Got A Ukulele Reviews - APC Antonio Carvalho SS Soprano

[@georgejohnson7591]

Lisbon was the last port of call on my cruise earlier this year (booked 3 years ago, thank you Covid!) I had a fist full of Euros to get rid of, and Portugal being the origins of the Ukulele (I know, debatable) A Uke it was going to be! After a major trudge around soaked in sweat with limited time to find a music shop that stocked any, I had literally 15 minutes to buy something before having to head back to the ship! I found the APC Concert, a quick plink I liked the look of it, that'll do! I did dump the Aquila? strings, I really didn't like the feel of them and fitted a set of martin M600 which are my go to string these days, much nicer feel. The headstock IS massively thick, about half as thick again as it needs to be! Overall I have (I think) a decent instrument that I like playing, but also I have a Ukulele with a story behind it. I was determined to buy something that day, it was my holiday story, a £20 crapper would have done :) I didn't go on holiday with a Uke, but I came back with one :) As a foot note, I did get stopped by Customs after docking at Southampton, I was asked the usual daft questions like did anyone pack your bags for you (I didn't know that was an option!). On asking about offensive weapons, I pointed the the Uke box and said 'some people regard them as offensive, would you like me to play it?' they declined and sent me on my way!

[@meanna6495]

Haha... I didn't know I had such a bad ukulele ;-) I bought an APC Concert one year ago as my first ever ukulele , and without having been able to compare it with other ukes , and I am happt with it so far. I think the sound is really nice and warm , and since I don't care for a lot of volume it is o.k for me. I like the rustic , plain look of the instrument which you obviously don't . I think I would never buy an instrument with a high- gloss finish for example. Oh, and I have been playing on my APC Concert almost every day , and Its not been damaged at all, no splitting wood or whatever. I've just replaced the Aquila nylgut strings by Martins fluorocarbon , which gives a slightly differenet tone. Your review is helpful though , as you pointed out some characteristics I didn't notice since I haven't tried any other ukuleles yet. Thanks !

[@GotAUkulele]

All my reviews are just an opinion. If you like yours, that is all that matters.

[@edrozenrozen9600]

Thank you do much for this excellent review. I have learned basically everything I know about Uke construction from your videos! Keep up the good work.

[@GotAUkulele]

My pleasure - I figure the more people are knowledgeable about good and bad ukuleles - the less chance the rubbish ukulele will have to hoodwink people!

[@WorldYouthDay]

I almost just bought this model for my nephew who is interested in my ukulele. They are being sold as unbranded at Thomann, however someone did mention in the reviews that it is actually made by Carvalho. Thanks for this video. I will look for something better.

[@pbunt58]

I had this uke in my hands during a workshop. I had the same thoughts as you do. Glad I didn't buy it. I went for the flight princess. I'm so happy with it. Greetings from Petra in Amsterdam

[@BensUkeTutes]

APC stands for "António Pinto Carvalho", the owner of the workshop/factory. Antonio Carvalho for short. Good ukes I think, I've got 3, tried 4. Love the sobre design and the bare wood. I've got knots on the front of my 1/2 tenor, which I really like too. gives character ^^

[@GotAUkulele]

Yes - it says that in the written review linked under the video. This one wasn't good - it was utterly appalling!

[@keithhicks1750]

Happy Christmas Barry. Thanks for you excellent reviews, the only ones I would trust. I’ve somehow managed to buy just one new Uke this year, the Flight travel soprano. There have been some close calls though. Cheers Keith

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks Keith - and Christmas wishes to you too!

[@MrTom-Songwriter-Composer]

Mr. Barry, Happy Holidays..to You and Yours.. Wishing You, all the best for 2019 as well.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thank you

[@CKWINN11]

They've got a 'solid koa' tenor on amazon right now for £89 I knew it had to be too good to be true. I'm looking to upgrade my ukulele and want to try a solid made ukulele, you're totally right about having to be careful about just jumping for one because it's solid tho. They nearly got me haha

[@GotAUkulele]

Can say with total certainty it’s not Koa. Koa is only grown on Hawaii. They use European Acacia. Same tree, but not Koa. Chance it’s not solid either as they e been known to call sandwiched wood ‘solid’

[@JoelloPropello]

now I'm asking myself if I actually never play with an good ukulele :D I'm playing the APC Tenor Traditional since 1 year and I absolutely love this instrument. till now I could only compare it to my own other ukuleles -> Ortega RU5-TE, Luna Malu Peace Concert and the Fender Venice Sopran (let's not talk about that one..) - I have to say that the APC is far on another level for not that much more of money.

[@GotAUkulele]

It's probably a curse on me as I have played quite so many. However... Because of the way I score the ukuleles in the written review - that does allow a cheap ukulele to score just as highly as an expensive one as they can pick up points in other areas. With this one though - sorry, I thought it was just awful.

[@salmanshami]

I too was looking, and tempted by, the APC Tenor. It is quite different in the body construction with kerfing top and bottom. I was tempted to buy it and finish it myself with some elbow grease. I was thinking of thinning the headstock and getting rid of the horrid black paint.It was looking like a nice project but now I am having second thoughts.

[@haroldrull4943]

I got a Martin C1k , all Koa top back and sides and not laminate either. Looking at that uke the wood looks very similar in color and probably texture finish as well. Probably a real acacia? Good review.

[@GotAUkulele]

Harold Rull this is real acacia. The C1k is real Koa which is also acacia. This APC is not Koa though

[@hugooliveira3785]

I bought a APC Concert a few mounths ago and I love it. Good sustain, good intonation, great tone. And I like that rustic look. Maybe I'm lucky. But I didn't order it online I bought it at a music store after testing a bunch of them. Reasonable price too 90€

[@GotAUkulele]

Great news. Shame about this one.

