I usually recommend people tune my sopraninos to DGBE, an octave above the baritone uke. (Well, two octaves on the fourth string.) That extra tension really makes the instrument’s sound sparkle, and for anyone with some experience with the baritone or the guitar, it’s an easy transition.
I try several tunings fred - my other sopranino ukes are tuned to F (same reason - more 'zing'). To be honest - the D tuning on this gets it zingy enough for me, but certainly G above the baritone would likely zing more!
I just bought one of these this morning, probably an hour or so before you uploaded this review! I think I’ll like it because I’m small and my hands are small. I like pineapples and I like gloss. Thank you for the review!
Got to say Baz, never heard a sopranino before, fascinated, don’t think it’s for me but unless we see these instruments, so well reviewed, may never have consider them . Have a great weekend.
I got the ohana sopranissimo and sopranino in the spruce/mahogany variants. I did change the strings to fremont black lines. I do have the hard cases for them. Overall great instruments and they do sound better in D tuning.
Good morning Barry! Well here in the US anyway. Do you get any responses from ukulele companies after a bad review ? And do you ever get responses by companies that value your input, and try to make their products better ?
Yes and no - some do and they are the brands that I really respect most. Enya, Flight and Noah have never had a truly 'bad' review from me, but have been quick to respond to criticisms I may have raised. That's the mark of a decent brand when they listen.
I bought a cheap sopranino off aliexpress for 20 euros, just to try it during covid. While I'm sure this is by miracle, it is actually a beautiful instrument, solid wood top, no sharp frets, great intonation... but the width at the nut is 28mm. Certain chords that are more crammed are just unplayable or need alternate fingerings. I've been considering getting a more comfortable model to play since I love the size for travelling.
Yeah, that was not mentioned in the product description. Overall I was amazed at the quality, it is really well put together, and has a surprisingly great sound, but any chords that use 3 or 4 fingers are difficult. I have tiny hands so I can make it work but I don't think it would be unplayable by most people.
I would be super grateful if you could tell me the name of the product on Aliexpress or send a link! I've been searching for a nice travel uke for an upcoming trip, so I don't have to pay a ton of fees to bring my soprano. This could be perfect for me!
Thanks for another great review, Baz. Your voice sounds better! One of my good friends has a pineapple Ohana and it’s loud! Do you suppose that the narrow nut ukes are made more with kids in mind?
I'm not into the smaller size ukes, I like concert and tenor sizes best. That being said the nut width and the neck dive would turn me off of this one. It did sound much better with the D tuning though. Great review.
I suspect that, were I to try playing that with my ham fists, every chord would turn into a barre chord. I agree with you on pineapples and boat paddles, though. And that headstock appearance could be improved by losing the “ears” - Graph Tech Tune-a-leles, perhaps?
A pretty instrument and the price is great. I am not a fan of sopranos, other than my Martin, so not one I would look at, but I do like the look and the idea of it!
Awww, that's so cute. But oh, man, that nut width. I wish they wouldn't scale down the neck. I find 35 mm uncomfortably narrow as it is, and 33 just disqualifies the instrument right out for me. Incidentally, I don't know if you ever tried playing Dungeons & Dragons or any other role playing game, but in that context, TPK stands for Total Party Kill, which is usually a very sad event.
Baz, I have got the same but Sopranissimo size. It's basically become an ornament because it's pretty to look at. But as for sound .. I hate the bloody thing!! Hahaha! I tune it A, D, F#, B too but I rarely play it.
I just got the concert pineapple like this in a nice old music store in Madison wi. I had my 40th college reunion. I wanted a solid mahogany ukulele. I wasn’t thinking of this one until I played it. It just felt really nice to hold and I like the tone 🙂
I don't have a sub-soprano nor a pineapple shaped uke and I don't mind another tuning as long as it's the same chord shapes, sounds good and a good price as well it seems - so all sounds well... except the narrow nut! I struggle with playing narrow fingerboards as well. I could probably live with the balance issue but I don't know about the narrow fingerboard, too bad. Really enjoyed the review though (as always) so thanks for that.
I know you did not review the XS soprano Romero creations , but you are very knowledgeable; is it better than the ohana? I ordered one, the koa , not sure when I will get , not many available
I, like you, prefer soprano type sizes - indeed I have a soprano pineapple shape soprano - however, I have two mahogany sopranino ukuleles which are a joy to play...the caveats are due to the combined weight, you must have lightweight tuners for balance and hopefully, have smallish fingers. Nice articulate and fair instrument. With respect to the issue of balance, if you really want to get children or grandchildren to play, they need to be comfortable holding the instrument itself !
