instrument Archives - Page 2 of 3

Aug262019 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Vintage ukulele collectible as Investments

Business, Music

Vintage ukulele collecting can be a fun way of investing money. Like car enthusiast who collect Corvettes or people who deal in antique toys, furniture or sports memorabilia, there is a worldwide market and appeal for vintage ukulele. Just like any antique, ukulele have a history and tell stories. They also have a proven track record for generating money .Here is some advice for someone starting out. What Makes a Vintage Ukulele Collectable Condition- Whether its baseball cards or Barbie Dolls or any kind of collectable antique, condition is very important. Vintage ukulele in excellent condition is always worth more than ukulele in average shape. Other criteria for the ukulele to be worth money are Originality- Any modifications, replaced parts or repairs, no matter how sma...

Aug222019 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Ukulele renaissance and gift ideas for music lovers

Music

Are ukuleles enjoying a resurgence in popularity? George Harrison (of the Beatles, hello!) was a huge ukulele player and proponent. Tiny Tim was also a uke strummer but most people would rather forget that. Now it seems that this 4-string mini-guitar-like instrument is making a small but eloquent comeback. Origins of the Ukulele Invented by Portugese immigrants in Hawaii, the ukulele has the advantage of being small and portable. It's better than a back-packer type guitar because it has a richer, fuller tone than the portable guitar. The ukulele may be second fiddle to the guitar since it's smaller and has four strings to the guitar's six, but it's still an instrument that has a wide range of tone. There are also several sizes of ukulele such as: soprano 13” concert 15” t...

Aug142019 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Teisco – King of the knock-off guitar

Entertainment

The Teisco brand name stands for Tokyo Electric Instrument and Sound Company. Teisco was founded by Renowned Hawaiian and Spanish Guitarist Atswo Kaneko and Electrical engineer Doryu Matsuda. The company was originally called 'Aoi Onpa Kenkyujo' meaning (Hollyhock Soundwave or Electricity Laboratories). In 1956 the company name was changed to 'Nippon Onpa Kogyo Co' then changed to Teisco in 1964. The Vintage Electric Guitar In 1967 the company was aquired by the Kawai Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. They discontinued the name Teisco for guitars but used it for their keyboard brand until the 80’s. In the USA Teisco guitars were imported with at least eight brand names. Cheaper Than a Jaguar or a Jazzmaster When the strings are attacked from behind the bridge, a third bridge ...

Aug82019 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Parents and kids ukulele – Their first song

Music

Kids ukulele - Once parents and kids have found their instruments, the kids ukulele, and learned the basics of tuning and holding them properly in parts one and two of this article, they’re ready to start playing. What’s a Chord or Home Ukulele Chords Playing the kids ukulele usually involves strumming chords to accompany a singer. Basically, home ukulele chords are notes that sound good together. Each string on the kids ukulele produces one note, but when strummed at once, the four notes create a chord. The trick is pressing the strings down in the right spots so the notes harmonize with each other. Play a C Chord on the Kids Ukulele The song Frere Jacques is rare in that it only has one chord; a C chord. To play a C on the ukulele, only two fingers are needed. Before talking a...

Jul52019 by Paul LinusNo Comments

What’s the best jazz ukulele to buy

Entertainment

If you're looking to buy a jazz ukulele or steel string ukulele the choices available can be quite overwhelming. So here's a quick guide to picking a jazz ukulele or steel string ukulele in three different price/quality brackets. Best Beginner Jazz Ukulele or steel string ukulele A great first jazz ukulele is the Lanikai LU-21 range. Despite them being cheap, they are well put together and are (usually at least) set up well enough for beginners not to have any problems with them. If you go cheaper than this you are very likely to come across problems in the way the steel string ukulele is made such as tuning problems or inaccurate intonation (i.e. the frets are not placed accurately). Another big advantage is that the jazz ukulele Lanikai LU-21 is one of the few entry level st...

Jun292018 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Tin Can Instruments – Ramkie

Music

When the British took South Africa from the Dutch in 1815, they imported technologies brand new to the Africans who lived there. The tin can, first patented in 1810, was especially well received – not only as a readily recycled container for food and water, but as a newer, louder, and more brilliant resonator for stringed instruments. The most noteworthy outcome of that revelation was the ramkie, a plucked or strummed instrument related to lutes, guitars, and ukeleles. The traditional ramkie is based on an oil can. Cooking oil? Motor oil? Who cares! If it has a pleasant "ping," it will do very nicely. Cookie tins, round or rectangular, are less traditional – but often produce a superior sound. Once the can has been selected, the builder must create a workable neck for the instrument....