Uke suggestions under $300

[Dalmationdexter]

I know a lot about guitars but nothing about ukulele's. A friend has a daughter graduating from college and she is an incredible singer. He is thinking a uke for a graduation gift. Looking for good value at the lower end of the scale.

Sincerely appreciate any input.

Cheers,
Mike

[blue]

$300 is an awkward price point.

I have a Magic Fluke uke. There are some good fluke packages for right at $200. Seriously check some Youtube reviews. Very loud. Great intonation. USA made. Don't confuse it with a plastic uke. It's more like an early Ovation guitar. They have the triangle shaped Fluke, and the smaller bodied pineapple shaped Flea. They have concert and tenor.

To beat the tone and playability you have to spend a LOT more. You can get all kinds of woods, colors, and laser etching for more money, but here's a nice package for a good price.

https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Fluke-M...=fluke+ukulele

here's a review of the flea model, which has a smaller body than the fluke I linked to above.

[Ceabeceabe]

Check out Islander Ukulele. Supervised by the great owners of Kanile'a ukulele !!

[Fairlight]

Another great brand is Kala. Go with a Tenor size. My daughter loves mine.

[lfoo6952]

Mike:

I play ukulele and am a member of a forum called Ukulele Underground. I can't give you a recommendation at your price point because I buy only high end ukuleles, however the members at that forum highly recommend dealing with Mim's Ukuleles: http://mimsukes.com/

She has models at all price points. I've never dealt with her but the feedback I've read are all positive.

[Cross Roads]

I'm a bit partial to my Fluke concert.
I see them listed new for under $200.
Not a traditional look, but sound above their price point.

[mstuartev]

Mainland Ukes are good
http://www.mainlandukuleles.com/

believe they are offshore, but they are set up here in the states
often he has a few seconds that are much less. I spent way less than $300 for a tenor and a nice case

[lespaul_79]

Mainland is a great bang for the buck. I have one for sale here.
It's so loud and clear. Very satisfying to play as opposed to some ukes that feel like toys. A great instrument (not just b/c I'm selling it.)

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...91#post5182491

Here's some reviews of the red cedar model. Only difference is mind is pineapple shape... which I think adds to the Hawaiian mojo.
Mainland has a cult following on ukuleleunderground.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q5f-ds9RWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKw93kNso6M&t=127s

[Dalmationdexter]

You folks are awesome. Thank you so much. Lots to go on.

Cheers!
Mike

[Guitartanzon]

I play mostly uke, have had about 100 ukes passed my hands all kinds, makes and prices.

300 bucks spend, for all solid wood

Mainland,

Ohana,

any Pono used or on a
sale
-...........................

What not to buy,
eddie finn, Lanakai, lower end Kala, Oscar schmidth, Luna,
anything they sell in guitar centers or stores like that.

What do I play now

Kamaka tenor and Deering Uke Banjo

[guitom]

I have a couple limited Kala ovangkol ukes that I like a lot. Nice inlays and gloss finish and wood bindings. There is a concert for $219 on reverb now for a concert.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Dalmationdexter

I know a lot about guitars but nothing about ukulele's. A friend has a daughter graduating from college and she is an incredible singer. He is thinking a uke for a graduation gift. Looking for good value at the lower end of the scale.

Sincerely appreciate any input.

Cheers,
Mike

Hi Mike
I own an Oscar Schmidt Baritone ukulele with a solid Spruce top which sounds and plays great which was $135.00ish on Amazon dot com.

I also have a MaKala laminate, which is surprisingly good sounding and playing which cost me $80.00.

I've used them with guitar students to help them focus on inversions. I chose baritone because it tunes identically to a standard acoustic guitar (same range and same pitches).

Just as with the guitar world, ukulele can be found with surprisingly good construction and good playable action (which sound fine) from moderately expensive to hand-built and very expensive.

[Br1ck]

Kick in another hundred and get a Pono. Really wonderful ukes. Mango, mahogany, or acacia, all are really great values. I have their MT.

[jimmy bookout]

Originally Posted by mstuartev

Mainland Ukes are good
http://www.mainlandukuleles.com/

believe they are offshore, but they are set up here in the states
often he has a few seconds that are much less. I spent way less than $300 for a tenor and a nice case

I'll second Mainland. I've had an all Mahogany Tenor for going on 8 years now (along with 2 Kanileas) and the Mainland punches WAY above it's weight, price point wise. Sounds great, well built, plays great, just a whole lot of ukulele for not a lot of dough. I would also offer that Mainlands are all solid wood which is somewhat rare in this price category, many in the $300 range will have solid tops and laminate b/s.

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by Dalmationdexter

I know a lot about guitars but nothing about ukulele's. A friend has a daughter graduating from college and she is an incredible singer. He is thinking a uke for a graduation gift. Looking for good value at the lower end of the scale.

Sincerely appreciate any input.

Cheers,
Mike

Does she play already?

You know what are really fun, are resonator ukes. if she performs in public it's an automatic attention getter - "Hey what's that? Looks cool!"

Gretsch, Kala, Luna all have reso ukes that can be had for right around $300. Another $130 or so will get you a Recording King or a Gold Tone.

Here's some reviews:

http://www.ukulelemag.com/gear-revie...-blood-flowing