UMA FAN FRET UKULELES
These unusual looking instruments from Uma are new to the US.
They feature fanned frets, which look unusual, yes, but have a practical
purpose too. They allow the low G (fitted as standard) to have a higher
tension, making it ring out with greater resonance and sustain. In the same way
that a soprano uke suits a low G less than a tenor does, because of the
tension, these instruments give you a nice zip to the low G without
overwhelming the crisp trebles.
In terms of playability, they are remarkably easy for a
regular uke player to adjust to. In fact, if anything, the angled frets make
barre chords cleaner and easier. What looks like a mind-boggling set up is in
fact, perfectly playable. Seriously, you just pick it up and play and it feels
perfectly natural. I understand that people will have doubts about that - I
certainly did - but I need not have worried as they’re really easy to get on
with.
The Uma range, with fanned frets includes four different
models, two all solid acacia ukes in concert and tenor, and another concert and
tenor with solid spruce top and solid walnut back and sides.
Top: Solid Engelmann
Spruce
Back &Side: Solid Black Walnut
Fingerboard: Engineered Wood
Bridge: Engineered Wood
Machine Head: Taiwan DER JUNG Diecast
Nut &Saddle: Buffalo Bone
Frets: 19
String: D’addario
Back &Side: Solid Black Walnut
Fingerboard: Engineered Wood
Bridge: Engineered Wood
Machine Head: Taiwan DER JUNG Diecast
Nut &Saddle: Buffalo Bone
String: D’addario