Aloha , New to Ukulele , New to Gretsch

If I didn't already have a uke, I probably would have got one at the Aloha Stadium swap meet when I was there a couple of years ago. It could be worth the drive/bus ride.

 

Welcome to GT Rosa!

 

I actually had a Mainland concert a few years ago which I believe is the the Ohana, albeit under a different name.
It was a very good uke, well made with a nice gloss finish. Was good to play.
The Gretsch being just a stained finish doesn't look as nice, pretty much just basic, but as far as I remember, it resonates a lot better, louder, and I love the tone.
I'm sure you will be happy with either. Good luck.

 

Yes, you're right of course, but the general opinion on ukulele forums is that they're both made in the same Chinese factory.
Anyway, let us know what you decide to buy, and send a photo.

 

Stupid Deal of the Day - D'Aangelico concert uke. I bought one of these a couple of years ago in mahogany, when I started dabbling with stringed instruments. I like it and it sounds great imho, though I didn't have a passion for it and switched to guitar. Great bang for the buck, though I've never compared it with anything else.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

 

I’ve always liked the Kala Brand. Much sweeter sounding than my Kamaka. Very well made and set up.
https://kalabrand.com/collections/all-ukulele

 

Here are my performing/recording ukuleles. All 3 sport PhD strings, pickups (K&K in Kamaka, and Baggs in the others), and purchased through Anacapa Ukulele in Ventura, CA (plug for my pals!).

Kanile’a Custom Tenor (my main instrument these days)
Kamaka Lili VI
Ohana BK-70 Baritone

 

Welcome to the forum, @rosa_m !

 

Aloha
I haven’t played a lot of ukes but this one sounds good and looks pretty cool. It’s all solid koa, made in Hawaii and was under $200 . Lanikai ckcgc

 

Congratulations.
So you went for the Gretsch in the end!
I tough decision, but I think you made the right one.
I hope you're as happy with it as I am with mine.

 

I have 3 ukes. An Ohana baritone (BK20 I think), which has a nice mellow sound and made a nice alternative when I played in a uke group.
Also 2 tenors, both Kala, an acacia model, solid top back and sides, that was expensive as ukes go, and also a solid spruce top model. The spruce top one is fabulous, the best sounding uke in our group by a long way, it has a wonderful sweet sound. The acacia one is gorgeous to look at but a little bit lacking in depth.
If I had to recommend a uke to anyone it would be one of the Kala spruce top series.

 

OK fair enough. I don't consider my spruce top Kala an 'overbuilt brick' but I'll defer to your expert opinion.