The Ukulele arrived, well packaged from the distributor, and I carefully opened it. There was a tag attached to the headstock indicating Aquilla strings had been used. The first thing I did was remove this. I could tell straight away this was a different instrument from the beautiful Bertha I normally play. Bertha though beautiful is a budget uke. However, she has given me 4 months of every day playing and experience. So I'm starting to know a thing or two about Ukes. The U900 is described as a laminate mahogany Uke. It is well constructed and reminds me a little of the old type of wood furniture which used to be typical of the 1970s. The U900 body appears slightly smaller than Bertha's, the action is excellent, so low and so much easier to finger the frets than Bertha. It is however important to realise playing technique should be taken into account when using any instrument. How it is held and how your left hand plays the frets can determine whether you are able to achieve the correct cord formations. So preventing any buzz. I gave it a few strums and then proceeded to spend the next two and a half hours strumming away, getting used to the feel. My left hand may not be holding the neck correctly as I'm finding there is too much pressure on the headstock, but the shape of the wood and feel of the headstock is harder on my index finger, it almost bites into it. In a short time I wasn't quite happy. It's to do with a buzzing noise generated from the C string. This is a new instrument and I can't believe this is actually happening. So considering my skills are amateurish I think I will get someone else's opinion. Someone I know who can play the Uke and as what they think. If it is the case of a buzzing C string then it's going to have to be returned back to the distributor.At the moment I am at the not-quite-convinced stage. Was this a good purchase? Is this to do with the way I strum or pluck the C string? By the end of the week I'll know what I am going to do with it. Also I'm not sure if I will purchase another one not another one by this company or from this distributor. I need to be completely satisfied. It's a recession and every penny spent must be accounted for. I'll add an additional paragraph once I've had some further advice on the issue.
Update
I've now had this uke for three months. The C string did buzz so I sent it back to the shop. They in turn returned it or a new one, I can't tell which and took three weeks over it. I was disappointed with the distributor, but this happens when purchasing from the internet. I do like playing the instrument but at times am wary. I can hear an occasional buzz, partly down to my chord formations but possibly down to the instrument. Given a choice I would not recommend this instrument, but for now I'm stuck with it. I should of asked for a refund. So am still in a process of mentally accepting Harvey (uke name). There is not doubt though playing on a better quality instrument does enhance the appeal of learning the uke. Final say, if you do buy one, get it from a shop and if you don't but then find it's not up to scratch don't hesitate to ask for a refund. I know got an eye on my next uke in a years time. Probably a flea.
