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Topic: Decent inexpensive Uke? |
Steve Pierce
From:
San Rafael, California, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 12:10 pm |
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Hey There
I realize this might not be the place to post this, but I'm looking foor some advice.
I would like to purchase a reasonablely priced ukuele. What should I spend and what are some decent manufacturers? I'll be scanning Ebay, but I'm not opposed to going out and getting a new one.
If this is not the place to discuss this, please let me know a good place to do so.
Thanks, Steve
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Steve Pierce |
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John Bushouse
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 12:21 pm
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I'm guessing this will be moved soon...
Since you're in SF, go to Eric Schoenberg's shop in Tiburon and also down to Gryphon. Both have a good selection of ukes. I think $400-800 hits the best range of high-quality ukes. On the other hand, the Flukes and Fleas carried by Gryphon are far cheaper $100-$200). They are plastic, but they are intonated correctly (a big plus over many ukes that are under $150).
If you like the Asturias ukes at Eric's shop, my little soprano will soon be for sale. |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 12:31 pm
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Depends on price range...I have inexpensive Hilo models, and a Lanikai Koa-wood. There's definitely a sound difference. But if you only wanted to spend $50 or so to start, you could get a uke and probably a book for about that. The Lani-kai is a more quality instrument....I think mine ran around $125. I like the Tenor size. It has a wider fretboard and a deeper tone.
Even if you go "inexpensive", stay away from the flea markets/swap meets - those cheapo ones at the flea markets for $10...those are only toys and pieces of trash. You would get more entertainment-for-your dollar by watching your $10 swirl around in the toilet before it flushes out to sea.
You local music store could probably order you a Hilo or a Lani-kai, or there are several ukulele websites that are excellent to deal with. Roy Cone is great guy. I've ordred from him before. Here is his site...there's some neat ukulele information on there too.
http://www.ukuleleworld.com/
As long as it's quality enough to hold a tune, you can't go wrong with a ukulele! They are loads of fun. |
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 1:21 pm
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| Hey Steve, welcome to the world of ukulele! Go to http://www.fleamarketmusic.com. This is the biggest uke website. The Bulletin board is kind of like this forum- lot's of opinions, questions and answers. (I wrote the FAQ there, too.) |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 1:38 pm
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| Steve, I bought a Samick, for about 40 bucks, new---no kidding! It sounds killer, the intonation is pretty good, and it seems to be well made. Try your local music store. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 2:16 pm
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Moved to Music from No Peddlers. Try Flea Market Music for more suggestions.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 3:04 pm
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I can understand why you would post in No Peddlers, since a lot of us tend to play Hawaiian style music! I would have, too.
I have a concert sized Fluke in the "natural" finish. For the money (about $150 from Roy Cone at ukuleleworld), it's the best sounding and playinguke in that price range I've ever heard - period. That's in it's price range.
Now, for about $500+ more, you can have a nice, all Koa (solid Koa) from Koaloha or similar that will play and sound simply amazing, but, you'll have a much lighter wallet, too. The Flukes aren't trad shaped, and yes -- they have plastic backs and injection molded fingerboards, frets and nut. But, you'll also get SPOT ON intonation, great tone, and a very well made and set up uke for very few shells.
As another alternative, try http://www.meleukulele.com for some very well made, great playing, sounding and looking ukes. The ukes are made overseas, then brought to Hawai'i to be hand finished and set up. More uke for less money. My guitarist/uke player has a tenor that sounds great. He's the lead player on this cut -- just click here. I'm on bass, and my drummer is on a baritone uke.
But if your dough is low, then the Fluke is a great deal, IMO.
Aloha,
TJW
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 6 Dec 2004 3:46 pm
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I've thought of picking up one of those Fluke ukuleles for fun around the house. I didn't know they were available in a natural wood-like finish - I'd like that better than the blue, green, etc. finishes I've seen.
