Lanikai UkeSB

At first I did not know what to make of this name when I saw it on the Lanikai website. Since "uke" is the common English abbreviation and nickname for ukulele, I assumed it must be some soprano, baritone or perhaps sub-bass device. Looking at the UkeSB logo makes the guessing a little easier:

ukulele + USB = U + ke + SB

Aha! This is something special - and not just a little special. In my opinion the people in Lanikai's workshop came up with a brilliant idea when they decided to install a USB connector alongside the traditional large jack socket. Yes, USB! That means the ukulele can be connected directly to virtually any computer or tablet, allowing us to record what we play in excellent quality. Brilliant.

I think the pictures speak for themselves, and there is little need to explain that this is a premium instrument. The price makes that clear too: abroad it was advertised, even at discounted prices, for around 400-500 dollars. Or rather, it would have been possible to order one, because at the time I was reading everywhere that it was not yet available. It was a brand-new 2013 instrument, unveiled at the huge music-industry event NAMM 2013 in January that year:

Still, an instrument unveiled in January really ought to be in the shops by now, shouldn't it?

The recordings show how carefully made and attractive Lanikai's instruments are, now topped off with this excellent idea. There is only one thing I do not like: the huge USB symbol on the headstock - although admittedly it grows out of a ukulele. Of course, it would not bother me if someone wanted to force a UkeSB on me .

At the time it was not yet known when this model would become available, or whether it would reach Hungary at all, but if I get the chance I will certainly try one and give it a thorough hands-on inspection. I even wrote to Lanikai saying I would happily test one, although I have a feeling they are not going to send me a review instrument .

Lanikai makes the UkeSB in all four ukulele sizes and uses two different woods: koa and spruce. The spruce version is available only in concert and tenor sizes, so altogether there are six different UkeSB models to choose from. You can find more photographs and the exact specificationson the official UkeSB website.