kiwaya travel uke

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Should I get a travel uke or not?

• Thread starter AustinHing
• Start date Aug 9, 2019

Well-known member

• Aug 9, 2019

I’m planning a holiday trip to Tokyo, Japan in December and the temperature is around 50F (10 deg Celsius) during that period. Plan to visit the Kiwaya museum and some uke shops as I heard that Japan is the second home to ukulele other than Hawaii. So, Yeah! So of course I need to have my ukulele with me for daily practices. And here’s the problem, all my ukes are full solid wood. Granted that the uke is only played indoors in the hotel. The only outdoor exposure to between airport to the hotel and it’s in a gigbag. So is there really a need to get a travel uke such as the flight travel uke, a solid top uke with everything else ABS plastic? I would most likely not use it after the trip and is such a waste of money. I’m thinking of bringing my Eddy Finn (solid Mahogany) soprano uke for the trip. Would it be dumb to do so?  

My understanding is that prices for non-Japanese-made ukuleles are quite high there due to import costs. You could buy an inexpensive Flight or Enya and if you find a ukulele to buy whilst in Japan you could sell or donate the travel uke to make space for the one you buy. Or maybe the dealer will take it for a reduction in the purchase price.  

Blackbird Clara! I’m loving mine!  

Well, if to buy a new uke while in japan, it would be an obligation to get the kiwaya! Haha, wifey will not allow this to happen.. that would be a dream for me. I really wish to justify the need of the travel uke but I’m not playing outdoors at all. I’m a complete noob of handling solid ukes in extreme cold weather.  

Another Ukulele

To buy a travel ukulele or not to? The answer, to me, lies in another question: Given the hustle and bustle or travel, Can you afford to experience damage to any of your current ukuleles? And if so which one? If you can’t, purchase one you can afford to have damage occur — a ‘beach’ ukulele. I travel with an inexpensive, which, if it gets crushed in the overhead bin, my tears would be significantly less than the loss of any of my other ukuleles.  

AustinHing said: I’m planning a holiday trip to Tokyo, Japan in December and the temperature is around 50F (10 deg Celsius) during that period. Plan to visit the Kiwaya museum and some uke shops as I heard that Japan is the second home to ukulele other than Hawaii. So, Yeah! So of course I need to have my ukulele with me for daily practices. And here’s the problem, all my ukes are full solid wood. Granted that the uke is only played indoors in the hotel. The only outdoor exposure to between airport to the hotel and it’s in a gigbag. So is there really a need to get a travel uke such as the flight travel uke, a solid top uke with everything else ABS plastic? I would most likely not use it after the trip and is such a waste of money. I’m thinking of bringing my Eddy Finn (solid Mahogany) soprano uke for the trip. Would it be dumb to do so? Click to expand...

Another Ukulele said: To buy a travel ukulele or not to? The answer, to me, lies in another question: Given the hustle and bustle or travel, Can you afford to experience damage to any of your current ukuleles? And if so which one? If you can’t, purchase one you can afford to have damage occur — a ‘beach’ ukulele. I travel with an inexpensive, which, if it gets crushed in the overhead bin, my tears would be significantly less than the loss of any of my other ukuleles. Click to expand...

No need for a dedicated travel uke for what you are doing. I travelled many times with a Pono pro classic tenor, all solid cedar and macassar ebony. Flights internationally as well as week long car camping trips and weekends away with no troubles. Make sure it has a good hard case  

Graham Greenbag

Croaky Keith

Buy an "anything" uke when you get there, and leave it in the hotel room when you head home. Carrying a full size uke can be one more thing to worry about, but if you're not going to play a travel uke when you get home, why waste a lot of money on one? My first requirement for a travel uke would be small size. Ideally, it would fit into a suitcase. It would also have to be inexpensive and somewhat tough. A Waterman or Outdoor uke might be good choices. Travel ukes - https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/7-best-travel-ukulele-on-sale-for-backpackers/  

AustinHing said: But I didn’t thought of squeezing the uke into the overhead cabin part though. I’m now imaging some some bulky luggage crushing into it. Click to expand...

