Ukulele Guy

So, I think I got a tweet Hillary a week or so ago but I forget how this whole thing started.  I think we were just shooting the shit and then suddenly she dropped that her and some friends have an all-ukulele version of the Duck Tales theme song.  What?!  That freaking reeks of awesome.

So, we get yakking back and forth and I decided the world needs to know more, especially after I heard their covers of "Sweet Jane", "Duck Tales", "Straight Up" and "Who's That Girl".  Not only does the world need to know more, but I need these guys to move to Montana.  I've been toying with the idea of making a ukulele novelty band for a few months now, but finding the right folks is proving tough.  I'd be more than happy to play second fiddle to these badasses.

So, their band is called Pretty Good Musicians.  It's comprised of Hillary O'Keefe, Ian K and Matt Miklos.  Depending on the song, you are gonna hear between 1-5 ukuleles and most likely some hilarious commentary and occasional cursing.  Everybody likes swears, right?  Yup. In the recordings, they play a Lanikai Tenor LU-21T, an Eleuke, a cigar box ukulele and a few other random ukes.  You can tell that they have a blast playing together and recording and that's what it's all about folks.  What is the point of being in a bad if it isn't fun?  These guys get it.

Check out the Pretty Good Musicians Facebook Page if you wanna be a fan.

I noticed that the Facebook page doesn't have some of my favorite tunes, so here ya go:

• Duck Tales - Pretty Good Musicians
• Straight Up - Pretty Good Musicians
• Sweet Jane - Pretty Good Musicians

Oh yeah, and to all of you who might be saying, "Man, I could do this."  DO IT!  Stop talking.  Do it!  The world needs more ukulele bands.  Especially ones who know how to have fun.  The world doesn't need anymore Interpol or Coldplay.  Joy is contagious.

P.S.  If you are already in a hilarious and fun ukulele-powered band, please send me songs and vids!  I don't care if it's recorded on your 4-track or karaoke machine.  (In fact, I almost prefer that).  I want to hear it!

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Lanikai LU-21P Pinapple Ukulele

I have been meaning to post this for awhile, but freaking summer just gets busier and busier. Anyway, Rick from Kala sent me a press release about Kala's new "Round About" Ukulele Amplifier. I know I've talked about the Roland Micro Cube before and I do love that amp, but as far as looks go, the Round About is the winner.  It comes in three styles: Black, Pink and Tweed!  What great choices!  The whole look of the amp feels really retro and fun.  It seems like something a foxy lady in the 60s would carry around with tiny white earbud headphones.  Or maybe something that Frankie Avalon would bring to a beach party.  Here's some pictures:

Kala Black Round About Amp

Kala Pink Round About Amp

Kala Tweed Round About Amp

The amps are 10 watts with a 5" speaker.  If you want more details, here's a YouTube video talking all about the Round About Amp:

If you are interested, then head over to the

Or take a peak at these Round About Amps up on eBay:

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new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP TWEED 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP PINK 10 Watt    US $99.00

new KALA ROUND ABOUT UKULELE AMP Black 10 Watt    US $99.00

KALA UM 10C Round About Ukelele Amplifier Black    US $99.00

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Roland Micro Cube Guitar Amplifier- White

So, here's the deal.  Besides being a Ukulele Fanatic, I also really dig new wave music.  I've been making Heavy New Wave sonics with VOLUMEN for something like 13 years.  During those 13 years, we've released something like 5 full length albums, a handful of EPs and 7" records and some various videos and whatnot.  We've also toured portions of the US (as far NE as Minneapolis, as far SE as Austin, as far NW as Seattle and as far SW as San Diego).  Once we even did a 14 day tour of the Baltic countries (Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).

But, these days it's hard enough to get all 5 dudes (all of whom have wives now, and 4 of whom have kids) together for weekly band practice, let alone world tours.  So, I'm pretty psyched that we are going on for a Mini-Tour in August!  Woo hoo!  We are calling it The Replication and Entropy Mini-Tour.  That's a nice way of saying that we are getting old and making babies.  Heh.  This tour is to support our newest record, "Skipper of Reverses"  (Note: Check out Volutunes.com if you want to get some mp3s of this record.  I think it might also be on itunes, but it's cheaper on Volutunes).

Sadly, I don't play Ukulele in Volumen, but I will have at least one ukulele with me.  So, if you wanna hook up before/after the show, lemme know!  I'd love to kick out the jams with some good ukulele-lovin' folks!  I'd also love to see a bunch of nutty Ukulele-lovers at the show cause I think it'd freak out the rest of the showgoers.  Heh.

