A maritime witch dwelling refers to the residence or dwelling place of a witch that is located near or on the sea. The concept of maritime witch dwellings can be found in various folklore and mythologies around the world. These dwelling places are often associated with witchcraft and the supernatural, as witches are believed to have the ability to harness the power of the sea for their magical practices. In many legends and stories, maritime witch dwellings are described as hidden caves or grottos located along the coast or on secluded islands. These locations are often depicted as being difficult to access or invisible to ordinary mortals. The rough and treacherous waters surrounding these dwellings serve as a protective barrier, keeping trespassers and the curious at bay.
The action is nice and low, with no buzzing - it's a fast and very easy neck to play. I would say that those who only play banjo ukuleles may find the action too low for their liking, but if you are coming to this from a standard ukulele you will find it a dream (all Fluke instruments fall into that category in my opinion). Intonation all over the neck is perfect too, and with the adjustable bridge, that is the only thing you need to worry about for accuracy in tuning.
You know you are buying the quality that Fluke deliver - you KNOW it will be well made, you KNOW it will be accurate, and you KNOW it will be different. Right now this is the new shinny thing that is fueling many people UAS Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome and many people are buying them, even if they have no clue if they like banjo ukes at all.
The rough and treacherous waters surrounding these dwellings serve as a protective barrier, keeping trespassers and the curious at bay. The interior of a maritime witch dwelling is often depicted as a mysterious and otherworldly realm. The walls may be adorned with various magical symbols and artifacts, while the air is thick with enchantments and spells.
Magic Fluke Co. Firefly Banjo Uke Full Review
At NAMM this past January this was the ukulele that everyone was talking about. Sure there were some really nice high end ones and K-brands that got a ton of buzz, but this was the one that I kept hearing “Did you stop by the Magic Fluke booth yet?” At NAMM it did not have a name yet, we just called it the fluke banjo uke. Also there were several different one, so watch for more (Here is the NAMM coverage I did on them)
Move forward 4 months and the firefly is being shipped to great fan fare, and they cannot make them fast enough, and people are raving about them. I was lucky to get one for a few weeks for banjo uke week, and I would be remiss if I did not have it in the lineup since it is so unique.
I do have a nagging question that I can’t stop thinking about and others have asked. Is the firefly worth $229? You can buy the hand drum for $15 on Amazon, and a maple bridge is $4. is the fluke neck, wood coordinator, and tail piece worth $210?
Read on to find out.
Specs:
The Magic Fluke co. Firefly Banjo Ukulele
Soprano: 16
Tuners: Friction with Black Buttons
Maple & Ebony 3-Leg Bridge
Nut: Plastic, but it is a zero fret
Head Material: Synthetic skin
Head Size” 8″
Rim: Acousticon pot?
Tone ring: no
Back: Open
Neck: Walnut, Wood Fretboard
String attachment: Knot in a hole
# of J-Hooks: 0
Coordinator: Wood
Finish: Matte
Weight: 1 LB
Case: Denim bag
Full Specs:
http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=263
Looks
First look: (5)although plain it is striking in its sparseness. It looks like an alien when it is near other banjo ukes since it has no j-hooks. You know it is a banjo uke right from the get go, but it is missing stuff. I think that is what attracts people to it. Also the signature fluke/flea head makes it that much more interesting to look at since it is so different than most ukes out there.
Look MA! No J-Hooks!!
Fit and Finish: (4)Some will look at the rim (Hand drum) and say “How cheap” but that is not the reason for the point deduction at all. I expect The Magic Fluke co. to use innovative materials to make their ukes, that is why we buy them. Yes the rim is a weird hardboard laminate of some kind that has the markings of a cardboard tube on the inside, but I did some research into it and it is cardboard, but a high pressure laminate for Remo for these hand drums to make them acoustically work. If you just use a cardboard tube the drum would sound dead. But the reason for the point deduction is for the way the fretboard joins the neck and the nut. On close inspection it is a little off near the body, also since they round the corners before gluing the fret board on it leaves a ridge that I feel makes it feel strange to play. The nut is just plastic looking and a bit wavy but does nothing to the sound since it is a zero fret, which I prefer in all my instruments.
Hmmm, is that a cardboard tube?
Sound:
Sound Type: Mellow but clear. This will not be the uke that gets you kicked out of a uke jam, I think it would blend in nicely, but add the banjo sound.
Intonation: (5) If the intonation is off, it is your own fault for the most part. most banjo ukes are shipped with the bridge laying down and you have to set it up, or find someone to do it for you. This one didn’t come setup and ready to play, it was very easy to setup.
Volume: (4) As I said in the sound part, it is not super loud, and that is fine for playing with regular uke players, but I expect banjo ukes to be loud and stand out a little more..