Hey my friend! Another nice review, I really enjoy your reviews and maybe because I usually agree with your choices. This ukulele looks nice but I am not a fan of the shape. I don’t mind the head shape, but I don’t like a top heavy ukulele. When I play it I have a little fight for example going from D to EM etc. I like the D tuning on this as well the C sounds jumbled to me… thanks again and have a great week!….DOC
Thanks Barry. I'm lucky enough to have a Ohana spruce top sopranino. I tune it like you suggest to A,D,F sharp,B but I form the chords in the standard way. Is that okay? (Excuse my ignorance!)
Absolutely ok - but of course you will not be playing the same chords as you would on a C tuned uke. That's what I did in the video (to show the higher pitch) same shapes - but if I play, say a C chord on a uke tuned to D, I am actually playing a D. The progression will work, just in a higher key
Nice to see an Ohana, don't seem to see them about as much. Don't like the smaller than soprano ukes. Just not my thing, the sound does nothing for me. Have a nice holiday.
I subbed yesterday! Where is my thankyouwave?? (just joking really im making a mockery of what people do on youtube toget attention and facebook maybe especially or social media in general)
I usually recommend people tune my sopraninos to DGBE, an octave above the baritone uke. (Well, two octaves on the fourth string.) That extra tension really makes the instrument’s sound sparkle, and for anyone with some experience with the baritone or the guitar, it’s an easy transition.
I try several tunings fred - my other sopranino ukes are tuned to F (same reason - more 'zing'). To be honest - the D tuning on this gets it zingy enough for me, but certainly G above the baritone would likely zing more!
Your reviews are so helpful in making buying decisions. You have never steered me wrong. Thank you!
That's great to hear!
I've got massive hands, but strangely enough, I love the feel of small instruments in my hands. Another review knocked outta the park 🏏
Oh, me too - six foot four and big hands - mainly play sopranos - but I do personally play wider nut models
I just bought one of these this morning, probably an hour or so before you uploaded this review! I think I’ll like it because I’m small and my hands are small. I like pineapples and I like gloss. Thank you for the review!
My pleasure - enjoy!
Got to say Baz, never heard a sopranino before, fascinated, don’t think it’s for me but unless we see these instruments, so well reviewed, may never have consider them . Have a great weekend.
I got the ohana sopranissimo and sopranino in the spruce/mahogany variants. I did change the strings to fremont black lines. I do have the hard cases for them. Overall great instruments and they do sound better in D tuning.
Nice!
Good morning Barry! Well here in the US anyway. Do you get any responses from ukulele companies after a bad review ? And do you ever get responses by companies that value your input, and try to make their products better ?
Yes and no - some do and they are the brands that I really respect most. Enya, Flight and Noah have never had a truly 'bad' review from me, but have been quick to respond to criticisms I may have raised. That's the mark of a decent brand when they listen.
I bought a cheap sopranino off aliexpress for 20 euros, just to try it during covid. While I'm sure this is by miracle, it is actually a beautiful instrument, solid wood top, no sharp frets, great intonation... but the width at the nut is 28mm. Certain chords that are more crammed are just unplayable or need alternate fingerings. I've been considering getting a more comfortable model to play since I love the size for travelling.
28??? Woah!
Yeah, that was not mentioned in the product description. Overall I was amazed at the quality, it is really well put together, and has a surprisingly great sound, but any chords that use 3 or 4 fingers are difficult. I have tiny hands so I can make it work but I don't think it would be unplayable by most people.
I would be super grateful if you could tell me the name of the product on Aliexpress or send a link! I've been searching for a nice travel uke for an upcoming trip, so I don't have to pay a ton of fees to bring my soprano. This could be perfect for me!
Thanks for another great review, Baz. Your voice sounds better!
One of my good friends has a pineapple Ohana and it’s loud!
Do you suppose that the narrow nut ukes are made more with kids in mind?
No I don't think so - most of Ohana and Kala ukes have narrow nuts - it's more a 'that's the way the Chinese factories make them' kind of thing.
You give the best reviews!
Thanks so much!
I'm not into the smaller size ukes, I like concert and tenor sizes best. That being said the nut width and the neck dive would turn me off of this one. It did sound much better with the D tuning though. Great review.
Wow. This is super cute. I like the sound. Nice review
Thank you 🤗
I suspect that, were I to try playing that with my ham fists, every chord would turn into a barre chord. I agree with you on pineapples and boat paddles, though. And that headstock appearance could be improved by losing the “ears” - Graph Tech Tune-a-leles, perhaps?
Anything rear facing would work for me - i'd probably just put Grover 4's on it
A pretty instrument and the price is great. I am not a fan of sopranos, other than my Martin, so not one I would look at, but I do like the look and the idea of it!
I have one...so much fun! Your review is spot on. 👍
Thanks Ben
The shirt looks killer, Baz! Duke of uke!
Cheers buddy
🤗🤗 Thank you! I visited the web site! Great work! Thank you again!
Awesome! Thank you!
Awww, that's so cute. But oh, man, that nut width. I wish they wouldn't scale down the neck. I find 35 mm uncomfortably narrow as it is, and 33 just disqualifies the instrument right out for me.
