Hoping for some expert advice on a purchase please!

azairvine

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G'day!

I have recently gotten the bug to start playing the uke (again). Several years ago I got a soprano RIPTIDE (has anyone even heard of this brand?) but shelved it after a few weeks due to personal issues at the time.

I since have gotten it signed by one of my favourite artists (Glen Hansard) and it has been retired to it's hard case in fear of rubbing off the sig. I had thought about trying to seal it, but I cannot remember the composition of the pen that was used, and the last thing I want to do is spray a sealer on it and watch on in horror as the sig bleeds to death.

I joined the local uke club (didn't even know it existed!) and went in there on Tuesday to see what it was all about. Talked to a very knowledgeable member who builds his own ukes, and tried some out for size. I'm pretty much set on a tenor.

My initial research lead me to KMISE base on reviews and feedback on UU - which then lead to the AKLOT bamboo tenor which I think looks reallllllly sweet. These ukes were within my predetermined price range, and seemed to fit the bill of "best value for money" around $100AUD. However the more I read in UU, and external reviews, the more I'm turning away from the idea due to the following:
* Mass produced product with potentially poor QA
* Online only with limited opportunity to have it set up properly
* A number of people stating that after a few months they went looking to upgrade

This review from Got A Ukulele was pretty much the kicker for me with KMISE and AKLOT:

https://www.gotaukulele.com/2017/01/kmise-carved-cat-concert-ukulele.html

So I've decided to check out the local music store which seems to have a decent array of ukes. I'd be looking at doubling my budget to $200, but if that's a better "investment" for a better quality product that I'm not going to want to replace in the short term, then I'm essentially saving money.

This is what I have learnt about what to look for in a uke so far:
* SETUP IS KEY!
* Solid mahogany top is great - but probably beyond the price range I'm looking at
* Mahogany laminate is the next best option
* Don't overspend on a first uke, but don't underspend on something of inferior quality that will either dissuade me from playing or be looking to replace after only a few months
* Avoid friction tuners
* KALA comes up a lot!
* Clip-on tuner and strap are good investments!

These are the tenors listed on the local music store's website - though they may stock others as I haven't been in yet:

http://ultramusic.com.au/ultra/index.php?route=product/category&path=103_126

Here are the online ukes that I had initially shortlisted:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kmise-Teno...nch-Hawaii-Guitar-with-Bag-Tuner/202069823996
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kmise-Lami...i-Guitar-W-Bag-and-Tuner-26-Inch/322232080831
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AKLOT-Teno...inch-W-Gig-Bag-Strap-Picks-Tuner/323885692631

Lastly there's the Tanglewood that I found on reverb.com for no reason other than it looks amazing (and I realise that's not an over-riding factor when deciding on what to buy):
https://reverb.com/item/25873290-ta...s-figured-ebony-tenor-ukulele-with-padded-bag

So I was hoping to get some advice from the community as to which way I should go. I can either:
* Stick with my original plan and get one of the AKLOT/KMISE online and teach myself some basic setup skills on the nut and saddle heights
* Go to the local store and double my budget to get something (slightly?) higher quality and properly setup

I essentially want something with a bit of longevity that can serve me as a beater if I do happen to stick with it and upgrade a year or two from now.

Thanks heaps in advance!! <3

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It's very easy to get hung up on specs and brand names when in reality this means little to nothing for entry level ukes and differences between them are largely cosmetic and in the dimensions of the instrument. I see your local store has five options lower than $200, so I suggest you go there and check these five out. Visually - are they put together well or are parts not aligned, are they clean or are there blobs of paint and glue, are the frets smooth or with sharp ends, is it pretty and pleasing to look at? Feeling - are they well balanced and easy to hold, are the necks comfortable, and is the action low enough to press strings down without effort? Sound - well you figure that out, maybe have someone else play them for you to give you a realistic impression. All online ads are designed to make them look appealing, but once you see them in person you may get another impression.
 
I know setup is an issue. Could you get someone local to set up a uke for you if you bought it online? If so, I would check out Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and Cash Converters. I also found Music City Cairns was a good shop that is at least in the same state as you (even if it is a bit further up the coast).
 
The Tanglewood tenor looks awfully crude to mein the enlarged photos. But that may just be the lighting.