I can also attest to the quality of John Bushouse's Asturias ukulele. It's a fine instrument, although certainly out of my price range. |
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Jim Hankins
From:
Yuba City, California, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2004 10:49 am
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| I will second what Jeff said. As a favor I checked some out for a friend who wanted to buy one. The hilo looked like a good value , $50 or less. I plucked one, sounded better than I thought it would. From there , it goes up to larger "concert" models ($70-80), all the way up to a Martin Uke! (in the hundreds) Jim |
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Steve Pierce
From:
San Rafael, California, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2004 8:10 pm
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Thanks guys.
I've got a good idea about where to go now.
Is intonation an inherent problem with Ukes? Every time I read something about the Fluke, the intonation is mentioned.
Thanks, Steve
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Steve Pierce |
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2004 9:09 pm
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| It can be a problem. Make sure the nut slots are cut as low as possible. The 3rd string is notorious for playing sharp. It's usually the nut. |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Dec 2004 9:47 pm
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I've have a Franciscan Mod. 2653 ‘Baritone Uke’. [Made in Tiawan] I think I paid $59.95 for it a few years ago, because; that was the only one I could find in the music store. I know it's only a toy and I don't hesitate to call it one, but; I really enjoy playing it more for my Home-Recordings than I do my Flat-Top Rhythm-Guitar! When I'm figuring out my chords and need to come up with an unknown one, I can just move a finger or two to find the chord I need. It's a lot of fun and I found the easiest way to get one 'nearly' in tune is by matching the strings (by ear) to the tone emitted from my Boss TU–100 Chromatic-Tuner. It's almost impossible to tune by any conventional methods! But, remember to retune often! I put new strings on it about (2)-weeks ago, because; one string had broken while it was just hanging on the wall¡ 
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“Big John” Bechtel
’49/’50 Fender T–8 Custom
’65 Re-issue Fender Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here click here [This message was edited by John Bechtel on 07 December 2004 at 09:57 PM.] |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 8 Dec 2004 6:01 am
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| Quote: |
| Is intonation an inherent problem with Ukes? Every time I read something about the Fluke, the intonation is mentioned. |
Yes, with the cheaper ones. That's because nut detail work is exacting and labor intensive and not something one should try at home! 
The Flukes use an ingenious injection molded fingerboard -- nut, "frets" and all. Since the strings are nylon, fret wear isn't nearly the issue is is with metal strings, so the plastic works fine. They also use something called a zero-fret, which is right next to the nut. This also aids in not requiring any of that labor intensive (and cost raising) nut work.
I went to a tiki party last night at a friends house, and master archtop guitar luthier Bob Benedetto was there. There was a tenor Fluke floating around that he was checking out, and he was impressed with how nice it sounded, especially considering that they're mass produced and have a - gulp!  - plastic back, not unlike some other instrument that's been around for about 30 years!
The guys who designed these really did a good job, and created an instrument for cheap money that sounds and plays like way more money. This, in turn, allows more folks to get started on something that isn't going to make them want to quit, due to trying to play and finger a crappy instrument. Plus, they're just a heckuva lot of fun with four strings!
I'd like to add one of those soprano sized Fleas to my concert Fluke at some point. If it sounds anywhere as good, it will make a nice addition.
TJW
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)
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Rick McDuffie
From:
Benson, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2004 9:49 am
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| There is no decent uke. |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 10 Dec 2004 5:06 am
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| Quote: |
| There is no decent uke. |
Under $100, I would tend to agree.
Actually, I like to think of the sound of a solitary ukulele being played as just about the sweetest, most simple and pure expression of innocence and joy one can make on an instrument.
But I think it's particularly joyful when it's a child playing it. Really hard to not smile at that.
'Tis a gift to be simple!
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)
[This message was edited by Todd Weger on 10 December 2004 at 05:07 AM.] |
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 10 Dec 2004 11:56 am
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| Todd, i don't normally promote myself on this board, but since you love the sound of the ukulele, you might be interested in my CD. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/soybean |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 10 Dec 2004 1:21 pm
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| I really like Dan Sawyer's CD. You can hear a little bit of it at cdbaby. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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