Outdoor Ukeleles

[drgroovinmind]

Here are all the Plastic Uke's that Elderly Sells. Have bought a couple of the Waterman ones as Gifts. They Intonate and Function Correctly and actually sound alright.
https://www.elderly.com/instruments/...l=661&limit=50

[The Bard Rocks]

Someone earlier had mentioned a Blackbird. Though many of my friends play them, I am not a big fan of ukes, but one friend has a Blackbird and I really like how it sounds. I have played their guitars and they are quality instrument, not cheap in any sense of the word.

[Matt McGriff]

I own one of the original black soprano Outdoor Ukes and I have to say that it is just so-so. It doesn't ring at all, sounds dull, the neck is a square shape and the tuners are terrible. Sure it is bombproof, and will serve its purpose of providing you with something to play around with on a camping trip, but I wouldn't use it to make music for someone else to enjoy. It's not musical. Maybe their tenor model is better.

[Matt McGriff]

I own one of the original black soprano Outdoor Ukes and I have to say that it is just so-so. It doesn't ring at all, sounds dull, the neck is a square shape and the tuners are terrible. Sure it is bombproof, and will serve its purpose of providing you with something to play around with on a camping trip, but I wouldn't use it to make music for someone else to enjoy. It's not musical. Maybe their tenor model is better.

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by nedley

How about a carbon fiber one?
I think there's others but I know blackbird has a nice one

https://www.blackbirdguitar.com/prod...oncert-ukulele

Not cheap but they sound great and would do ok in a car year round

I have one of these and it is a real trooper!

[D-utim]

Thanks, I learned a lot from all the replies, even how to spell ukulele.

[frankmcr]

Get a Fluke. Around $180-215 street price for the basic model which is what you want for the purpose you mentioned: laminate top/thermoplastic body/maple neck/polycarbonte fretboard. Made in USA, over 55,000 sold. Solid pedigree: it was designed by Dale Webb, brother-in-law of Jim Beloff who was hugely important in the ukulele revival that began in the 1990s.

[jljohn]

What's up with all the harshness here! So the OP wants a Uke to keep in the car. Here's an idea--help him find one.

OP, I would expect ANY glued wood instrument to come apart under tension in summer car heat. My understanding of most carbon fiber instruments is that they are either molded (of CF and epoxy) or molded and bolted. Typically, the only connection that relies solely on glue (epoxy, not white, yellow, or hide glue) is the fingerboard to the neck. So, I would expect most any major manufacturer's CF instrument to be just fine in a hot car. Obviously, it's a costly venture!

I can't speak to the Plastic instruments, like you linked to, but you could always ask the mfg about heat tolerance.

[cary]

Originally Posted by Kruton

But a little laminate uke will do the job just fine. Lots and lots of people do exactly this

I think you are mistaken, but of course it depends where you live, and how hot it gets in your car in the summer time.

The reality is that glue melts, and seams come apart, on pretty much any wooden instrument when heat is applied for a lengthy amount of time.

Of course, YMMV.

[The Bard Rocks]

There are simple precautions one can easily take that will protect in inexpensive but reasonably well-made instrument. Crack the windows a bit, put a mylar (reflective) cover over a blanket which in turn is over your instrument. That will take an extra 30 seconds after you park and will probably take care of all but the very worst conditions.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by jljohn

I can't speak to the Plastic instruments, like you linked to, but you could always ask the mfg about heat tolerance.

The manufacturer claims -40 to +240 F. The more I look at them the more I am tempted to get one just for the sheer novelty. Assuming the company actually is still in business.

[PiousDevil]

If OP was looking into a Ukulele (which he doesn't play) to survive outdoors and in cars, and the suggestion was made that he would be better served with a carbon fiber Ukulele, wouldn't OP be best served to just get a carbon fiber guitar (which he, presumably, does play)?

[ac]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

The manufacturer claims -40 to +240 F. The more I look at them the more I am tempted to get one just for the sheer novelty. Assuming the company actually is still in business.

Elderly's ukes are also polycarbonate.

[jgmaute]

Kala is one of our (Guitars In The Classroom) sponsors and I personally have given a couple hundred Waterman ukuleles to teachers (for them and/or their students) in our program. Is it the best ukulele? No and you wouldn't expect it to be with a street price around $40-$45. It is fantastic for our use. Where it shines is (in no specific order)

• it holds a tune (good tuners and Aquila Super Nylgut® Strings),
• it is made of ABS Composite Plastic and pretty indestructible (I gave one to my granddaughter for Christmas, she was 2 1/2 first she played with it, now she plays it in open C),
• the action is good and it sounds good, not great but good
• it can take heat and humidity changes,
• it comes with a simple back-pack type bag,
• you can spray it down with a disinfectant (important for school use)
• and you can restring it lefty and still have position markers on the side of the fret board.

You can check out all the options here Kala Waterman and Ukadelic

I think one would meet the needs of the OP.

[Neal]

Have you decided? Tons of good advice given. Mine is mixed in all, but heavier in a few. Keep in mind it's probably not the first uke you'll have, so go with your gut (..or pocketbook),can't lose.