[@hugooliveira3785]

@@GotAUkulele Yes. That enormous wood knot is dreadful. Mine was also way cheaper. Maybe because I bought it in Portugal. Love your channel!

[@simonbirch2013]

I bought a very pretty swirly Acaia tenor from Carvalho. Sounds bright with good resonance and separation. Much nicer than this soprano. I really enjoy it. At €108 (no bag) it was a good price and a welcome sddition to my small collection.

[@GotAUkulele]

I'm learning that the APC stuff is incredibly variable

[@stuartmccrea]

Brüko no.6 all-solid soprano would seem a much more pleasing choice for the same price tag

[@GotAUkulele]

Without ANY shadow of a doubt

[@Vegvísir7]

Alone the fact that they call it "european koa" makes it a nogo for me. That's like planting tobacco in Berlin and sell it as "German Havannas" or selling brezels and beer in peking on the "chinese octoberfest". Thanks for the Review.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep - exactly that - misleading to the max

[@TheEarGuy]

This is a real shame IMO. This could have been a nice instrument with a bit more care and attention and sixty quid on the price tag to reflect that. I've a little Ohana soprano that has laminated willow back and sides with a solid cedar top. The price point is very similar and I'd wager that it blows this out of the water. Keep it up Baz.

[@GotAUkulele]

I know the Ohana you mean and it DOES blow this out of the water. This is a classic example of a brand desperately trying to achieve something that cannot be achieved easily in the pursuit of grabbing people who assume that 'solid is best'. Because of the price point, they are using poor QC, and having to do things like call it Koa when it really isn't. What it reminds me of is the sort of job I would make (ham fisted!) of putting together one of those kit ukuleles and not bothering to finish it.

[@TheEarGuy]

@@GotAUkulele Agreed. It's a shame that the market is becoming a bit flooded with this kind of thing. There are loads of good quality yet inexpensive options out there if you go looking. Take Enya instruments for example. I own a few. They're durable, well priced, good quality and sound really good for the money. Thanks for replying by the way. I think it's great that you interact with your viewers.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks @@TheEarGuy

[@chuckvt5196]

Interesting instrument. I like the way it sounds, but it is not attractive, and that finish (or lack thereof) is a real turn off. They need to go back to the drawing board and with just a little more effort, they might get there! Merry Christmas, Barry and thanks for another great year!

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks Chuck!

[@SongOfItself]

There's a short video of the APC factory here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqfEpI13r794bs0 (Their website says the finish is "open pore", does that makes sense? And the strings are apparently nylgut - does that sound right?)

[@GotAUkulele]

Open pore is given to satin finishes that don’t fill the wood grain so you can see and feel it. This is more like ‘open everything’!!

[@jaywooable]

Could you review the breedlove ukuleles I've seen some recently at my local music store theres nog alot of info on them

[@GotAUkulele]

I’ve repeatedly asked them and they never respond. Sometimes when that happens I get success by a potential buyer asking them. They tend to listen to buyers more than journalists!

[@dungbeetlemovies]

Boom. Tell it like it is, sir. Thank you. :)

[@GotAUkulele]

I always try to. There is no other way

[@dungbeetlemovies]

@@GotAUkulele A quick question if I may, Barry. If the instrument is put together nicely, can you get the 'Koa Sound' from other Acacia woods? Are there any good examples? Thanks.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yes - they sound very similar. Hawiians will tell you their old growth koa is richer and it’s certainly prettier, but generally they are similar. It’s still not right though to tell your buyers you are getting Koa when it’s not Koa

[@scottbryant6220]

I find the unfinished wood on a ukulele to be too worrying to purchase this uke...well that and that hideously thick fingerboard. I have an Islander laminate for the same money that sounds better as well. That is a strange uke. LOL!

[@GotAUkulele]

Very strange - yes - your Islander would be a far better choice! Still - they are working on the basis that people will say 'oooh solid wood!!' - which, of course, they will.... The wrong choice!

[@eviltwin2322]

Blimey, that headstock looks just like it's been coloured in with a black marker. Not good.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yes - exactly what it looks like!

[@soomysoom1419]

That headstock is embarrassingly giant

[@GotAUkulele]

Tam Sauce yes it really is!

[@edwardpetersen4309]

The peg head is really thick . . . to accommodate guitar tuners? the Portuguese invented the ukulele.

[@GotAUkulele]

They are not guitar tuners, but the peg head is indeed enormous. Whether the Portuguese invented the ukulele is a totally disputed point. Firstly - it was 'invented' (or at least named) in Hawaii, not Iberia. But I've also seen as much evidence to suggest the Spanish may have introduced the small instrument first too. Of course - those two countries had very variable borders. I think it's fair to say that peoples from Iberia introduced small stringed instruments to Hawaii - whether they were Portugeuse or Spanish I don't think is agreed.

[@edwardpetersen4309]

Si or Sim, Barry. The Portuguese should know how to make a tiny guitar like bauble though and this one seems to belie that heritage.

[@GotAUkulele]

Edward Petersen they should. I totally agree

[@filipegoncalves4220]

@@GotAUkulele The portuguese inventted the Cavaquinho. The Ukulele is from Hawai and it's a variation of the cavaquinho.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@filipegoncalves4220 That's one of MANY theories surrounding the uke. Possibly the Cavquinho, but also possibly the Timple, the Tiple or the Machete. I think the most likely explanation is Iberian sailors took small instruments to Hawaii. Which one became the instrument that stuck isn't recorded.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Portuguese koa, huh? Either they're naive or trying to rip off the uneducated.

[@GotAUkulele]

I think they know EXACTLY what they are doing!