I recently ordered this ukulele and 4 others while researching products for my senior adult choir at church as I wanted to give them a few options. [4/20/16 edit: When I ordered this ukulele originally it was a "Mahalo U-30BR" in standard brown. I'm assuming that this is the same company with a new name?. I honestly don't know why it redirects here and don't know for sure that it's exactly the same quality etc. Be advised....]
Okina UK100 Soprano Ukulele with Rosewood Fingerboard - Natural
Diamond Head DU-150 Ukulele, Natural
Mahalo U-30OR Painted Economy Soprano Ukulele (Orange)
Lanikai LU-11 Soprano Ukulele
Kala KA-15S Mahogany Soprano Ukulele
The Okina, Diamond Head and Mahalo were all under $30 at the time and within $2 price of each other. Of the three, I thought that the Mahalo was the best offering both visually and in terms of tone quality. The Okina had a poor sound quality even compared to my own 20- and 40-year-old ukuleles (which had the original strings). A string upgrade to Aquila strings helped significantly, but even then, the Okina still had a far worse sound quality at this price level.
The Diamond Head and Mahalo both sounded better even with the stock strings and each includes a very nice (for this price) little gig bag. Incidentally, what the Mahalo product description says is a "color-matching brown gigbag" ended up being black, but black is pretty standard gig bag color. The Mahalo has the most "island" look to my eyes and the best sound. Much of the sound can probably be attributed to the strings which are more substantial than the Diamond Head's. That being said, it still makes financial and practical sense to get the Mahalo since it's so near the same price (compared to the Diamond Head) and has better strings already installed. I've also reviewed the Lanikai and Kala on their own pages.
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From the manufacturer
Hamano Ukuleles are Easy to Play and Popular All Around the World
Whether you’re laying on the beach in Waikiki or freezing in Fairbanks, a Hamano Ukulele will always put a smile on your face! The ukulele craze started at the Hawaiian Pavilion at the Pan Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, California in 1915. The San Francisco/Hawaii connection has remained intact until today. San Francisco-based Saga Musical Instruments produces the world famous Hamano Ukulele lines. Strum a Hamano Uke and put a little island vacation in your day!
Specifications:
- Top Material: Maple
- Back & Sides Material: Maple
- Body Shape: Soprano
- Scale Length: 13 5/8”
- Strings: Genuine Aquila Nylgut
- Tuners: Nickel-plated Guitar Style
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Geared guitar style tuners with 15:1 gear ratio make tuning quick and easy. |
Clear, high gloss finish is attractive and makes for long-lasting durability. |
Genuine Aquila Nylgut strings handmade in Italy give clear, bright tones. |
Easy Tie-On Bridge makes changing strings easier and minimizes breaking. |
Greetings and congratulations on the purchase of your Ukulele.
Now that you have acquainted yourself with the instrument, the first thing we want to do is tune it up.
It is simple as 1 – 2 – 3!
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Step 1: Tune your ukuleleTo aide in tuning process, we recommend using a Golden Gate PT-1 Posi-Tune Compact Tuner or similar. Begin by bringing each string as close to pitch as possible. The notes we will be tuning each string to, starting from Top to Bottom are: G – C – E – A |
Step 2: Stretch each stringIn order to your ukulele in tune, it will be necessary to stretch each string until it stabilizes. This is due to the material that typical ukulele strings are manufactured from and is perfectly normal. Once each string is tuned up close to pitch – firmly, but gently – pull along the entire length on each string (while carefully supporting the instrument.) Pay particular attention to where each string wraps around the tuning peg posts, as well as where they are knotted at the bridge. It is normal for ukulele strings to stretch considerably, so be patient. Also, be careful not to pull too hard on each string while stretching to avoid damaging the strings or your instrument. |
Step 3: Repeat Previous Steps and Tune it againYou are almost there; just repeat the process of tuning and stretching until each string stabilizes to the correct note. You’ve probably noticed that after having repeated the process several times, your ukulele will hold its tune better and better. Depending on how often you play your ukulele, it could take a few days – even up to a few weeks for your strings to settle in – but once that happens you will be ready to play at all times! |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Hamano U-30BR Colorful Soprano Ukulele - Brown |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -14% $47.51 List: $54.95 | -24% $41.56 List: $54.95 | $29.32 | $36.04 | -13% $48.08 List: $54.95 | $45.22 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| instrument | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele |
| size | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulele |
| number of strings | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| operation mode | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| top material | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple |
| back material | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple | Maple |
| string material | Nylon | Nylon | Nylon | Nylon | Nylon | Nylon |
| finish type | Varnish | Painted | Painted | Gloss | Varnish | Gloss |
| weight | 1 pounds | 1 pounds | 1 pounds | 1 pounds | 1 pounds | 1 pounds |
Reviews with images
Great little Uke for the price.
It's the same price as a toy.I actually bought it to be a toy for my 10 month old son.But it plays well, I've played guitar for over 20 years, and this is the first Uke I've owned (well, it is my son's... but he's only 10 months old). It plays very nicely (nice action), has good intonation, and stays in tune (after you stretch the strings out).My son loves the thing too. He's smashed it caveman style (remember Bam Bam from the Flintstones?), put his hand through the strings fully into the sound hole, chewed on the headstock, headbutted the back, and pounded on the top... and there is not a scratch on the thing! (other than the headstock, where there are teeth marks).I'd say, even to those without babies, buy it if you are interested in learning the Uke.
