FromTheWayside
Well-known member
Hi Everybody -
I live on the California Coast, so I spent a lot of time hearing about the beach. I don't go terribly often because of academic commitments, but I know at least one thing that would get me to the beach more often...a uke! I have a minor problem, though. I only have one uke, and I don't want to risk it getting trashed at the beach (I'm very protective of my Fluke). To this end, I have spent a bit of time thinking about what might make the perfect "beach uke." Here's the qualifications I've come up with:
1) It must be durable!
The beach is full of sand, rocks, and lots of people! A beach-bound uke must be able to withstand these things without giving the owner too much reason to fret.
2) It must not be too expensive!
I dunno about you, but I would not take a $2000 solid koa wood uke to the beach. If it was my own private beach, maybe. I'd still have qualms.
3) It must be portable!
Ukes are inherently portable, but I think this quality is especially important for the beach, because you'll need free hands to carry towels, umbrellas, snacks, etc.
4) It must not be afraid of water (or have onboard electronics)!
In my experience, pretty much everything you take to the beach gets wet, whether you want it to or not (like my past cellphone! D'oh!). If the uke can't resist a little moisture (much less a full dip), it probably shouldn't take a trip to the beach. This is especially true for ukes with electronics in them because you don't want to render your pick-up completely useless through water damage.
5) It should attract people to you!
Many people (not just in California) go to the beach to "see and be seen." Why spend 4 hours at the gym a day if you can't flaunt your stuff? Moreover, why bring a uke to the beach if it doesn't look, or failing that, sound good? Granted, this is somewhat dependent on your own ability to play in the first place...but you shouldn't have to be as good as Jake S. to make your uke sound half-way decent. After all...what better way to attract that special someone than with a song?
---
So...what do I think is the best beach uke? Well...[/drum roll]
The Flea!
Honorable Mention - Malaka Soprano!
Does anyone else have any thoughts on what ukes to bring to the beach? Or perhaps what ukes to NOT bring?
I live on the California Coast, so I spent a lot of time hearing about the beach. I don't go terribly often because of academic commitments, but I know at least one thing that would get me to the beach more often...a uke! I have a minor problem, though. I only have one uke, and I don't want to risk it getting trashed at the beach (I'm very protective of my Fluke). To this end, I have spent a bit of time thinking about what might make the perfect "beach uke." Here's the qualifications I've come up with:
1) It must be durable!
The beach is full of sand, rocks, and lots of people! A beach-bound uke must be able to withstand these things without giving the owner too much reason to fret.
2) It must not be too expensive!
I dunno about you, but I would not take a $2000 solid koa wood uke to the beach. If it was my own private beach, maybe. I'd still have qualms.
3) It must be portable!
Ukes are inherently portable, but I think this quality is especially important for the beach, because you'll need free hands to carry towels, umbrellas, snacks, etc.
4) It must not be afraid of water (or have onboard electronics)!
In my experience, pretty much everything you take to the beach gets wet, whether you want it to or not (like my past cellphone! D'oh!). If the uke can't resist a little moisture (much less a full dip), it probably shouldn't take a trip to the beach. This is especially true for ukes with electronics in them because you don't want to render your pick-up completely useless through water damage.
5) It should attract people to you!
Many people (not just in California) go to the beach to "see and be seen." Why spend 4 hours at the gym a day if you can't flaunt your stuff? Moreover, why bring a uke to the beach if it doesn't look, or failing that, sound good? Granted, this is somewhat dependent on your own ability to play in the first place...but you shouldn't have to be as good as Jake S. to make your uke sound half-way decent. After all...what better way to attract that special someone than with a song?
---
So...what do I think is the best beach uke? Well...[/drum roll]
The Flea!
Honorable Mention - Malaka Soprano!
Does anyone else have any thoughts on what ukes to bring to the beach? Or perhaps what ukes to NOT bring?