Here's the details of our tour:

Wed Aug- 4  Missoula @ The Badlander w/ Wartime Blues, Pony Canon
Thur Aug- 5  Spokane @ Empyrean  w/ Belt of Vapor
Fri Aug- 6  Seattle @ Sunset Tavern w/ The Royal Bear, Summer Babes, Panama Gold
Sat Aug 7- Pdx @ Dante's w/ Don and the Quixotes, The Polaroids, The Lordy Lords

If you want to know more about Volumen, here's a link to a short documentary about us.  This Documentary won "Best Directing" and "Best Music Documentary" in the International Documentary Challenge of 2006.  It was filmed/directed by a good friend of ours who spent several days in our Amulance on our Sonic Infection (aka Mustache Reunion) tour.

Here's some random videos for some of our songs.  These videos were made by a good friend, Andy Smetanka.  Who has made videos for Guy Madden and The Decemberists.

• Volumen - Snakes
• Volumen - Sexy Astronaut
• Volumen - Lost in the Baltics

Um.  So, yeah.  I guess that's it.  I apologize for the non-ukulele-ness of this post.  But, like I said, I'm really psyched to get out on the road.  And, if this means I get to meet more Ukulele folks face-to-face, then I'm all over it!

Thanks!

Ukulele Guy

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So, after my last post about my new Aquila Ukulele Strings, I got a fair amount of feedback from my Twitter buddies.  @ApollosTowel (from Finland, no less) had the following to say (I'm paraphrasing):

The rule I use is Koa Ukuleles sound best with Aquila or D'addario Strings.   Mahogany Ukes sound better with Worth. The exception to this is Koaloha. Spruce goes either way.
Laminates generally like Aquila Strings (except for Kiwaya) as well. I think Worths are so much better than Aquilas on Flukes and Fleas.
Kiwaya laminates tend to like the fluorocarbon types, including Worth. The same rule applies for their solid ukes.

@hermanvdc had this to say on the subject of Ukulele Strings:

Indeed, Aquila helps give more brilliance to cheap ukuleles but on good the better ones Worth and especially Orcas sounds better!

So, I figured that I should post this so that everyone can make up their own mind and then give you some links to buy Orcas and Worth Ukulele Strings.

Orcas Ukulele Strings:

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ORCAS OS TENOR LOW G UKULELE BLACK STRINGS ANUENUE    US $11.99

SOPRANO OR CONCERT Carbon UKULELE STRINGS ORCAS OS MED    US $8.99

SOPRANO OR CONCERT LOW G UKULELE STRINGS ORCAS OS MED    US $9.99

TENOR CARBON UKULELE STRINGS ORCAS OS STRINGS ANUENUE    US $9.99

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Worth Ukulele Strings:

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Worth Premium Ukulele Strings BM makes 2 sets    US $13.99

Worth Premium Ukulele Strings Clear CM 46 makes 2 sets    US $13.99

Worth Premium Ukulele Strings BM makes 2 sets    US $13.99

Worth Premium Ukulele Strings Clear CM 46 makes 2 sets    US $13.99

Worth Premium Ukulele Strings Clear CT 63 Tenor    US $15.95

Worth Premium Ukulele String Clear CT LG 63 dbl set    US $15.99

Worth Premium Ukulele String Brown BT 63 dbl set    US $15.99

Worth Premium Ukulele String Brown BT LG 63 dbl set    US $15.99

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I've been waiting for the Kala Pocket Ukulele to make its appearance "in the wild", so to speak, for a few weeks now.  If you recall, Kala sent me the Acacia model to test and review and I freaking love it.  It's adorable, beautifully made and it sounds fantastic!  But, I've been getting a lot of questions like "Where can I get one?",  "How much will they cost?" and so on.  I had originally heard that list on the Mahogany was going to be around $299 and list on the Acacia was $399.  Yup, don't let the size fool you.  These are beautiful, high quality instruments... they just happen to be teenie tiny.

The first place that I heard about the Kala Pocket Ukulele was Easy Music Center.  I don't see a notice on their site that they have them for sale, yet, but it might be worthwhile contacting them.  (UPDATE: They do have them at Easy Music Center!  In fact, you can even see them in the picture below.  Peter, said if you are interested to just e-mail him at admin@EasyMusicCenter.com and he'll hook you up!  Make sure and remember to mention Ukulele Guy to get the good deal.)  Besides, wouldn't you want to buy a Ukulele from a store that has the WALL OF UKULELES [tm]!   Check it out:

Easy Music Center's "Wall of Ukuleles"

But, for those of you who just can't wait, I have seen a few of these beauties popping up on eBay.  So, here's what's currently out there right now.  Good luck!

