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