Cheap & cool baritone uke?

Jerwin · Dec 1, 2015

Hey,

I am thinking about giving myself a Xmas present.

By cheap I really mean the entry level of a uke. Let's say 100-150 USD... which usually goes like 20% higher in Europe.

Any suggestions?

drbekken · Dec 1, 2015

Try the Lanikai LU-21B. Inexpensive and nice. For the ultra cheap alternative, try the Rogue baritones (they will require some set-up work, though).

Jerwin · Dec 1, 2015

drbekken said:
Try the Lanikai LU-21B. Inexpensive and nice. For the ultra cheap alternative, try the Rogue baritones (they will require some set-up work, though).

EVERY SINGLE China made ukulele I have seen so far required set-up. Even higher-end China ukes from Kala and Ohana.

Croaky Keith · Dec 1, 2015

Makala MK-B?

PhilUSAFRet · Dec 1, 2015

I've seen Cordoba BM-20's with a solid mahogany top for just slightly over $100 bucks on ebay. I had a tenor, required no setup. Had a rich, full sound.

Here's two, one for $105 and one for $115. They are first cousins to the Ohana BM20

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...le.TRS0&_nkw=Cordoba+20+BM+ukulele&_sacat=619

Here's a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRvhxPYRiD8

Rodney. · Dec 1, 2015

http://www.hora.ro/other_ethno_instruments.html

Scroll down. A solid spruce top baritone from Romania. European made from European wood. 46 euro plus shipping. I sanded the nut and saddle down a little, and it needed new strings. Great uke.

Doc_J · Dec 1, 2015

If you're going "cheap & cool" for less than $150, consider a vintage used baritone.

mm stan · Dec 1, 2015

drbekken said:
Try the Lanikai LU-21B. Inexpensive and nice. For the ultra cheap alternative, try the Rogue baritones (they will require some set-up work, though).

Rogue sopranos as well.. maybe on out 10 is not bad out the box before
oscar schmidt may work for you
Harmony baritones are vintage not bad

Jerwin · Dec 1, 2015

I have terrible experience with Cordoba ukulele. Total cr*p was shipped to me. I am not sure if to blame the dealer but no uke like that should leave a factory in my opinion whatsoever.

That Hora stuff seems worth considering. Thanks for the tip!
Makala is nice. And is available in local stores

PhilUSAFRet · Dec 1, 2015

Sorry, have seen several Cordoba's, but no crap ones. Here's a previous thread on baritones. Dr. Bekken also has a review on youtube of 3 cheap baritones: http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/archive/index.php/t-77425.html

http://humblebaritonics.blogspot.com/2013/01/dr-bekken-getting-real-cheap-with-bari.html

Mxyzptik · Dec 1, 2015

I bought a used Kala baritone in a second hand store for $80. It had only 2 strings and needed cleaning but it seems to play just fine and the search was fun , poking around in second hand stores.

Jerwin · Dec 1, 2015

I probably can't resist that Hora baritone with solid spruce top for 53 Euro? WTF....

Ukeval has one. I don't know but I do not get the pricing of their ukes. What do Hora's employees eat?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGUufK1HInk

SteveZ · Dec 1, 2015

I have a Kala KA-BE that I love. The BE goes for $200 and the B (no electronics) about $50 less.

Rodney. · Dec 1, 2015

Jerwin said:
I probably can't resist that Hora baritone with solid spruce top for 53 Euro? WTF....

Ukeval has one. I don't know but I do not get the pricing of their ukes. What do Hora's employees eat?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGUufK1HInk

I couldn't resist either, I love it, play it daily. String change, little sanding on the nut and saddle, it's a great uke.

Brian1 · Dec 1, 2015

I have a rouge Baritone, it played fine for what it was ($30 shipped) it is big and bulky built like a tank and had weird strings but had smooth frets, "okay"
action.

I have a friend that has bought 60 ukuleles (many of them Baritone) from Bruce wei and likes them very much and has not experienced any of the problems that are commonly reported. I have one and have had no problems. All of Bruce Wie's ukes are unique and hand made. Most can be bought for less than the cost of shipping from Vietnam.

Jerwin · Dec 1, 2015

Rodney. said:
I couldn't resist either, I love it, play it daily. String change, little sanding on the nut and saddle, it's a great uke.

I messeged the company asking about shipping cost. Do they ship directly from them? Found no dealer in the Czech Rep... What is it like to have uke shipped without hardshall case? Quite worried about that.

kypfer · Dec 2, 2015

Jerwin said:
Hey,

I am thinking about giving myself a Xmas present.

By cheap I really mean the entry level of a uke. Let's say 100-150 USD... which usually goes like 20% higher in Europe.

Any suggestions?

Available in the UK, a Brunswick BU-4B or BU5B http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brunswick-BU5B-Maple-Baritone-Ukulele/dp/B008G1NIMC should just about fit in your budget, else you might find a Kala KA-B at a similar price.

I've got a couple of Brunswick ukuleles, happy to recommend them to anyone, my Kala is a concert, KA-C, again perfectly good for the price

kissing · Dec 2, 2015

These are rather cool

Http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oscar-Schmi...lectric-Koa-Wood-NEW-/201469417631?nav=SEARCH

Beautiful glossed Koa, fancy cutaway and electronics

Jim Hanks · Dec 2, 2015

Jerwin said:
What is it like to have uke shipped without hardshall case? Quite worried about that.

If it is packed well, it is not a problem. I have had ukes shipped in soft cases (gig bags) and one or two just in boxes with the right packing materials.

Rodney. · Dec 2, 2015

Jerwin said:
I messeged the company asking about shipping cost. Do they ship directly from them? Found no dealer in the Czech Rep... What is it like to have uke shipped without hardshall case? Quite worried about that.

They ship directly from the factory. Mine arrived without a scratch, in a simple, sturdy package.

Cheap & cool baritone uke?

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