Buying ukulele from outside the US

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy an ukulele, big problem is I am from Chile. My best option at the moment is to buy it online, have it delivered at an address in Miami and there have someone to pick it up and bring it here (I believe the shipping costs to here would be very high, since I don't know any online store that delivers here, tell me if you know one!).

So well, since it is a big effort, this would be one in a long time buy, so I need all the help I can get.

I have played for around a year or so with a tahitian-ukulele and now I'm looking for a better sounding one. Since I can't visit any shops that sells them or try one, I can only ask you which ones you believe to be good ukuleles and what price range would be enough to get me a good one (I plan to spend around 200 dollars, but if you believe that wouldn't get me a good enough one I can save more).

Also, which good stores sell online and deliver to Miami (hopefully the most trustables one, since I wouldn't be able to try it until it gets here) and maybe what things should I also buy (like strings or a case to carry it).

Thanks for all the help!
I have no way to make it up for you but maybe I can upload a song when I get it!

EDIT: forgot to mention which type of ukulele, I believe the soprano to be the most popular, so it would be my choice unless anyone believes a concert one would be better!

Hi Pino,
Welcome to UU. If I were buying for you, I would suggest a Mainland Ukulele, with a case and electronic tuner, and an extra set or two of Aquila strings, and maybe a humidifier (depending on your room climate, ukes like 50%-60% humidity best). For your price range you could get a standard soprano or pineapple shape, with a choice of wood types and finishes. I prefer the geared tuners (you can even select the color you prefer. You can order directly from the Mainland Ukulele website, and Mike will give you great customer service. Currently, Mainland shows the Mango figure 8 soprano in stock and the Mahogany pineapple. They will sound very different from your tahitian uke. They even mention international orders on their site, so maybe you can have it shipped to you. http://www.MainlandUkuleles.com/

Good luck with the quest. Sorry it is difficult for you folks in Chile. Keep us updated.
–Lori

Thanks for your answer Lori! What would be the difference between the Mainland Mango ( http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=37&categoryId=3 ) and the Red Cedar ( http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=11&categoryId=3 ) besides of how the look? (if you know if they are better than the ones I found on the other shops it would also help!)

In case this is useful information for anyone I have contacted a few online stores and these are the ones that ship to south america (the cost is around $40 dollars):

MainlandUkuleles ( www.mainlandukuleles.com )
MeleUkulele ( www.meleukulele.com )
TheUkuleleSite ( www.theukulelesite.com )
UkuleleUprising ( ukuleleuprising.com )

From these shops I've found some sopranos on the price range, but I don't know anything about their quality, if anyone knows any information that could help me decide it would be great:

Mele Spruce Top Soprano ( http://www.meleukulele.com/shopexd.asp?id=386 )
Mele Cedar/Rosewood Soprano ( http://www.meleukulele.com/shopexd.asp?id=183 )

Koa Pili Koko ( http://ukuleleuprising.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36&product_id=86 )

Applause Soprano Electric ( http://www.theukulelesite.com/ukulele-market/applause-soprano-electric , caught my atention but I don't know if an electric soprano is better or not)
Pono MSD ( http://www.theukulelesite.com/packages/pono-mk-s-soprano-pro-pack , comes in a pack but should be on the price range alone)

These are quite a few, but anything helps.

Thanks!

Pino said:

Thanks for your answer Lori! What would be the difference between the Mainland Mango ( http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=37&categoryId=3 ) and the Red Cedar ( http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/product.sc?productId=11&categoryId=3 ) besides of how the look? (if you know if they are better than the ones I found on the other shops it would also help!)

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I don't have a Red Cedar Mainland, but from what I have heard from others on this forum, the Red Cedar would have a brighter sound than the Mango. There might be someone who has done a side by side comparison. I would expect the Mango to have a deeper and more mellow sound.

–Lori

Finally decided for the Mainland Mango. My next option were the Mele as they had also good recommendations on the forum, but the Mainlands seemed much more popular, thanks for the help!

Pino said:

Finally decided for the Mainland Mango. My next option were the Mele as they had also good recommendations on the forum, but the Mainlands seemed much more popular, thanks for the help!

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I think you will love the Mainland Mango. I really love mine, and it's my husband's favorite (and I have quite a few). Hope it comes soon!

–Lori

The uke just arrived, it's great! here's a pic:

Very nice!! Sharp looking uke, congrats!!!!

Congratulations! I hope that you enjoy it as much as many of us other Mainland owners enjoy ours.