AustinHing said: Well, if to buy a new uke while in japan, it would be an obligation to get the kiwaya! Haha, wifey will not allow this to happen.. that would be a dream for me. I really wish to justify the need of the travel uke but I’m not playing outdoors at all. I’m a complete noob of handling solid ukes in extreme cold weather. Click to expand...

AQUATOPAZ said: Absolutely no need to get a travel uke for playing indoors, especially for playing in a hotel room. Better to have that money for something else. Click to expand...

Bill1 said: I am actually on a 4000km road trip into the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Living in a tent and car, with the opposite, high temperatures and dry weather. I am travelling with a laminate instrument. Not because I am worried about my solid wood instruments but because it takes a lot less effort. I can leave the instrument in the car and only need to worry about it when I want to play it. Its there now probably under the folding chair and card table. When looking at a travel uke its horses for courses. Its always good to take a nice sounding uke with you, but how much effort do you want to put into looking after it. Also, what about the people you travel with? Often it can be a good choice to just have a holiday from playing your uke so you can go with the crew on the adventures and do a lot of things you can't do at home. Obviously if you are going to a uke festival or are going to play a concert or lead a group, you need to take a uke. You do not have to take a uke everywhere. Click to expand...

valde002 said: Agreed here. If you are definitely not going to get a Kiwaya, then for travelling, get a laminate, low cost, but one that you can enjoy without anxiety for the trip. This may not be your last trip so you can use it again. All you need is a fretboard to practice really, you are not performing. And depending upon how long you will be gone, your fingers may get the itch to play. Be careful of the plane trip though, you may have to stow in overhead bin. I have travelled with a uke on the plane before, and when people know what it is, you may get requests to play! Click to expand...

DownUpDave said: No need for a dedicated travel uke for what you are doing. I travelled many times with a Pono pro classic tenor, all solid cedar and macassar ebony. Flights internationally as well as week long car camping trips and weekends away with no troubles. Make sure it has a good hard case Click to expand...

Graham Greenbag said: I have some good laminate Ukes and some cheap laminate Ukes. The cheap ones are robust enough to travel with so I don’t worry about damage to them, however that robustness also robs them of some sound quality (they’re tolerable, good even for what they are, but not a patch on my better but more fragile laminates). Travel with any Uke is a bit of a gamble, but by your actions and choices you can change the odds and you can decide how much you’re prepared to loose. Change the odds by the type of Uke you take and the care it is subject to, only you know whether you can comfortably (should the worst happen) write-off the replacement costs (should your choose to replace). I can’t find the EF solid mahogany Soprano on their website but EF’s usual aren’t that expensive and are replaceable with something similar. Rather than go to the expense of buying another Uke I’d keep that money and gamble on the EF being OK. The EF will likely sound satisfyingly better than a cheap travel Uke, the risks are probably overstated and with a bit of care you’ll come out the right side of the ‘gamble’ - save yourself the upfront expense of a new Uke. Click to expand...

Croaky Keith said: Perfect excuse to get a RISA solid/stick uke, (plus an ear/practice amp or belt clip amp).......you know you've always wanted one. Click to expand...

eBay sometimes have second hand hard cases available for comparatively little. Just be careful to check any case’s internal dimensions before buying. If you’re taking a suitcase could it just be a larger one with your Uke in it. As far as I know holds are typically heated now but there have been threads on air travel with Ukes. I have a couple of soft cases and they work for most things but a bulky pocket on the side isn’t always helpful (makes it difficult to pack) and unlike a hard case they don’t support any weight on them ....... More of a U.K. thing but if your Uke is like new then remember to take your sales receipt with you just in case the customs man has any questions .....  

Jerryc41 said: Buy an "anything" uke when you get there, and leave it in the hotel room when you head home. Carrying a full size uke can be one more thing to worry about, but if you're not going to play a travel uke when you get home, why waste a lot of money on one? My first requirement for a travel uke would be small size. Ideally, it would fit into a suitcase. It would also have to be inexpensive and somewhat tough. A Waterman or Outdoor uke might be good choices. Travel ukes - https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/7-best-travel-ukulele-on-sale-for-backpackers/ Click to expand...