I don't know how much time you can put into this purchase. Best it to try the ukes in person. As Merlin666 pointed out, the feel is important. Neck, body, nut, frets, tuners. Be aware that the strings will have a big impact on how the uke will sound. Especially fluorocarbon versus Nylon strings. As will string height. Ask the store if a setup is included in the price. Most stores around here will include an adjustment if you buy from the store. (It usually doesn't include dressing the frets.) So ask them if setup is included. Add it to the price if it is not. Also if a case or gig bag is included. Strap pins (buttons) are cheap and easy to install yourself.

Best of luck.
 
It's very easy to get hung up on specs and brand names when in reality this means little to nothing for entry level ukes....

Thanks for the reply! I was leaning to the KMISE based on what I'd read in the UU forums - but it seems on further searching that comments on the brand, while positive, are few and far between & the brand doesn't have the same reputation here as others. I'm trying to absorb the advice from others in here more so than getting stuck on a brand name.

Call Hawaii Music Supply and talk with them.

Thanks but their shipping alone is beyond me entire budget.

I know setup is an issue. Could you get someone local to set up a uke for you if you bought it online?

Possibly - I'll ask when I go into the shop. I didn't want to bother them as my budget is low and I'd intended to buy online. But if that's going to result in a short term upgrade or potentially dodgy purchase I'd be better off spending a bit more to go to the store I think.

The Tanglewood tenor looks awfully crude to mein the enlarged photos. But that may just be the lighting....

What do I know? I just thought it looked nice =D

I've got all the time in the world. I didn't want to "waste" the time of the guys in the shop if I was going to buy online (budget constraints). But it's becoming more apparent that I'd be better served to spend the extra $$$ to buy locally so I know what I'm getting. I'm pretty certain they'll do setup on something I bought online, but it would seem counter-intuitive to me to buy something online to save some $$$ then pay extra to have them set it up - when they will set up what they sell for no extra cost.


Then I saw this........

https://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-eby-t-ebony-tenor-w-package-options.html

<3 <3 <3
 
I still have my Kala KA-T, it's a good uke for its price, you wouldn't go wrong if you got one.

It'll see you alright until you have progressed, & decide to spend some money on your next uke, which would most likely be a solid wood uke. :)
 
Bill1 has some great ideas, especially about using the local knowledge base of the uke group. I started up from zero ukulele experience in a uke group. I bought an all laminate $120.00 Gretsch tenor and just started playing with no awareness of “SETUP”. One of the members was a luthier, just like your situation. After a few months I found about about set ups and had him do one for me.

Get involved in the uke group, maybe they have loaner ukes, we do. Form some relationships, get some first hand knowledge, buy another uke and pay that luthier to do a set up if necessary. In this day and age of internet access to information it is easy to overthink these things.
 
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It's tough telling someone what uke to buy. Since you're shopping in the $100 range, you'll have to expect some compromises. I would recommend looking for a Kala, even a used one, and maybe stretch your budget to a bit over $100. As for setup, it's not rocket science. There are lots of good articles and videos online. I would hesitate to bring an online uke to a local store and expect them to do a setup. I don't know what your expectations are for playing the ukulele, but any decent instrument will let you play, enjoy it, and learn.

You will definitely get more for your money with a used uke.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...emCondition=3000&rt=nc&Type=Tenor&_dcat=16224
 
Take the ukes at the local shop for a test spin. If you fall in love with one within your budget, buy it. Go slightly outside your budget if you don’t. Make mental or physical notes of what appealed to you about any of them.

See if there’s a uke by one of the more costly brands on the UU Marketplace. I’ve been very happy with my experience here as a buyer and seller. As Jerry said, you may find a used uke in your budget from a buyer you can trust that you love.
 
I am in Australia too. I started with a kala mahogany laminate concert uke. About to sell this in fact so message me if you want to discuss that.
 
Great advice here from everyone, thank you very much. Just when I thought I had decided which direction to go, another one pops up.

@Bill1 I had a look on Gumtree and there is a Bondi Ukulele Ripple Koa Tenor pack going for $200 - inc bag, extra strings, the book etc. Not sure about the tuner or the stand. Here is the link to the uke. I don't suspect it's EVER sold at the non-discounted rate - but if it's comparable to a $400-$500 uke then this looks like a really good deal. The description and photos on the ad suggest it's in immaculate condition, but I'm yet to confirm if the photos are legit. It's about a 2hr drive from me, so a bit of a hike. I also need to learn the difference between Koa and Mahogany, and whether this thing is a laminate or solid Koa, etc.

https://www.bondiukuleles.com/collections/ripple-koa-series/products/ripple-koa-tenor-ukulele-bundle

https://www.ukulelemate.com.au/products/bondi-koa-tenor-ukulele-tribal-bundle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geBw0I_qR-Y

I've decided that it would be a good idea to go into the local shop. I didn't want to use them as a try and buy (online), but the more I research, the more it seems to me that I'd be better getting a Kala KA-T for $200 from the store than the AKLOT for $100 online. I don't know if a setup will make the AKLOT on par with the Kala or not. But now I've found this second hand Koa, and from the research I've done, it could be the way to go.
 
