UkeGuide Ukulele Review: Aklot AKC-23 Concert Ukulele

[@cefarther3945]

Gettin' it. Thanks for review, needed to hear all the positives.

[@UkeStuff]

One of my all-time favorites for little $$.

[@mrdbmckenna]

Thank you for your candour. Great review as usual.

[@UkeStuff]

Thanks for the comment and you’re welcome!

[@preppy890]

I have 3 Aklot solid mahogany top Ukuleles. 2 concerts, one low G, 1 Tenor now tuned low G. One of my favorite ukuleles and I own 20 ukes.

[@UkeStuff]

I’m with you! Watch for a comparison of my two Aklot concerts later this week!

[@garyteters7273]

Thanks Chris, I recently purchased the AKC-23 off of Amazon, replacing the soprano model I gave away. This one does not have the fan bracing, just a singular rib down the middle, below the cross bracing. Cutting corners I guess.

[@UkeStuff]

It’s very, very possible. Sadly, a number of manufacturers are cutting corners these days. That includes Kala.

[@BottleneckMoses]

Fantastic content and overall a super enjoyable channel. Have subbed and liked 🙂 Keep up the great work, and thank you.

[@UkeStuff]

Thanks for the kind works! And thanks for watching!

[@BlessYourHeart254]

I have a few Aklots, and amazingly, they are consistently good, especially for the price. Thanks for your review.

[@UkeStuff]

You are very welcome!

[@IIISofiaIII]

Hi! Your reviews are a cut above the other reviews here on KZbin! Hope you will get more recognition soon :)

[@UkeStuff]

Thanks for watching the reviews and the positive comments! This is a hobby, so if the channel grows, great, if not…it’s still a hobby!

[@50mantravelling52]

Great review. I bought one a few months ago and it is probably the ukulele I play the most. Interestingly the one I bought has a compensated saddle. Keep the reviews coming.

[@UkeStuff]

A saddle is an easy change for a company; and it may come down to what they have in the parts bin at that time. I am told that 95% of the Chinese ukuleles come from the same 4 manufacturers, who make them for all the brands-and sometimes the brands howl in laughter about how a ukulele gets a good rating for one brand and a bad rating for another-when they were built side-by-side in the same factory by the same people and only share a different logo and internal sticker (likely a different headstock shape as well).

[@50mantravelling52]

@@UkeStuff Strange about brands as you say. I have a Aklot bamboo tenor and after an exhaustive inspection I came to the conclusion it was the same ukulele as a well known brand except for minor cosmetic differences that was 3 times the price at the time I bought it. Thanks again for the reviews and keep up the good work 👍

[@richdavis4007]

I have always thought (for three or four years, anyway: the Aklot mahogany concert just can't be beat. I voted it ukulele of the year one year, but It could really be every year. They are so consistent making this uke and the only thing that changes is maybe a slight color variation. Mine sprout sharp frets occasionally, but for a low cost, quality, solid top ukulele . . . Aklot mahogany can't be beat! Soprano and tenor are super too. I love Kmise tiger flame ukes and I've recently bought some Horse ukes and now, thanks to friend Chris, know why I like them. I hope you are enjoying your summer and thanks to Facebook postings I know you are! Rich

[@UkeStuff]

I need to get one of those Kmise Tiger Flames someday. I’ve got two new used ukuleles on the horizon with a lot to still review. Thanks for the comment, Rich! I’m always finding good bargains thanks to you!

[@phyllismorris94]

Everybody reviews the Aklot concert and gives it great reviews. I wish to know is the Aklot a good soprano ukulele also?

[@UkeStuff]

I haven’t played the soprano; I generally play concert, and didn’t really feel the need to buy one. I think you would get a general decent starter soprano with the Aklot; perhaps I’ll review one someday if the fates allow.

[@phyllismorris94]

I wish to know: Which Aklot ukulele - soprano or concert would be better for me to learn to do the Riff on "These Boots are made for Walking" The soprano ukulele I presently have buzzes a bit around the 9th fret on C string. I don't know if it is my technique or the ukulele. Is a longer fretboard better for riffs??

[@UkeStuff]

In general, a concert would give you more room on the fretboard to accurately play riffs, though if your hands are small, a soprano would work, too. I would suggest visiting a local music shop and trying different sizes-not necessarily to buy, though you might fall in love with something there as well.

[@phyllismorris94]

Thanks. I am a petite female adult with small size 6 hands. So far, a soprano feels best. But, I wondered if a larger ukulele works better for riffs.

[@stevenfowler5190]

Nice Review. Have you played the low G model and if so how did you like it?

[@UkeStuff]

Thanks for your note! I have not played the Low G version of this, but would not hesitate to buy one.

[@funukuleleprojects3366]

Hi Chris, Nice review as usual. Kudos for calling Aklot out for its practices. Aklot definitely does shady things. Aklot intentionally cuts important corners that can't be seen unless one knows what to look for. They are very cheap in price which is probably their justification for the disposable way in which they are made.😁

[@UkeStuff]

I’d love to see one of these reviewed on your channel-As a non-luthier, I can only comment on what I see and hear; I know you can find much deeper information (I’m still shocked about laminate fretboards from Kala and perhaps other manufacturers!). I know the Aklot uses “tech wood” but they don’t hide that fact.

[@funukuleleprojects3366]

@@UkeStuff I recently did a repair on a TK 70 8 string from Ohana for U-Space LA. I talked about my Aklot 8 String in that. Mine is defective on numerous levels. I will do a video on how I fix it.🙂

[@faethe000]

I think it's getting a little annoying how the cheap Chinese ukes are getting features (such as the comfort edge) that the expensive $1000+ ukes are mostly unwilling to embrace.

[@UkeStuff]

Well, Kanile’a is setting the market with features that are truly new and being copied by others; and while there are some nice features on the Aklot, and as I mentioned, I love it-my 2004 Koa KoAloha (before any of their more recent changes and improvements) blows the Aklot away in sound and quality. And I bought it for a steal (less than $400 at a second hand store) and it was later refinished by KoAloha as it had a bridge issue (lifetime warranty). But I know what you’re saying. I do wish they would all start using a wider nut and a thinner neck; but all that said, I loved the Aklot enough to miss it and buy another one.

[@faethe000]

@@UkeStuff wow, a Koaloha for under $400 is nuts. Nice find!