My Tenor Ukulele Collection - Kanile'a, Sumi Kobo, De Vekey & Big Island

[@KingWilly31]

Omg...the Sumi Kobo is so stunning and just like a fleeting dream that, if you focus on it too hard, will fade away. Just beautiful! But on the other Side, the old De Vekey due to its age, she has something sublime and stable about it. Is completely in the here and now. You want to listen to all the stories she has experienced. Great Video, I've watched some of your videos in the last few days and I'm impressed. I'm learning a lot about my new hobby and you're doing it very well. It's fun to listen to you✌

[@UkuleleSolos]

Very nice collection! Difficult to pick a favourite as they're all so different and all have their place. If you ever had a moment of madness and offered me one of your collection for free I would probably take the Sumi off your hands - stunning instrument! Thanks for sharing your collection with us :)

[@MarcGallagherMusic]

I say this in the most respectful way possible, but since my sleep apnoea diagnosis I’ve been putting on KZbin videos as background noise to help me fall asleep, and yours are amazing for it! The music you play when you demonstrate instruments and your delivery of speech is so calming and relaxing Also, what a lovely collection of ukes you have

[@UkesWithAlex]

😂

[@liannejohnson5491]

This was really cool, Alex. I love how there's such a story for all your ukes...just so interesting! Thanks, really enjoyed it. :)

[@michaelpaderes6747]

The Sumi Kobo just looks and sounds so exquisite

[@wschield608]

Oh my gosh, Alex, That Sumi Kobo sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing, it’s a wonderful assortment. Wes

[@fbales]

Sweet, Alex. Thanks! 😊

[@marj1585]

I didn't expect that tone from the De Vekey. So round and full! I guess they really do get better with age.

[@tmo7734]

Thanks, Alex. Incidentally, I love your new logo. Congratulations. Keep up the good work. - Tim

[@lturner744]

Wonderful stories. All sound so great (probably a lot to do with the musician). Looking forward to the video about the DeVeKey

[@DanielFlores-ku8os]

Great video Alex, I really enjoyed seeing you're different Tenor ukuleles. To me three sound really nice and the Uli T sounds wonderful.🙂

[@christinegeorgenson9842]

Hi Alex! Really enjoyed that especially the last piece on the Big Island Uke. So looking forward to your course when it comes out!

[@UkesWithAlex]

Thanks so much Christine.

[@Descamisado]

That Sumi Kobo sounde divine !

[@ian1969uk]

Never seen De Vekey before, nice

[@audreygiamlayhoon]

I love the De Vekey, it's special !

[@6siderafsammesag]

Wich one di I like The most.. dangit.. that’s a hard one.. The Sumi is to me The most unique sounding. The Manako is brilliant and Chimey. The De Vekey is a bit querky, and I love The history (that we’ll get in depth, soon I hope).. The Ulli T.. hmmm.. I Think that takes The Price for me. Beautiful and playfull looking. The Sound is mellow and sooo clear.. I’m in love, I Think..

[@neilanderson2374]

Love them all, if i had to pick one (ignoring price) i would probably go for the Big Island which is really suprising. Liking the strings by the way ( on a Pono Mango Tenor)... Will you be doing a concert set ?

[@UkesWithAlex]

In time for sure... I just haven't found the high G I'm happy with yet.

[@debussy2002]

The Sumi Kobo looks amazing -- However, a Uke that I`ve never seen, but fascinates me is the Urabe, Do you know anything about these Japanese Ukes ?

[@ettoliram8116]

That de Vekey!! 😍

[@coffeeblues1857]

The Mojo on that De Vekey *chefs kiss*

[@UkesWithAlex]

You know its good when the chefs kiss 🤌😘 comes out

[@howardwilson5625]

Beautiful collection of ukes, the sumi koa has to be far my favourite sounding instrument, is it very expensive,??

[@UkesWithAlex]

They were attainable 5-6 years ago but as Sumi himself is in his elder years and producing just 2-3 a year, they have become exceedingly expensive and rare... I hate talking about it to be honest with you because its so much more evaluable than the other premium ukes I own.

[@rebeccamyers7483]

Everything sbout the Sumi is beautiful. They all seemed to be glossy. What is it about gloss that you like over matte finishes?

