Please help me choosing a ukulele

yenyen1995 · Nov 8, 2012

Hi,

Can anyone please help me choose a tenor ukulele?
I really want a tenor. I have an LU-21 standard uke and I want an upgrade.

My price range is between $100-low 200s.
I want a great looking ukulele
Great playability
Great tone
Basically what anyone would want in their ukes.

If it's on amazon, I'd be really pleased. Thank you for your time.

connor013 · Nov 8, 2012

I haven't played one, but on your budget I'd consider this:

http://www.amazon.com/Gretsch-Roots-Collection-Standard-Ukulele/dp/B008HYKF1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1352337991&sr=8-2&keywords=gretsch+tenor+ukulele

Or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Ohana-TK-20-Tenor-Mahogany-Laminated/dp/B004FWT4TC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1352338084&sr=8-6&keywords=ohana+tenor+ukulele

Regardless of what you choose, keep us posted. And welcome to UU!

Cheers.

ukemunga · Nov 8, 2012

It's time for the "buy from a dealer that does setups" post. And it's true. The following are members here and do a proper setup on every uke shipped. It can make a world of difference.

In no particular order: HMS or Hawaii Music Supply, Mim's Ukes, Uke Republic, Mainland Ukes and my apologies if I've missed someone.

Check their sites in your price range and ask about those you like. A little window shopping is in order...

Lalz · Nov 8, 2012

Usually, around the 3rd or 4th reply someone recommends a Mainland

I can't vouch for them yet because I've never played one and only got one on order, but they have really good reputation. People seem to love them.
Tips: don't buy from Amazon. If you order online, order from a uke specialist who will set it up for you. Doesn't cost more, and it makes a world of difference in how enjoyable it is to play.
Where in the world are you based?

Lalz · Nov 8, 2012

ukemunga said:
It's time for the "buy from a dealer that does setups" post. And it's true. The following are members here and do a proper setup on every uke shipped. It can make a world of difference.

In no particular order: HMS or Hawaii Music Supply, Mim's Ukes, Uke Republic, Mainland Ukes and my apologies if I've missed someone.

Check their sites in your price range and ask about those you like. A little window shopping is in order...

Haha, you beat me to it

Ukelix · Nov 8, 2012

yenyen1995 said:
Hi,

Can anyone please help me choose a tenor ukulele?
I really want a tenor. I have an LU-21 standard uke and I want an upgrade.

My price range is between $100-low 200s.
I want a great looking ukulele
Great playability
Great tone
Basically what anyone would want in their ukes.

If it's on amazon, I'd be really pleased. Thank you for your time.

Hi Yenyen1995, and welcome to the UU.

First, I want to join in in the choir of "buy from a dealer that does setups", a few of trustworthy and competent have already been mentioned. depending on where in the world you reside, there might be others.

Second, please understand that a tenor ukulele is not per se an "upgrade" from a soprano, but just a bigger instrument with a longer scale, and hence probably a fuller sound as well. An upgrade from your LU21 (which is a nice instrument, i started with a LU11 and still love it) would rather be a "nicer" soprano, maybe something made from massive wood instead of laminate, or something with fancier looks, better playability and such.

kauaijim · Nov 8, 2012

Pono on eBay from the seller in Wahiawa. Factory second that you won't be able to see the flaw. Solid mahogany.

missameeames · Nov 8, 2012

You could purchase a Koa Pili Koko direct from Jason through amazon.com, and it will arrive beautifully setup. You'll see more options and it seems a little bit cheaper if you purchase through his website, http://www.pilikoko.com, and then use the amazon checkout from there.

(I'm also in the "buy from a dealer that does setups" camp, but I wanted to throw the KPK out there since you prefer amazon)

The Big Kahuna · Nov 8, 2012

yenyen1995 said:
My price range is between $100-low 200s.
I want a great looking ukulele

The Fender NoHea fulfills those criteria. The rest depend on personal opinion, but I love mine.

(Any excuse to post another picture of it)

yenyen1995 · Nov 10, 2012

Lalou said:
Where in the world are you based?

I'm from California.

I thank everyone for suggesting.

gitarzan · Nov 10, 2012

Get out to the stores and play as many as you can. You can't beat hands on feel.

coolkayaker1 · Nov 10, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBmEHVcZvB8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra-pDw5nRI4

Two videos from the lovely (and highly recommended) HMS with ukes under $200!

Enjoy!

P.S> Ukes: under $200. Playing like Corey: priceless.

Yestyn The Great · Nov 10, 2012

I would look into the Lanikai spruce top series. It would be quite an upgrade from your current uke. They've got gloss finishes but keep a consistently bright tone. The sides and back are laminate but I think for the price they are the best deals.

dilburt11 · Nov 10, 2012

I like the koa pili koko ukulele's, you can get a soprano concert or tenor in that range from them. They are solid acacia wood and they are linked through amazon. They are a hell of a uke for the price, I love mine

you can go to pilikoko.com

TheCraftedCow · Nov 10, 2012

A Nice Upgrade Tenor

Did you see the other fellow's post above yours on UkeTalk? There is mention of a Lehua Tenor which is for sale. A guitar player feels lost without his two bottom strings, so he was to re-home it rather than just have it set unplayed.

Please help me choosing a ukulele

yenyen1995

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connor013

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ukemunga

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Lalz

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Lalz

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Ukelix

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kauaijim

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missameeames

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The Big Kahuna

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yenyen1995

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gitarzan

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coolkayaker1

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Yestyn The Great

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dilburt11

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TheCraftedCow

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