So where can I buy a solid body electric steel string uke nowadays??

M

masterolive

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
So recently I sold an expensive guitar. I don't normally do this, I usually keep and collect any instrument I can get my hands on but I dont even play them, I just like them.

Anyways, I have to downsize because I'm moving, so I feel better using some of the money from the guitar to order an electric ukulele like Ive always wanted. (because the uke is the only instrument I know how to play)

I told myself that I would order one form jupiter creek one day, and I just found out that he had passed away and I am very sad to hear this. (we exchanged emails once regarding a possible purchase when I had the $ to do so)

Anyways. I heard that Jupiter Creek made some pretty stout ukes and they where only $200, so I only have about $300 budgeted for a good electric uke.
(and by electric I mean full on steel strings rock and roll electric)

Anyone know where I can order a good uke???(besides the places listed below)

-The Kamoa Evovles are amazing, but I have no clue what their deal is with distribution, and the price is JUST out of reach for me.

-Maandolin sels his electric ukes for over $1,000 so, no.

-Monkey wrench is selling theirs around $800, still out of price range.

-The RISA LP is an option, but I think they are still out of my price range.

-I saw a few small companies but they where all starting at $500.

Jupiter creek was my only option, so I'm hoping you guys know more than I do.
 
seonachan said:
I don't know what size you're looking for, but I have a Jupiter Creek baritone listed in the Marketplace for $350.
Click to expand...

oooh.... unfortunately I am looking for a tenor!
But thanks!

I just found a site called Morgan Instruments.
Im emailing him about pricing since nothing is on his site for pricing.

If anyone has any suggestions please comment.
 
chefy said:
Hi there,

Those mahalos look like a bargain: http://www.lotus-realm.com/our-shop/mahalo-surfboard-electric-ukulele/#prettyPhoto

and if you are prepared to take a chance the factory that makes the evolve for kamoa sells direct - email them for a price you might be surprised:http://www.east-start.com/products/...bw-all-solid-tenor-electric-jazz-ukulele.html

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot! I sent an inquiry.
I'm still looking around online though, keep up the suggestions!
 
ukerepublic kamoa e3 evolve $499

i have both kamoa and risa les paul. the risa hands down high end electric solid body. kamoa comes with a nice case. the risa a crappy paper thin gigbag, pretty much useless.
 
Last edited:
tangimango said:
ukerepublic kamoa e3 evolve $499

i have both kamoa and risa les paul. the risa hands down high end electric solid body. kamoa comes with a nice case. the risa a crappy paper thin gigbag, pretty much useless.
Click to expand...

I'm confused, are you selling those ukuleles?
I only have $300 budgeted.
(Jupiter creek sold his for around $200. After I saved up today I went to set up a project then discovered the bad news :( )
 
I have a Jupiter Creek solid body, Concert size LP style ukulele. I paid $300 for it. UNFORTUNATELY he lowered his prices later on rather than putting his prices up and getting the quality right. I like my Jupiter Creek ukulele. It was sad to hear that he passed away (I came close to buying his last listed ukulele but for some reason didn't), yet, its not proper to judge what other builders charge for their ukulele's based on what he used to charge. They were not properly finished instruments and I don't mean just the paint job which was very basic. I put hundreds of dollars more into mine to make it playable.

Anthony
 
anthonyg said:
I have a Jupiter Creek solid body, Concert size LP style ukulele. I paid $300 for it. UNFORTUNATELY he lowered his prices later on rather than putting his prices up and getting the quality right. I like my Jupiter Creek ukulele. It was sad to hear that he passed away (I came close to buying his last listed ukulele but for some reason didn't), yet, its not proper to judge what other builders charge for their ukulele's based on what he used to charge. They were not properly finished instruments and I don't mean just the paint job which was very basic. I put hundreds of dollars more into mine to make it playable.

Anthony
Click to expand...

Good to know.
I assumed his instruments where set up with sound quality in mind more than looks, but it seems a give or take.

At this point, I could care less what it looked like, as long as the sound and intonation was pitch perfect, I need a ukulele good enough for recording and possible live play.

I'm hoping I can find something decent for $300, especially if the $300 goes into the sound work instead of "gold and glitter"

(I know its best to just pay big bucks for a Kamoa evolve but I'm just being hopeful on getting lucky, I actually have money saved up for this purpose, this is been on the back burner for 2 years.)
 
I've had a Jupiter Creek steel-string in the past.
The finish is a bit crude, but that is explicitly stated in all his listings. I could not fault it as a musical instrument though - my particular one was well setup, electronics worked well and was a joy to play.

Best option for an affordable steel-string electric was probably buying one off me in the UU marketplace where I sold various Risa's and other brand electrics at ridiculous prices, but alas, I've none to sell at the moment.

