Questions about picking an Ukulele

Red720

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I am looking at the Info Thread - Entry Level 'Ukuleles, I am having some trouble with my internet or the site links are not working. Anyone else?

I am also looking at Amazon bundles for Ukuleles, here is a list, I could use some help in picking the right one, like the different types of ukuleles with a good beginner's add-ons, or help.

Most of them seem to come with bags, or other accessories.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ukuleles&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

I did a google search too, but extra help would be great.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=types+of+ukuleles

Thanks
 
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That thread was last updated 8 years ago. Best to just skip it as out of date.

Knowing where you are and what your budget in will help. Several of the choices you'll have (e.g. size) are completely subjective. There's no right answer (or wrong answer) to whether you should start with a Soprano, Concert, or Tenor (I'm a bass and baritone fan, but if you have to ask that's probably not where you want to start). Something to think about is why you want to play ukulele, who you like listening to, and what they play.

For good reviews check out https://www.gotaukulele.com/ . He's entertaining, honest, and thorough. Many other high SEO "reviews" are less than trustworthy. The top links in your google search are pretty much just affiliate link farms.

Since you're pointing at Amazon.com I assume you're in the US and looking for a low end uke. I'd recommend calling Mim at https://mimsukes.com and buying from her. Of the high-reputation vendors she has the best low end selection I'm aware of, and she'll help kit you out with something worthwhile without breaking the bank.

Add-on wise you don't need much: I'd look at a strap, a tuner, and a case or stand. That said, straps are optional (some people love 'em. some hate 'em. I'm personally in the first set - you may want to have your vendor add a strap button), you can download a tuner app on your phone if you're not playing somewhere with noise (I often use my phone at home where it's quiet), and so long as you have somewhere to keep your uke it doesn't need to be fancy (I generally store on wall hooks so they're easily at hand at home and use cases only when going out).

The accessory packages on Amazon level ukes are generally not good. A few have decent cases, but most are very cheap and flimsy. I've never seen a tuner or strap in a bundle that I'd want to use. Everything else I've seen included is pure gimmick.
 
Hi Red720, Here's my take: I bought my first uke from Amazon. Because I has some gift cards. I bought a Fender Nohea koa tenor. It was a very difficult ukulele to play. I needed a pair of ViceGrips to play a 1st fret barre chord. Because I didn't know anything about getting a setup for it. Also the description of the uke was "All-koa", and I had read that koa was the best wood for a ukulele. (Not true.) I found out it was a laminate with a koa outer layer. It has to say: "solid koa" to be sure that it is made with solid pieces of koa wood.

Do you know what size you want? Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone?
Do you have a budget?
The beginner's accessories are usually somewhat lacking. The cases usually don't have any padding. They are good for a dust cover. The tuners are usually OK. The strap is usually a sound hole clip on type that you have to be careful when you use it. If you take your hands off of your uke, it will fall forward and the strap will come off.

There are several reviews of "Best Beginners Ukes." online.
In addition to Barry Maz' site, UU member Choirguy has reviews and information as well:
Ukulele blog: http://ukestuff.info

Starting out, it all can be pretty overwhelming. If possible go to a music store and try a few ukes. If you decide to buy one there, ask if they do setups. To lower the strings to make the uke easier to play. If you can't go to a store, I strongly recommend a good online ukulele seller. Mimsukulele; UkeRepublic; TheUkuleleSite are just three that do an excellent job of helping you find what you want.

Some brands to consider are Ohana, Kala, Enya, Lanaki, but there are many more that also have relatively inexpensive beginner ukes of decent quality. We can offer suggestions if you can give us some parameters to work with. But you'll get many different recommendations.
 
Even for your first uke, I'm going to suggest you buy from a good uke retailer like The Ukulele Site, Mim, or Uke Republic, and avoid Amazon altogether (The Ukulele Site is awesome!). The specialists will ensure that your uke is set up and playable, something you will not get from an instrument drop-shipped from Amazon. You don't need much in the way of accessories. A tuner, a case - a good case that is protective is the Uke Crazy case, and is usually under $50. A sound hole humidifier if the uke is wood, but you may be looking at an all-laminate in the lower price ranges. A strap if you want one, know that you'll need at least one strap button on the bottom. You can also peruse our Marketplace page - many nice used ukes are passed on this way. You can even post and say you are looking for a nice uke in your price range. Have you decided what size you want? Smaller is not necessarily easier, and you can start on a tenor if you like the sound best. You want to choose a uke that will be easy to play, and have good sound and be pleasing to your ears as you learn to make music on it.
 
