Great job on the reviews, I especially love your consistency, that you play the same melodies in each review.... makes it so much easier to compare between reviews. Well done !
Greasy46 thanks. Some people criticise that but there is a method behind it. It allows comparison and they are not too complex. I see little point playing stuff beginners will be put off by
Hi Baz, it is a very pretty little thing! Sounds so nice, too! Another winner. I just got my Eden tenor like the one you reviewed a couple of weeks back and I am so impressed. Beautiful sound and case. Matt was great to deal with, and he said your review had him really jumping to fill orders! Thank you, sir! Have a great week off!
I have an Eastman mahogany Grand Auditorium guitar, and I don't know if I will ever buy another acoustic guitar. It is nearly perfect! I am really glad they have gotten into the ukulele market. They do great work. That soprano sounds GREAT! Thank you for another great review.
My Eastman EU3S arrived today. The mahogany is almost like a beautyful fire! I'm thrilled. This was the best cure for a severe form of UAS. Of course I'll keep seeing your wonderful reviews.
I want to add a little detail....the price for this ukulele in Sweden, is 400 £. That goes for the concert also. I found it on a music dealer in Malmoe. 😉
That's a very smart looking soprano with a nice sound to boot. Koa instruments can be quite stunning, there's no denying, but this is also very attractive in its own 'reserved' kind of way.
This is the 6th or the 7th time I watch this review. Some might think I'm out of my mind, but it simply is the fact, that watching gotaukulele is the nicest way of spending time. Now, about the eus3...let me put it this way: By now I have used a Martin s1 for about a month. If I had to choose (wich God forbid) between the Martin and the Eastman, my choise is, without hesitation, the Eastman! I agree about the tuners. Friction pegs should be standard on all soprano ukes!
I've not had one in my hands long enough to review and the two i've played were a few years back. Based on those - they were terribly over built (thick tops, over braced, little volume and sustain). Maybe the've changed - no idea. I have reached out to them but they've never come back to get featured. That latter point is not an indictment - this Eastman was first launched about 10 years back - we go there in the end! I'd look at a LAG review if they want to. Often things get 'unblocked' when my readers message the brands and tell them that you want them to feature on Got A Ukulele. Worth a shot?
@@GotAUkulele okay! I'd love to see a review so I'll find an email on their website! I just started playing a few months ago, but there aren't many ukuleles in the shops accessible to me (Currently living in Sofia Bulgaria) By the way! Great channel! And keep up the great work! Big fan!
Thanks for a really nice and interesting review ❤ I got a little surprised about the bright lovely sound. Eastman, just like Kiwaya and Martin, prove that good ukes can be made by solid mahogany 😊 The only thing missing, (that's a personal issue) is a position mark at the 3d fret 😉 This review made a great start of my day 😍
Hi there, Baz! I need your help, i guess. I live in Russia and i'm looking for a laminate tenor ukulele to carry it with me (and our climate is pretty rough, so i'm not even thinking of getting the all solid instrument). I'm stucked between Kala Ziricote tenor and Bonanza HPL tenor. First of all, does wood laminate and HPL have any difference in terms of durability and sound? Or maybe it's just the same thing with different names? Do you have any thoughts on this topic and which one should i pick? I'm not in a hurry, tho. I'll be getting one of these on my birthday on July 8th. Thank you for your great reviews!
Hi there - at the outset I will say that I never give individual recommendations or make choices between a couple of ukuleles beyond what I say in my reviews. The choice is just too personal on sound / looks etc for me to make that decision. What I will say though is that HPL and Laminate Wood are totally different - mainly because HPL contains no wood. It does sound surprisingly like wood though feels different. These are both great instruments. The Bonanza ukes are certainly heavier than the Kala, but that is more down to the way he builds them rather than the HPL itself - HPL is no heavier as a material than laminate. HPL is also quite a bit stronger than laminate and as long as you don't get the wooden parts wet (braces, neck etc) it's also waterproof. Volume and tone in both are great, but different. You'd need to really play them side by side to make your own judgement. I'd happily own either!
@@GotAUkulele thank you! The problem is that i cant try any of them - the only thing i could get my hands on is Enya HPL uke, but it's pretty far away from those i've mentioned before. One thing that is a real gamebreaker for me is that you can fully customize your uke at Bonanza. So, I guess I'll stick with this one. Have a nice day, you're doing a great job!
Sounds like a nice soprano. You mentioned Martin ukulele strings, have you had any issues with Martin strings being mislabeled? The last two packs I bought (Green packages, from Mexico), were labeled in reverse: as in the "G" string was actually an A, and the "C" was actually the E, and so forth. I actually did a video on the subject, (I'm not posting it here, but you can see it on my channel). It really turned me off on them.
