Uke 101

Dwayne Martineau · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I want to buy a ukelele for my girlfriend-- nothing fancy, just one of those Mahalos that seem to be everywhere.

I like the baritone ukes, but would there be a downside to gettng a baritone?

-Dm

Dwayne Martineau · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

My terminology may be wrong... by baritone I mean one like the uke on the right, here:
http://www.mevtaylors.co.uk/images/ukeleles.jpg

There are just 2 standard sizes?

Jeff Watson · From: Anza, CA. USA

A good source for uke info is Taropatch.net

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

I'd suggest a Bushman Jenny uke. These imported ukes are solid mahogony througout and sound excellent. Here is the Bushman website: http://jumpingflea.com/

The more inexpensive ukes at Bushman such as the Engelman or the Echo have also received good reviews. These are not 100% solid wood though.

I recorded my recent uke CD "Ukulele Stomp" using a Jenny Concert sized uke. A concert is one notch bigger than the smallest uke, a soprano. Check out my website for sound clips from the disk.

Beware about buying a baritone uke. Most baritones sound like really bad, cheap guitars. The only baritone I would consider buying would be a Jenny. I've played these and they sound better than most baritones. In general though, I don't really care for any uke larger than a tenor .

If you do buy a Bushman tell them I sent you.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 27 August 2005 at 12:51 PM.]

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Moved to Music from No Peddlers.

For what it's worth, I played one of the mahogany Lanikai baritones the other day and was happily surprised at the quality.
I own a Favilla soprano and am very happy with it, but it took a bit to get used to the chords being a fourth higher than a guitar. Most baritone ukes are tuned like the top four strings of a guitar (bass to treble D G B E) so they're easy to learn if you already know guitar.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 27 August 2005 at 03:50 PM.]

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

The way I interpret Dwaynes thread...he just wants something inexpensive for his girl friend, as a beginner, to play. My preferance would lean towards the baritone as I have found that my students like the longer neck with frets a bit farther apart. MAHALO'S (made in China) are good value for what you pay.

Another thought...type in MELE UKULELES who are in Mau'i. They are not cheap, but they sure sound great !

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I would agree with Gerald that the Bushman Jenny line is probably the best bang for your buck. I've played a couple of the Jenny concert sized ukuleles and have been very impressed.
I hope you get a chance to try out whatever ukulele you decide to buy. Otherwise, definitely read the discussions on the Flea Market Music web site.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Dwayne Martineau · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Thanks so far, everyone.

Are the standard tunings different for different sizes of ukulele?

The other thing she would need is a chord book, etc., so I don't want to give her the equivalent of an E13th neck with no instructional support.

Bryan Bradfield · From: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Dwayne -
You are pretty close to Calgary. Look at: http://www.acousticguitar.net/home.htm
and then talk to the proprietor, Michael MacLeod. He knows his ukuleles.

Dwayne Martineau · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Well, I bought a Samick soprano UK70 for $100 Canadian. Solid and weighty little guy, abalone trim, nice round tone.
http://www.samickguitar.com/uk70.html

She loves it.

Thanks, everyone.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Here's a great source:
www.fleamarketmusic.com

They have the unconventional looking but very good "fluke" ukes, other brands, and great instructional materials. The arrangement of "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" is hilarious!

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