Mya-Moe
I don't own one of these. I was simply fortunate enough to have ukulele-playing friends, Bob and Thelma, come up to visit with a pair of these beautiful, handmade ukuleles they had purchased while at a uke event in Nova Scotia last year. The pair cost them about $2,000, a figure that had my wife rolling her eyes and muttering "don't you even think about it..." while I drooled over them.
Mya-Moe is a small-output luthier, consisting of an American husband and wife team, Gordon & Char Mayer who build "professional-grade tradition, classic, resonator, lap steel and 6-string ukuleles from stunning imported & domestic hardwoods."
I was intrigued by their comments on their Web site about how and why they build a particular instrument: "We hand-build and hand-voice each instrument to maximize volume, tone and sustain. Every instrument is solid wood construction, has a radiused fretboard (unless otherwise requested) and has geared tuners... Our focus is on playability and acoustics. We pride ourselves in perfect intonation, level frets, low action, smooth fret ends, and a "fast" neck--everything that the serious musician should demand... We specialize in matching the acoustic & aesthetic properties of wood to your personal taste & playing style."
Our friends, however, didn't special-order their pair of ukes: instead they saw them on display at a uke festival and fell so deeply in love with them that they bought them right from the display table. They got two outstanding ukuleles "off the shelf" and are rightfully proud of them.
Both ukes are, I believe, solid koa. The "tradition"" model has with a matte (satin) finish (hand-rubbed oil, according to the Web site), the classic model a gloss finish. Other models and designs, including a cutaway and resonator, are available on their Web site.
The gloss model had more decoration - abalone rosette and extra binding, the matte version was plainer. Both, however, showed superb attention to detail and build quality.
Mya-Moe also makes ukes from solid mango and myrtle woods, as well as combinations of other woods including cedar. There are some great photos of their work online.
Another intriguing comment online about their "classic" model: "...the design elements revolve around the bracing and wall thickness (primarily the top & back). We tested both ends of the spectrum—over-building and under-building—in order to find the perfect middle ground. To optimize the voice, it is imperative that we maximize the amount of string energy that reaches the bridge. For this reason, we inlay a graphite rod into the neck."
I would be interested in learning more about the effects of reinforced versus non-reinforced necks on the string energy. have to look into that a bit more.
There was some difference in sound between them - I preferred the matte finish because it sounded a bit fuller to my ears, but the gloss sounded a little louder, with a trifle more sustain and perhaps a touch brighter than the matte.
Both came with geared tuners, although Mya-Moe also offers peg head tuners for those who prefer the traditional look. The peg heads are, however, internally geared and more efficient than standard friction tuners.
Both ukes came with dual strap pegs, but the second peg, on the heel of the neck, was offset on both. It looks a trifle odd, and I'm not sure why - I can't imagine it confers any advantage over central placement.
Fretboards were lovely and the frets smooth. Intonation seemed spot on, but I have to admit I didn't check it as carefully as I might have. I was too busy strumming and enjoying these lovely creatures.
I had never played a radiused fretboard before and was interested to see if it made a difference. Frankly, I didn't think so. The width of a ukulele fretboard is, I believe, too small for a radiused board to make a significant difference to playing style for anyone with normal hands. But it does show extra attention to detail and effort.
I was more impressed that the necks are graphite reinforced, something that isn't evident but shows care for the 'under the hood' details..
Mya-Moe also makes a baritone and "super soprano" (concert-scale, soprano body) - sizes not always offered by small shops.
Try as I would, I was unable to convince my friends to swap one of their Mya-Moes for one of my Kala or Mainland ukes. And I was unable to substitute a cat in a case for one of their ukuleles, the cat weighing, of course, much more and a dead giveaway. So I had to wave goodbye to our friends and their instruments after the evening. but at least I had some time with them.
Overall: Given the price and my woefully inadequate budget, I don't think I'll own one in the very near future, but while expensive, they're not priced in the ukulele stratosphere as are some competitors. A Mya Moe will be a serious competitor for my top-of-the-list uke choices when I can afford it. It gives me serious impetus to sell off a few instruments and save for one, however.
Would I purchase a Mya Moe? Yes. The resonator
is most appealling to me, but a tenor or baritone would be nice
too.
Would I recommend them to others? Yes.
Rating (0-5): ****1/2
Status: Borrowed and returned.
