Video: The Omen by Ukulele Guy

So, nobody busted my chops about it, but I broke my Twitter promise last week.  You remember my Twitter promise, right?  Yeah, I made a promise that every #MusicMonday I would release an original ukulele song.  Well, last week I let ya down.  But, this week I'm back in the saddle with an original ukulele song (in video form).

This is one of the first songs that I wrote on ukulele and it's still unfinished.  I believe it was inspired by The Omen (you know, the movie with Gregory Peck)?  I've also been told that it's reminiscent of Hotel California.  Hmm... all I know is that I'm still not 100% happy with it and I don't think it will ever have words.  But, I'll let you listen and judge for yourself.

The ukulele that I'm playing in this video is my trusty Lanikai CK-TEQ tenor ukulele.  It desperately needs new strings.

Silver Creek Baritone Ukulele

So, after showing off my somewhat crappy Baritone Ukulele in, Video: Ukulele Guy – Naughty Song, I realized that I talked trash about my baritone ukulele but I didn't offer you any alternatives.  So, what if you want a good Baritone Ukulele and you are on a budget?  Well, it turns out that the Silver Creek All Solid Baritone Ukulele Natural is on clearance right now at Musician's Friend!  This uke is normally $209.99, but they are selling it for $169.99 right now.  Here's a picture.

Silver Creek All Solid Baritone Ukulele Natural
Silver Creek All Solid Baritone Ukulele Natural

This baritone uke is made of solid mahogany on the top, back and sides so you get that rich, warm tone that you can only get with solid wood.  There are only 2 reviews up right now, but the average rating is 4 1/2 stars out of a total of 5 possible.  So, people seem to be happy with their purchase.  Here's some more details about this ukulele:

* Solid Mahogany Top, Back & Sides
* One-Piece Mahogany Neck
* Geared Tuners
* Bone Nut & Saddle
* D'Addario Strings
* Scale Length: 20-1/8"

So, if you are looking for a good quality Baritone Ukulele and you don't want to spend $200-300, then this could be the uke you are looking for.

Souvenir and Toy Ukuleles (Smurf?!)

Let's face it, if you are interested in ukuleles then you are probably (even if it's just a little bit) weird.  Ukulele players are like the Shriners of the music world.  We have these tiny little instruments and we like to have fun and maybe goof off a little bit.

Well, maybe you embody all of those characteristics but you don't actually know how to play ukulele.  Maybe you'd like to just play the part a little bit?  Or, maybe you are a competent player and you want the challenge of a novelty or toy ukulele?  I mean, some toy ukuleles can be almost unplayable, but therein lies the challenge, right?  I mean, what if you are able to pull off some hot "Tiptoe Through the Tulip" licks on a plastic smurf ukulele?  That's pretty much a trophy-worthy feat, if you ask me.

So, for you goofballs out there, here's some pretty hilarious toy and souvenir ukuleles that are on ebay right now.

SMURF SOPRANO UKULELE

Smurf Soprano Ukulele

The Strummin Smurf!  Ahhh yeah!  Solid.. um... plastic with a blue finish (duh!).  It features Smurfette and whatever the name was of the smurf who played the Lute.  If you are (or were) the "weird kid" in high school, then you need this uke.  Just think of how great it will go with your trench coat.  😉  When I was wearing my undertaker's suit coat and doing yo-yo tricks in 11th grade, I would have killed for this instrument.

HAWAIIAN POLYNESIAN LUAU COCONUT UKULELE

HAWAIIAN POLYNESIAN LUAU COCONUT UKULELE

That's right, folks!  A Ukulele made out of a coconut.  Although, I think it might be more of a decoration than anything.  I mean, look at that action!  The freaking strings are almost a half inch off of the neck.  Still, just think how bad-ass you'd look if you could actually play this beast.  Heh.

LEOLANI SPRUCE HIBISCUS FLOWER SOUVENIR UKULELE

LEOLANI SPRUCE HIBISCUS FLOWER SOUVENIR UKULELE

Alright... I live in Montana.  So, to me, Hawaii is a magical fantasy land where you don't freeze to death and you don't worry about bears destroying your compost pile.  Ahh.. heaven.  I've never been to Hawaii but something tells me that the first thing you see in the hotel gift shop is a plastic ukulele resembling the one above.  Heck, I bet your aunt and uncle have one of these in their closet already.  In fact, it's how I got started on ukulele.  My mother-in-law had a very similar souvenir ukulele that I spent hours on, trying to figure out why I couldn't play it correctly.  Turns out, it was impossible to tune.  But, if you want to just look the part, then this little guy is adequate.

New Ibanez Spalted Mango Ukulele

First off, sorry about the lack of posts for the last few days.  I was traveling for my has-nothing-to-do-with-ukuleles stupid day job.  But, I'm back in the saddle now.

The first thing I did when I got back to my desk was to check out Musician's Friend and see if there were any new ukuleles listed.  Sure 'nuff, my eyes fell on a real beauty.  It looks like Ibanez now makes a Spalted Mango Concert Ukulele.

If you've priced Ukuleles made with Spalted Mango in the past, then you've seen that it's almost impossible to get one for less than $300.  It's a shame because grain of the wood creates a real eye-catching and unique guitar.    Well, this little number is only $169.99!  Here, take a peak:

Ibanez UEW20SG EW Concert Ukulele - Spalted Mango Natural
Ibanez UEW20SG EW Concert Ukulele - Spalted Mango Natural

Ibanez is a relative new-comer to the ukulele market, but I've already checked out another of their ukuleles in this post, "Ibanez UKC10 Concert Ukulele".  There aren't any reviews of this ukulele yet (it's that new), but at least you can count on Ibanez to make a quality product.  They've been making instruments since something like 1929.

Here's some quotes from the product description:

The UEW20SG cutaway concert ukulele from Ibanez is a sweet-toned, nylon-stringed instrument with the luxurious Hawaiian tonewoods and is built to stand the test of time. Built on the Concert style platform and size, the Ibanez ukulele features a luxurious spalted mango wood body, presenting that unmistakable warm ukulele sound. The rosewood bridge and fretboard provide clear sustain and let the lows and mids soar. The chrome Grover open gear tuners offer precision tuning and keep the ukulele in key. Dressed in a natural high gloss finish, and featuring a desirable abalone rosette around the soundhole, the UEW20SG concert uke s natural beauty shimmers through, making it a 4-string of incredible looks and unmatched tone.

If anyone sees one of these at a music shop and is able to put their hands on it, please let us know how it plays.

Videos: ConfedGroove Cigar Box Ukes

So, if you read yesterday's post about Cigar Box Ukuleles with Jon "CornfedGroove" Spencer, then you saw some pictures of some beautiful CBUs (Cigar Box Ukuleles).  Well, I checked my e-mail this morning and saw that Jon sent me some links to some videos of him playing some of these ukes (and a mandolin and dulcimer).  These are a treat because these cigar box instruments sound beautiful and Jon is a really skilled player.  Check em out!

Cigar Box Baritone Ukulele

Cigar Box Concert Ukulele

Cigar Box Soprano Ukulele

Cigar Box Mandolin

Cigar Box Dulcimer