Ok I've searched the forums and going to break down and ask. I've been playing a Lanikai lu-11 for about 3 months now and have decided I like playing a ukulele more than a guitar. Although I have small hands a soprano is just too small for me to make some chords without muting strings. Pretty much have decided on a concert size mostly because I like the sound. Local stores are lacking in any selection to try out. Budget is about $150-200. Looking for bang for the buck.
2nd ukulele
- Thread starter RC3291
- Start date
I would have to include a KPK concert in any "bang for the buck" uke in this price range. I have the concert cutaway with Aquila strings and it has the bright woody bark of ukes costing several times as much. I also just bought a soprano concert necked pineapple. It's great for a soprano bodied uke, but the concert "blows it away." Some awful pretty acacia coming from KPK lately. A lot of well set-up solid spruce topped ukes from Uke Republic, MIMS, and theukulelesite.
http://pilikoko.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=66
Not a bad $200 concert, all solid mahogany A/E Cutaway, cool tortoise binding: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kala-SMHCE-...588?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed6d056f4
Nice clean vintage Harmony: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Har...341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2595865b55
Could do worse than this Islander:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Islander-by...205?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce656e915
http://pilikoko.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=66
Not a bad $200 concert, all solid mahogany A/E Cutaway, cool tortoise binding: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kala-SMHCE-...588?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed6d056f4
Nice clean vintage Harmony: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Har...341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2595865b55
Could do worse than this Islander:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Islander-by...205?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce656e915
Last edited:
itsme
Well-known member
Used will give you the best bang for your buck. Keep an eye on the Marketplace here and at fleamarketmusic.com as well as your local craigslist.
If you can save up for a bit and up your limit to $300, your choices for a better quality uke greatly increase. Mainland makes some really nice ukes <$300.
this link is a little old but it should help you
http://theukulelereview.com/2013/10/03/9-tenors-under-200-video-review/
http://theukulelereview.com/2013/10/03/9-tenors-under-200-video-review/
May not be too unhappy with this one either: http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?97443-FS-FT-Ohana-Thinline-Tenor
Even with wood differences, strings and just as important to getting the tone you want. All mahogany, mellower, spruce top/acacia, brighter, but then strings can change that too. Kind of wood less important in lower priced ukes than better quality, all solid wood ones. Amazing what an extra $50 to $100 will get you. As has been said here on UU, most important quality in a uke player is patience.
My vote is for Ohana CK-20s from Mim http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...gany-Top-Setup-Ukulele-Uke-x986-/171435637399
Solid mahogany top and Mim will make sure it's a player. Slap on some Worth Browns and you have a great sounding uke
Solid mahogany top and Mim will make sure it's a player. Slap on some Worth Browns and you have a great sounding uke
Thanks guys for the info. I might have to stretch the budget a little up to $250 including shipping. Paying a little more for something I won't have to have worked on to make it playable is ok. I'm trying to avoid UAS by buying something I'll be happy with long term without breaking the bank. Both the Mainland and KPK say they are solid wood which should sound better. Nothing is going to happen today so I'll watch the post for a few more days to see if anyone had other input.
Last edited:
actadh
Well-known member
Hawaiian Music Supply has two Luna solid cedar top concerts with electrics and two Luna solid spruce top all acoustic concerts in that price range. I have one of the spruce ones and love it.
costaricadave
Well-known member
Mainland makes good lower priced ukes
TheCraftedCow
Well-known member
Concert idea
As I take different ukes to our different meetings, one seems to really stand out. It is the Eddy Finn Travel concert. The sound is surprising both in quantity and qualiity. The price at $125 is quite surprising as well.
It has become my daily driver if I have to pick only one. I have a new one in a box for 125.oo plus 15.00 shipping Send me a Private Message if you are interested in knowing more. The closed gear tuners look like the Gotoh sgh318, and the strings are reentrant Aquila white.
As I take different ukes to our different meetings, one seems to really stand out. It is the Eddy Finn Travel concert. The sound is surprising both in quantity and qualiity. The price at $125 is quite surprising as well.
It has become my daily driver if I have to pick only one. I have a new one in a box for 125.oo plus 15.00 shipping Send me a Private Message if you are interested in knowing more. The closed gear tuners look like the Gotoh sgh318, and the strings are reentrant Aquila white.
Might be able to get this for a steal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gretsch-Gui...679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce921076f
Or this Cordoba concert with a solid mahogany top: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cordoba-Uku...248?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f4650fa8
Or this Cordoba concert with a solid mahogany top: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cordoba-Uku...248?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f4650fa8
Last edited:
Or you could consider saving up a little more and get a Pono AC (Acacia), MC (Mahogany) or MGC (Mango) in the 300$ range. They are all solid wood and sound great. I think they're really worth the extra money.
Ok after much thought and research does anyone have experience with the Islander MSC-4? Solid mahogany and well within my budget with a case. I know the neck is 1/8 inch wider which combined with the concert neck should take care of my too much finger syndrome. I have noodled with a guitar for many years so I don't see the neck as a problem. Most of what I have read other than the wider neck they are pretty well liked. Here's a link http://www.theukulelesite.com/islander-solid-concert-msc-4.html
If I were in your shoes, I'd snag this one quick. You aren't likely to get anything this good anywhere near this price. It's your "bang for the buck" in my opinion. Never owned one, but have only read good things about them. You can fine tune your sound with different strings if you like.
eqt2010
Well-known member
For this price, I would get one immediately if I were you. It's very good.
