Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

The Lounge => The Lounge => Topic started by: bo1142 on December 16, 2011, 10:09:40 PM

Title: Taylor Ukes
Post by: bo1142 on December 16, 2011, 10:09:40 PM
Between the last Wood&Steel, and a few rubmling of other rumors around the web, it seems Taylor might be coming out with a ukelele sooner or later.  Will any of you be putting in a pre-order when/if it's announced?  I know I will.  If you didn't get to read the write up on Andy Powers in the last volume, make sure to check it out.  Pretty interesting stuff.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: DMBfan41 on December 16, 2011, 10:14:40 PM
Man I really love the sound of a uke but I don't know if I got it in me to add more to my plate in the way of learning.

If I did take the plunge, this is the first thing I want to learn... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZUsZ-PVpk8
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: bo1142 on December 16, 2011, 10:17:59 PM
This would be in there as well, though I don't think I could do it justice after IZ performed it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k&feature=relmfu

Everytime I hear this, it takes me to an ocean side, at least in my mind.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: Cindy on December 16, 2011, 10:18:32 PM
So what is the difference between a uke and a mandolin? Aren't mandolins a little lower in pitch? When I think of ukes, I can't help but to think of Tiny Tim singing Tip-Toe Through the Tulips. ;D

EDIT: Boone you posted your reply about Somewhere Over the Rainbow right before I posted this. I just watched the video...REALLY nice!!!
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: markallen on December 16, 2011, 10:31:25 PM
I would jump at a Taylor uke like a jumping flea!

Presently I'm waiting for a custom made "Hornet" Hive Ukulele made by Jake Maclay. Figured Hog with Adirondack spruce and a spalted maple rosette. Jake's about ten months out so I'm hoping to have it in time for next Christmas!! Can't wait!

http://www.hiveukuleles.com/

Cheers,
Mark

Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: Terry on December 16, 2011, 11:45:12 PM
I would love an affordable Taylor Uke. It would be fun and I know they would do it right.  Every once in a while I see Collings Ukes and they intrigue me, however the price keeps me away. Heck, how far are we from a Taylor mandolin? Now that would be cool.
Terry
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: mtnman on December 16, 2011, 11:54:01 PM
I'd be up for a preorder on a Taylor uke. My mom, rest her soul, taught me to play a uke when I was five years old.  One day I'll commission a custom in her honor and pass it down along with the last one she owned. But a Taylor would be an easy sell for me...
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: mtnman on December 16, 2011, 11:57:59 PM
And my apologies for not acknowledging IZ. It really is must see/listen material for all living beings - no joke. No other way to put it.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: michaelw on December 17, 2011, 12:26:39 AM
page 60, on the back wall on either side of the acoustic bass, there are 2 prototypes
http://www.taylorguitars.com/woodandsteel/issues/ws_winter_2011.pdf (http://www.taylorguitars.com/woodandsteel/issues/ws_winter_2011.pdf)

i am guessing that the soprano model may be the most popular & then perhaps the concert & the tenor -
it'll be interesting to the changes Andy & the folks at Taylor decide to make (perhaps a CE model with ES-N)

a couple other tunes played fingerstyle that i think are pretty cool too :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twRFT8Qj4yc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twRFT8Qj4yc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCu86AVpefU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCu86AVpefU)
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: flaggerphil on December 17, 2011, 02:37:01 AM
I doubt that I'd pre-order a uke, but I'd take a close look at what they come out with.  I've always been interested in ukes, but right now I'm working on learning to play my late Dad's mandolin and trying to do both might be a bit much.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on December 17, 2011, 09:26:32 AM
I would like to see what Taylor would have to offer in the way of a uke but like Phil I would not pre-order one.  I enjoy playing mine and have been playing alot of christmas songs lately (of course).  The thing about a uke is it's so fun you don't even really have to know how to play it.

Jake Shimabukuro is coming to town next week and I can't wait to see him, along with Iz he is really one of the masters of the instrument.  If I ever get to Hawaii again I'm sure one of these little instruments will find it's way into my carry-on.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: spieler on December 17, 2011, 11:56:29 AM
The thing about a uke is it's so fun you don't even really have to know how to play it.

Just like banjos and tubas!

My daughter has a Denim Flea, and it's a lot of fun. I love how accessible it is, in terms of both playing it (you don't even really have to know how!) and its sturdiness. While we show it the proper respect and care due any viable musical instrument, it's refreshing not feeling any compunction to Over-care about it or worry about how its day is going in various settings. Come to think of it, I feel the same way about my GS Mini. There's something about the smaller size and (very) relative affordability that draws me to it in a different way than my better guitar. Hunh.

~ S.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: Gutch on December 17, 2011, 02:16:23 PM
My wife and I went to Hawaii 5 or 6 years ago, and I bought a Pono brand concert Ukulele with a simple piezo UST pickup while we were there.  To be honest, I hung it up in my office and there it was left to gather dust for a few years.  Of course, now I will say that i was just giving it an extended period of climate acclimation...

