Oscar Schmidt OU3 Concert Ukulele
April 4, 2010 by baritone ukulele
Filed under Music
- Rosewood back, sides, bridge and fingerboard
- Spruce top with abalone binding and rosette
- Bound fingerboard, top and back
- Chrome tuners
Product Description
Beautifully adorned in abalone and exotic rosewood, this uke will be a family heirloom… More >>
Oscar Schmidt OU3 Concert Ukulele
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I find this beautiful Ukekele simply wonderful. I gave it to my wife for Christmas. We both play various instruments and own fine Taylor Guitars, Yamaha and Technics Digital Ensembles and several wind instruments. This gorgeous instrument is not a toy. It holds its tuning perfectly. It took several weeks for it to settle down as is common for most new stringed instruments. Now, it will hold tuning for several hours. We are completely happy. The other reviewer must be trying to sell them at a higher price because my unit does not have the Aloha he describes and still performs beautifully. I came here looking for a case. Wish I could find one. At this price, this Ukelele is a steal.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a top quality ukelele. I was a little confused re. “Oscar Schmidt” vs. “Washburn” brands since I had read one buyer was disappointed with the Oscar Schmidt he had purchased due to “open” tuning gears, etc. while another buyer reported much satisfaction with the Washburn he had purchased. Actually, Washburn apparently just makes the “Oscar Schmidt by Washburn” ukelele and the dissatisfied customer had purchased an earlier model that had the open tuners, etc. The one I bought was the later model with the closed tuners. It is a really beautiful instrument. I thought, however, I was getting the U13 model, which is supposed to have a solid spruce top. They sent a U3, which apparently has a laminated top. I’ve heard pros and cons, however, about the two types so am just keeping the one I received. For anyone wanting a really top end ukelele I would highly recommend this instrument. Just be sure you’re getting the later model, however.
Rating: 4 / 5
The Oscar Schmidt/Washburn 0U3 ukulele has been revised in 2005 and it is crucial that you get the one featuring the sealed tuners, the strings are looped around the bridge and the word “Aloha” is featured on the headstock. The one I received from Musician’s Friend (who do get a “5″ out of 5 with their great service, etc…) did not include any of those features and suffered accordingly. I have returned it with instructions to send me a recent model or refund my money.
Volume-wise it was above average, the plastic nut was a touch high and finish flaws were more than what you’d expect on a Chinese instrument made in recent times. The shell inlay was nice, frets a bit rough on the edges but not protruding.
The nut, in my opinion, should be replaced with a real bone nut ($3.50 in parts and who knows how much for a tech to do it for you). The saddle likewise. With the tone as good as it is with the plastic parts, the bone parts should take it to the next level. The (open-geared) tuners on it backed off and the bushings were loose. It was impossible to tune to pitch – Again, the newer version has a better set of tuners on it.
For $55 less than the Applause models, I am pleased with what could be…
Rating: 2 / 5