In a totally predictable move, I have placed an order for a Mya-Moe ukulele. As of now it will be a concert sized "Tradition" model with a 14-fret neck join and a body made with curly myrtle. I also asked for a 1.5" nut width, no markers on the fret-board face, and an extra side dot at the 15th fret (usually they don't put a side dot on 15 for concert size).
So this will be the 6th custom ordered ukulele in my stash '0 ukes, not counting the Aaron Taylor that I bought second hand. It goes without saying that UAS is a pretty lethal disease. Just when you think you're done with it, you buy two more ukes without sell off any....
I guess in my defense, I believe I'm getting something that I have not gotten before. That is, a made to order ukulele from a large scale custom builder. As I wrote a couple of days ago, I do think their approach to building should yield fast refinement of their instruments and from all the positive comments on their ukes, I believe the quality will be there. I also finally get that myrtle ukulele I've wanted. The fact that myrtle is a local wood for Mya-Moe also makes this a little bit more justifiable. In my mind anyway.
My promised start date for the ukulele is March 23rd, with an estimated completion of April 27th. I have yet to have a custom built ukulele come anywhere close to the original estimated completion date, but it seems that chances are good that this one will make that ETA. Mya-Moe tweets progress pictures on their Twitter account, myamoeukuleles, so you can always just follow them to see everyone's Mya-Moe progress pictures, including mine.
Anyway, I look forward to checking out the Mya-Moe myrtle concert. Hopefully my interest in them is justified.
This one is on my list too. I was going to go for the pricier classic, but it was my husband who pointed out that it might be too much bling on a small concert body... at least for my taste. I'm looking for a more "player's instrument" anyway, so I'm getting joining that queue when I have the chance.
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely not surprised that you got your order in. :)
Only thing I'll add to mine is a pickup. The only uke I have with a pickup is the Kala archtop, and it's really let down by its electronics. When I jam with my bass-playing husband, it's easier to dial in a matching sound if I plug in. It's something I use maybe 2% of the time, but it's a nice option to have.
I look forward to the review. You always tell it like it is. :)
Plainsong,
ReplyDeleteYou might have deduced that I love bling on my ukes, but at the moment I'm going with the Tradition model because for one thing I'm not in position to splurge right now, so need to keep the cost in check. Another reason is because I've recently read some stuff about the Lacey act, where you need to jump through hoops to get stuff like abalone into the country, assuming it's legal to begin with. I'd rather not have to deal with that if I ever travel abroad with this ukulele, so I probably won't be changing to a Classic model.
I'm undecided on a pickup on this one. May end up adding it, but I very rarely have the opportunity to use pickups now and I have several other ukes with one, so I'm thinking it's not important to have one on this uke.