Music shops

shuggee

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Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and to the ukulele. I am thinking about getting a concert ukulele to learn with. I would like to try some out first, however, to see how they sound and feel.

Can anyone suggest any reliable shops in the Newcastle upon Tyne area of England I can visit where the staff will be helpful and not just take advantage of my inexperience to sell me something?

Thanks
shuggee
 
Omega Music is often said to be a good store & seems to be well respected, but it's probably not too close to you.

I have mainly bought mine online from The Southern Ukulele Store, great service.

P.S. Welcome aboard. :)
 
In the North of England, Eagle Music and Omega (as Keith said) are both knowledgable and reliable shops that set up their instruments, but they're in Huddersfield and Cumbria respectively, so quite a way from you.

It might be worth finding a local shop that has a few ukuleles for you to try, and when you have a better idea what feels right to you ring Eagle, Omega (speak to Matt, he's their ukulele specialist - honest to a fault, and very funny to boot :) ), or Southern Ukulele Store and discuss your options with them.
 
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Thanks for the reply. Omega music is not that far from me, a driveable distance, I think. I might try it.

I have signed up for lessons at the Sage in Gateshead, so I think I'll wait and see what people there have to say before I buy anything, though.
 
the problem in the UK is that if you want a decent uke you will probably have to buy blind or travel to a respected ukulele dealer, the sites I have used online that I can recommend are Eagle Music in Huddersfield, they have a fabulous after sales service and in my experience if you are not happy with an instrument, you can send it back and they will sort you out with another uke, they also give you a basic set up as well, Omega (as mentioned above) are another really good uke shop, again if you don't like what you are buying you can return it and get your cash back or swap it out, I think they also do a basic set up, but check if you decide to buy from them, then there is SUS (Southern Ukulele Store) now I haven't ever sent one back to them but they check over the uke before sending it out to make sure it is all in one piece, all of these stores have a quick turn around delivery wise, so buy with confidence from these guys because you have a safety net in case something goes wrong hope this helps, kaizer
 
Windows in Gateshead Metro - Centre or in the Toon are close to you and have areasonable selection of good makes.

However Omega is well worth a run out though about 50 ish miles up the A69 from you, into Brampton then carry on through and they are on a little industrial estate just 2 minutes outside of Brampton .They have plenty on the wall and very often more in the back. And you can get a nice lunch or early tea at Lanecost Priory Tea Room, Greenhead tea room or Blenkinsopp Inn afterwards or before !!
(No connection to ANY of these establishments mentioned ,just enthusiastic and showing some "lercal knowledge ya knerr marrer" and as a new incomer I've probably got that North Easternish wrong as well lol)

Andy and Matt both are invested and interested in the Uke as they are the act Feckless, Fuddle and the Fossils , both play ukes (though Andy admits to not liking Blues *sigh*I don't hold it agin him)and both are keen Ukeists. Andy runs a local uke band, The Ukes Akimbo .

IF you want to start out with a custom built uke you could try Core Music in Hexham.

They run a project that builds custom ukes from reclaimed and scrap timber.
The Ukecorelele , they won't break the bank and the one I tried was decent and nicely barky (soprano). Not "barky " as in the bark was still on the wood you understand. But from within ,loud,but in a good punchy way. I'll get me coat.
 
Thanks for the advice. I don't want to spend as much money as Core Music charge for their instruments at the moment as I'm just a novice - maybe sometime in the future. I won't be able to get to Dumfries either, unfortunately, though it does sound like a good event - again, maybe in the future I'll give it a try.

After reading the many good reviews, on this and other sites, I've decided to visit Omega music. It isn't too far from where I live, maybe an hour or so drive. Hopefully, I'll get the advice (and ukulele) I need there.
 
Windows is also worth a look. Just near Monument Metro Station. Eagle music a fair bit further away as it's just outside Huddersfield. They have some decent stuff, though and are good to deal with.
 
I contacted Omega last Friday to buy a Kala case and subscibe to Uke magazine, the young lady said Matt will ring you back very soon, and I'm still waiting for the call, to late now though I've shopped elsewhere.

I have dealt with eagle many times and have always had excellent service.
 
It's a shame that most general music stores in England have a really poor selection of ukuleles (in my experience) both in terms of both quantity and quality.
 
It's a shame that most general music stores in England have a really poor selection of ukuleles (in my experience) both in terms of both quantity and quality.

I think this applies to all of Europe, unfortunately.
 
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