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Showing posts with the label Ukulele

Unveiling the Romero Creations ʻEKOLU TINY TENOR: A Melodic Ode to Global Harmony

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In honor of its 10th anniversary, we proudly introduce the Romero Creations ʻEKOLU TINY TENOR —an enchanting tribute to the rich tapestry of global music. Echoing the Hawaiian word for "three," "Ekolu," this limited edition masterpiece pays homage to the harmonies resonating from instruments like the Sanshin of Okinawa and the balalaika of Russia. Crafted through the collaborative genius of Pepe Romero and Daniel Ho, this instrument embodies the essence of musical heritage from around the world. Designed with both innovation and portability in mind, the ʻEkolu Tiny Tenor inherits the celebrated legacy of its predecessor—the Tiny Tenor—where a tenor scale instrument is ingeniously condensed to concert size without compromising its robust sound. At UKE Republic, we ensure unparalleled performance with our Pro Setup, guaranteeing optimal sound and playability for every musician. Inspired by Daniel Ho's musical journey in Inner Mongolia, where the mesmerizing sound ...

Resonator Reverie: Advocating the Inclusion of this Unique Gem in Every Ukulele Enthusiast's Collection

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Greetings, fellow music enthusiasts and aficionados of all things strummed!  Today, I invite you to embark on a musical journey, a journey that transcends the ordinary and ventures into the realm of the extraordinary – the world of the Resonator Ukulele . Picture this: You, bathed in the warm glow of a cozy room, gently cradling a Resonator Ukulele in your hands. The room is hushed, and anticipation hangs in the air. As you pluck the strings, an enchanting resonance fills the space, captivating every ear in its vicinity. This, my friends, is the magic of a resonator ukulele, a gem every ukulele player deserves in their collection. 1. Unleash the Power of Resonance: A Resonator Ukulele takes the essence of a traditional ukulele and elevates it to new heights. The resonator cone, often made of metal, transforms the sound, adding a distinct richness and volume. It's not just a ukulele; it's a resonating vessel of musical brilliance. 2. Timeless Aesthetics: Imagine the sheer elegan...

The Art of Disconnecting/Connecting: Nurturing Your Acoustic Instrument's Harmony

The Art of Disconnecting/Connecting: Nurturing Your Acoustic Instrument's Harmony In the symphony of music and technology, the seemingly mundane act of plugging/unplugging becomes a pivotal moment in preserving the soulful connection between musician and sound. However, there's a subtle art to this ritual – one that often goes unnoticed but carries profound consequences. Let's explore the delicate dance of disconnecting/connecting and why, at UKE Republic, we often find ourselves mending user-incurred damage, even when the blame is cleverly shifted elsewhere. The Serenity in Disconnecting/Connecting Your acoustic instrument, be it a guitar, ukulele, or another melodic companion, is a blend of tradition and technology. The point where the cord meets the jack is a sacred juncture, where the essence of your instrument converges with the intricacies of amplification. Unveiling the Consequences The allure of a swift departure from the cables may seem harmless, but the aftermath ...

PSA - It's that time of year, low humidity season. Humidify, Humidify, Humidify Your Ukulele!

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UKE Republic here to deliver this most important Public Service Announcement to all ukulele players; Humidify, Humidify, Humidify your ukulele! And here's why: Low humidity levels can be highly damaging to ukuleles, as they can cause the wood to become dry and brittle. This can lead to cracks and other structural damage, which can significantly affect the sound and playability of the instrument. In addition, low humidity can cause the strings to lose their tension, resulting in poor intonation and a less pleasant playing experience. One of the most common causes of low humidity levels in ukuleles is exposure to extreme temperatures and changes in humidity. This can include exposure to forced heating systems commonly used in homes and buildings to keep us warm during the colder months. While these systems are essential for maintaining a comfortable environment, they can also have a negative impact on the humidity levels in a room, leading to dry air and potentially damaging your uku...

The Big Ukulele Setup - What's It All About

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UKE Republic's PRO UKULELE SETUP IS ALWAYS INCLUDED The ukulele brands that we carry will apply their quality control standard during the building process. Allowances are made for adjustment and improvement beyond that initial quality control and final factory setup. It's always possible that the factory could overlook issues in their last inspections. Also, instruments endure environmental changes while being imported and stored from great distances, significantly affecting the instruments' playability.   ​By keeping our pulse on the ukulele community and our years of experience setting up different brands of ukuleles, we have honed our standards to meet our customer's preferences and stay within the instrument's full playing potential. Our experienced setup technicians thoroughly inspect each ukulele to address areas that call for attention and make any needed adjustments. Our wish for our customers is to have joyful playing experiences.   We setup every instrume...

Parrot Island Ukulele

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Do you love ukuleles?  Do you love a great beach vacation? Prefer flip flops to shoes?  Well then you should check out Parrot Island Band' s CD Ukulele. It's filled with original music played via ukulele, steel pan, congas and guitar. The music is what some call TropRock in style. All I know is this music will make you happy! This album is especially valuable if the weather is bad.  When you look at the cover art by Jas Ingram aka Captain LoveHandles (artist who did logos for Sailor Brand Ukulele Co. and Uke Republic) it's a good indicator of what's on the CD.    So many fine original songs on this album such as Ukulele State Of Mind, If I Just Sailed Away, and our personal favorite Down To The Uke Republic . Down To The Uke Republic was actually written about our store and Bry's experience when coming here. Bry says "A lot of people love that song but didn't know it was an actual place you could visit." We hope they get a chance t...

Living Water Ukulele Strings 100% Pure Fluorocarbon Made In Heaven

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I was intrigued when I first heard about these ukulele strings, especially when I understood they were being produced by a friend Ken Middleton.  You may already be familiar with Ken Middleton from YouTube , or perhaps you have seen or met him at a ukulele festival somewhere around the world. Ken is a fantastic player and instructor giving workshops and explaining songs online. Ken is also one of those persons with high standards for musical instruments and their complements, such as strings, so when Living Water Strings were made available, I knew it would be something wonderful. I quickly popped an email over to Ken in England asking if we might be able to carry the strings at UKE Republic, and the next day I received a phone call. Ken and I have known each other for a while, and he told me that if he did decide to have dealers carry, I would be the first to have the option of stocking them. Fast forward to May 2014, and I'm honored to say UKE Republic is currently the...