O A M 4

Founded in 2004, Maestro Guitars is based in Singapore. They started out with all production in Singapore too, but now they also own a Chinese factory where the lower end Ukuleles are made. They have a number of ranges, 10 being the lowest and laminate through to 55 with anything above 30 being called the Custom series, (these are made in Singapore and the numbers here denote different wood choices not quality levels). In all series they do Soprano, Concert or Tenor, and in the 10 and 20 series they have a Soprano pineapple as well. In 2014 they introduced the Island, (an oft used name), series, this are made in China but in small batches and to a higher standard that the 10 and 20 ranges; they only come as Concert or Tenor. They have shops in Singapore and Thailand and some US, European and Australian Distributors Suzuki Music Co.

This Suzuki was founded in Hamamatsu, Japan in 1953 as a Harmonica maker and has nothing to do with the famous Suzuki Violin Co. founded in 1887, either of its post WWII entities or the motor vehicles, (though they don't like to tell you this). Over the years they have added a lot of instruments to their range, particularly Pianos and other keyboards - they are now the owners of Hammond Organs), have opened a number of factories in other places like China and Korea and claim now to be the world's largest producer of educational musical instruments. This claim, if nothing else, gives a good idea of the standard of instruments they sell. They have, for some time had a kit Ukulele in their Japanese catalogue and there has been a fairly budget looking range of Soprano, Concert and Tenor models on sale especially in the far east, (however I can find no mention of them on any of Suzuki Musics websites?) In 2014 they launched a selection of slightly more upmarket Concert scale Ukuleles including a Pineapple in a number of decorative wood laminates. The Ukuleles themselves look like they were made in China and are mainly distributed in the US.

click for more