Jerryc41 said: With airlines now charging for putting luggage in the hold, overhead storage fills up quickly. Depending on when you board the plane, you might not have room overhead, and the uke will have to go somewhere else. Click to expand...

kkimura said: You're going to Japan "and" visiting Kiwaya. It would be very economical to buy a Kiwaya there. The lowest cost Kiwaya soprano is a high quality laminate that rivals many solid wood ukuleles. Bring a hard case with you, buy the laminate Kiwaya and you will have a great travel uke at a cost close to what you would pay if you bought a brand "X" before you left home. Click to expand...

Graham Greenbag said: eBay sometimes have second hand hard cases available for comparatively little. Just be careful to check any case’s internal dimensions before buying. If you’re taking a suitcase could it just be a larger one with your Uke in it. As far as I know holds are typically heated now but there have been threads on air travel with Ukes. I have a couple of soft cases and they work for most things but a bulky pocket on the side isn’t always helpful (makes it difficult to pack) and unlike a hard case they don’t support any weight on them ....... More of a U.K. thing but if your Uke is like new then remember to take your sales receipt with you just in case the customs man has any questions ..... Click to expand...

I like to relate the story of my brother in law and his Martin D28. It is solid spruce and rosewood and retails today for over $3000.00. Starting as a teenager he hitchhiked around the USA for 10 years with that guitar. He busked for a living and lived mostly on the streets with guitar in tow in the elements. He still performs on stage with that guitar 45 years later. I travel with my Koolau which is about the same price as the Martin D28. No problems, no issues, no worries. Get a hard case or pro level gig bag, Mono or Fusion.  

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Want to say thank you, kiwaya u-trip-01 sopranino ukulele - review, it's been a little while since got a ukulele looked at the really little guns. time to set that straight with a look at the kiwaya u-trip-01 sopranino..

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Nice review. Seems more and more makers are cranking out sub sopranos. When you have time (haha) please take a look at the Kmise Travel 17 inch uke and tell us what you think. Thanks.

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Kiwaya k-wave ‘rock uke’ series, kiwaya kpc-1m concert ukulele, kiwaya ktu-1 tenor ukulele.

The Best Kiwaya Ukuleles: A Comprehensive Review

Kiwaya Ukuleles are renowned in the music world for their superior craftsmanship, exceptional tone, and projection. Originating from Japan, Kiwaya has dedicated itself to the production of ukuleles that capture the spirit of the traditional Hawaiian instrument, while incorporating modern design elements and techniques. This comprehensive review will delve into some of the best Kiwaya ukuleles, guiding you through your next ukulele purchase.

Our Top Picks for the Best Kiwaya Ukuleles

1) Kiwaya K-Wave ‘Rock Uke’ Series

The K-Wave ‘Rock Uke’ series is one of Kiwaya’s most popular ranges. These unique ukuleles are designed to mimic the looks of classic guitars, offering a distinct aesthetic appeal. If you’re looking for a ukulele with a rock and roll edge, the K-Wave ‘Rock Uke’ series is worth considering.

2) Kiwaya KPC-1M Concert Ukulele

The Kiwaya KPC-1M Concert Ukulele is a standout model that has received rave reviews for its superb sound quality. This all-solid mahogany concert ukulele is feather-light yet super resonant, delivering a rich and warm tone that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, the KPC-1M offers a playing experience like no other.

3) Kiwaya KTU-1 Tenor Ukulele

The Kiwaya KTU-1 Tenor Ukulele is another highly-rated model by users and experts alike. Known for its exceptional playability and superior tonal qualities, the KTU-1 is a testament to Kiwaya’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. If you’re a tenor ukulele enthusiast, this model is definitely worth a look.

4) Kiwaya KS-1 Soprano Ukulele

The Kiwaya KS-1 Soprano Ukulele is a popular model known for its traditional aesthetics and excellent sound quality. This model captures the classic charm of the soprano ukulele, while offering a balanced and crisp tone. If you’re partial to the soprano size, the KS-1 is an excellent choice.

5) Kiwaya Master Series Ukuleles

The Kiwaya Master Series is a range of premium ukuleles that showcase the brand’s dedication to superior craftsmanship and sound quality. While specific models in this series were not mentioned in the sources, it’s clear from user discussions on ukuleleunderground.com that Kiwaya’s Master Series ukuleles are highly regarded for their understated elegance and superb sound.

