Are you thinking about buying a ukulele? Not sure which one to get?
Our reviews on Ukulele Tricks are made to help you make the best buying decision.
- 5 Best Ukuleles to Buy for Beginners
- 5 Great Chromatic Tuners for Ukulele
- 16 Best Ukuleles to Buy This Christmas… Without Breaking the Bank
- Best Ukuleles to Buy for Christmas 2010
Want to submit a review? Feel free to post a comment below or send us an email.
I have 5 ukulele’s so far. For beginning to intermediate players I am really impressed with the mid price range ($150-$400) KALA models. I find they offer excellent quality and value for the money. I have two(a KA-FMT and a travel uke both are maple bodies with spruce tops) and they both play well with a nice bright sound. I also have aquired a KANILE K2T which is beautiful solid KOA and has perfect sound. This is a quality professional level instrument. The internet has lots of free learning opportunities for those interested. Pick up a ukulele and start learning, then you can enjoy the sounds of the islands.
Bob, thanks so much for posting your review. I’ve heard excellent things about Kala ukes. I only have a tenor uke right now (not a Kala), but I’d like to get a soprano someday. I’m really tempted by their flame maple soprano ukes. Maybe someday soon… As you said, everyone should pick up a uke and start learning. I’m surprised by how many very decent quality entry-level ukes you can find out there for a very reasonable price.
I have two ukuleles, a Kala KA-ST tenor with a solid Sitka spruce top, and a Makala Dolphin bridge in yellow burst (soprano). I love both, but find I play the Makala dolphin more – I like the size, the playability, and the sound. It’s doesn’t cost a lot but it is of great quality (plastic back and sides with a laminate top). Easily a recommendation for a beginner. Both are strung with Aquila strings, and were set up by Music Guy Mic on eBay. I really dig the Kala brand overall.
I’ve always wondered what the Makala Dolphin sounded like. Sounds like it’s a great entry level uke that’s pretty decent. How well does it hold tune?
I am teaching my 25 fifth graders how to play the ukulele. The Makala Dolphin w/Aquila strings is the perfect student uke. After several tunings, it holds well. The kids love the sound and the colors. I like that I am able to get them singing along with playing. By the end of the school year, they will be quite accomplished. What a gift the ukulele has been to my classroom.
Thanks for the great review, Linda!
Hi Bob,
You say the mid-range $150 onwards ukuleles by KALA’s really good. How about for beginners? How does the lower end compare with other brands? Like those under $100? I’m going out to get a ukulele but can’t decide and can’t wait to start!
While I am not as familiar with Kala ukes as Bob probably is, I would imagine the similar quality would carry through down to their beginner and entry level line. I would be much more prone to by a cheaper uke from a company that I new made great ukes all around than a no-name company that I’ve never heard of. I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts on this though.
I have a Kala Tenor Uke, I love it and the back and sides are spalted maple and the top and neck are spruce, very lovely instrument. I am a beginner and it stays in tune, easier to hold onto than a soprano is as well. I would say invest your money into a midrange instrument and you wont regret it. The lower end instruments tend to go out of tune easily, or thats been my experience.
Hey,
can you like do The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel on the Uke.
I think it might sound awesome
I will definitely keep it in mind!
Brett: Do you ever do chord solos eg: playing the melody of a song using chords? John F
John, I haven’t done that yet. It is something I want to get into though! Any suggestions for songs that are good to do for that?
Brett;
Have you ever done any lesson on the Baritone Ukuleles in Finger Picking?
Thanks
Clyde
Clyde, I haven’t been able to do any although I would love to in the future!
On the subject of building a repertoire of songs and for those who have not yet visited. There are a vast number of songs on the Dr.Uke website. With chord charts and note names above, it is a real treat for beginners and advanced alike.
i am looking for a lanikai LU-21 soprano ukulele where would be a good place to get one at a decent price? i was thinking about the guitar center.
love
kallan
Guitar Center might have them. It would be good place to try. For online purchases, I’ve worked with Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, and zZounds, and they all have excellent service too.
Ebay has them going for around $70.
Thanks Brett for your super awesome site and for giving so much info and encouragement to all us uke newbies!
Could you post a comment or two on strings? Thanks!!
What questions do you have about strings? Aquila tends to be a pretty popular string manufacture, although there are many out there. The best thing to do is to try a bunch out and figure out what you like. Some strings sound better on certain ukuleles, so you really just gotta try it out. I’ve been using some Aquilas on my tenor uke for awhile, and I think here soon I’m going to pick another string maker and try those.
i have tried several strings and for my pona mpt i have worth’s on the e and a and then put wound c and g strings from hilo, sounds great; i have aquilas on my leolani and am planning on putting some dadarrio j71′s on soon and just got some of the new koolau strings that have a wound c and g in the set i can’t wait to put them on the pono and see how they sound.
