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Curious about purchasing a ukulele shop exclusive. Are there pros and cons to this?
Shops sometimes work with a builder to make a custom version that only they sell. Sometimes it's just a special colour: I think my blue Fender Venice was only available through Amazon; if you bought from Guitar Center you might have had a red option instead. More dramatically, see @bazmaz review of aNueNue UT140 Light Bird Tenor Ukulele - World Of Ukes Exclusive - REVIEWI'm not familiar with that term. What does it mean?
Oh. Then I suppose it would be about the money. If I'm buying a more unique version of one of the more ubiquitous brands, spending a little bit more would be acceptable. But if they were trying to pass it off as a custom uke and charging accordingly, I would definitely pass. I would rather save my money and get a full-fledged custom if I were going to travel down that path. But that's a whole different topicShops sometimes work with a builder to make a custom version that only they sell. Sometimes it's just a special colour: I think my blue Fender Venice was only available through Amazon; if you bought from Guitar Center you might have had a red option instead. More dramatically, see @bazmaz review of aNueNue UT140 Light Bird Tenor Ukulele - World Of Ukes Exclusive - REVIEW
Thanks for mentioning this, Ken. When reading the OP, Sailor brand was the first thing that came to mind.As others have stated, it depends. Store brands can be very good or...
Southern Ukulele Store in the UK has worked with ukulele companies to develop an exclusive model with features they wanted. According to Baz, with excellent results. Uke Republic used to sell Sailor ukuleles that they commissioned from LoPrinzi. Farida Ukuleles are, I believe, an Elderly Instruments exclusive. Every now and then, TUS has for sale a uke model made for them. But it's not a store brand, just an exclusive model.
The big music instrument chains often have a store brand that is just a re-badged Chinese mass-produced uke that is pretty low end. They buy them in bulk so they can sell them for a low price. I'd be leery about buying one of those.
Like others have written before, I see shop exclusive models as additions to the maker's standard models. Often times a good uke shop makes wise choices in picking the maker & build and sells them for a reasonable price.I'm looking at an Uluru uke and besides the inlay on the headstock, I'm finding it does indeed tick all the boxes for me. I've looked for reviews and history regarding these ukuleles, it seems they are well regarded but in small batch runs because they're more "boutique" ukuleles and not standardized like Kala or Ohana or even well established luthier shop made ukes. That makes me question if it would be a wise purchase.
I could be wrong but, I don't think store brands are quite what was referred to here. I mean, I don't think anyone would recommend Mitchell from Guitar center... More like collabs with or special editions related to a store.
Like others have written before, I see shop exclusive models as additions to the maker's standard models. Often times a good uke shop makes wise choices in picking the maker & build and sells them for a reasonable price.
You mentioned Uluru. I own 2 of their tenors (among Anuenues, K-Brands & luthier made instruments) and my personal perception is that they are quite underrated in that I don't often see them mentioned here. Both are excellent ukes that I would put up against others costing a lot more, both in sound and overall level of finishing and detail. Handmade in small numbers in Vietnam from all that I know, so no comparison to factory ukes like Kalas & Ohanas. Super slim neck profile which i like a lot (especially given it is 'only' 35mm at the nut), nice DerJung tuners, and a bigger than average body giving it a very full sound and nice sustain. The first one I got from Musikhaus Sedlmeyr. Must have been a one-of-a-kind shop specified model as well because I never saw another one like this. A sitka spruce top that I would call master grade, with super tight grain and very nice silking, and african mahogany back and sides. Beatiful sound, very open and clear all over the fretboard. I think Peter Sedlmeyr did a sound sample for anyone interested, the parts up the fretboard sold it for me:
The other one came from Matt at World of Ukes, the Sedera III. A bit more, albeit subtle, bling with the rosette and binding all over the body, fretboard and headstock. Cedar top, and rather interesting lattice style bracing (my spruced topped is fan braced). Different in sound but equally beautiful. Barry describes is better than I could, you can read all of it here: https://www.gotaukulele.com/2020/09/uluru-sedera-iii-world-of-ukes-tenor.html As Dohle pointed out, the time to buy one would be now.
Again, I didn't buy them because they were store exclusives (although I highly recommend both stores mentioned!), but because they are just very nice ukes that offer something different.