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Amazon is not the best place to buy a uke, especially when you don't recognize the makers name - buy from a reputable dealer who will make sure it is set up right. :music:
 
Don't trust the Amazon reviews, especially for beginner ukuleles. Even if they are honest, beginners generally haven't tried enough different instruments to give you a meaningful review.

You can find much more reliable reviews here: https://www.gotaukulele.com/p/ukulele-reviews.html

Yes, gotaukulele is excellent, and he has them sorted by price.

Also, take a look at mimsukes.com - excellent dealer and very good with advice. I would recommend starting out with a good uke, not one costing $1,000, but one that's good quality for a good price. When Mim gets to a certain sales point, she will stop taking orders till the following week, but you can still browse what she has available. You can find reviews for just about anything online.

https://mimsukes.com/
 
Not sure if it’s any help, but my first ukulele was an Akalot tenor which I got from Amazon here in the uk.
I bought it because I was not sure if I would enjoy playing it, being an old guitar and keyboard player plus you get all the basic extras and ...especially ...it was cheap, not to much too lose if the worst happened. And I loved it, for the money it would be hard to beat.
And no. Im not paid or anything else by anyone, just an honest review.
 
Thanks for the recommendations. I have been an Amazon user since 2005, sometimes assume Amazon is ok with all things, including music.

I thought I would give some songs, or styles I would like to play and then someone can recommend which of the 4 to play. I have not searched yet, but are there Youtube videos that play the 4 types in one video, sort of being about to hear the differences etc. I will look but anyone knows immediately will greatly help.

I like songs like Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence

I remembered recently the Somewhere over a Rainbow - This reminded me of the Hawaii singer here - he had quite a following

Somewhere over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole

I saw this 5 or 6 years ago, but now again.

Aside from specific songs like that, I like sound tracks from Movies and Video Games - if anyone familiar like Skyrim or the Witcher series.

@Kenn2018
Do you know what size you want? Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone? - When I learn more I guess I will pick, like looking at some more Youtube videos or forum help

Do you have a budget? - I think I would like to start low, providing I may pick up or may pick it up a few weeks later - meaning adjusting to my learning curve. It would be great to immediately get it but I don't know what will happen.

The beginner's accessories are usually somewhat lacking. The cases usually don't have any padding. They are good for a dust cover. The tuners are usually OK. The strap is usually a sound hole clip on type that you have to be careful when you use it. If you take your hands off of your uke, it will fall forward and the strap will come off. - I am fine with a dust cover, I don't think I will be taking it anywhere anytime soon, a tuner is probably a must, any recommendations.

Thanks for all the buying and shopping possibilities, I will take a look.

Finally the dreaded part, how do return policies work with some of the suggested sites. I know how Amazon's works, but what about others.

Thanks for the detailed help, it is bringing me closer to finally playing!
 
You also need to decide on what size to get: soprano, concert, or tenor.
I recommend buying a Kala ukulele; they are very consistent in terms of quality. They are also a US-based company, so if you have support issues, it is just a quick email or phone call away.
 
You need to identify first what kind of tune you wanted to have
 
For the kind of music you like, which I do too, I'm going to suggest a tenor or concert. The lower price ranges are usually all laminate. If you have a discriminating ear, you may prefer to buy at least a solid wood topped uke. They usually cost a little more. Places like the Ukulele Site or Mims are very good with returns. But if you choose wisely from a good seller there will be no need to return.
 
When I was at this stage of purchasing my first ukulele, I obviated much of the noise and static of "what about this" or "what about that" by making my first priority money. Once you commit to a certain amount of money to initiate your musical journey, your parsimony (or lack thereof) will dictate which ukuleles fit within your budget.
 
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