Just grabbed a secondhand one for £250 but have changed strings to Martin m600. Strings still settling but dounds much better (to my ears) already than aquila
Surprised at the sloppy inside glue work. I have an Eastman guitar which has a Martin-like, pristine build . . . a stunningly good and beautiful guitar. Try the Martin Premium Ukulele strings; Polygut (not Nylgut). They are shimmery like fluorocarbon, yet not quite as stark and more subtle than the Nylgut. They sound great on Mahogany Sopranos.
Nice one Baz - great review as ever mate. Really nice Uke - tho’ I agree totally about the ‘ears’. Always a ‘plain headstock’ for me on a soprano - with nothing sticking out the sides... 😊. Nice instrument tho’... 👍👍
I guess it’s maybe a question of usability versus the ‘aesthetic’ really hey? I mean: Quality Geared tuners, are just *Fantastic* to use aren’t they? It’s just, if you love Soprano ukes, then you’re almost certainly in love with their history/heritage - and that means friction tuners and a plain headstock... I know you’ve got a KT Style ‘0’ same as my one Baz - and the whole ‘look’ of the head/tuners is just timeless perfection, ain’t it? 🌺 ( o)==:: 🌸🥰
@@UkuleleBobbyKemp I think this is where the misconceptions arise though. Gears are indeed easy. Poor quality frictions are not. HOWEVER - good quality friction pegs are a joy to use and arguably easier than gears. But the perception is that all friction pegs are bad. They most certainly are NOT. It's not just aesthetic. Plus you could go the Kamaka route and fit UPT rear facing planetary gears too. I'd be happy with Grover 4's - work perfectly.
Yes mate, you make a very good point (& have more experience than me...). I’m just ‘speaking as I find’ tbh, as a player. I’ve got 3 or 4 sopranos with friction tuners (mostly vintage, but the KT is obvs. modern). I’ve always found them a bit difficult - needing more ‘attention’, especially when recording and needing that perfect tune... Then again, I prob. need to take time out and really learn how to tweak them tension’wise, where necessary... I still love them tho’, so view the whole debate with something approaching ‘heart-ruling-head’, or even ‘inverted-snobbery...’. 🤣🤣 Hopefully time (& owning more ukes) will prove this mindset unnecessary... 🌸 ( o)==:: 🌺
i really like the look of the mahogony! Im not a soprano player but this one seems quiet intresting too me. If its worth the 450 pounds or 530€ i cant say. Thanks for your reviews baz!
You and Matt warnes really need to get together and make babies... no no. I mean come up with a spec and sell some amazing ukes(including baritone scale)
Despite this being a soprano I feel the same way about them as you do baritones. Often new model lines shun both bari and soprano. I did discuss this with Matt and it's purely keeping an eye on business. Despite my protestations, baritones and sopranos just don't sell as many a concerts and tenors. That Duke Baritone from Duke of Uke is superb though!
@@GotAUkulele - Watching past reviews. Wow, I didn't know that baritones and sopranos weren't as big in sales as the other scales. I mean, I guess I can understand baritones, but sopranos?!? Ukuleles ARE sopranos, in my opinion. My baritone-playing friend would disagree. This ukulele really is beautiful. It's still listed on the Eastman site, but in 2024, it's now $599!
Great job on the reviews, I especially love your consistency, that you play the same melodies in each review.... makes it so much easier to compare between reviews. Well done !
Greasy46 thanks. Some people criticise that but there is a method behind it. It allows comparison and they are not too complex. I see little point playing stuff beginners will be put off by
Exactly why I'm a subscriber 👍🏽
Yes! I'll immediately go read the written review on the website and then I'll come back to watch and listen!
Have a happy Sunday, Baz!!!
Thanks Matty!
Hi Baz, it is a very pretty little thing! Sounds so nice, too! Another winner. I just got my Eden tenor like the one you reviewed a couple of weeks back and I am so impressed. Beautiful sound and case. Matt was great to deal with, and he said your review had him really jumping to fill orders! Thank you, sir! Have a great week off!
Yeah - Matt runs a great shop!
I have an Eastman mahogany Grand Auditorium guitar, and I don't know if I will ever buy another acoustic guitar. It is nearly perfect!
I am really glad they have gotten into the ukulele market. They do great work. That soprano sounds GREAT!
Thank you for another great review.
My pleasure. Yeah - really nice guitars!
