Ukulele advice?

[dhermann1]

A coworker of mine is contemplating buying her 20 something son a ukulele (he wants one). Any advice? What's the minimum price for a really decent uke? What brands?
Thanx!

 

[LocktownDog]

I've heard great things about these guys.

 

[HodgePodge]

I'll preface my input with the fact that I can't play Ukulele, but have always wanted to learn.
The only Ukuleles I have handled were Mahalos. They go for about $60(CAD). The only other brand I know off the top of my head is Bushman(JuNu of Youtube fame plays one), but they start out at $199(USD?) and run all the way into the $300s.
My advice, for what it's worth, would be to start him off with a cheapie just to see if he'll actually take to it and stick with it. If he does, then she can get him a nicer one later - if he hasn't already surpassed the Mahalo and gone for something better on his own.

 

[Edward]

I believe them to be much like guitars in that something a little above the cheapest of the cheap should be very playable for the learner, while for those whose pockets are bottomless there really is no top end...

I've been looking into the idea of a tenor uke myself, but for the standard (soprano, afaik) uke as everything thinks of when they say 'uke', I believe something in the region of GBP30 / USD45 and up to be grand.

 

[Paisley]

I'm impressed that "ukulele" is spelled right.

Did you know that Warren Buffett played the ukulele and sang "Mammy" even before the 20s revival of the late 50s?

I don't play the ukulele, but I took up the recorder again. The really cheap one I first got was so awful I threw it in the trash. I bought a better one from Amazon, where it got a lot of good reviews.

 

[Silver Dollar]

I'd definitely go with a less expensive instrument but I wouldn't go for the rock bottom cheapest. They tend to be harder to play and may discourage the user before they can get any decent use out of them. I took a quick look at Gruhn Guitars which does sell some ukes but the prices are for very good ones. What I would do is contact a good music store, one that sells both entry level and advanced instruments. You can google ukuleles for sale and search around for some decent contacts. They should be able to tell you what's a decent price. The only caveat I have is that many people think of ukuleles as toy guitars, instruments just for banging around. Stay away from those folks.

 

[Big_e]

A nice kala (decent starter Uke) with a good hardcase will sell for about $118. Music Guy Mike is very well recommended at the Ukulele Underground forum. I bought my Sopranino (extra small ukulele) and my Kala KA-S from him. He's out of Hawaii and has fast delivery and service. I like Soprano sized ukuleles for their portability. People with larger hands or who finger pick better than me go for a tenor sized uke, the slightly longer neck gives them larger finger spacing on the fretboard and extra scales.
Your co-worker's son should look through Music Guy's Mike ebay store. The kinds of ukulele's out there are almost endless. Did you see the new bass ukulele? That thing is wild and has a deep sound! Just listen to the sound bite.
Ernest

 

[Talbot]

Slide over to tiki central. Lots of Uke guys there.

 

[skyvue]

I'm impressed that "ukulele" is spelled right.

I spell it with two U's, but no less an authority than Cliff Edwards spelled it "ukelele."

Maybe it's like Chanukkah -- multiple spellings are acceptable, and there is, strictly speaking, no correct way.

 

[dhermann1]

Well, since Hawaiian spelling is completely phonetic, if it were ukelele it would be pronounced "ooh kay lay lay". But it's actually pronouned "ooh koo lay lay", which means it should be ukulele.
I didn't spend 2 year in Hawaii without learning somethin'.
Anyway, my coworker got a uke for her son, don't know what kind. I'm sure he'll be pleased.
The currant ukulele fad among youngsters is hilarious.

 

[skyvue]

Well, since Hawaiian spelling is completely phonetic, if it were ukelele it would be pronounced "ooh kay lay lay". But it's actually pronouned "ooh koo lay lay", which means it should be ukulele.

Hey, don't tell me -- tell Ukelele Ike!

 

[Big_e]

Lots of spanish speakers spell and pronounce the word "ukelele". That and "yu-ka-lay-lee" may have seeped in to compete with the correct spelling and pronounciation of "ukulele".
Listen to how this guy from Hawaii Music Supply pronounces ukulele. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0xnNs56GsI&videos=0C9eiZxSJCs .
Ernest

 

[Silver Dollar]

Wow, I didn't realize there was a bass uke. I knew there was the baritone but I never saw a bass. Cool instrument.

 

[Puzzicato]

The currant ukulele fad among youngsters is hilarious.

Is it because of Glee ?