Here we look at the Martin S1 Soprano ukulele. By we, I mean myself and Krabbers. We come to an interesting conclusion - if you can call it a conclusion... :)
I bought a Martin S1 ukulele. Before the purchase I have read about it. Different opinions about price etc. I found that it has a great sound and is easy to play. I'm really fond of it. A good purchase :-)
One thing I have noticed with my Martin S-1 is that you virtually NEVER have to tune it. I play it daily and check the tuning probably every few days but find that I really don't need to as it remains in perfect tuning. I'm not sure if you notice that with the Bruko but I am constantly amazed how it doesn't go out of tune as I tend to strum mine quite heavily. At the end of the day its all about taste. I love my Martin to bits and have become very attached to it so am obviously biased and unlike Mike love the tuners. Even so I thought that the staying in tune aspect is worthy of a mention. I'm always interested reviews so thanks for this guys.
I might be wrong, but isn't this more to do with the strings? I find my ukes with Savarez and Pyramid strings are very stable, whereas Aquilas need tuning.
My Martin S1, my go to daily strummer. It tops my OXK,C1K and SO ukes. It is always my first pick of the day, warm tone and lots of clarity. Enjoy it a lot.
Thanks Simon. I enjoyed watching this video. You obviously went to a lot of trouble to make it, cheers! I've played one of these S1 ukes and also a 1920's vintage Martin. In my humble opinion, the vintage Martin ukulele is far superior in every way..
Thanks for all the nice comments, I've been learning about video editing recently with a few commercial jobs, also to blame for the delay in this video (almost two months since we shot it). The video camera with the dodgy focus was allegedly an HD camera, since consigned to eBay and upgraded. Thanks to Mike for re-recording the theme tune (on the Martin).
Great review again simon. Think it a little 'interesting' comparing the Martin to the half body Bruko as straight away they're going to sound different on body dimension alone? I'm also with Krabbers on the friction tuners front-can't abide them! I liked the sound of the Martin but is it worth nigh on £350? Not of my money. I'd love a more vintage Martin ukulele one day perhaps, when the lottery win comes in! But love the fact that the review has brought all this to mind and it's not just a syco
DEK431 I reviewed the 6F a while ago, and I'd take that over the Martin any day. The larger body of a standard 6 will be louder and more full of tone, too.
Simon Taylor I saw that. I have the full body 6 but i do crave the martin. Would be nice to hear them side by side. I think the Bruko's are a steal at the price. I have a 160 mile drive each way to try a comparison lol. Thanks for your reply!
I tried to develop the lust. It felt like I should. But I can only be true to what I feel, hence the mixed opinions. Thanks for the comments, the Bruko is the only quality Soprano I have, hence the comparison with that.
These modern Mexican made Martins are not a patch on a decent vintage style 0. Beware the gold headstock decal rubs off with the use of a clip on tuner. If your gonna buy a Martin, get a vintage one......so much better!
Peg tuners vs guitar tuners... Peg tuners and allow people with larger hands to have more free space to move the very top of the neck. Guitar tuners have that knob that makes it harder to play at the nut.
When I first saw the title, I thought it said "Martin $1 ukulele" so I clicked SUPER fast.
Absolutely no contest the Martin is worth every penny. The Sound is so Ukulele you must have that. Just save up and get that.
I bought a Martin S1 ukulele. Before the purchase I have read about it. Different opinions about price etc. I found that it has a great sound and is easy to play. I'm really fond of it. A good purchase :-)
One thing I have noticed with my Martin S-1 is that you virtually NEVER have to tune it. I play it daily and check the tuning probably every few days but find that I really don't need to as it remains in perfect tuning. I'm not sure if you notice that with the Bruko but I am constantly amazed how it doesn't go out of tune as I tend to strum mine quite heavily. At the end of the day its all about taste. I love my Martin to bits and have become very attached to it so am obviously biased and unlike Mike love the tuners. Even so I thought that the staying in tune aspect is worthy of a mention. I'm always interested reviews so thanks for this guys.
I might be wrong, but isn't this more to do with the strings? I find my ukes with Savarez and Pyramid strings are very stable, whereas Aquilas need tuning.
Simon Taylor Ahhh. Yes you may have a point there. Never considered that possibility sir.
My Martin S1, my go to daily strummer. It tops my OXK,C1K and SO ukes. It is always my first pick of the day, warm tone and lots of clarity. Enjoy it a lot.
Thanks Simon. I enjoyed watching this video. You obviously went to a lot of trouble to make it, cheers!
I've played one of these S1 ukes and also a 1920's vintage Martin. In my humble opinion, the vintage Martin ukulele is far superior in every way..
Thanks for all the nice comments, I've been learning about video editing recently with a few commercial jobs, also to blame for the delay in this video (almost two months since we shot it).
The video camera with the dodgy focus was allegedly an HD camera, since consigned to eBay and upgraded.
Thanks to Mike for re-recording the theme tune (on the Martin).
Great review brother! I love my Martin S-1!!!
Great review again simon. Think it a little 'interesting' comparing the Martin to the half body Bruko as straight away they're going to sound different on body dimension alone? I'm also with Krabbers on the friction tuners front-can't abide them! I liked the sound of the Martin but is it worth nigh on £350? Not of my money. I'd love a more vintage Martin ukulele one day perhaps, when the lottery win comes in! But love the fact that the review has brought all this to mind and it's not just a syco
Between the two, I much prefer the sound of the Martin.
Martin hands down in my opinion.
Excellent video Simon. We should do more. I really enjoyed it.
Yes, we should. And thanks for rocking the new theme tune recording!
I would love to see the Bruko #6 against the S1. More comparable being mahogany and a full body soprano. A lot cheaper too but hand built.
DEK431 I reviewed the 6F a while ago, and I'd take that over the Martin any day. The larger body of a standard 6 will be louder and more full of tone, too.
Simon Taylor I saw that. I have the full body 6 but i do crave the martin. Would be nice to hear them side by side. I think the Bruko's are a steal at the price. I have a 160 mile drive each way to try a comparison lol. Thanks for your reply!
Ha ha excellent , that was like watching community channel ! Well made video Simon :)
Care in the community? I'm cringing all the time with that rotten camera though!
..phantic lust over the Martin brand! Great food for thought as always! Take care. (Sorry about the split comment!)
I tried to develop the lust. It felt like I should. But I can only be true to what I feel, hence the mixed opinions. Thanks for the comments, the Bruko is the only quality Soprano I have, hence the comparison with that.
When it goes all blurry that's what my world actually looks like
These modern Mexican made Martins are not a patch on a decent vintage style 0. Beware the gold headstock decal rubs off with the use of a clip on tuner.
If your gonna buy a Martin, get a vintage one......so much better!
Only a Martin is aloud to sound that good, for me Martin = 👍🏆.
I have a 1940's MartinStyle O. New Martins do not compare at all.
Hmmm Bruno sounds a lot cleaner, like the look of the zebra wood as we'll
Peg tuners vs guitar tuners... Peg tuners and allow people with larger hands to have more free space to move the very top of the neck. Guitar tuners have that knob that makes it harder to play at the nut.
somebody get that man a comb
Tiny Tim couldn't make it? Shucks he's awesome.
Tiny Tim is AWESOME
Save a little longer and get a Kamaka:)
Sell the Martin and buy some new camera equipment your camera is not so clear.
That camera is long gone!