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KALA POCKET MAHOGANY UKULELE LK    US $169.99

Kala KA PU ASAC Solid Wood Pocket UkuleleCase Used 1Hr    US $249.00

Kala KA PU SMH Solid Wood Pocket Ukulele Case Used 1Hr    US $199.00

Want eBay auctions on your site?

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Well, it's been awhile since I've done this and I'm not exactly sure why. So, here we go!

Today, I was perusing eBay looking for Banjolele deals or just something weird and ukulele-related when I discovered this Tin Can Ukulele (currently only $1!)

Here's a picture of this little beauty.

Tin Can Ukulele

It seems like something that a goat would be playing in an old cartoon.  You know, playing his tin can ukulele, chewing tobacco and whatnot.  Heh.  I'm sort of cracking myself up just thinking about it.

Oh, but wait!  I forgot the best part.  It's electric!  Yup, it's got a K+K pickup in it, so you can plug it into your amp and melt faces, should you so wish.  Here's some details that I grabbed from the auction listing:

Neck- Honduras Mahogany
Fingerboard- Rosewood
Headplate- Spalted Sycamore
Bridge- Maple
Nut- Maple
Pickup- K+K Hotspot
Tuners- Gotoh friction tuners

Happy bidding!

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So, I got a press release from Kala saying that their U-Bass is currently on tour with Paul Simon.  Well, I guess I could say that more clearly.  The U-Bass is actually being played by Bakithi Kumalo (thankfully, no one has invented the sentient, walking ukulele... yet. When they do, I'm out of a job.).  Bakithi Kumalo is an incredibly musician and you've probably heard his playing before on Paul Simon records (he played on Gracelenad).

Anyway, reading the press release makes me realize that I need to know more about the

So, I did a little searching and this is what I've come up with so far.  It's a 20" scale bass guitar and the strings are some sort of fancy polyurethane that is some sort of Kala secret ingredient deal.  What is blowing my mind is that, for it's size, it has incredibly rich and deep tones.  I think if you were listening to it and not looking at it, you'd assume you were listening to an upright bass.  So, I guess it's like the musical instrument equivalent of a Bag of Holding from D&D.  Somehow, it's like a magical vortex that channels extra deep tone?

Here, take a listen to these guys covering "Stand by Me" and tell me that this bass sound isn't exceptional deep.

Anyway, if someone has one of these, tell us more about it! Heck, make a video even, why doncha?

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So, @RabbitRemix was asking me, on Twitter, how to tune their 6-stringed ukulele.  At first I thought we were talking about a Tiple or maybe one of those Ukes where the A and C strings are doubled in octave or something.  But, no, there weren't any doubled strings.  So, then I started thinking, "Umm.. are we just talking about a small guitar?"  Turns out, we aren't, I'd just never heard of it.

Yamaha's is calling their GL-1 a Guitalele.  And, from what I can see, it's basically like a ukulele (only with a low G, instead of a high G string) and then you add an A and D string on there.  Or, to make it less complicated, take your normal guitar and then pop a capo on the fifth fret.  So, your open D chord (just how you play it on guitar) would actually be a G chord on the Guitalele.

It's funny because when musicians (who aren't familiar with Ukulele) ask me how a Uke is tuned, I always say, "Imagine your guitar, now pop a capo on the fifth fret and pull off your E and A string."  Well, this is like another hybrid of that.

But, all I really know is that I NEED ONE.  I can't find them on Amazon or Musician's Friend right now, but I've listed some eBay auctions below that show some off.

It looks like it has 18 frets and it's built to a 17" scale.  Oh yeah, and it's cute as all hell.

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A very nice Yamaha GL 1 Guitalele in original bag    US $69.32

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So, while I'm still going to make a longer video showing off the adorable Kala Pocket Ukulele, I wanted to answer your biggest question first.  So, while I could have just told you that it's 16 inches long, it still might be hard to visualize that, right?  Well, hopefully that won't be an issue after this video.  If it is, I don't want to hear about it .

Video Notes:

• In case you were wondering, I rolled a natural 20 with that die.
• The Rubik's Cube I show you actually has 6 sides (it's a cube, after all) but each face is 4x4.  Sorry for any confusion about 4-sided cubes and whatnot.

Anyway, here is your size comparison video for the

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So, I got my Kala Pocket Ukulele this morning and I haven't been able to put it down for very long.  It's so freaking fun!  I'm going to make a few videos to show you more about it but I wanted to give you a quick picture to give a sense of scale.  People keep asking me, "Just how small is it?".  Turns out, they were talking about the ukulele.  Hi-yooo!

Anyway, here is a picture of my guitar, baritone ukulele, tenor ukulele, soprano ukulele and the

More to come soon!

Guitar, Baritone Uke, Tenor Uke, Soprano Uke and Kala Pocket Ukulele

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