Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele Mahogany

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

Have had this uke for about a month and like it more every time I play it. Read that the round, "Ovation" back would be hard to hold while sitting, but that hasn't been my experience. 6th uke in my collection. Surprisingly mellower sound that my Lanikai Zebrawood or Fender Koa but not as smooth as my Boulder Creek Maple top. Nice clear punch when amplified and the built-in equalizer is a plus. Excellent workmanship; the black finish on mine is flawless. Feels solid in your hands. I'd highly recommend this instrument.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

Great tenor uke. I really enjoy it and play it alot. It is well made, I highly recommend it with a warning:
1. It is heavy for a uke (personally I feel the weight/electronics is worth the amped sound, etc. but if you want a lightweight, easy to carry classic uke, this is not it.)

I played it with standard tuning for a few days and then stepped it down to the low G (Worth strings). It is great at the low G (it was great at the normal tuning too). It is a little quieter than my Luna High Tide Tenor (another great uke) but a nice deep sound as only Ovation/Applause can do.
Good looking, good playing, and good electronics. A little quieter than my Luna High Tide tenor played acoustically but plugged into a Crate 15W Taxi amp with a Zoom A2 pedal it rocks. Very sweet sound, lots of fun. A nice deep full sound acoustically and amped. My Luna has a very typical uke sound (std tuning) a bit tighter and higher than the Applause. After changing the strings for Low G, had to shim the bridge .001+ in. to get rid of a miniscule bit of lo G string buzz (due to the heavier string gauge, non-wound). I opened the back up and there's no neck adjustment (FYI).

It is a heavy monster tho. Used as a weapon you could defend yourself (ala-kabong). Between the 9v battery and the electronics it is substantially heavier than the Luna Tenor. Ovation has wisely included 2 strap buttons for full strap use, (for the Luna I use nothing standing for short periods and a "uke leash" for longer jams). Also another downer was finding a case for it. Finally settled on a 1/2-3/4 size guitar case as the Ovation/Applause Tenor/Mandolin case is too short for this uke. Uke is 31+ inch long. NOT the 29in in the specs.
Well built. It rides on the back of my motorcycle and it's held up well (so far) on several long rides (6-8 hrs plus). I've had the back off to check the electronics and battery and see if there was a neck adj. (There's not). It appears well built, lots of glue on the right places. (did i mention it is HEAVY).
At the normal price it is a good price, at the sale price it is GREAT. My daughter has a soprano, it is a good one too if you want an amped soprano (I am not a soprano uke sorta guy). I do wish they made a concert cause I'd have one of those if they did after playing this tenor.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

I have owned this now for about three months, and this is my fifth Ukulele. I love my Fender Koa Nohea Tenor, and my Lanikai Baritone, and my Pele Tenor, but I wanted an awesome Tenor Uke that I could plug in and play. This Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele ROCKS. I played it without plugging it in for the first month or so, but then I hooked it into my Fender Passport 250 and my Fostex VF 160EX 16 Track Recorder system and it was amazing. I have been a keyboard player since I was 6 years old, played guitar, (not very well), but always wanted to learn to play the Uke. This new Applause, in black, is just beautiful, and the inners with the built in sound is actually amazing. It is so hard to put this thing down when I start playing it, that I can hardly believe it. It actually helps me to practice more, as the sound it creates when amplified is truly a work of art. I do not have one complaint about this instrument, but you do have to purchase a Baritone sized case in order to fit it in. Just so you know, if you are older like me (I am 62+), and you really want an Uke that will change your life, this is it. The black finish is just georgous. I highly recommend to anyone, pro or beginner. This beauty will keep you rehearsing.
Its in the sound.
Top of the line and the craftmanship is awesome.
I would recommend this Uke to everyone. I challenge you to find one comparable to the sound this creates with any other even close to this price range. I began purchasing Uke's about six years ago, and this one hit the target for me.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

I've been playing ukulele casualy for many years. I've had my Applause for about 5 years. I have it tuned to a low G which gives it a nice rich sound. I play it through an Ampeg BA108 bass amp.

The reason I use a bass amp is because most guitar amps are not designed for active piezo pickups. There are dedicated accoustic amps but the Ampeg BA108 is less expensive, has an input for active pickups, plays well with my Kala Ubass, and reproduces the accoustic sound of my Applause ukulele very accurately. It also has a line out feature to plug it into my PA when I need more volume.

The round back of this ukulele takes some getting used to. Once you do, it is very comfortable to play seated or standing. This one is a keeper!
Great electronics.
Stable tuners.
Attractive design.
High quality finish.
Fretwork is smooth.
I would like to see the decorative wood inlaid.
A great performance ukulele!

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

Due to a severe injury to my shoulder, I had to sell my big Ovation Celebrity. I just could not get my strumming back due to the injury. When I saw this Ukulele I knew it would take the place of my guitar. I was not disappointed. It has the same feel as the Ovation, the electronics are fab, and the acoustic sound dynamite. I highly recommend this baby! Musicians Friend as always came through.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

Very nice uke! The action came a little high for me but not a big deal. The sound is awesome, acoustic or plugged. The electronics are also very good. The instrument as a whole looks and feels very solid, great quality. This is a great option if you are looking for a reliable uke to play in live gigs.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

I have one of the earlier model tenors with OP14 preamp. I have the mahogany top which I think has a mellower tone than the spruce. Unplugged, it has a very nice quiet tone good for private practice. Plugged in, it has a big monster tone much like a classical guitar. I play it loud on the Las Vegas stage and it is excellent. My only advice is to play it smoothly and lighten up on your attack. It is an electric so you don't have to play hard to be heard. I highly recommend this Tenor ukulele which is better than those overpriced Kamakas. I know I have 5 old Kamakas in the closet. The AE148 is for those who play onstage and it is so reasonably priced.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

My first ukulele, coming from guitar. It's fairly easy to learn - works best with open chords. The fretboard is wide but short (compared to a guitar)! It's great FUN just to pluck on. I keep it on a small guitar stand in my office. It will make you think and play different - a good thing! Good to write on if you compose. Think differently!

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

I got this for Christmas - it's my third ukulele. Of the three, this one is the best. The quality over the Oscar Schmidt and Lanikai is pronounced. The plastic body really gives this ukelele a bright tone. The sound is really great. I don't play it amplified much, but it sounds equally good under power. The mahogany looks much better than the photos I have seen on the Web -- a bit like koa, actually. The only thing I don't like about this ukelele is the shape of the headstock where it connects to the fret board -- it makes it harder when making chords like Bb.

Comments about Applause UAE148 Acoustic-Electric Tenor Ukulele:

This uke is one of my favorites. Not only does it sound good but it just looks awesome too.