I came back a year later. Iv enjoyed the heck out of this. Iv replaced the tuners with the small Grover uke tuners to give it the complete look of a banjo. It rolls along clawhammer style with old time groups over here in North Carolina area of USA.
Yessssss! I bought a Little Gem about one month ago and I was really hoping it would get a Got A Ukulele review!!! I am glad you liked it, Baz!!!! Great review!!!
Nice review. I'm not usually a banjo uke player but I recently bought a Gold Tone BU-1 which, until they released this Little Gem, was their cheapest model but I have to say I absolutely love it. It plays like a dream and is very loud. I am tempted by the Little Gem now too! If they were to bring out a tenor version I wouldn't hesitate.
Yeah - I think that's the hook for these. They are not silly money and a bit of fun. Can see them attracting a lot of people wanting to try banjo uke out
Thanks for the review. I picked up a few of these lately to play with. They sounded great but the frets shredded my fingers. Don't know who else had this problem but I tried 3 and they all had that same build quality issue. If I buy one I'll definitely spend some time filing the frets.
I got one for my birthday last year and I really like it. I agree I prefer strumming on it than fingerpicking bc the notes aren’t as clear. Other than that it’s an fun, unusual instrument that is sure to get looks.
This one is MUCH too funky for me, but I didn't turn the video off, because I realy enjoy watching your reviews ❤ The sound then? Well, I must admit this Goldtone has a far better sound than my cheap banjolele 😊 (I payed about £ 80, if I remember right) Thanks for a very good review ❤
They have these in the window of Forsyth's in Manchester, and every day I find myself pausing for a look as I pass by. It's a bit outside of my means, but I think you've helped me decide to get one. Who needs food and rent anyway?!
I tried one at my local ukulele store (always always always go to your local ukulele store) and I like it. Checking reviews now to see if there are any gotchas, but I'm ready to go out and get one tomorrow!
I really like the sound of this banjo! Thank you so much for this review! I only have one instrument and want to purchase another instrument soon. Been practicing the clawhammer technique.
Bought one on the Big Island of Hawai'i and brought it back to Canada. Kind of a whim really since my Firefly banjo uke can never stay in tune. What's funny is that I noticed a mini USB connection on mine (the clear diamond) and it is used for Christmas tree-like lights in the banjo. Mode 1 stays bright and Mode 2 is dimmer and flashs every 10 seconds like a Christmas tree. Would be good at a Christmas concert. Cheers. Pete BTW - how do you take off the resonator back?
@@GotAUkulele Yeah true, that's definitely a try at your own risk kind of thing. If I got one of these I'd try it with a .007 on the highest string first
I have one of these Little Gems and It's a lot of fun. I have two questions as a banjolele newbie, one how do you know if the head needs to be tightened? two: "putting a sponge inside" ? Is that a dry sponge that's cut to stand on edge and rest against the head? Three, OOPS, where do you put the sponge? In the middle? Thanks so much. Love your videos. They've helped me so much.
The head tension is about feel - if you tap it you should get a clear note sound - like a drum. The sponge thing - well - can be a dry sponge, cloth, rag - anything really - between the pole and the inside of the head - up just below where the neck joins
@@GotAUkulele You’re right some tools do come with it. Truss rod allen wrench, action adjustment wrench, and a final wrench that tightens/loosens the head. No screwdriver to remove the resonator though. Thanks anyway!
Hi Barry - a while ago you reviewed a more unusual uke and I thought the title was "Banjolele? Not a banjolele?" because it did not quite have the usual banjo type sound. And it had a wood top if I remember. I wanted to look it up but cannot find it in your vids or blog. I do not remember the brand. Do you know what I am talking about?
@@GotAUkulele thanks for the reply (I was just going to ask you on Patreon, but looked back here first). No- though I am going to watch this review, too. It was by one of these even more independent makers and did not have a 'drum head' at all - maybe not even a round body if I remember. Some sort of 'solid' (or maybe laminate) wood top but sounded more like a banjo. though as you said - not quite and you said 'is it a banjolele or not?' but you liked it for what it was
i got one for christmas, do you think this one is good for a beginner? i have no experience with any instruments besides a hermonica lol, do you think i can learn how to play this thing well?
Yes I think so - it's a very playable instrument I thought. Well made too, which helps a lot more than people think when learning - one less thing to fight against!