Kiwaya Ukuleles have undoubtedly established themselves as a reliable and high-quality brand in the world of ukuleles. With their focus on superior craftsmanship, innovative designs, and high-quality materials, Kiwaya offers a range of ukuleles that cater to every player’s needs. Whether you’re just starting out on your musical journey or are an experienced player seeking a reliable instrument, Kiwaya Ukuleles offer an exceptional choice. Experience the joy of playing the ukulele without compromising on quality with Kiwaya Ukuleles.

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Kiwaya Ukulele - KTS-6 Soprano Uke w/ Oahu Case SPECIAL

This is the quintessential vintage soprano tone. Patterned after the famous Martin style 1 of the 30's-50's, this has a higher fidelity but the same warmth and punchiness that they have been loved for. This uke is extremely clean and light construction and an artist eye for fine detail and precision.

Note: Now comes with ebony fretboard and bridge and Gotoh UPT tuners! (New pics and video coming)

We set up each instrument to ensure you get the absolute best for your money! This includes Saddle and Nut heights, Fret work and a thorough inspection for cosmetic or structural flaw. Also,  w e  include a humidifier with solid wood instruments like this. This is not an option, and we do not charge for it. 

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- Final Cleanup: We always do a final overall cleanup of the instrument to make sure it is in new condition and ready to play before it is prepared for shipment.

Rush Setup & Delivery - Additional $50.00 The RUSH SETUP AND DELIVERY service is for customers who would still like to receive everything included in the full setup but on a shorter time frame. One of our setup technicians will work overtime outside of normal business hours to complete the setup within 2-3 days of the order being placed and immediately hand it over to the shipping department for packing and shipment. The $50.00 rush charge is in addition to the cost of the full setup. 

Additional services (see individual product listings to add these services to your order) Re-stringing:  We will replace the factory installed stock string set with a new set of your choosing. Select the “replace stock strings” option when adding your desired string set to the shopping cart. Strap Button Installation:  1-2 buttons are installed to allow the use of a strap. Color options available.  Pickup installation:  for players who would like the option to play or record with amplification. Friction Tuner Upgrade (friction tuners only):  We offer upgrade options for select instruments with friction tuners to be retrofitted with new geared tuners for better precision and comfort when tuning. Left-handed Setup:  Left-handed setups are also available upon request. Occasionally an additional charge may be added for compensated saddles on select models. 

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Kiwaya KS-5G Koa Soprano Ukulele - Eco Series

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The Kiwaya KS-5 is an amazing little uke. It's part of their Eco Series which means they use extremely thin laminated koa wood for the body. It's very reminiscent of the old Martin ukes. Super lightweight and easy to play with Gotoh geared tuners. Aloha to that!!

• Size: Soprano
• Back & Sides: Koa
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Maple
• Fingerboard: Walnut
• Binding: No
• Nut & Saddle: Bone
• Tuners: Gotoh Geared Tuners
• Overall Length: 21"
• Depth: 2.75"
• Strings: Fremont Flurocarbon 
• Electronics: No
• Strap Button: No
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Kiwaya KS-5 Ukulele

All Aloha City Ukes receive a full set up before they are shipped out so they'll arrive in optimal playing condition.

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"Offering happiness through the ukulele" is our policy. Since 1919, KIWAYA has been working on with musical instruments. As an ukulele company, we have been selling our original brand called "Famous" since 1950's. (The first Hawaiian boom in Japan) KIWAYA is the only "ukulele specialized wholesale company" that came beyond the ukulele's bitter history in Japan. We belive that this little Hawaiian born instrument offers you a wonderful and happy life. -KIWAYA's business- Producing, merchandising, exporting our original ukulele brands. (Famous, Luna, F Ukulele, KIWAYA, K-wave, k ukulele) Managing our ukulele school, sharing our ukulele museum (RAKU), having workshops, etc, etc.

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Kiwaya Soprano KS-5

September 8, 2017

He’s right. Where the other sizes of ukulele may be easier to navigate on the fretboard or have deep, rich sounds, it may be easy to look down on the humble soprano, but you shouldn’t. After all, the soprano is what comes to mind most of the time when you talk to people about ukulele. They have a charm all to themselves. They’re small, incredibly portable, light, bright-sounding, and adorable.