My Eastman EU3S arrived today. The mahogany is almost like a beautyful fire! I'm thrilled. This was the best cure for a severe form of UAS. Of course I'll keep seeing your wonderful reviews.
Great ukes
I want to add a little detail....the price for this ukulele in Sweden, is 400 £. That goes for the concert also. I found it on a music dealer in Malmoe. 😉
That's a very smart looking soprano with a nice sound to boot. Koa instruments can be quite stunning, there's no denying, but this is also very attractive in its own 'reserved' kind of way.
I actually prefer mahogany when it comes to sopranos
Good review, Baz. I agree about the tuners. It does sound good!
Thanks Nickie
This is the 6th or the 7th time I watch this review. Some might think I'm out of my mind, but it simply is the fact, that watching gotaukulele is the nicest way of spending time. Now, about the eus3...let me put it this way: By now I have used a Martin s1 for about a month. If I had to choose (wich God forbid) between the Martin and the Eastman, my choise is, without hesitation, the Eastman!
I agree about the tuners. Friction pegs should be standard on all soprano ukes!
GotAUkulele, just wondering what do you think of the LAG ukuleles?
I've not had one in my hands long enough to review and the two i've played were a few years back. Based on those - they were terribly over built (thick tops, over braced, little volume and sustain). Maybe the've changed - no idea. I have reached out to them but they've never come back to get featured. That latter point is not an indictment - this Eastman was first launched about 10 years back - we go there in the end! I'd look at a LAG review if they want to. Often things get 'unblocked' when my readers message the brands and tell them that you want them to feature on Got A Ukulele. Worth a shot?
@@GotAUkulele okay! I'd love to see a review so I'll find an email on their website! I just started playing a few months ago, but there aren't many ukuleles in the shops accessible to me (Currently living in Sofia Bulgaria) By the way! Great channel! And keep up the great work! Big fan!
@@jabenanty Pester them! Maybe they'll send one over!! I only need them on loan - never keep any of them!
Yes I love the mahogany also. Great sound and look. Always appreciate your honest reviews!
Thanks Dan
Thanks for a really nice and interesting review ❤ I got a little surprised about the bright lovely sound. Eastman, just like Kiwaya and Martin, prove that good ukes can be made by solid mahogany 😊 The only thing missing, (that's a personal issue) is a position mark at the 3d fret 😉
This review made a great start of my day 😍
Thanks for watching!
@@GotAUkulele I watch your reviews, and other vids too, every day. You do the best vids ever ❤
Hi there, Baz!
I need your help, i guess.
I live in Russia and i'm looking for a laminate tenor ukulele to carry it with me (and our climate is pretty rough, so i'm not even thinking of getting the all solid instrument). I'm stucked between Kala Ziricote tenor and Bonanza HPL tenor.
First of all, does wood laminate and HPL have any difference in terms of durability and sound? Or maybe it's just the same thing with different names?
Do you have any thoughts on this topic and which one should i pick? I'm not in a hurry, tho. I'll be getting one of these on my birthday on July 8th.
Thank you for your great reviews!
Hi there - at the outset I will say that I never give individual recommendations or make choices between a couple of ukuleles beyond what I say in my reviews. The choice is just too personal on sound / looks etc for me to make that decision.
What I will say though is that HPL and Laminate Wood are totally different - mainly because HPL contains no wood. It does sound surprisingly like wood though feels different. These are both great instruments. The Bonanza ukes are certainly heavier than the Kala, but that is more down to the way he builds them rather than the HPL itself - HPL is no heavier as a material than laminate. HPL is also quite a bit stronger than laminate and as long as you don't get the wooden parts wet (braces, neck etc) it's also waterproof. Volume and tone in both are great, but different. You'd need to really play them side by side to make your own judgement.
I'd happily own either!
@@GotAUkulele thank you!
The problem is that i cant try any of them - the only thing i could get my hands on is Enya HPL uke, but it's pretty far away from those i've mentioned before.
One thing that is a real gamebreaker for me is that you can fully customize your uke at Bonanza. So, I guess I'll stick with this one.
Have a nice day, you're doing a great job!
Nice sounding and attractive uke. Thanks for reviewing.
Sounds beautiful 🥰
It does!
Sounds like a nice soprano. You mentioned Martin ukulele strings, have you had any issues with Martin strings being mislabeled? The last two packs I bought (Green packages, from Mexico), were labeled in reverse: as in the "G" string was actually an A, and the "C" was actually the E, and so forth. I actually did a video on the subject, (I'm not posting it here, but you can see it on my channel). It really turned me off on them.