Great advice here from everyone, thank you very much. Just when I thought I had decided which direction to go, another one pops up.

@Bill1 I had a look on Gumtree and there is a Bondi Ukulele Ripple Koa Tenor pack going for $200 - inc bag, extra strings, the book etc.

I'd stay away from this Bondi product. In the "about" section there is not one person listed who actually builds these instruments. Then they have cheap "solid Koa" ukuleles, when we have to keep in mind that Hawaiian Koa is not a common wood where even the Hawaiian builders are pressed to find suitable cuts, and some such as KoAloha are considering alternatives. Something's just not right there and this sure looks like 98% marketing effort and 2% actual instrument quality.
 
I'd stay away from this Bondi product. In the "about" section there is not one person listed who actually builds these instruments. Then they have cheap "solid Koa" ukuleles, when we have to keep in mind that Hawaiian Koa is not a common wood where even the Hawaiian builders are pressed to find suitable cuts, and some such as KoAloha are considering alternatives. Something's just not right there and this sure looks like 98% marketing effort and 2% actual instrument quality.

That's a shame, if true. It is assumed to be made in China, but so are Kala - and I'm sure countless other brands I don't know the names of. The thing is, I don't have the luxury of the majority of board members here to buy from one of the three most referred builders/suppliers.

How can you verify the wood and whether it's solid or laminate? Did you watch any of the review videos or listen to the sound clips?
 
How can you verify the wood and whether it's solid or laminate? Did you watch any of the review videos or listen to the sound clips?

Nothing wrong with made in China but online marketing glorification of generic products can be deceiving. Trust what you can see in reality in your local store. For entry level a laminate or composite may be better than solid. Solid wood is quite delicate and can warp and crack easily so needs care to prevent that. You can always upgrade to a good solid uke after you played a few in stores or jam settings and you are sure you can even notice a difference that is worth the extra cost.
 
How can you verify the wood and whether it's solid or laminate? Did you watch any of the review videos or listen to the sound clips?

You have to take the seller's word for it. If it is described as solid koa, mahogany, or anything else, then it should be solid. Some ukes have solid tops and laminate sides and back. The word "solid" is the key. One exception seems to be bamboo. Even if it's described as solid bamboo, it must be laminate because bamboo products are made up us thin layers of bamboo. Of course, if you can examine it in person, you can probably see the layers that make up the laminate.
 
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Here's how I tell solid from laminate.
I look at the grain design through the soundhole at the back. Then I flip the uke over and see if it's the same or not. Different? Laminate.
Then I look at the edge of the soundhole from the side, very closely. If you can faintly see layers, there's your laminate.
An ukulele with laminate sides and back, with a solid top can be a very good uke, if it's built right. I have one like that, and it's a monster. If the neck hadn't warped, I'd be playing it a lot.
Happy hunting!
 
Oh well the ad has gone now so that Bondi Ripple Koa Tenor must've sold. I feel a bit bummed out cuz the way my luck goes, it was probably a legit solid koa worth double what it was selling for.

I couldn't find a negative review on any of the Bondi Ukulele products, but I'll take solace in merlin666's words and assume I dodged a (very pretty) bullet &#55357;&#56852;
 
Oh well the ad has gone now so that Bondi Ripple Koa Tenor must've sold. I feel a bit bummed out cuz the way my luck goes, it was probably a legit solid koa worth double what it was selling for.

I couldn't find a negative review on any of the Bondi Ukulele products, but I'll take solace in merlin666's words and assume I dodged a (very pretty) bullet ��

It's been my experience that if you see something you want, buy it! Within an hour, someone will beat you to it. Of course, you have to do the research before you actually buy.
 
Yeah I had no idea about the brand, or even what koa was. I'm definitely in no position to know a quality uke just by looking at it. My plan was to go to the local store and check out what they have so I could at least compare. It came and went all too soon for me.
 
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