'Oli L1-CMGS All Solid Mango Concert Satin Ukulele w/padded Gigbag

They are finally here in the UK! Oli are the Ukulele brand that have been creating the most buzz worldwide for the last 12 months and we can confirm with first hand experience; the hype is justified!

The L1-CMGS is part of 'Oli's 2nd tier of instruments, the first to feature lattice bracing. Aimed at intermediate/professional musicians this ukulele is light in the hands, resonant and with incredible sustain and colour to the sound. The S in the product name stands for Satin; the body is unglossed which visually gives them a more traditional look and audibly gives the instruments a slightly darker sound with a focus on the lower frequency range. Satin ukuleles are typically favoured by strummers and can have a more jazzy vibe to them and a softer attack when you pluck a string. 

Andrew Kitakis along with his famous team at Ukulele Site in Hawaii have been designing and refining the range of Ukuleles for several years already. Present company included; there is really nobody more in tune with what makes a good ukulele that players can bond with. On my visit to Hawaii, I noted that all of the professional players I met along the way had been consulted by the Ukulele Site team at various stages in the 'Oli prototyping phases.

The L1-CMGS is built with Solid Mango which gives it a full and rich tone. Mango does something unique offering up warmer and untamed darker frequencies but somehow they stay relatively clear, focused and unmuddied when you play them hard. I often think that the sound most people are looking for from a Ukulele these days is the sound of Mango. It has a tropical flavour similar to Koa but has more of a bounce to it which suits fingerstyle players. If you want to play them softly, the instrument will reward you but it is equally capable of being strummed in a large group of players and being heard.

The L-1's have side mounted fret markers popular on many ukes from brands like Flight along with a bound fingerboard edge. They give you a visual clue as to where you are playing on the fretboard without the need to tilt the instrument towards you. The nut is wider at 37mm with a nice wide string spacing and a modern, smooth C shape to the neck which curves well with the natural curves in your hand. The tuners are Gotoh Planetary tuners which are commonly seen as being the top Ukulele tuner out there. 

The Gotohs weigh nothing which balances the instrument better and allows the wood to vibrate freely. When you play the instrument you will feel the bag vibrate as you play. The side sound port is done in a subtle way and gives the player more control over the naunce in what they hear when they play. The body and the neck are finished in satin making the uke feel more played in from new. 

The attributes you don't see on this ukulele are part of the magic; it has lattice bracing which is a grid like trellis structure of bracing under the top which is stronger than traditional bracing and makes the top naturally stiffer. I have to say, I think it also reduces the weight of these instruments compared to the X braces series ukes we have received. Finally, the fingerboard has a slight radius to it which makes barre chords slightly easier for many.

Finally, the choice of factory strings is a Ko'olau fluorcarbon. A popular choice for modern players and one that has been chosen to really make the notes you want to stand out. The whole thing is a really professional presentation that gives players a step up from popular models like the Flight Fireball, Kala Night Owl's and even the Pono series.

The Ukulele photographed is the one you will receive.

Solid Mango top, back, and sides
Rosewood faceplate w Maple logo inlay
Bound rosewood fingerboard, and rosewood bridge
Radius Fretboard
Rosewood rosette
Bone nut and saddle
Gotoh UPT 4:1 Ratio tuners
Satin finish
Ko'olau Aho Fluorocarbon High G string set
Includes Padded Gigbag
Total Scale Length: 15 1/4”/ 38.8 cm
Body Length: 10 3/4”/ 27.3 cm
Overall Length: 24.25”/ 61.6cm
Nut Width: 1 7/16"/ 37mm
Saddle Length: 2.19”/ 55.63mm
Lower Bout Width: 8”/ 20.3 cm
Upper Bout Width: 5 7/8”/ 14.9cm
Lower Bout Depth: 2 5/8” / 6.67cm
Upper Bout Depth: 2 3/8”/ 6cm