Anyway, I play a few shows at a local Farmer's Market every Summer and, a couple years ago, I grabbed the uke off the wall to see if there was something I could use it for to add a little pizzazz to the show.  A quick chord chart print off, a crash course in basic fingerings, and the ukulele is now a big part of the summer repertoire!  Really is a lot of fun, chording is easy, and using it as a guitar substitute on some of the better known songs really offers up a fresh approach that the audience loves!

I'm ready for Taylor to jump into the uke game with a couple midrange priced models to check out.  I would definitely grab one if the price is right and the tone is what I'm looking for!  Who knows!  NAMM is right around the corner and perhaps there's something exciting happening there! 
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: outsidenote on December 17, 2011, 06:06:30 PM
I would definitely be interested in a Taylor UKE.  That would add to my existing collection of three Ukes.  I would want a tenor though, not a baritone.  As much as I enjoyed the Jason Mraz youtube post by DMBfan, I have to say that Jason's Uke just sounds like a guitar.  To me it has to be a tenor with reentrant tuning at least otherwise it doesn't sound like a Uke.  Some of my Uke buddies are even more extreme and for them it stops at soprano or concert.  When it comes to baritone I would just as soon just play guitar.

What i'd like to see is an all Koa Tenor Uke with a truss rod, patterned after my K22.  Reentrant tuning with high G.  That would be sweet.  I'm sure Taylor could make a wonderful Uke.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: jjrpilot-admin on December 17, 2011, 06:11:55 PM
I'd love a uke...but man!  They're just as expensive as a good guitar!

Ukes are smaller than guitars therefore the price should be smaller as well...right???   ;)  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: andyi5 on December 17, 2011, 06:31:23 PM
Forgotten where, but I read somewhere that the GSmini came about as a byproduct of Taylor's experimenting with ukeleles. Anyone know more about this?
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: Ted @ LA Guitar Sales on December 18, 2011, 11:26:21 AM
Forgotten where, but I read somewhere that the GSmini came about as a byproduct of Taylor's experimenting with ukeleles. Anyone know more about this?

I'm sure it was one of my posts on another forum. At one of my visits to the Taylor factory Bob told us that the last time they started designing a uke it "grew" in to the GS Mini. He joked about how that has happened before but he made no secret of the fact that he intends to produce a ukulele. I really don't know how big the uke market is but Taylor does have the ability to build them in Mexico at the Baby Taylor price range as well as building higher end versions in the US. Not shure what they have planned but IMO if they want to go after their current clients I would recommend building a concert size first.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: jalbert on December 18, 2011, 07:21:18 PM
I wonder how much master grade koa Taylor has just "sitting around" that's too small for guitar back/sides... when/if Taylor ever does production ukuleles, methinks we're going to see some dazzling results.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: bo1142 on December 19, 2011, 08:13:01 PM
Uhhhh. . . .I was thinking about a uke but my long suffering, guitar loving wife leveled me with a stare and said, "No ukuleles."

Not even the Jason Mraz clip helped.

I wonder how she is going to like that mandolin?

I think my wife will let me get a ukelele just so I'll put the mandolin down...she's not a fan LOL.  I'm hoping for a uke announcement in 2012, but if not, I think I'll make it.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: mtnman on December 19, 2011, 11:29:33 PM
Uhhhh. . . .I was thinking about a uke but my long suffering, guitar loving wife leveled me with a stare and said, "No ukuleles."

Not even the Jason Mraz clip helped.

I wonder how she is going to like that mandolin.

I suggest candles, wine, and choice IZ and Jake videos.  ;)
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: Iplay2 on December 19, 2011, 11:48:55 PM
I'd love a uke...but man!  They're just as expensive as a good guitar!

Ukes are smaller than guitars therefore the price should be smaller as well...right???   ;)  ;)  ;)

That's what I always thought when I looked at the price on the nice ukes.  I was like, wait...I can get a nice (insert brand here) for that much money.  The uke went back on the wall.  I guess I just don't get it.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on December 20, 2011, 10:05:39 PM
Just got back from the Jake Shimabukuro show....all I can say is WOW  ;D ;D ;D what talent.  He played solo for about 90 minutes non-stop and then after the show came out and signed autographs.

I now have a ukulele signed by Jake that needs to go on the wall, come on Taylor, I need a new ukulele!!   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: e8n on December 20, 2011, 10:18:13 PM
Taylor Swift plays a Taylor uke that Bob made for her.  It is really a cool sounding little uke.  My only fear with Taylor is they will be big $$$.

-Dave
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: Ted @ LA Guitar Sales on December 21, 2011, 04:58:12 PM
Taylor Swift plays a Taylor uke that Bob made for her.  It is really a cool sounding little uke.  My only fear with Taylor is they will be big $$$.

-Dave

My concern is quite the opposite, I'm hoping they wont limit themselves to Mexican made Baby series ukes. I for one would love to see some high end ukuleles come out of the R Taylor shop.
Title: Re: Taylor Ukes
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on December 31, 2011, 07:34:57 PM
I hope they come out with a series of uke's from the affordable to the high end Koa's etc.  Seems like they are on the way.   ;D