Just another "help me find a uke" thread

nickxjones

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I searched and while I saw a few options, I had trouble getting legitimate feedback on the models I found.
My Qualifications:
Concert
Has to be under $500. Generally in the $300-450 range, but I'm willing to stretch my range a bit.
I would love a nice koa or mango uke, solid top over laminate preferably, but if that's not possible in my price range I'll understand.
Also, another feature I need is a preinstalled pickup. I would like to plug in and expand my playing style.
One uke I found is this Lanikai: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Lanikai...-Acoustic-Electric-Ukulele-620430-i1466410.gc
But I couldn't get any reviews of it (this was the case with many of the ukes I've come across so far), and I'm hesitant to buy something without opinions, especially if I'm not playing it first.
I'd love some suggestions, all input will be greatly appreciated.
 
WS64 has one of those. Check out this thread. If your heart is set on that one...get it! Otherwise...I would recommend you look into Mainland or Mele. For that price range, you can get a solid koa Koalana (Koaloha's budget line). Or maybe even a Kelii. Check out MGM's eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Musicguymics-Room
 
Mainland has a Mango in concert size (pick-ups can be added by Mainland). I really like mine. The mango wood on them is smooth, without much dramatic figuring in the grain, but it has that distinctive mango sound (kind of a rich, mellow low-end with an underwatery tone). Kala might have a mango concert with a pickup in that price range as well. You could always have a music store install one for you. The Kala mango I have is a laminate, where the Mainland is a solid. I think the Mainland concert in mango has a brighter high end than the Kala tenor in mango. Mele is nice too, but generally available in koa and mahogany.

–Lori
 
If you're willing to go up to $500, a Keli'i concert with a solid koa top and solid mahogany back and sides is a great choice. It'll set you back $399 at MGM's plus maybe another $50-150 for a pickup, depending on how fancy you want the electronics to be.

If you want something for a little less money with the pickup already installed and ready to go, definitely give Mike at Mainland a call! He doesn't have the concert mango in stock right now, but he might know when the next shipment is coming in. And you can get a pickup in any Mainland model if you ask.
 
Firstly, you won't find any laminates at that price range so I wouldn't worry about that. Secondly, for that price, you're going to get yourself a really nice uke :)

If you want to push your money and get a professional top-end uke, look up the K brands such as Koaloha like you just posted a link to, or Kamaka, Kanile'a etc.

Otherwise many many people love their mainland ukuleles which are all solid woods, mahogany, cedar or mango. At that price range you can get a stunning Ohana uke too, but when you look on their site the RRP's listed are a LOT higher than you will be able to get one for from eBay or an online music store.

I would suggest any of the following to you:

http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=39&categoryId=3

http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=9&categoryId=3

http://www.ohana-music.com/conc/ck350g/master.html

http://www.ohana-music.com/conc/ck300g/master.html

Or one of the K brands.
The Ohana's should be $100+ cheaper than listed.
 
Yeah the Koalohas are really catching my eye. The logo on the headstock just looks too good to resist haha. Can anyone vouch for Koaloha? If I were to spend (yet another) extra $40 and get the straight up concert (link below) would I be better off? The songbook that comes with this one was something I had been looking to buy for some time anyway.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-new-KOALO...ltDomain_0?hash=item4cec7edae7#ht_3104wt_1167
 
KoAlohas are some of the best made and incredible sounding ukes around. They're very bright in sound and sooo sweet. Definitely my top pick before lutheir-made ukes. I have a concert sceptre. I fall in love all over again each time I pick her up! KoAlohas are the way to go and definitely worth every penny. I highly recommend any KoAloha for players with discriminating ears.
 
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