Tommy B
Well-known member
Oops. Can't edit the title. I misspelled "Anyone." D'oh.
Hi all. I just got a call from my niece. She wanted advice on buying an inexpensive ukulele to take with her when she goes to the Philippines for six weeks of humanitarian work. She figures the uke will get banged up and maybe left behind when she returns to the States, so she doesn't want to spend more than $100. On the other hand, she doesn't want something quiet or unplayable, so the plastic ukes and dolphins are out.
Her plan was to buy it from Amazon because she can get it shipped quickly, and she's leaving in less than a week. Personally, I would prefer she buy it from someone who can do a setup, but there may not be time for that. So I looked on Amazon and suggested a Makala concert and an Oscar Schmidt concert that come bundled with gigbags and tuners.
The other possible option is that she buy a locally made uke. I looked online and the Manila shops with websites are pretty much selling the same ukes we have here. But I know there's a thriving instrument-building industry in the Philippines, and I'm wondering if any UU members know of any Manila shops selling decent locally made ukes. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows of anything, please PM me (or reply here).
Tom
Hi all. I just got a call from my niece. She wanted advice on buying an inexpensive ukulele to take with her when she goes to the Philippines for six weeks of humanitarian work. She figures the uke will get banged up and maybe left behind when she returns to the States, so she doesn't want to spend more than $100. On the other hand, she doesn't want something quiet or unplayable, so the plastic ukes and dolphins are out.
Her plan was to buy it from Amazon because she can get it shipped quickly, and she's leaving in less than a week. Personally, I would prefer she buy it from someone who can do a setup, but there may not be time for that. So I looked on Amazon and suggested a Makala concert and an Oscar Schmidt concert that come bundled with gigbags and tuners.
The other possible option is that she buy a locally made uke. I looked online and the Manila shops with websites are pretty much selling the same ukes we have here. But I know there's a thriving instrument-building industry in the Philippines, and I'm wondering if any UU members know of any Manila shops selling decent locally made ukes. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows of anything, please PM me (or reply here).
Tom
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