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tomelk31

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I want to start learning to play the Ukelele. I have been playing the Piano for 7 years so have quite a bit of music knowledge.

I thinking of buying this Ukelele: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000ODVDH2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

What do you think? Any good? From what I have read people say it is but the strings aren't great. So this brings me on to my next question. What replacement strings should I get?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquila-Nylg...Y05O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325016278&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquila-Conc...JN8I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325016278&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-J6...0LQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325016357&sr=8-1

Above is a couple I found but not sure if any of them are any good? Also there seems to be different type of strings like key of C or G.

Also I want to get some Plectrum's but there any lots of different widths. What width should I get?

Is there a better beginners book than the following?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0634078615/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Finally should I get a digital tuner or is there any good apps which are cheaper?

Sorry to bombard you with loads of questions. :)
 
tomelk31 said:
I want to start learning to play the Ukelele. I have been playing the Piano for 7 years so have quite a bit of music knowledge.

I thinking of buying this Ukelele: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000ODVDH2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

What do you think? Any good? From what I have read people say it is but the strings aren't great. So this brings me on to my next question. What replacement strings should I get?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquila-Nylg...Y05O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325016278&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquila-Conc...JN8I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325016278&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-J6...0LQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325016357&sr=8-1

Above is a couple I found but not sure if any of them are any good? Also there seems to be different type of strings like key of C or G.

Also I want to get some Plectrum's but there any lots of different widths. What width should I get?

Is there a better beginners book than the following?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0634078615/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Finally should I get a digital tuner or is there any good apps which are cheaper?

Sorry to bombard you with loads of questions. :)
Click to expand...

first off save up a bit more money and get a decent one. Loo.k around in some shops on internet choose one you like the look of. Then search on you tube for a review to see if you like the sound of it. Look on here to see what other people are playing. You do not use plectrums on uke you can get felt ones but people mainly use them for picking. You will need a cheap clip on tuner.
I have a Lani model they are fairly cheap and sound fairly good for a first uke.
 
Hi and welcome. Since you play the piano you can appriciate that you get what you pay for. Although I have never tried one, many members like the Makala Dolphin which is around the 30 pound range. Aquila strings are usually recommended and I have a Snark brand tuner but not sure how available it is in the UK. One thing that is important is to make sure the strings aren't too high off the fretboard. This can make playing more frustrating which is bad when your just learning. If you have a local music shop, see what they have, try it out and see if they will "set it up" for you.
Good luck and enjoy. If you have more questions feel free to ask.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Since you have considerable musical experience, you may notice that instruments in the price range that you are looking at will be of random quality. Most probably will not be prepared properly, so you could have issues with difficult play and/or buzzing of strings. Intonation will also likely not be very good.

I think it depends on what you wish to accomplish and what you expect from a uke in this price range. I bought 3 Dolphins (previously mentioned) for Christmas gifts. All had decent action (height between string and the fret midway between nut & saddle), but none of them had great intonation down the fret board. But I didn't expect them to and for basic chords on the upper third of the fret board they were good enough. They also require more frequent tuning than another beginner's uke, but that one cost as much as all 3 Dolphins.

Check the Beginner's and Buying tips forums. There were a couple of recent threads about ukes under $60 and $100 USD. I'm not sure how many of those suggested will be available local to you, but that would be a good place to start.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Sorry I didn't reply earlier had the family around again yesterday.

I have had a look have shortlisted to the following:

Makala Soprano Black
Makala Soprano Natural
Mahalo 2015
Lanikai UHU212

I can't find a Laikai LA-21 in my price range. I have decided on a budget of about £40 max. If I enjoy it then I will get a better one in the future.

WHat do people think?
 
Good Morning
Do you have a music store locally that you can try one out or are you like so many of us that have to buy untested online?

I haven't tried any of those listed but I did get a different model Mahalo and the setup right out of the box was bad. It cost me $15 to get it playable. This model may be different but if that is any indicator of their factory work, I would tend to shy away from the Mahalo.
 
Unfortunately my local music shop only stocks the very very cheap ukuleles and I haven't been able to find another anywhere close so at the moment I will be going on reviews from you tube and any advice from here.
 
tomelk31 said:
Thanks for all the replies. Sorry I didn't reply earlier had the family around again yesterday.

I have had a look have shortlisted to the following:

Makala Soprano Black
Makala Soprano Natural
Mahalo 2015
Lanikai UHU212

I can't find a Laikai LA-21 in my price range. I have decided on a budget of about £40 max. If I enjoy it then I will get a better one in the future.

WHat do people think?
Click to expand...
Of the uke's you listed I would definately say the Makala's, and get a set of Aquila Nylgut strings (either soprano or concert). There are several YouTube vids that show how to change strings, but as others have said the setup on most of these cheaper ukes can be hit or miss, see if you can find a shop that carries them and will check it out.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have looked at the thread as well and something in my price range that comes up again and again is the makaka.

From what have been reading the difference between the Makala dolphin
Makala mk-s/Makala mk-c is that the body is plastic in the dolphin and mk-s. Which is better? Is there a difference between sound?

Thanks :)
 
Both of the tops are the same wood. I really don't think the different body types makes a whole lot of difference for sound. (my humble opinion)
 
I am going to order the Makala MK-S tomorrow! :)

I am now looking for a book or website to help me start learning. As I have said before I have been playing the piano for 7 years and done grade 5 theory. So I don't want something that will goes over the music theory. I need it for more of the gutair/ukulele techniquies and hand position for chords.
 
tomelk31 said:
I have ordered the Makala MK-S :)

In the meantime is there a good website or book I could have a look at to help me understand the basics?

Also are these strings ok?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Made-Ital...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3a6dbdbb00

Alot say key of (c or something else). What key should I get?

Thanks for everyones help!!!!
Click to expand...
A lot of people choose these strings but there are many to choose from. If you like the uke and you want a decent sound you will be spending months or even years buying ukes. I have a £130 0ne and it sounds ok to me as a beginner but the more you look there are some lovely ones around. You can tell the difference but like you said see if you like it first.
I do not think strings come in keys you just need soprano size. Be sure to check out the different size options if you have not ordered it yet.
For the websites there are thousands just type in what you are looking for in google.
 
Last edited:
tomelk31 said:
I have ordered the Makala MK-S :)

In the meantime is there a good website or book I could have a look at to help me understand the basics?

Also are these strings ok?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Made-Ital...ruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3a6dbdbb00

Alot say key of (c or something else). What key should I get?

Thanks for everyones help!!!!
Click to expand...
Those strings are a good starting point for the Makalas, most of the laminate ukes benefit from the extra drive of Nylgut strings, but some find they can be a bit to bright especially on solid wood ukes. But it's part of the fun trying different strings to find the sound that's most pleasing to you.
Key of C just means they are for C tuning G C E A which is the most common tuning now, a lot of the music from the 20's to the 60's was in D tuning A D F# B.
Soprano size works, but some of us prefer to use Concert strings on sopranos, I personally like the feel better and they seem to drive the soundboards a little better which seems to improve the laminate ukes volume and tone.
 
Last edited:
Thank you! I have order a set of the strings so will restring the Ukulele when they arrive!
 
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