I just acquired a Baddah mahogney baritone uke with an ebony fretboard. It is my understanding that they were made by Mele until 2003. The instrument was almost given to me, so I am wondering if anyone knows anything about these instruments. I am still a beginner and am learning on a Mitchell Concert Uke so the baritone fingering and tuning is a little confusing.
Brett: Thank you so much for your clear and informative lessons. I have enjoyed learning something entirely new at 71 years old! I have a music background in piano and taught for 20 years, so I understand music, it’s “just” getting my fingers to respond to what my head is telling them! I am learning on a Mitchell Concert Uke, which I like very much. Recently I was given a Braddah Baritone Uke made out of Mahogany and Ebony. It is my understanding that they were made in Hawaii by Mele before 2003. Do you or any of your followers have any information on this instrument? Thanks for the work you are doing.
Hey Zoe, thanks for your comment! I often hear from people in their 60s and 70s who are picking up and learning ukulele. That’s so cool!!! I am not very familiar with the Braddah baritone, but I’ll be interested to see if any other readers have some insight they can add to your comment.
What are your feelings on the Ibanez UEW20 Acoustic-Electric Ukulele?
I’ve never played it, so I can’t speak firsthand about it, but it looks like it gets pretty good reviews online.
i prefer pure ukele instrumental, combination of chords and tabs, but cant find one , probably something for a beginner to intermediate…new and popular oldies….any thoughts of making one…..
I actually have some lessons and songs like this that are in the works! I hope to be focusing on more of these types of songs and lessons the next couple months.
I have a Makai tenor. I bought it for $80 and dislike it so much I won’t play it. I had it worked on to improve the sound but the high G string still sounds muted. It sits in it’s case. It was bought to learn with and I did. My next will be one of better quality and no doubt higher price.
Hi, I was in Lidl in the UK and they were selling one by Clifton at £17.99, not a bad little one to see if you want to play,or get the kids..
I would highly recommend a Anuenue uke. For the price I have heard nothing that is better. They are very well made and sound great, stay in tune well. Not sure of their starting price but believe them to be very affordable. My first uke was a anuenue and it served me well until I went crazy and bought a selection of professional quality ukes
Thanks for the review, Trevor!
I currently have only one ukulele. It is cheap but it does the job. You can get for $33, I think. And so far it has done pretty well. I’m surprised with how well I am doing with so little to go on. My ukulele is a Hilo Model # 2652
Hi Brett,
Thank you for taking the time to put in all of this work for total strangers.
I am 52 and have never so much as picked up a musical instrument in my life until Dec. 22/11 When I decided I had to learn to play an instrument. I bought myself a Kala KA-S. and have my eye on a Kala KA-ASAC-T a month or two down the road once I learn a few things and know it is not going to be a total waste of money.
In the past 14 days I have learned 6 chords, 2 strumming patterns and can move around the fret board fairly comfortably. And learned one 2 chord song (Anyone Else But You – moldy peaches) can play poorly, but coming along.
Along with all of your info I am using Uncle Rods Ukulele boot camp. then got stuck. He has practice sheets for doing the chords which is great. but I don’t understand what is meant by the key of C, key of F etc.
Any advise?
Again Thank you so much for doing this. You have no idea how much you have done for me to get me going this far!!!
Bill
Hey Bill, keys refer to the scale that a song is based on. In pop music, most songs are based on major scales (keys). I wrote a lesson introducing major scales here which will allow you to get your feet wet:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-scales-explained-for-beginners/
I currently only own a Mahalo coloured uke and I’m sure everyone knows that they are not exactly good, so I’ve been looking at a few models and I came across this Electric-Acoustic Ovation Applause uke. The model is UAE20 and it’s one of the only soprano ukes I found that was electric as well as acoustic. So I was wondering if anyone had any info or any reviews to put for it if they actually have one. Thanks!
If anybody else can suggest a relatively high quality acoustic-electric soprano ukulele, I’d really appreciate it
My friend just got a Kala KA-TEME and he really likes it. It is the exotic mahogany series and it has a pickup. Kala also has some higher-end models with electronics that you might look at.
Also, check out Mainland ukuleles. They are quite good for the price.
You can also look at some of the K brands like Kamaka or Ko’olau.