I almost believe that Mahalo do like this with purpose. "If we can't be the best brand, let us be best at being worst" 😂😂

it's ok Baz, you can take the cotton wool stuffing out of the soundhole now. lol

Always enjoy watching

From your review there's much to like. Hopefully Mahalo can see this review and improve the quality, if they value their potential market. It looked nice from a quick glance though but prefer wood finished ukuleles.

One of my first ukuleles was a Mahalo. I had moved to a new country and made it only 3 months before I desperately needed an instrument. I ended up deciding on ukulele and the only 3 brands in store were mahalo, fender and cheap Ortegas. I know now that is probably your worst nightmare. I quickly realised I needed something better but I will say the mahalo was enough to get me interested and learning.

If I ever see someone about to screw a vintage uke to the wall, I might recommend one of these...with the branding removed. The best part of this uke has to be not triggering UAS and your reactions😂😂

My first ukulele was a Mahalo...Although they ( cheaper end models at least) have quality issues....Go out of tune quickly, the nut melted in my van on a hot day ( made a new nut from a bit of bamboo chopstick! 👍) & they have rough fret ends....I quite like the sound...& my first one cost 25€ I think? The sound is quite jangly, loud enough & ok for rhythm strumming... I eventually installed a pick-up so I could use with a little amp - was surprised how well that worked!... because if the price, it's maybe a good one to experiment with...learn how to set up...kind of another beginner's plus? Eventually sent it off to a daughter...( Later bought another Mahalo!) The biggest issue I have with the Mahalo uke is the frets start to loosen/spring up after a while, which gives annoying buzzes...& it's a problem I don't know how to fix! Anyhow I've bought an Enya banjo type, which I liked a lot...but it IS quiet... Later on I bought a Kmise electro-accoustic tenor, put on a low G. Stays in tune well...nicer fretboard, built in tuner, base & treble controls...great value for money I think. The front, where it has the laser etched bird design was horribly scratchy & fairly quickly wore right through because of it! I repaired it and fitted a pick guard.& Bought a padded gig bag. The sound lacks a bit of resonance but not much of a problem & less connected to an amp... So which of the three I own do I pick up most? - the Kmise. Seems to have the best playability, stays tuned well I like that low G - extends the range of songs you can do with it & overall a more mellow, rounded, full kind of sound & great fun plugging into a half-decent little (Marshall) amp & experimenting! I might decide to splash on a more up market uke eventually, so I keep coming back to your excellent reviews! 👍 The uke has become my favourite instrument since I got a neuropathy associated with Waldenstroms...its light enough to pick up easily & with just four strings is still very playable even with reduced finger strength & control.

I'm loving the phrase "ukulele journey".

I have owned a Mahalo tenor in mahogany for 10 years and really enjoyed it. I recently saved up and bought a Kala KA Pacific Walnut tenor ( I am 71 ) I am very disappointed with the sound especially the 5th fret on the C string. The dealer says there is nothing wrong with it and Kala say try some better strings (nylgut on now). I would love to see you review my uke and your view on the lack of kerfing in it. Thank you for all your brilliant unbiased reviews, I wish I had found your channel before buying my Kala.

the 1st one you'll never forget!

Maybe one day Mahalo will get it right. Unfortunately that day is not today.

I'm surprised to see it get 7.9/10. Quite a generous score!

Hello Sir,. I have been a subscriber for a few months. I really enjoy your videos and thank you for making them! If you have anytime, I would really appreciate your suggestions on what brand concert / tenor ukulele I should buy? Their are so many out there. I own a Martin D-28 and Gibson semi-jumbo rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top, so I am not s beginner guitar player. I only know about ukuleles from your videos and would like to get an intermediate to professional concert or tenor all wood ukulele. Thanks a lot for making these videos!! And I'll buy you a cup of coffee!!

Thanks Baz, another great review and why it’s great to watch. Got to take the rough with the smooth. Only like the colour and the free shavings for the rabbit / Guinea pigs. Agree there are entry level manufacture reps that are so much better and show they care with their quality control. Instruments that need so much work to set up actually put learners off. Have a great week.

Well i am the amateur who wish to start learning ukulele first time so ordered mahalo island concert size . What are your review for beginners??

Like you say, from a distance, it looks quite nice actually ... and that's about the only good thing I have to say about it. I'd sounds terrible, sort of 'tin canny' and that's PARTLY the set up - or lack of - but you wouldn't be worrying about that, if bought at S.U.S, W.O.Ukes et al. It's a shoddy instrument, fair enough. The trouble is, beginners and those funding them, won't know that, unless they watch this channel. Anyway, you've done your bit and thanks for the review btw, as always. It's as important to see the bad instruments as it is to see the great ones. Have a good week. 👍

Would make a nice wall decoration. 🤣🤣

My first uke was a Mahalo.

Hey Baz this mahalo is just a cheaply made ukulele no matter the price. It really wouldn’t take much for them to have a little better quality control. It has a muffled sound and yes.. flat! I don’t even think it is good for a beginner. Sounds a little better then a toy! Nice review as always… thanks…..DOC

The colour's nice... and there ends the positives.

Looks nice from a distance. Other than that I wouldn't waste any money on it.

Sounds just like a Mahalo ukulele I had once.

Puedes hacer un video la marca kala exótica soprano y concierto color verde oscuro porfa y me lo recomiendas

Is this what you call a howler?😊

I always watch these sort of reviews, just willing Mahalo to do better. And, give them their due, they had a low bar to start with, so they should have, and they have. BUT, still not good enough even for a beginner to really start on, as the high action and tone is just likely to put them off. I had to skip some of the sound sample, as it got painful. And, as you say, you can do better for the same price.

Would I be correct in assuming these instruments are designed to be marketed online, and not in brick-and-mortar shops? Shiny objects lying in wait to deceive the unsuspecting innocents?

Think the colour is the only good thing about it Barry. Thanks for the review though.

I've got 2 mahalos a concert and a soprano . I also have a kala soprano and an olive concert . They all sound different and I like them all . I think for the price mahalos are great . Have had no problems with the set up or strings going out of tune once bedded in . I think a lot of people are too hard on them opinion wise .

✨A veRRy meRRy HäqpY nEw UkU year, Baz! Have a drink on me 🥃

I agree with the viewer marieandersson ... ; this seems to be the Mahalo intends to produce and offer. It's a real stinker, and one of the worst I think you've reviewed. Thanks for reviewing it. You've reviewed several low-end ukes lately. Perhaps it's time to point out ones in this range that do offer value. I'm going to your website and searching this price range.

Is there _anyone_ that didn't start with one of these??? They saturate those cheap catalogues that my mother likes to buy gifts out of. That's their whole market: beginner ukes to throw away.

Yikes 😬 Something that sounds that horrid isn’t even worth the $45. For that money and for $10-$20 more, you can at least get one with good intonation, which is what matters to me. Otherwise you have a wall hanging or fire kindling.

I think you could get a better sound out of a wet mop 😭

Nice from far, but far from nice.

I always feel cheated out of a GAU review when there's a review of a rubbish instrument! Still, without rubbish instruments, there wouldn't be great ones!