Actually - appears they are Amazon / Ebay only. They won’t appear on Got A Ukulele for that reason. I now only review ukuleles that are also available in physical music stores where people can try them. Many of my readers refuse to buy from online only brands
Doesn't mean it isn't any good.. it's just that I am now careful to not big up brands that are destroying bricks and mortar music stores on the high street.
I came back a year later. Iv enjoyed the heck out of this. Iv replaced the tuners with the small Grover uke tuners to give it the complete look of a banjo. It rolls along clawhammer style with old time groups over here in North Carolina area of USA.
Yessssss! I bought a Little Gem about one month ago and I was really hoping it would get a Got A Ukulele review!!! I am glad you liked it, Baz!!!! Great review!!!
Thanks Matty - yeah - they are very cool
Over my somewhat limited speakers, I like the way it sounds picked . Quite an authentic sound. Really thorough and enjoyable review. Thanks
yes it is - sounds harsh when the string notes overlap to me. Easily solved with a cloth inside.
Aquila Red strings work beautifully on the Little Gem. They really clean up it's default, slightly muffled tone.
I like what the Aquila brand do for the uke world but.... can't ever recommend Reds. They snap too easily for me.
Nice review. I'm not usually a banjo uke player but I recently bought a Gold Tone BU-1 which, until they released this Little Gem, was their cheapest model but I have to say I absolutely love it. It plays like a dream and is very loud. I am tempted by the Little Gem now too! If they were to bring out a tenor version I wouldn't hesitate.
Yeah - I think that's the hook for these. They are not silly money and a bit of fun. Can see them attracting a lot of people wanting to try banjo uke out
Thanks for the review. I picked up a few of these lately to play with. They sounded great but the frets shredded my fingers. Don't know who else had this problem but I tried 3 and they all had that same build quality issue. If I buy one I'll definitely spend some time filing the frets.
Daughter just had one delivered too me. Fret ends are an issue. Will be sending it back.
I got one for my birthday last year and I really like it. I agree I prefer strumming on it than fingerpicking bc the notes aren’t as clear. Other than that it’s an fun, unusual instrument that is sure to get looks.
Such a pretty little thing, and she does have a cool sound to her! The price is right, she looks stunning! Thanks for a great review!
This one is MUCH too funky for me, but I didn't turn the video off, because I realy enjoy watching your reviews ❤
The sound then? Well, I must admit this Goldtone has a far better sound than my cheap banjolele 😊
(I payed about £ 80, if I remember right)
Thanks for a very good review ❤
Thanks Marie!
They have these in the window of Forsyth's in Manchester, and every day I find myself pausing for a look as I pass by. It's a bit outside of my means, but I think you've helped me decide to get one. Who needs food and rent anyway?!
Don’t think you’d regret it
@@GotAUkulele After some serious budget calculation I bit the bullet and bought one in ruby. It's a thing of beauty and so much fun to play!
I tried one at my local ukulele store (always always always go to your local ukulele store) and I like it. Checking reviews now to see if there are any gotchas, but I'm ready to go out and get one tomorrow!
Didn’t win best in show at NAMM for no reason!
@@GotAUkulele I went and got one, it's a lot of "uke" for the money.
*adds to my list*
Just below the Waterman..
I really like the sound of this banjo! Thank you so much for this review! I only have one instrument and want to purchase another instrument soon. Been practicing the clawhammer technique.
as banjo ukes go - this is a bit of a marvel!
Bought one on the Big Island of Hawai'i and brought it back to Canada. Kind of a whim really since my Firefly banjo uke can never stay in tune. What's funny is that I noticed a mini USB connection on mine (the clear diamond) and it is used for Christmas tree-like lights in the banjo. Mode 1 stays bright and Mode 2 is dimmer and flashs every 10 seconds like a Christmas tree. Would be good at a Christmas concert. Cheers. Pete BTW - how do you take off the resonator back?
How cool! I think the resonator just requires a screwdriver in the holes Peter - can't quite remember.
I am banjo curious, and now that I have seen this video, I now no where to look. Thank you! 😃 🎵
My pleasure!
I like how they have a traditional banjo headstock..Not so thrilled about the purple plastic, but hey, different strokes for different folks.
Indeed!
Barry made me go buy one......
Oops!
@@GotAUkulele UAS is not Barry responsibplw, responsvbyl respons... sorry I can spell I WANT THIS ONE TOO....
Very nice review! I have the original Duke 8, which is similar, and I have a ball with it.
For a moment There I thought you had the ball inside it...
J F - I did a double take as well - I thought "what is the ball for?" - what a twat I am!!!
