Ukulele

JCH

JCH

El Nacho
I got an Uke over the weekend. It's really nothing special. Just a cheap chinese one. I think it's concert size. The scale is around 13 5/8". Overall it measures 23 1/2" long. I can't put this thing down. It's really making me want a nicer one to play. Does anyone have recommendations In The $100-$200 range. I'm going to shop around some, and see what's available locally. I'd Like something the same size. Not a tenor or a bari.

HMMM? I wonder how an under the saddle piezo would sound... Any Ideas?
 
JCH said:
I got an Uke over the weekend. It's really nothing special. Just a cheap chinese one. I think it's concert size. The scale is around 13 5/8". Overall it measures 23 1/2" long. I can't put this thing down. It's really making me want a nicer one to play. Does anyone have recommendations In The $100-$200 range. I'm going to shop around some, and see what's available locally. I'd Like something the same size. Not a tenor or a bari.

HMMM? I wonder how an under the saddle piezo would sound... Any Ideas?
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32-20 blues will get round to ya with this one.
 
Oh and if you need a cheap gig bag to carry a ukulele in, check the thrift shops for an old tennis racket bag, I use one for a uke I built from a kit. A uke will fit in it very well..
 
The Washburn/Lyons ukes they carry at Costco over here are not half bad for the price (definitely in your price range). To get a really decent starter uke you're going to have to pay significantly more.
 
Used to be you could get a nice Favilla for $50-60, I think they've gone up recently. Favilla was a maker in the early-mid 1900's, very playable ukes.
 
The Flea and Fluke ukes are reported to be great for the money, and you should be able to get one within your price range.

Check out Pono's and Ohana's too. (An all solid mahogany Ohana concert should be under 200 bucks)
 
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Ukes are super fun. I have one that I bought as a souvenier in Hawaii on my honeymoon. It's got horrible intonation, etc., but it's fun to play, no doubt. I too would really like one that plays in tune up the neck, etc. Unfortunately it's down pretty far on my wish list....
 
andyhix said:
Ukes are super fun. I have one that I bought as a souvenier in Hawaii on my honeymoon. It's got horrible intonation, etc., but it's fun to play, no doubt. I too would really like one that plays in tune up the neck, etc. Unfortunately it's down pretty far on my wish list....
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Some of the problem is that most guitarists play ukuleles the same way they play guitars; you really don't need to press down the strings as hard. Maybe that will at least help with your intonation.
 
Thanks for the replies. I was out of town for a couple days, and didn't have a chance to respond. I leveled the frets, filed the nut, and restrung mine. It's much more playable now, although the intonation rather stinks. I'm going to drive around, and shop locally tomorrow. MF seems to have a pretty good assortment. I like the looks of this Mitchell for $100. I'd really like to see one in person.
 

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JCH said:
Thanks for the replies. I was out of town for a couple days, and didn't have a chance to respond. I leveled the frets, filed the nut, and restrung mine. It's much more playable now, although the intonation rather stinks. I'm going to drive around, and shop locally tomorrow. MF seems to have a pretty good assortment. I like the looks of this Mitchell for $100. I'd really like to see one in person.
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It sure looks beautiful. Solid top?
 
There's a substantial number of relatively inexpensive uke around these days. Some decent and some terrible.

I've not tried the Mitchell so I can't offer an opinion on it. The Fluke, as odd in appearance as it is, plays very well, sounds remarkably good and is in your price range. I bought my 11 year old daughter one to hack aound on so she wouldn't ding up my Martins and Gibson. It has good intonation and, with a plastic body (but with a wood top), is pretty indestructible compared to a typical wood uke. If you pursue one, get the Fluke (concert size) and not the Flea (soprano size). Depending on how you want to string it, be aware that the frets are plastic and part of the fretboard -- i.e., you can't use metal wrapped strings or they will trash the frets. A wood fretboard with metal fret wires is an option. The electric version of the Fluke is very cool, but a bit pricey IMHO.

Along the same lines, Ovation also makes a line of ukes that looks quite interesting and appears to be priced quite reasonably - although I've never played one. While I'm not a big fan of their guitars, lots of other people like them and I'd assume they know what they are doing with uke construction.

Here's a site you might find interesting as they offer a large number of different brands:

http://www.ukes.com/

Have fun!
 
I recently picked up a used KAMAKA for $25 at a flea market. I often see old ukes at flea markets and antique stores. There are thousands of them in peoples attics that haven't been played since 1930 and they show up at estate sales and junk shops in small towns throughout the midwest. I have bought several over the years and usually give them to my grandkids along with a few lessons. There is nothing better than seeing the look on a 5 year old face the first time they make music.


chazba
 
i also have a cheapo a got in hawaii a few years ago. the tuners suck so bad on it that when i tune it, the string tension unwinds the peg. sucks.

i was wanting to try the ovation one, but ive never seen it anywhere. thats something i dont want to buy without trying it
 
liv_rong said:
i also have a cheapo a got in hawaii a few years ago. the tuners suck so bad on it that when i tune it, the string tension unwinds the peg. sucks.

i was wanting to try the ovation one, but ive never seen it anywhere. thats something i dont want to buy without trying it
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Friction tuners? Just take a screwdriver to the back of them, tighten them up until it takes an effort for you to turn them. Should be better.

The Ovations are supposed to be great, I know plenty of people who swear by them.
 
I still have the old Dixon uke my folks bought me when I was two years old, and dad did not want be beating on his Swedish classical guitar... I play it sometimes just for fun, and I am even thinking about getting one just for playing live! I don't want to take my childhood friend out on the road with me, I don't think Oskar could take the stress.... I used to sleep with that thing when I was 2-3 years of age....

I am still a little shocked that it plays today, after all I put it through in my youth....
 
pohaku said:
Uke Porn!:D
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Niiiiice!

Who made the tiple? I've got an old T-28 that I love. It's a bitch to keep tuned, though, as I'm sure you know.

IMG_2255.jpg


(sorry for the highjack, you may return to your regular programming)
 
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