[@UkesWithAlex]

I do like certain satin ukes... I have owned several koaloha satin ukes and love the kiwaya ukes. I also quite like the satin Millars. I think it's just that I like wood that pops and a bit more sizzle to the sound.

[@mickhaslam3847]

The De Vekey video will be really good when you get the history

[@ariofthewaves]

Great collection! Where's your Koaloha?

[@UkesWithAlex]

I sold it. 😬

[@rollordont]

Is that a left-handed Kanilea? I didn't think they made them.

[@UkesWithAlex]

Yes it is. We can order any of their basic models left handed at SUS and regularly do for people.

[@rollordont]

@@UkesWithAlex Aww, if you'd said it was only available on the Manako, I might have bought that very model. :0) I still might...

[@UkesWithAlex]

A custom like the Manako actually probably wouldn't be available now left handed as we are probably wrapping that model up at the end after the next few go through production before the summer. If you want a lefty one you don't have long to commit to that 😆

[@rollordont]

@@UkesWithAlex I wonder what you'll come up with next, then.

[@shellymcclean2550]

Hi Alex. I wondered would you be able to advise me. My magic fluke tenor fell over last night when a picture frame fell on it and the fretboard has come away at the bottom. How would I fix that ? Thanks for any advice.

[@UkesWithAlex]

I recommend asking Magic Fluke. There is a contact email on their website and they know more about magic flukes than anyone. They are very friendly too.

[@shellymcclean2550]

@@UkesWithAlex Thank you !

[@SpencerGorman]

Hi Alex I am in the USA and know a bit about tenors. I think your information on the tenor ukulele is incorrect Lyon and Healy produced tenors (Washburn) distributed in the mid 1920’s I own a great example circa 1925 which has the patent pending stamped on the rear of the headstock I believe the first one’s were catalogued and made in 1924 .. Martin was late to the party with their tenor in 1928 others also produced tenors Hollywood ukulele in California (Schireson bros) also made tenors in the mid 20’s.but the exact date us unknown. I don’t own one of their tenors but I do have a Concert style 9 which was the same design as the tenor and dating back to the mid 1920’s. I do have an early 1934 Martin tenor but I have not found an earlier Martin although I have seen some and as I am at this point turning many instruments from my collection over to Museums and players. I am only holding on to the one’s I either play or that I need to continue research. I have been studying the History of the American tenor ukulele for some time now. My interest in tenor History came from getting arthritis in my right hand switching from years of guitar to a Martin baritone ukulele (mahogany) made in 1960 (actually one of the earliest Martin baritones made pre Made in USA stamp.) I did not know the Martin ukulele History back then but living only an hours drive from the museum, I have visited many times since that purchase and spent several years studying Martin ukulele History as they were the largest producers of ukuleles in the USA. Baritones are the toughest to track and I found only the chicken or the egg stories about the Vega or the Favilla baritone being first which started my search for early baritones. I’ve sold off that part of my collection and I have only two baritones which I play my Martin and a Kanile’a koa and I am having a baritone built using local woods to my specs from a great local luthier. I acquired my first tenor maybe five or six years ago. A second hand Hawaiian koa instrument made by an obscure luthier in HI Ken Potts. I fell in love with koa and the sound and I knew little about these smaller instruments or the builders learning the luthiers who have built in HI is an ongoing study. Ukulele luthiers worldwide would take a lifetime of study. I thought if making some videos having the arthritis makes my playing embarrassing at times as my ring finger has been problematic causing me to have recent tendon surgery on my right hand which I am recovering from. I appreciate your dedication and knowledge and if you like I can send pictures of some Historic tenors. There is quite a bit if research being done in HI and an online archive is in process to show and play the early instruments. The Bishop Museum also has a great deal of information on instruments built in HI and the view Pacific Strings Museum is launching information regularly. Thus only covers instruments built in Hawaii. Thus my interest in those built on the mainland.

[@UkesWithAlex]

Great information, very enlightened and appreciate you taking the time. I would love to see examples of these early instruments from your collection and highly recommend you make your own video on this subject that I can reference in the future. If you would be kind enough to send over information to [e-mail] I would be delighted to hear more.

[@MariUSukulele]

" ... the bringer-in-ner ... " 🙃

[@UkesWithAlex]

I definitely showed my personality in that moment 😆