The truss rod is an interesting addition. You could probably put steel strings on there and make it sound more like a traditional banjo
Yep possibly (though I stress that isn't a Got A Ukulele endorsement!! - no idea how strong the tail piece is)
@@GotAUkulele Yeah true, that's definitely a try at your own risk kind of thing. If I got one of these I'd try it with a .007 on the highest string first
I have one of these Little Gems and It's a lot of fun. I have two questions as a banjolele newbie, one how do you know if the head needs to be tightened? two: "putting a sponge inside" ? Is that a dry sponge that's cut to stand on edge and rest against the head? Three, OOPS, where do you put the sponge? In the middle? Thanks so much. Love your videos. They've helped me so much.
The head tension is about feel - if you tap it you should get a clear note sound - like a drum. The sponge thing - well - can be a dry sponge, cloth, rag - anything really - between the pole and the inside of the head - up just below where the neck joins
Awesome...I need one!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍
You and me both!
Great review. What screwdriver fits the screws to remove the resonator. I can’t for the life of me find one that works.
Couldn't tell you i'm afraid - I no longer have it. But I thought the right tools came with it?
@@GotAUkulele You’re right some tools do come with it. Truss rod allen wrench, action adjustment wrench, and a final wrench that tightens/loosens the head. No screwdriver to remove the resonator though. Thanks anyway!
Oh! It must come off though as that's the only way to get to head adjustment.@@Luke-yv6uo
Hi Barry - a while ago you reviewed a more unusual uke and I thought the title was "Banjolele? Not a banjolele?" because it did not quite have the usual banjo type sound. And it had a wood top if I remember. I wanted to look it up but cannot find it in your vids or blog. I do not remember the brand.
Do you know what I am talking about?
This one I think? www.gotaukulele.com/2019/06/bonanza-ukuleles-bonanzalele-review.html
@@GotAUkulele thanks for the reply (I was just going to ask you on Patreon, but looked back here first). No- though I am going to watch this review, too. It was by one of these even more independent makers and did not have a 'drum head' at all - maybe not even a round body if I remember. Some sort of 'solid' (or maybe laminate) wood top but sounded more like a banjo. though as you said - not quite and you said 'is it a banjolele or not?' but you liked it for what it was
@@theadi339 Don't remember that. The Bonanzalele I DID say that about - has a wood top, not really a banjo etc.
Very Interesting, Thanks. Si
Yeah very - worth a try!
The ends of the fret bars on my Little Gem are really sharp. Should I have them filed down or do you think I will just get used to them? Thanks.
Elizabeth Wheeler I couldn’t play a uke like that. A good tech or luthier can fix
Wow! The sound is just amazing! How much was it again??
£160
@@GotAUkulele Aaahh thats out of budget for me...oh well better start saving money. Or a wish for christmas? Who knows! haha :p
Extremely cheap for a banjo uke though!
i got one for christmas, do you think this one is good for a beginner? i have no experience with any instruments besides a hermonica lol, do you think i can learn how to play this thing well?
Yes I think so - it's a very playable instrument I thought. Well made too, which helps a lot more than people think when learning - one less thing to fight against!
I saw one at gutair center for 99 dollars..is it worth it or or should I go witha melucky again
As banjo's go - I think these are great!
Thanks for the review! I really like the sound of this. I play for fun :)
Yes - this was a joy to write about
“River boat Baz !” 😆
Ha ha!
I from India, how can i buy this banjolele..plz suggest me
I'm afraid I don't know - think you are best contacting GoldTone and asking about their dealers in that part of the world.
can you review the MEIDEAL UKULELE CONCERT ACOUSTIC 24INCH MUH-19 next ?
It won’t be next as I’m booked up for 2-3 months... I will however look into whether they can loan me one
Actually - appears they are Amazon / Ebay only. They won’t appear on Got A Ukulele for that reason. I now only review ukuleles that are also available in physical music stores where people can try them. Many of my readers refuse to buy from online only brands
Ok thanks
Doesn't mean it isn't any good.. it's just that I am now careful to not big up brands that are destroying bricks and mortar music stores on the high street.
Hello, the link is not working? where to buy? , Many thanks
There isn't a 'where to buy' link as I don't promote individual shops. Just Google 'Gold Tone Little Gem' - loads of results.
@@GotAUkulele OK, got it . Thank you so much
Friction pegs .you have to be joking .they were always useless ???
Nonsense. Utter nonsense. www.gotaukulele.com/2014/03/a-look-inside-ukulele-friction-tuners.html