#1
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Advice for buying first uke
I am looking to purchase my first uke and would like to pay under $400 US dollars. I have been playing guitar for years and picked up a uke at a BBQ last weekend and had a blast-keep in mind this was a toy.
I am leaning towards a tenor 4-string that is all hog and preferably solid wood. I have no need for a pickup and am not looking for a cutaway. I have very limited experience with different brands and will take any advice I can get. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate the feedback. Barry |
#2
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I would suggest calling Mim. Tell her what you are looking for and what your budget is. She will set you up and do a great set up on your new uke.
I have purchased many Ukes from her. They always sound and play great. https://mimsukes.com/
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Thanks, Vic Martin OOO-10E Bristol BB-16 Over a dozen ukuleles. My YouTube channel- https://youtube.com/c/VicSchmeltz |
#3
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The intermediate-to-advanced players in out senior center's uke group mostly play Kala and Ohana tenors in the $400 range (my wife has one of the latter) - IME you might want to start there...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#4
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Hi I agree with vcs700s and Steve.
1. Call Mim at Mims ukes, Ive bought 2 ukes from her and setup is spot on. 2. Yes, Kala and Ohana make nice ukes, I personally prefer Ohana, bought 2 of them, a spruce top and an all mahogany, both from Mims. Good luck!
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#5
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If you are comfortable with used and old instruments then you should consider a vintage pre war mahogany Martin in that price range. Those are by far the best sounding ukes I have played, and I have played many and own some high end ones. Of course it will take considerable effort to become knowledgeable about them and finding one in great condition. But they are out there...
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#6
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Given your price range, my favorite tenor that can be purchased for less than $500 has got to be the Cordoba 30T. Retail on Reverb comes in at just under $400.
Solid mahogany throughout, Spanish heel construction, 12 frets to the neck joint, they sound really sweet snd are light and responsive. I particularly like the neck carve on them, a very comfortable flattened C shape with a nice wide nut width sets it apart from the usual PacRim “broom stick” neck carves. Another possibility is the Kanilea “Islander” MST4. Again, just under $400, solid mahogany throughout. Nice neck carve, decent playability. The build quality is a bit iffy sometimes but they sound sweet and play nicely. The pin bridge is a bit wonky… but it works well enough. My choice of those two is definitely the Cordoba… but either is decent, and I’ve owned both, and sold both off to raise $$ for my higher-end Kiwaya koa tenor.
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Martin 000-17SM Supro 2030 Hampton Taylor 562ce 12 X 12 Taylor GS Mini-e Spruce/Rosewood Waterloo WL-S Wechter TO-8418 Cordoba 24T tenor ukulele Kanile'a Islander MST-4 tenor ukulele Kiwaya KTC-1 concert ukulele Kolohe concert ukulele Mainland Mahogany soprano ukulele Ohana SK-28 soprano ukulele Brüko No. 6 soprano ukulele |
#7
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Pono MT would be my recommendation. I have the acacia version and it is awesome.
Also check out the ukulele site if you’re buying online. Best online uke store there is IMO. Even if you don’t buy from them they have a ton of great video demos for every model they carry. And they have cool podcast type videos on YouTube. Their YouTube channel is called Hawaii music supply. Their website is theukulelesite.com. |
#8
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#9
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Also checkout mainland ukuleles. I haven’t tried one myself but I hear great things about them and almost bought one.
You might want to check out gotaukulele reviews on YouTube or his website. He has reviewed hundreds of ukes from high end luthier instruments to cheap Amazon junk and everything in between. Including all the brands mentioned in this thread. |
#10
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Cordoba and Pono would both be good choices, and be a lifetime uke (though that is silly, no one buys just one.....).
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#11
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My Pono is all the uke I'll need. A tenor is a good size, but that Hawaiian strum is the bomb on a soprano, but a one trick pony.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#12
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Don't buy your first uke!
It will lead to your second uke, your third uke, your fourth uke, your fifth uke, etc.
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Rob Hanesworth Not tryin' to brag, or nuthin', but I own a guitar. |
#13
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Good one.
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I'm a lefty. ----------------- Sunday's on the phone to Monday, Tuesday's on the phone to me........ |
#14
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#15
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Kala, Pono, Islander are great starts.
Concert or tenor. If you can find one in koa it would be a more traditional start. Mahogany is not as “bright” tonally. Even an acacia will trump it…in my opinion. Aloha Alan
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2014 Paul ‘Woolson Signature, “the Samurai” 2014 Keystone MD Germ/ABW 2011 Huss & Dalton Custom OM M Ital/Snkr 1980 Nakade classical, Spruce/EIR and... a bunch of ukulele |