Newbie question

james.veitch

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Well hello there.

I'm great at the piano and the guitar but I really want to tackle the Ukulele. I bought a skylark UK22N Concert Ukulele last year and I've tinkered with it but, to be honest, I'm unhappy with the sound; it's too *small* sounding.

Doing a modicum of research I think I want a tenor. But the question is which one. I don't think I want to spend more than a hundred and fifty pounds or so. What are my options?

I think I'd ideally like a pick-up in it too.

Now I know, I know. you'll say "James, you're living in cloud cuckoo land; you need to spend at least a grand to get a half decent Uke" but I'm hoping you'll know some bargains for something that doesn't sound like a toy!

All best,
James
 
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You can great a great sounding uke in your price range. I'm not sure how much that is in dollars, but check out http://www.theukulelesite.com/ and narrow down your options with the price and size tools.

Not sure if it meets all of your requirements, but this is what I'd go for if I was looking for what you were looking for.
http://www.theukulelesite.com/cordoba-20tm-ce-solid-top-tenor-electric.html

or a bit cheaper
http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-te-tenor-acoustic-electric.html

That's amazing. Thanks for the response Kyle. I like the look of the one with the cutaway but I'm left handed so I'd need a left-handed if I was going for one with a cutaway.
 
Not sure what dollars to pounds is either, but I got an astounding Kala concert with pick-up for $300.00 US dollars and it sounds amazing. Strings make a difference too. I put "Living Water" strings on and what a difference! Living Water strings are sold exclusively in the UK so you're in luck there should you decide to use those strings. You can't go wrong with Kala brand. Good luck in your decision.
 
Not sure what dollars to pounds is either, but I got an astounding Kala concert with pick-up for $300.00 US dollars and it sounds amazing. Strings make a difference too. I put "Living Water" strings on and what a difference! Living Water strings are sold exclusively in the UK so you're in luck there should you decide to use those strings. You can't go wrong with Kala brand. Good luck in your decision.

Thanks!
I just spoke to a guy with a store in the UK about this one:
http://www.southernukulelestore.co....-TEME-Mahogany-Electro-Acoustic-Tenor-Ukulele

Which would seem to be the same as the one Kyle mentioned above.

I was tempted to buy it but for the fact that I'm not 100% sure that it's the same one and, obviously, the pick-up button panel is on the wrong side for a left handed. This didn't bother me much actually but would I be better to buy a regular one and then retro fit a passive pick up(this is what the guy told me i might consider doing)

all best,
 
I haven't heard of Skylark but it sounds like probably one of the "barely out of toy territory" ukes sold in dept. stores and chain music stores and the like (like the "Mitchell" ukes at Guitar Center). I'm betting the intonation is poor and the resonance of the top & body aren't great.

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good uke, though. The better Kala and Ohana ukes are quite decent if they are set up by a good shop and the Mainland ukes are an excellent deal. I'm not sure what the current exchange rate is but a tenor in those lines goes for around $300 US and a soprano for around $200. For a little more money you can get a Pono solid-wood and those are quite decent, too.

Because the uke is a small-body, short-scale, nylon-stringed instrument the difference between "entry-level" and "better" instruments is far more noticeable than when making the same comparison in guitars, for example.

John
 
That's amazing. Thanks for the response Kyle. I like the look of the one with the cutaway but I'm left handed so I'd need a left-handed if I was going for one with a cutaway.

They also do the 20TM-E, it's without the cutaway. Sounds awesome, especially with low g. Mine was a little "brash" with Aquila's on it, changed them quickly. Ohana makes a nice solid mahogany top model also.
 
They also do the 20TM-E, it's without the cutaway. Sounds awesome, especially with low g. Mine was a little "brash" with Aquila's on it, changed them quickly. Ohana makes a nice solid mahogany top model also.


Really? Have you got a link? I can't find it.
 
the internet can be your friend.

Radio Flyer you ARE the internet. I'm ON the internet now.

Do you mean "google is your friend" (I suspect you do for that is the expression) then I'm quite certain that I can *find* one for that price. I'm actually on here looking for specific recommendations from people who care about the instrument.
 
I doubt you'll find an entry level acoustic electric with the controls mounted for a lefty. The Kala that has been recommended to you is a good choice.

Radio Flyer IS the internet? I thought the internet was the internet.
 
I doubt you'll find an entry level acoustic electric with the controls mounted for a lefty. The Kala that has been recommended to you is a good choice.

Radio Flyer IS the internet? I thought the internet was the internet.

Yeah. They don't have the one recommended at the UK shop. I'm not too bothered about the controls mounted on the bottom.

I meant, fairly obviously, that the collection of people on here are exactly the collection of people Radio Flyer was suggesting I ask when he said "the internet is your friend"
 
Guys,
can you recommend a tenor electro acoustic one from here.

http://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/

Around a hundred and twenty pounds.
Also, what's a good case? I'm going to order this week.

Hi James
If you want something that is going to sound good you will have to pay a bit more than £150. It will be a big improvement up from the skylark but will you be happy with it for long?
Just my experience anyway. For something you would be happy with you need to spend around £300 for a pono from that site. Eagle music sell mainlands which are a good buy.
http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/tenor-ukuleles/mainland-cedar-tenor.htm
or this for £130 http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/tenor-ukuleles/Ohana-TK-20-Tenor-Ukulele.htm.
If you could actually try them in person you may find a really good sounding one for £130.
Good luck.
Phil.
 
Hi James
If you want something that is going to sound good you will have to pay a bit more than £150. It will be a big improvement up from the skylark but will you be happy with it for long?
Just my experience anyway. For something you would be happy with you need to spend around £300 for a pono from that site. Eagle music sell mainlands which are a good buy.
http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/tenor-ukuleles/mainland-cedar-tenor.htm
or this for £130 http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/tenor-ukuleles/Ohana-TK-20-Tenor-Ukulele.htm.
If you could actually try them in person you may find a really good sounding one for £130.
Good luck.
Phil.


Amazing. Righteo. I'm going to do a little research and get back to you guys with the shortlist! !
 
james i didn't mean to be flippant, this is and should always be a comfortable and friendly forum that welcomes new members. let me be more specific, as it relates to my experience. i went to several music stores and tried out what they had. for the most part ukuleles are considered toys by a lot of the places i saw, offering only the cheapest instruments. i knew from my guitar experience that a cheap instrument can make good music but it's just discouraging sometimes to fight the strings when you could be happily strumming. i decided to go at least one step up and get a good, if not excellent uke. i looked around and found the Kala brand, read many comments about them and compared the build quality, wood content etc. without ever actually holding one, i ordered the Kala AS-ASAC-T, a solid acacia wood tenor uke. it cost a little more than you said you'd like to spend, but the quality is very nice! it looks good, plays wonderfully, and is all that i expected it to be and more. i definitely recommend it and would think any of the lesser priced Kalas would please you. happy hunting!
 
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