Incidentally, I don't know if you ever tried playing Dungeons & Dragons or any other role playing game, but in that context, TPK stands for Total Party Kill, which is usually a very sad event.
I am very familiar with TPK. Lol
@@chuckvt5196 my condolences. What did you roll after the last one? :-P
Great review, i had no idea they made short scale soprano ukulele's 👍.
Some MUCH smaller than this - check this made by a good mate of mine ua-cam.com/video/lkNtHIOO3-w/v-deo.html
I keep one of my Flights in D sounds better in the tone. Nice looking but pity about nut width. You still played it well. Keep safe Barry.
Thanks for listening!
I would definitely think about this but probably change the tuners to friction pegs. Love the D-tuning on this!
Thanks for the review!
I would too - could never own a small instrument like this and have gears on it..
edit .."nice articulate and fair instrument review"
Thanks!
Good review. Have a great week.
Thanks, you too!
Sounds great tbh, for the price a gig bag should be included.
Certainly should. Ohana and Kala are being left behind when you consider what other brands include
Sounds really good for a tiny thing. I have one tuned to A-D-F#-B
Baz, I have got the same but Sopranissimo size. It's basically become an ornament because it's pretty to look at. But as for sound .. I hate the bloody thing!! Hahaha! I tune it A, D, F#, B too but I rarely play it.
I just got the concert pineapple like this in a nice old music store in Madison wi. I had my 40th college reunion. I wanted a solid mahogany ukulele. I wasn’t thinking of this one until I played it. It just felt really nice to hold and I like the tone 🙂
I think I would prefer the concert myself!
I don't have a sub-soprano nor a pineapple shaped uke and I don't mind another tuning as long as it's the same chord shapes, sounds good and a good price as well it seems - so all sounds well... except the narrow nut! I struggle with playing narrow fingerboards as well. I could probably live with the balance issue but I don't know about the narrow fingerboard, too bad. Really enjoyed the review though (as always) so thanks for that.
Thanks!
I know you did not review the XS soprano Romero creations , but you are very knowledgeable; is it better than the ohana?
I ordered one, the koa , not sure when I will get , not many available
Can't comment on ukes i've not seen - sorry!
I, like you, prefer soprano type sizes - indeed I have a soprano pineapple shape soprano - however, I have two mahogany sopranino ukuleles which are a joy to play...the caveats are due to the combined weight, you must have lightweight tuners for balance and hopefully, have smallish fingers. Nice articulate and fair instrument. With respect to the issue of balance, if you really want to get children or grandchildren to play, they need to be comfortable holding the instrument itself !
Hey my friend! Another nice review, I really enjoy your reviews and maybe because I usually agree with your choices. This ukulele looks nice but I am not a fan of the shape. I don’t mind the head shape, but I don’t like a top heavy ukulele. When I play it I have a little fight for example going from D to EM etc. I like the D tuning on this as well the C sounds jumbled to me… thanks again and have a great week!….DOC
Thanks Doc
Thanks!
Thanks Bonnie!!
@@GotAUkulele Your welcome !
Should do the TTPK too at some point!
That one really is small!
Thanks
Thanks so much!
I must say at 360g the uke is somewhat 'hefty'. I just weighted my JD Pixie … came in at @ 220g!
For a sopranino I guess it is, but the Pixie is really tiny. It's not far dissimilar to the DJ Morgan though
Hi, do you have a link for that other ukulele you showed?
Yes - sure - www.gotaukulele.com/2017/07/dj-morgan-mini-pineapple-ukulele-review.html
I’ve always liked the looks of Ohana ukues, but I have been underwhelmed with the sound every time I pick one up.
I think as a brand they have been left behind a bit now
Thanks Barry. I'm lucky enough to have a Ohana spruce top sopranino. I tune it like you suggest to A,D,F sharp,B but I form the chords in the standard way. Is that okay? (Excuse my ignorance!)
Absolutely ok - but of course you will not be playing the same chords as you would on a C tuned uke. That's what I did in the video (to show the higher pitch) same shapes - but if I play, say a C chord on a uke tuned to D, I am actually playing a D. The progression will work, just in a higher key
Nice to see an Ohana, don't seem to see them about as much. Don't like the smaller than soprano ukes. Just not my thing, the sound does nothing for me. Have a nice holiday.
Yeah - they kind of went very off radar for a while
Shame about the nut width and the neck weight as everything else seems solid
Yeah - all otherwise is good
I subbed yesterday! Where is my thankyouwave?? (just joking really im making a mockery of what people do on youtube toget attention and facebook maybe especially or social media in general)
We don't actually get notified of new subs!
@@GotAUkulele heheehe Good review.. tbh ive never liked the look of these but listening to the sound makes Them worth it
Maybe it just needed better strings?
For what ? It's sounds great?
Pretty but I’ll take a pass.
Why so?