This particular ukulele is no exception.

The ukulele I’m reviewing is the Kiwaya KS-5, which has a very vintage look to it with a beautiful koa body and tuners behind the headstock. It isn’t overly adorned and looks just as chill as it sounds.

The koa body features a three-stripe rosette and a bridge that isn’t as involved as you average tie-bridge which results in a cleaner overall look and may make stringing easier if that’s a concern of yours.

The body also has a really nice flame to it looking like an ukulele that is significantly more expensive. The way that they were able to save money was to use a laminate body, which has its pros and cons. While it won’t age and bloom tone-wise like solid-wood instruments, it is more durable for temperature and humidity changes and less likely to crack.

On the headstock, the tuners LOOK like vintage friction tuners, but are actually 4:1 planetary tuners which means they’re lighter, more accurate, more stable for tuning, and they just plain look cooler. This is only compounded when you look at the cool shiny amber-colored plastic buttons.

My favorite part of the ukulele, though, is the fretboard. A soprano ukulele only has so much real estate on the fretboard and putting normal frets on it is a really good way to drastically reduce the amount of fretboard under your fingers. The KS-5, though, has REALLY small frets, both in height and width. Most of the people I’ve met think this is a detriment – a problem – and love huge frets. Huge frets make sense in some spots, but not on a soprano uke as this KS-5 displays. It’s ridiculously easy to play and your fingers are able to slide about with ease. It almost FEELS like a fretless instrument but still SOUNDS correct.

As an added bonus, with small frets, the likelihood of fretting a note too hard and making it sharp are drastically reduced.

So it looks great and plays well, but how does it sound?

Well, it sounds great. It’s bright without being piercing and clear as a bell. The small body makes for a nice mix of sustain and percussiveness and it’s just fun to play and listen to. The volume was a shock as well – it’s plenty loud. It sounds happy. It sounds fun. The sound makes you want to play it more.

It also sounds more expensive than it actually costs. Like I said earlier, Kiwaya decided to go with a laminate koa body, which saves on cost. It’s certainly strange to hear a soprano ukulele that is so loud, sounds so good, and looks so pretty with the cool touches here and there that give all your senses the impressions that you’re playing a significantly more expensive ukulele when it has a laminate body, but here it is.

That’s not to say that it is super cheap, though. The cost comes in at $369.00 which isn’t anywhere near the entry-point of ukulele, but it’s also a far stretch from instruments that look, feel, or sound as good as this one.

You can view this ukulele at our website store HERE .

This review was instrumental (hmmm, bad unintended pun) in our purchasing two Kiwaya soprano ukes. We had never heard of them before and can say unreservedly that these are my wife’s two favorite ukes (she has six.) We appreciate the honest approach you folks offer and believe it does result in increased business. If we ever get to Hawaii, you can be sure we’ll MAKE a visit to the shop. We feel like we know many of them because of the podcasts, lessons, reviews, and help on the phone.

What a beautiful sounding instrument. Laminates get a bad rap in some quarters, but this video clip shows how nice they can sound when they are well-built. And I agree that there are a lot of advantages to small frets on a soprano. I mostly play tenor these days, but I find myself missing the portability, fret reach and relaxed sustain of the soprano.

I have had the pleasure of going to the Kiwaya showroom in Tokyo and would highly recommend it! They make some great ukuleles, including replicas of the vintage Martins.

The next time I go to Tokyo i’ll have to try and find it! It sounds like a really fun stop.

I almost pulled the trigger on this uke, but ended up getting a different one. Now after reading this review I am regretting my decision! I had never really thought about fret size until you mentioned it here, makes a lot of sense that smaller frets would help with intonation – I myself tend to press too hard, so sopranos go out of tune easily when I play them. I might just have to move this Kiwaya up to the top of my list of next ukes to buy. Thanks, Russ =)

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Good review, thanks! I think the Kiwaya also has a bit wider nut and string spacing like a Martin which makes it great to play. These seem like a really good value.

