Thinking of a UKE..

[Groundy]

Thought I might get myself a Uke, there are so many, I saw an add for Baton Rouge Ukes but never heard of them,
I also saw a Gretch for just over £100, Anyone got any ideas I dont want to spend a fortune but dont want to get a crap one...
Thanks in advance........


Alex

[ODH]

Hi Alex

I went through this last year, settled on a Mahalo les paul uke for sub 50 quid.

It's a lovely thing and I enjoy playing it, although I'm no expert, to be fair.

There was a lot of good advice from the community in the thread that lead to it.  And a lot of distractions.

[Groundy]

Cheers Nick, I will check it out.....

Alex

[Oldrottenhead]

Alex i don't know if it's easy to get to for you, but there is a great wee music shop in milngavie that specialises in acoustic instruments, they have tons of ukes.

https://haydockmusic.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=ukulele

[Groundy]

Cheers James, I will see how far it is.....

Alex

[Hook]

Unfortunately, for such a small, innocent instrument there are quite a few things to consider.
1st being size. There are 4 and you don't have to lose fretboard comfort or full tone. I would go ahead and eliminate soprano unless that's the only sound you want. Concert is standard but does have a smaller neck/fret board, just a small step up from saprano but the body gives it a better tone.
Tenor of course is larger still with a considerably larger body and fretboard. A bit warmer tone but still has that high uke sound, I love my  tenors.
Baritone is the closest to a guitar size fretboard and a large enough body to create a very warm full tone. They come standard with low tuned strings (DGBC) but you can order a set of specialty strings tuned to standard uke (GCEA). Alvarez makes a very nice baritone for under $100
http://www.guitarcenter.com/search?Ns=r&Ntt=alvarez+baritonr+uke+
I have an alverez diamondback (I think but can't find a link to it)

Brand- I would stick with Kala, Makala, Lanikai but alverez and Epiphone make great ukes. Never played ibanez but they might be ok. I'm sure there's others that are just find. You don't have to spend a alot, I got my Littles each a plastic uke by Kics for $40 a piece and they hold tune, play and sound fine.

Strings are the most important part. Most people get a uke and think it's too hard because they can't get it in tune. Like any nylon strings they Stretch for a while until they hold. The more you play it, tune it, play it, tune it the quicker that happens. I prefer Aquila strings but most of them (even the cappy black ones) will eventually hold. Takes me about 3 days.

I would also suggest a pick up, I think the uke takes to effects quite well but certainly is not imoprtant.
That one Nick posted looks spot on for the price.
Good luck brother!
Uke on!

[Groundy]

Thanks Hook, you have been really helpful...

Alex

[Flash Harry]

Uke Hunt   (..snigger..)

[Groundy]

Uke Hunt   (..snigger..)

[Kostiainen]

I have Lanikai LU11. Absolutely great (and very cheap) soprano uke.