ukulele help

stevety

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i have 500.00 to buy ukulele can i get a good one for these price or should save more looking for soprano or concert amy suggestions for a good ukulele would like to have solid koa. Thanks Steve I can play guitar so would like good ukulele
 
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Hi stevety, and welcome! 500 (what? US dollars?) should get you a good one all right!

Are you a beginner? If so, maybe consider spending a little less, and learning on a less expensive instrument. When you've acquired the skills, you'll have a much better understanding of what you're looking for in a uke, and will be able to choose the quality instrument that suits you best.

You can still go for quality - solid wood can be had for reasonable money. For example the Ohana SK35.

If you're a bit more experienced, well it's hard to make recommendations without knowing your musical background a little, and the style of music you're interested in.
 
Welcome Steve. For that price range you have lots of real nice ukes to choose from. First you'll need to decide on the size, which is totally personal. You'll need to try the different sizes youself, either at a music store (even if it is a low end one you can get the feel of the size) or at a local uke group if one's available. After that playing before paying is best but if you live in a place like me it's not an option. If you need to by sight unseen pick a dealer that knows uke like Uke Republic, HMS or Mim. Talk to them about your likes and dislikes and find out the return policy. A good dealer will get you set up right.

Happy hunting and keep us posted
 
Welcome to UU, Steve.

With that budget, you have lots of options---especially if you check out the used market (get familiar with prices and options by browsing the UU marketplace, the Flea Market Music marketplace, and ebay). A new koa uke in your price range will likely be a soprano (check out Keli'i and KoAloha).

Take your time looking, and you'll find a great ukulele.
 
Lots of good options in soprano and concert sizes at that price range. You can probably find a Hawiian made "K-brand" (KoAloha, Kamaka, etc.) soprano at or very slightly above that point. Those are kind of the "standard" for top-notch "standard" ukes. You are very unlikely to ever need "more uke" than a KoAloha, Kanilea, Kamaka, or Ko'Olau. If you buy used, you can definitely get one of these in your price range in soprano and probably in concert.

You can certainly get into a Pono (Asian made, set up in the Ko'Olau shop in Hawaii) in that price range and they make some very nice ukes.

You can get into pretty darn good solid-wood sopranos starting in the neighborhood of $200. I have two Mainland sopranos (Asian made, with final assembly and nice set up by Mike and Tookta at Mainland Ukes in Indiana). The mango was just over $200 and mahogany just under $200 and both really are in the same class as my $600 KoAloha longneck soprano. I've never owned an Ohana but I've heard that the solid wood models are quite good for the money.

Kala and Lanikai are a little spottier but can be good if you buy from one of the reputable uke specialists and have them set it up. But, since you have the money, I would go with something better than the Kala or Lanikai, even set up.

Don't forget that for a nice uke you're going to want a decent case and a humidifier.

John
 
Welcome to UU stevety!

Since you already play guitar, a good uke is definitely a good idea. The main thing you need to figure out is what size you might prefer, which will only come from experience. Guitar players often choose a tenor to start out with, because of the roomy fretboard. Tenors have more of guitar-like sound, so if you are looking for a more uke- like sound, go for a concert or soprano, and consider a long neck version. If you can find a local uke group or ukulele festival, you can get a chance to see a variety of instruments in person. San Jose has the Ukulele Source Store, and I understand they carry a good selection. http://www.ukulelesource.com/ They will take good care of you there.

Happy Hunting

–Lori
 
I would definitely go to Ukulele Source in San Jose. You will be able to play different sized (and different-priced!) ukuleles there and get an idea of what level of quality you want to get. Smiley and Janet are great people too!
 
i have 500.00 to buy ukulele can i get a good one for these price or should save more looking for soprano or concert amy suggestions for a good ukulele would like to have solid koa. Thanks Steve I can play guitar so would like good ukulele

You also might want to consider acacia if you can't find anything in koa.
 
If you have patience....wait for the good deals in the marketplace....you will save and get a higher level premimum uke for your price range and budget..
 
There is a KoAloha soprano with case (rigid foam "semi-hard") case for $500 in the marketplace right now. That's not crazy low but is a pretty decent price. If I didn't already have a KoAloha longneck soprano and a couple of Mainland sopranos I would have caved and bought it by now... :)
 
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