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Saratov is a major city in southern Russia. The city was initially founded in the 16th century as a fortress to protect the southern districts of the Russian Empire. Situated on the Volga River, Saratov was a major military aircraft manufacturing site, the home of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, and a vital part of the Soviet space program. There is a museum dedicated to Gagarin and his life. Saratov has a rich cultural life, as well - among the most famous sites is the Conservatoire designed in a Neo-Gothic style as well as the Drama Theatre named after Ivan Slonov, one of the oldest theatres in Russia. For those interested in art there is the Radischev Art Museum with more than 20,000 exhibits. Of other interest, the community of Volga Germans was centred in the Saratov region. In the early 20th century over 800,000 ethnic Germans made their home in this area preserving many of their German customs.

There are flights and trains from Moscow to Saratov, but is normally visited as part of a river cruise. The embankments along the Volga give some spectacular views including the ‘Old Bridge’ which was the longest bridge in Europe until the 1980s.

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Saratov, Russia

Tours, Attractions and Things To Do in Saratov

Full-flowing Volga gave birth to many cities. One of these cities is Saratov, a former center of the largest Russian province, a city of merchants, gold miners and first Russian manufacturers. Saratov is still has the charm of those times. Old farmsteads, bank buildings, retail and apartment houses – all that is a part of Saratov’s history, which are proudly demonstrated to numerous tourists now.

People go to Saratov not to find adventures. This region is deprived of high dangerous mountain hills, swift rivers, sea coasts, promising an exciting extreme leisure. Instead one can find here mixed forests, groves, woods, deserts and steppes. The mixed flora and fauna of Asia and Europe has created here unseen picturesque scenes. There are 124 monuments of nature here.

The natural diversity of Saratov region creates favorable conditions for active recreation both in summer and in winter. In winter, ski routes are ready for fans of skiing sport whereas during warm seasons fishing, hunting, active water recreation, namely rowing and canoeing, sailing, yachting, boat, motor boat and water scooter trips are available for toursists.

Saratov is located on the right bank of Volga, and surrounded on three sides with not high mountains. The city’s name originated from Tatar word “sara tau” – “yellow mountain”. The main trade routes from the Black Sea, Caucasus, Persia, Khorezm, and the Urals and, of course, from Russia ran across Saratov Povolj’e (Volga Region).

According to one of the versions, the city was established in 1584-1589 years approximately, on the place of a Tatar village, where Saratovka river fell into. Another version says that the city was found in 1590, and it was built as a guard point on the Volga way. The exact location of the first settlement was not established.

The town was burned down in 1613 year, and in 1674 was moved to the right bank of Volga River, that is to say, to its present position. Gradually Saratov became famous as a merchant city. That time people were engaged in pottery, selling of fish, salt and bread. The manufacturing production was well-developed. And Saratov became a capital of the Volga Region. It was the 3rd largest city after Moscow and Petersburg among the cities of Russia.

In 1722 Peter I visited this city on his way to Persia as well. In 1781 a famous rebel Emel’yan Pugachev which took the decision to occupy the city, entered Saratov. Those historical facts were described in the novel “The Captain's Daughter” by A.S. Pushkin. From a shabby town into which Saratov turned after Pugachev’s invasion, it became soon a rich merchant city and remained to be the largest cities of the Volga Region till 20-ies of XX century. In USSR Saratov was a closed city. There were several big enterprises of defense industry, particularly, the Saratov aviation plant.

Saratov is a motherland of many famous Russian figures. Nikolay Chernyshevskoy – Russian publicist, writer and literary critic, was born in Saratov. Such actors as Sergey Phillipov, Oleg Tabakov and Evgeniy Mironov were born here.

Many old farmsteads and hundreds of architecture monuments are preserved in Saratov Region. The cultural tourist complex “The Old City of Uvek”, which is situated on the place of an ancient settlement and whose prosperity period fell to the 12th century is not far from Saratov.

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Saratov Travel Guide

Experience Saratov

Tau Gallery

Park Pobedy

Childrens Park

Happy Cinema Cinema

Teatr Dramy Imeni Ivana Slonova

Chaikhana Uzbechka

Burger Stand

Tary-Bary Restaurant

Krasnodarskiy Paren

Matreshka, Set' Pel'mennykh Ooo "Profi"

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