I will stick with them for now.

[@GotAUkulele]

Far better choices!

[@raymondstebbins5904]

Rubbish "but I'm probably nitt picking"😅 thanks 🏝️💪

[@GotAUkulele]

Ha ha!

[@cynbadii]

Not a fan of this one - the timbre is not to my liking at all. Thanks for the review, Baz!

[@GotAUkulele]

Fair enough!

[@mueslimuncher1950]

169 what? Bananas?

[@GotAUkulele]

Pounds.. obviously..

[@clawhammer704]

You need to drop your wrist more in your left hand.

[@GotAUkulele]

No I don't. I was exaggerating it to show how the neck is uncomfortable for me.

[@PisceanDream53]

I bought one of these in April this year and I can't stand it. As you say, echoey sound, uncomfortable to play. Tuners are useless. Its just collecting dust.

[@GotAUkulele]

Oh dear..!