My first Ukulele?

Aloha! I am new to ukulele's, but I have been playing guitar for a while. I think that it would be fun to challenge myself with a new instrument again. My cousin's have a ukulele that I have used and picked up on fast, however theirs is on the cheaper end, and although I am no expert, I can tell that the strings are cheap, and that it will echo quite a bit.

From the research I have done, I have come up with a few things I want:
1. Concert size
2. Solid Wood
3. Nice strings (Don't need replacing when you first get it)

I am also trying to find one with these expectations for under 200 dollars, if that is at all possible.

If you have any models or companies that you think would be good for me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

Hi abby_J - Hawaiian Music Supply (HMS) does wonderful setups on their ukuleles. I bought a Luna and a KoAloha from them. They just got in two solid mahogany Luna concerts with Aquila strings priced at $199. http://www.theukulelesite.com/shop-by/brand/luna.html

I love my solid spruce top Luna - nice sustain and the neck feels wonderful.

abby_J said:

Aloha! I am new to ukulele's, but I have been playing guitar for a while. I think that it would be fun to challenge myself with a new instrument again. My cousin's have a ukulele that I have used and picked up on fast, however theirs is on the cheaper end, and although I am no expert, I can tell that the strings are cheap, and that it will echo quite a bit.

From the research I have done, I have come up with a few things I want:
1. Concert size
2. Solid Wood
3. Nice strings (Don't need replacing when you first get it)

I am also trying to find one with these expectations for under 200 dollars, if that is at all possible.

If you have any models or companies that you think would be good for me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

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I bought my soprano Flea third-hand for $150 ... from a local friend who bought it second-hand on EBay because he wanted the case it came with. New they are more than $200, but I would bet you can get a good deal on EBay on a used one. I've been playing mine for over a year now, and I absolutely love it. I have tried many ukes, and I have never played one I like nearly as much. It sounds great, looks cool, and is super easy to play. And yeah, they come in concert size too.

It does benefit from a string change. The Aquila Nylguts it comes with are good. The Martin M600 fluorocarbons I replaced them with are ever so much better. They are about $5, available at local music stores (or online), and the Flea is super easy to restring. If I were you, I would drop your requirement #3. A good set of replacement strings will transform most beginner ukes into a whole other level of instrument, costs next to nothing, and is really easy to install.

I love this question every time it comes up. I remember asking it myself not even a year ago.

I HIGHLY recommend Ohana Ukuleles for your first one. Not only do they come with premium strings, but Ohana sets up ALL of their instruments:

Ohana CK-25S: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ohana-CK-25...Mahogany-/221589509891?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/CK25S.htm

or

Ohana CK-35S: http://cargo.ukerepublic.com/product/ohana-ck-35s You can't go wrong buying from Uke Republic. They will also do a full set-up on the instruments they sell and also include a gig bag.

If these are above your budget, Ohana does have a solid wood top only option:

Ohana CK-20S: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...gany-Top-Setup-Ukulele-Uke-x986-/171435637399 Can't go wrong buying from Mim either! She has the same service as Uke Republic.

Choose my recommendation!

Buy best you can afford….. and I'd go solid wood. I have a Fluke and like it a lot but sound on my first ukulele - Pono AT continues to amaze me for the price. That said…... Mainland, Pono, KoAloha or their Opio new import line all get good ratings. If you are going to be rough on your Ukulele, a Flea or fluke is a nice instrument and with poly keyboard intonation is excellent.

Forgot to mention… who you buy from and set up is the most important thing besides getting the size you like. A properly set up ukulele will keep you wanting to play and learn more. A crappy set up or crappy and cheap ukulele may have you putting it down and losing interest.