Ukulele?

  • Thread starter Thread starter wes480
  • Start date Start date
wes480

wes480

New member
I really want to get a Ukulele...I play guitar pretty well, I don't think Ukulele is very hard to play at all is it? Pretty easy to make chords and such.

Anyways, how much do I need to spend for a decent one? And where/at which should I be looking?

I was thinking of going down to a pawn shop or something...but, I don't mind spending some $ for nice instruments. I figure a Ukulele would never be a bad thing to have around.

Especially when alcohol is being consumed...hehe.
 
well, i called some local music stores...and, they all run around 30 bucks...so I guess that's just the thing.

One guy at a local shop told me that all of the really good ones come from Hawaii, but they won't export them.

Said someone got an all KOA Uk from there, that he brought back...and it was beautiful. Then the shop owner called the guy in Hawaii that made them, and he was like nah...I make and sell all i can, thank you, buy.

I'll get this cheap one...I'm sure I'll be in Hawaii sometime within the next 5 years or so.
 
haha, wow..

http://www.ukes.com/ukes.html

1200 bucks for a Ukulele..i think not ;)

One question though...do I want a Baritone or a Sporano uke?

Just looking for that classic strum along while singing my tunes sound....the Baritone is what I am most tempted to go with. but, I'll hold off for a bit.
 
As QC Supervisor for Rhythm Band Instruments,I am practically "Mr.Uke".I tune em,string em,repair em and occasionally get to destroy a few!
Look for geared machine heads like a guitar has, as opposed to friction pegs ala a violin.The nylon strings are gonna stretch like Mr. Fantastic anyway...
Baritone is approx. 30" in length.Strung D - G - B - E like a guitar's bottom strings
Soprano is approx. 20" in length.Strung (old style) A - D - F# - B or (since about the 20s) G - C - E - A,with the string closest to the ceiling (in playing position) tuned up one octave (8va or ottava alta).This is the famous "My dog has fleas" tuning.
Most cheapo ukes have soft brass frets.Look for nickle-plated steel frets.Good luck in your search!

Oh yeah,p.s.: A couple of years ago,I was contacted by a Hawaiin uke maker and we discussed the business.It turns out the many Japanese immigrants in Hawaii give ornate,very expensive (several grand each) Koa ukes as graduation presents for High School seniors.The market for high-end koa ukes is also big in Japan.
 
tom - thanks for the info...so, to me as a newbie buyer...

that Baritone one from Musicians friend does have geared tuners. I don't see anything about brass/nickel though...

The soprano one they have has friction pegs - so that one is out.

I'll buy the baritone one but my only question still is if that is what I want...I see your info on the tunings...but

I just want that classic ukulele "sing along" sound...will a Baritone give that to me? Or is it going to sound different than what I am used to hearing? I didn't know there were so many types of uke's.

For instance, Tiny Tim - that Tulips song of his, would a Baritone Uke sound like that?

Or is that markedly Soprano?

Does the place you work for ship them by any chance? Becuase if I could find one you reccomended with geared pegs, nickel frets, and, either Baritone or Soprano..whichever way you tell me to go...etc...I'd go for that.

-Wes
 
Ah Wes,
There are several options you have. First thing, remember, an instrument is as easy or as hard as you want it to be. People are playing rag time on the uke, and making it work.
First, go here:
http://www.flea-mkt-music.com/bulletin/default.asp
and read every thing that ecen looks like it might pertain to you.
Second, I play an Applause ukulele, It's a black, acoustic electric,
I got it from Elderly:
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/180N.htm
Tiny Tim sound was usually soprano, and In my opinion, a soprano is what the ukulele is about, I'm not too fond of the other sizes, but, a lot of other players swear by concert size, so spend some time and learn a little bout what you like.
Here's a link to a guy who is one of the best, and most honest ukulele sales people there is, Roy T. Cone
http://www.ukuleleworld.com/
I belong to Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum, you might want to check it out as well:
http://ukulele.org/
If I can help further, just let me know.
Here's a link to the first song I recorded with the Ukulele, It's an old song from the 1920's that the Dead redid around 1967:
Anyway, it's how I hear it...(lol)
http://www.geocities.com/dyuob/overseasrename.html
(done on a Fostex MR 8, btw)
Ukulele's are great instruments, they are a gas to play.
 
one of my friends has one.....he took the two high strings off of it, moved the strings down to the middle of it, and tuned it to a bass. its really funny. needless to say, hes a dummer.

freak
 
For the sound I think you are looking for a baritone uke would only be effective mixed in with soprano ukes.

You can't lose money on an old Martin uke. Check out ebay.
 
The great advantage of the baritone for guitar players is that the fingerings are identical,the D - G - B - E tuning is the bottom four strings of the guitar.
The soprano IS the definative image and sound of the uke historically.However the tuning might confuse an experienced guitar player.In other words,place your fingers in the familiar D chord triangle shape and (with the modern C tuning) you are actually playing an G major.
Yes,my company sells both types.No great shakes,just typical economy models.Here's a link...
http://www.rhythmband.com/guitar_ukuleles.html
But I don't want to undermine whatever credibility I may have on this board with spam,so choose your uke by comparing the prices and features of the different kinds you see available.Happy hunting!
By the way,when Paul McCartney was on TV recently during his Back In The USA tour,he talked about carrying a uke with him in taxis etc. so that he could always have an instrument at hand to play and try out musical ideas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top