Sustain: (4) Same as a regular uke, nothing special, It would be a 5 on an all wood uke.
Feel:
String Height: (Me-Low) Not low but not high either. just right..
Neck Radius Depth: (3/4″) Same as any fluke or flea with the flat back to the neck.
Frets: (5) Perfect. Well dressed. no frets sticking out.
Tuning: (3) I found that I had to keep them really stiff to keep it in tune, but it made it really hard to tune.
Comfort: (5) 1 LB Banjo uke!! And no metal j-hooks to jab you makes it really nice to hold without any straps or having to sit to play it. I would say that is one of its big selling points.
Sound Hole Smell: What sound hole? Hint of Varnish
Final Thoughts
Right now this is the new shinny thing that is fueling many people UAS (Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome) and many people are buying them, even if they have no clue if they like banjo ukes at all. I don’t see that as a bad thing at all. It is one of the cheapest ones on the market today. For some this will be what starts them down the banjo ukulele path and they may go and explore others like a Gold Tone or one made by Aaron Keim (Bean Sprout), while others will sell them in a few months because they are not banjo uke people, and that happen all the time.
Yes this is a take on the DIY banjo uke that you could make for $50, but would it be half as good as this one, I doubt it. Making a neck, figuring out the coordinator so it does not implode, and making a nice tail piece like this one takes a lot of skill and investment to make it right and playable. That is one of the things I applaud Dale at Magic Fluke for, he finds some of the coolest ways to make ukuleles, and the Firefly is just another example of that ingenuity that he has, and the vision of the whole company to sell it.
If you are looking for a light playable banjo uke that is not starting at $300, then this is it and you will be happy with it for a long time, but I guarantee that if you like this, you will be on the path to exploring others out there. This is a true gateway banjo uke, and you will have BUAS (Banjo Uke Acquisition Syndrome) in no time.
I will not have this one at the Mighty MO Ukulele Fest, they will want it back since there is such high demand.
Review 6 done, WHOOO, No more banjo ukes to review, at least for now.
All Rating on a scale of 1-5
Click here for an explanation of reviews
| First Look | 5 |
| Fit and Finish | 4 |
| Sound Type | Mellow and clear |
| Intonation | 5 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Sustain | 4 |
| String Height | Med-Low |
| Neck Radius Depth | 3/4″ |
| Frets | 5 |
| Tuning | 3 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Sound Hole Smell | What sound Hole? Paint? Faint varnish |
HD Audio Clips:
Places to buy on the web:
Flea Market Music – $229
Gallery:
Nice rubber washer keeps things from vibrating. Look MA! No J-Hooks!!
Hmmm, is that a cardboard tube?
In in the modern era (that’s now!) it is perfectly fine to use a pick for a different sound. More players today are playing melodies on the uke, or adapting rock songs and other styles to the uke. So if a song or style demands a pick, then by all means go for it!
It is a place where the witch can commune with the spirits of the sea, draw power from the waves, and conduct various rituals and spells related to their craft. Many legends and stories also associate maritime witch dwellings with the practice of sea magic. Sea witches, also known as maritime witches, are believed to have a deep connection with the ocean and its inhabitants. They possess the ability to control the tides, summon and communicate with sea creatures, and manipulate the currents to their advantage. The idea of maritime witch dwellings has captivated the imagination of many people throughout history. It has been romanticized in literature, movies, and art, often depicted as a place of beauty and mystery. However, it is also important to note that these dwellings are often portrayed as dangerous and formidable places, not to be taken lightly by those who dare to enter. In conclusion, a maritime witch dwelling is a place associated with witchcraft and the supernatural, located near or on the sea. It is often depicted as a hidden cave or grotto, filled with magical symbols and artifacts. These dwellings are believed to be the domain of sea witches, who possess a deep connection with the ocean and its powers. Maritime witch dwellings have been a subject of fascination and intrigue in folklore and mythology around the world..
Reviews for "Maritime Witch Dwellings: A Window into the Supernatural World"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Maritime witch dwelling". The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots and characters. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself bored throughout most of the book. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, this book just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars
I couldn't even finish "Maritime witch dwelling". The writing was so pretentious and self-indulgent. The author seemed more interested in showing off their extensive vocabulary than actually telling an interesting story. The characters were flat and unrelatable, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I found myself rolling my eyes at every cliche and predictable plot twist. Save yourself the time and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
"Maritime witch dwelling" had so much potential, but it failed to deliver. The concept of a maritime witch dwelling was intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The world-building was weak, and the rules of the magical system were never properly explained. This left me feeling confused and disconnected from the story. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Overall, this book fell short of my expectations and left me unsatisfied.