Risa were working on a cheaper steel-string electric, but I don't know when they are available..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwMab7-zars

Perhaps some options that may be within your price range are:

-Konablaster steel string electric
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BSKB-BLUB.htm


-Eleuke/Teton steel string electric?
Just after some quick google (because I'm bored)
http://www.amazon.com/Eleuke-Ukulele-Electric-String-Cutaway/dp/B009MDFX1M


-Generic versions of the Eleuke steel-string branded as Clearwater or Harley Benton?

Such as this one??
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-..._Sting_Instruments&hash=item2a3263b649&_uhb=1




If I had to go for one of the above, I might go for the Eleuke.
 
Last edited:
chefy said:
and if you are prepared to take a chance the factory that makes the evolve for kamoa sells direct - email them for a price you might be surprised:http://www.east-start.com/products/...bw-all-solid-tenor-electric-jazz-ukulele.html

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I did email them, and the price, including shipping, should be in your ballpark. I have no idea on the reliability of the process, any hassles in getting the uke into the States, or the time it would take, but the price is right.
 
This is an unorthodox solution, but you might consider an emando/mandola. There are several in production for under $400. The mandolins would probably be too short a scale if you want a tenor, but the Eastwood Airline mandola has an 18" scale and could easily be strung in uke tuning. It has 8 strings but you could just leave half off, or if you're so inclined it would give you the option of a 6 or 8-string uke. It does have a narrower neck than a typical uke though.
 
Honestly, I'm surprised there aren't more options for solid body steel string ukes these days.
The uke market has exploded, and you would think there would be an easy market segment for
solid body steel string ukes. I would surely have one if there was a low end one on the market.

My wish: a Kala SUB UBass shaped solid body, mated to concert and tenor necks,
brought to market with a street of about $300. :)
 
Last edited:
kissing said:
I've had a Jupiter Creek steel-string in the past.
The finish is a bit crude, but that is explicitly stated in all his listings. I could not fault it as a musical instrument though - my particular one was well setup, electronics worked well and was a joy to play.

Best option for an affordable steel-string electric was probably buying one off me in the UU marketplace where I sold various Risa's and other brand electrics at ridiculous prices, but alas, I've none to sell at the moment.

Risa were working on a cheaper steel-string electric, but I don't know when they are available..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwMab7-zars

Perhaps some options that may be within your price range are:

-Konablaster steel string electric
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BSKB-BLUB.htm


-Eleuke/Teton steel string electric?
Just after some quick google (because I'm bored)
http://www.amazon.com/Eleuke-Ukulele-Electric-String-Cutaway/dp/B009MDFX1M


-Generic versions of the Eleuke steel-string branded as Clearwater or Harley Benton?

Such as this one??
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-..._Sting_Instruments&hash=item2a3263b649&_uhb=1




If I had to go for one of the above, I might go for the Eleuke.
Click to expand...

Wow thanks for this post.
(and to everyone else after!)

It looks like that little Kona Blaster looks AWESOME, I just wish it where a tenor!!!

The Eleukes are not full ukuleles, they are tuned differently, and I heard that they have a learning curve for the chord progression. (?)

Over all, I emailed the guys at east start and they want me to send them $380.00 for the semi hollow.
It looks like an amazing ukulele, but I know nothing about it, and its hard to understand their emails, so Im a little reluctant to buy it.

I would still have to find and extra 80 bucks, and in that case, 100 more could get me a Kamoa Evolve.


I guess Ill just keep slowly saving or hope for a lucky buy of someone generous to sell me a good tenor for $300
 
The Market just isn't big enough for more steel string ukulele's at the moment. When the instruments that are on the market start selling like hot cakes then other manufacturers will be more interested. Rob struggled to sell many of his Jupiter Creek ukulele's even at a very low price. I watched his auctions. A couple would go fast but many would be re listed several times before they sold. A small custom Builder, Rukavina put up for sale on eBay a VERY nice solid body steel string ukulele but it took a while to sell.

There are a lot of purists on UU who say that a steel string instrument just isn't a ukulele.

Anthony
 
The mandobird looks like a great option - nice is the fully adjustable bridge that most of the above cheaper ukes lack.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Where to Buy a Ukulele when Visiting HI
Replies
8
Views
539
Tin Ear
Tin Ear
mikelz777
Where did you buy your uke(s)?
3 4 5
Replies
99
Views
4K
Freya Vie
Freya Vie
O
Where to buy an 8-string ukulele nut?
Replies
11
Views
628
ukulelekarcsi
U
Lillymo
Where to buy a ukulele in Atlanta GA?
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
Shaw
Shaw
S
Where can I buy a Martin style slotted bridge for soprano?
Replies
8
Views
550
Spaghetti
S
Top Bottom