Hello Joel

Thank you for your email follow-up to my purchase of the aNueNue concert ukulele that was recently part of your clearance items list.

I should preface my remarks by declaring that I am a pensioner in my early eighties who appreciated finding a discounted instrument; I have a retired friend who plays a range of stringed instruments and I had looked at his soprano ukulele but found the fretboard somewhat cramped for my fingers. The aNueNue concert size seems to better "fit" my arthritic fingers!

The simple, basic appearance of the aNueNue (no bindings, no decoration around the sound hole etc) appeals to me as what I think of as "traditional". There appears to be a clear continued/sustained resonance at each fret for all four strings, which is pleasing as my friend's soprano ukulele has some "dead" spots which seem to suggest some adjustment of fret height/clearance is required. There is a blemish in the finish on the front of the body where a particle of foreign matter has been caught in the varnish -- however, as the instrument was discounted I suppose this is hardly cause for complaint.

The five introductory email tutorials (I have only watched three of them so far) are useful for beginners: while I had picked up some of the information they contain simply as part of my research leading up to buying my instrument, the lessons put things into perspective for continuing practice and learning.

Regarding your request about my specific thoughts on buying a new ukulele and the various brands (Kala, Cordoba, Bondi, Ohana etc):

1 As a beginner (and on a pension) I am unlikely to invest in a second instrument so soon after getting my first ukulele -- however, were I to do so I think a balance between quality and cost would be an important factor for me.

2 The various brand names you mention are simply that to me -- ie names. I could probably find positive testimonials for all of them! However, when I want to get a second instrument from you I would rather visit your showroom/warehouse to actually try various ukuleles and compare hands on to decide which brand/size suited me best. I live in the Newcastle area but the trip to Sydney would be worth it for a second ukulele -- as an elderly person I still have some reservations about the modern trend to online, sight unseen purchases.

Finally, I should make mention of your staff member (John?) with whom I had an exchange of emails as part of my purchasing process -- his patience and willingness to provide answers to my several queries in what was not a really great profit-maker for Ukulelemate were appreciated.

I trust the above comments in response to your survey are of some assistance with regard to marketing your products and services. Thanks for your gift voucher offer.

Yours faithfully
John Gray
(W J Gray)