NEWEST Newbie!!

[MarTay6]

I'm a new uke'er, former fingerstyle guitar player. My wife just bought a cheapie Uke from Amazon, but it kind of piqued my interest in getting one. My Dad actually had a uke- and a Wimbrola (Betcha'a that'll throw a lot of you! From back in the '30's,, I believe)
SOooo... I've got to set the action up on my wife's- it's too high- to be expected from a $69.00 uke- and am looking for one for myself.
Me- I have champagne tastes... fortunately, uke's typically aren't as expensive as guitars... looking for something in the $200-300 price range. Actually found and fell in love with a Romero Replica, at just under $1000- fortunately out of stock!!
SOOO many brands, guessing many are identical- just rebranded and various levels of quality control. Prefer solid wood, traditional design in a tenor (I think!)
Wheeewww!
Retired Navy Chief, music lover- woodworker- now living in beautiful Maine!
Looking forward to educating myself!! And, any advice or guidance others can provide to a newbie!

 

[Ms Bean]

Welcome to UU, MarTay6!
Are there any specialist uke shops you can visit in person? If not, check out Mim's Ukes (Floyd, Virginia) and Uke Republic (Austell, Georgia). HMS/TUS (Hawaii Music Supply - The Ukulele Site) have a stellar reputation, but they're obviously not on the mainland. Elderly Instruments (Lansing) and Aloha City Ukes (Chicago) are a safe choice as well.
If you're looking at buying preloved, you might find something in the UU Marketplace! Check it out.

 

[Nickie]

What Ms. Bean said!
(I would never buy an ukulele from Amazon)

 

[Kenn2018]

Welcome to the UU Forum MarTay6. (Thank you for your service.)

Good starting places for objective ukulele reviews are Gotaukulele.com also UU Memeber ChoirGuy's http://ukestuff.info

Enjoy your search.

 

[stevejfc]

Welcome MarTay6!

 

[VegasGeorge]

What Ms. Bean said!
(I would never buy an ukulele from Amazon)

I know what you mean, and I would never steer a beginner to Amazon to buy a Uke. That being said, it is possible to do OK on Amazon if you know what you're doing. For example, I decided I wanted one of the top of the line Snail Ukes. And, I found the exact one I wanted on Amazon being sold by Snail for considerably less than what retailers were asking for the very same Uke. Go figure. I have the Uke, and it's a beauty, and plays remarkable well. I guess the bottom line is that Amazon is a marketplace and "buyer beware" fully applies. But, there are times when a knowledgeable buyer can do well there.

 

[MarTay6]

Just got my new uke from Mims- whom I would HIGHLY recommend!! It's a Ohana Tenor Pineapple PKT-70G- all Solid Spruce / Mahogany Gloss finish, and Mim's setup is superb.
My wife is extremely jealous... she now realizes just how poor the quality of her $69.95 Uke from Amazon is.
I could have told her that, if she'd have asked me before buying it!!

 

[Kenn2018]

Just got my new uke from Mims- whom I would HIGHLY recommend!! It's a Ohana Tenor Pineapple PKT-70G- all Solid Spruce / Mahogany Gloss finish, and Mim's setup is superb.
My wife is extremely jealous... she now realizes just how poor the quality of her $69.95 Uke from Amazon is.
I could have told her that, if she'd have asked me before buying it!!

Congratulations! Enjoy your new Ohana Tenor Pineapple. Nice wood combination. Mim is outstanding.

You do realize that your wife will need to get a better quality uke now? And so it begins...

 

[Eggs_n_Ham]

welcome and thank you for your service! The Ohana pineapple is a treat! Great choice!

 

[Eggs_n_Ham]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new Ohana Tenor Pineapple. Nice wood combination. Mim is outstanding.

You do realize that your wife will need to get a better quality uke now? And so it begins...

lucky dog gets to choose another high quality ukulele! Anuenue AMM3 is a great option!