TRADITIONAL SECTOR SPOTLIGHT
Fender Pa’ina ukelele £304
Kentucky KM-900 £999
Representing the middle of the Kentucky range, the KM- 900 features a solid, hand-carved spruce top, a one-piece maple neck with a dovetail neck and body joint at the 15th fret, a nitro-cellulose finish in the 1920s sunburst style, a vintage-style ebony bridge with small adjustment wheels and Ivoroid binding on all the edges.
These models are equipped with an unmistakable Telecaster headstock shape and bracing patterns made solely for this range. Named after the Hawaiian word for party, this Pa’ina model is comprised of solid mahogany, with a satin finish and passive electronics for those wanting to crank it up a bit.
Roland FR-3x V-Accordion £2,399
Aria AM-600 £419
Both the AM-600 and 400 resemble classic designs with their vintage headstocks, solid spruce or maple carved/scrolled tops and the back and sides are made from either maple or mahogany. 23 or 30- fret inlaid rosewood fingerboards can be selected. Gold hardware gives these models a real sense of quality.
A new bellows sensor helps achieve quicker response and greater sensitivity, a USB connection allows the user to save and store settings, a Bellow Resistance Regulator can adjust the bellows’ inertia and a built-in amplification system make this a worthwhile alternative to a standard, traditional accordion. Several accordion simulations
rosewood have been chosen here, and a three-quarter sized variation has appealed to traveling musicians and younger players. Fender’s three tenor-style ukeleles feature an
intricately honed sound and careful construction that can conjure up a Hawaiian feel to any setting. Its entry-level banjo is the FB-54, an instrument that includes specs more commonly found on more pricey rivals, such as a mahogany resonator and neck. Other notable qualities are the aluminium rim, rosewood fingerboard with pearloid inlay and chrome-covered tuners.
The FM-52 mandolin is another product made
from high quality materials, namely a spruce top, with nato back and sides, chrome hardware and rosewood for the fingerboard and fretboard. The inclusion of a single coil pickup, as well as tone and volume controls means it produces cutting volume and chiming tone when hooked up to an amp. Roland might seem a surprise entry in this sector, but the manufacturer more than qualifies for inclusion with the FR-3x V-accordion. Typically Roland, this is a unique combination of a traditional instrument with modern, innovative technology. Ozark is a brand that has become the choice of
many for its quality selection of mandolins, banjos and bouzoukis. Its mandolin range starts with the
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£170 2250 Army/Navy special model with solid mahogany top, right up to the 2255S, which is hand carved from solid spruce and maple. In the banjo sector, Ozark has the five-string
2112G. For £405, you get a mahogany neck and resonator, 24 plated brackets and double co-ordinator rods, a clamshell tailpiece and a chrome plated armrest with chrome hardware, making this ideal for upgrade from a first banjo. A more entry-level option is the 2035 ukelele
banjo. This instrument comes with 12 plated brackets, a cream bound fingerboard and resonator, ‘old-style’ open machine heads with cream buttons and aged brass finish settings. Stagg is a major player in the entry level of many MI sectors and this is no exception. The US100 traditional soprano ukelele has a walnut top, back and sides, a mahogany headstock and rosewood for the fingerboard and bridge. The M20 bluegrass mando from Stagg has basswood construction and a black-stained maple bridge. Its engraved tailpiece, nickel machines and ‘f’ holes make this great to look at and play. Although amps have replaced the original purpose
of the resonator guitar, there are a number of modern resonator models that would appeal to the tastes of today’s folk musician.
miPRO OCTOBER 2010 45
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