ChrisOttoMusic never had that, no. How odd
Nice review. I was really curious about a uke bearing the Eastman name.
Me too!
Thanks for the review. I fancy the tenor but the price is a little too high for me.
Yeah - not the cheapest.. but a fair price for what you get.
Great review.
Just grabbed a secondhand one for £250 but have changed strings to Martin m600. Strings still settling but dounds much better (to my ears) already than aquila
Wonderful ukes. Sadly now discontinued. You did well to bag one
Wonder why they ate discontinued ? You can still buy them new in a few places though.
Think their ukes were just a diversion from their main focus
Is this the same company that makes brass wind instruments?
Yes, I believe so
Surprised at the sloppy inside glue work. I have an Eastman guitar which has a Martin-like, pristine build . . . a stunningly good and beautiful guitar. Try the Martin Premium Ukulele strings; Polygut (not Nylgut). They are shimmery like fluorocarbon, yet not quite as stark and more subtle than the Nylgut. They sound great on Mahogany Sopranos.
Likely a one off, but I am always a bit surprised when a loan model is sent to me like that.
Really like this. Bought tenor, cheaper one. Want something better. Have Eastman bookmarked. Thank you
Don't think you would be disappointed
The price in Sweden, today, are £ 395 😀
I actually thought they had been discontinued
Pretty!!!😍😍😍
Nice one Baz - great review as ever mate. Really nice Uke - tho’ I agree totally about the ‘ears’. Always a ‘plain headstock’ for me on a soprano - with nothing sticking out the sides... 😊. Nice instrument tho’... 👍👍
Yeah - a bit of a blocker for me - a shame as the ukulele is excellent. Many will live with the ears though I guess.
I guess it’s maybe a question of usability versus the ‘aesthetic’ really hey?
I mean: Quality Geared tuners, are just *Fantastic* to use aren’t they?
It’s just, if you love Soprano ukes, then you’re almost certainly in love with their history/heritage - and that means friction tuners and a plain headstock...
I know you’ve got a KT Style ‘0’ same as my one Baz - and the whole ‘look’ of the head/tuners is just timeless perfection, ain’t it?
🌺 ( o)==:: 🌸🥰
@@UkuleleBobbyKemp I think this is where the misconceptions arise though. Gears are indeed easy. Poor quality frictions are not. HOWEVER - good quality friction pegs are a joy to use and arguably easier than gears. But the perception is that all friction pegs are bad. They most certainly are NOT. It's not just aesthetic. Plus you could go the Kamaka route and fit UPT rear facing planetary gears too. I'd be happy with Grover 4's - work perfectly.
Yes mate, you make a very good point (& have more experience than me...). I’m just ‘speaking as I find’ tbh, as a player.
I’ve got 3 or 4 sopranos with friction tuners (mostly vintage, but the KT is obvs. modern).
I’ve always found them a bit difficult - needing more ‘attention’, especially when recording and needing that perfect tune...
Then again, I prob. need to take time out and really learn how to tweak them tension’wise, where necessary...
I still love them tho’, so view the whole debate with something approaching ‘heart-ruling-head’, or even ‘inverted-snobbery...’. 🤣🤣
Hopefully time (& owning more ukes) will prove this mindset unnecessary... 🌸 ( o)==:: 🌺
Your mustache will soon fly away.
The hair on me noggin has been doing that for years..
i really like the look of the mahogony! Im not a soprano player but this one seems quiet intresting too me. If its worth the 450 pounds or 530€ i cant say. Thanks for your reviews baz!
It is definitely worth it.
If you don't have a Soprano, this would be a good first!
Lovely tone, lovely looks, but you're spot on about the geared tuners letting the side down.
Yup...
You and Matt warnes really need to get together and make babies... no no.
I mean come up with a spec and sell some amazing ukes(including baritone scale)
Despite this being a soprano I feel the same way about them as you do baritones. Often new model lines shun both bari and soprano. I did discuss this with Matt and it's purely keeping an eye on business. Despite my protestations, baritones and sopranos just don't sell as many a concerts and tenors. That Duke Baritone from Duke of Uke is superb though!
GotAUkulele thanks for the reply Baz, one day sops and baris will rule the world,until then ;)
One day!!
@@uknavynige
@@GotAUkulele - Watching past reviews. Wow, I didn't know that baritones and sopranos weren't as big in sales as the other scales. I mean, I guess I can understand baritones, but sopranos?!? Ukuleles ARE sopranos, in my opinion. My baritone-playing friend would disagree. This ukulele really is beautiful. It's still listed on the Eastman site, but in 2024, it's now $599!