By Andy Hudson

What should I look for when I buy a ukulele?
This is an often heard question by many ukulele retailers, and their response is always the same: how much do you want to spend?

Ukulele prices can range from twenty dollars for an ultra-cheap beginner's model to five thousand dollars for a very nice, hand crafted work of art that not only looks good but sounds good too.

If you are in the market for a ukulele the first thing you need to do is determine how much money you are willing to spend on your new instrument. If this is your first ukulele and you aren’t sure if the uke will be right for you, then you might want to consider buying a low end model ($30 to $100) just to get your feet wet. If after a time you find that you are hooked, then you might think about upgrading to a higher end model.
On the other hand, trying to learn on a cheap instrument can make learning more difficult and less pleasurable. This can lead to total abandonment of your new instrument, thus relegating it to a corner closet, attic or basement where it will await the day when it will become a yard-sale item. To avoid this it might be worthwhile to consider spending a little more money on a better quality ukulele.

How do you know if it’s a quality ukulele?

Look for a uke that is made from all solid woods: solid top, back and sides. Most, if not all bargain bin ukuleles ($40 and under) are made from laminated wood – this means that the top, back and sides are made of layers of cheap wood glued together (like plywood) with a very thin piece of mid-grade hardwood veneer glued to the surface to hide the cheap wood underneath. These ukes can often look pretty but not have the volume and tonal qualities of a ‘solid’ ukulele. The problem is that laminated wood doesn’t resonate like solid tone woods (i.e. mahogany, koa, spruce and cedar). Part of the reason for this is that the layers of poor quality wood, as well as the layers of glue sandwiched in between each sheet of wood tends to ‘eat up’ the sound.
There are, however, a variety of ukuleles made with solid tops that have laminated sides and backs. The price on these is typically lower than the all ‘solid’ ukes, though a bit more expensive than the beginner grade ukes. Many of these hybrid ukes are quite beautiful, have a good sound and have a good ‘feel’ to them. And since they are more affordable these tend to be the best sellers. When money is an issue this variety of ukulele is a good compromise.

What sort of sound should the ukulele have?

There is no definitive answer to this question – sound is such a subjective thing, what sounds good to one may not sound as good to another. The only way to answer this question is to wrap your hands around a ukulele and play it (or have someone play for you) before you buy a ukulele. Visit your local music shops and ask to play all of their ukuleles until you find the one that you just can’t put down. If your local music shops do not carry ukuleles then you might try locating a local ukulele club. There are always a good variety of ukes at ukulele club meetings and most ukers are more than willing to share their ukes with other like-minded folks. Can’t find a ukulele club in your area? There’s bound to be a ukulele player or two hiding in your town and it is possible to find them. One way would be to visit FleaMarket Music's Players Directory. Fleamarket Music’s player directory lists ukulele players and clubs all over the world.

You might also post a message at your local music shops and around your neighborhood stating that you are looking for other ukulele players to meet. Find ukulele players and you’ll find ukes that you can play and by playing lots of ukes it will become easier for you to determine what you want and what you do not want when you buy a ukulele. There are also ukulele festivals held throughout the year in different parts of the country and these events are also a great way to see and play many different types of ukuleles in one place.
Before you buy a ukulele, another good reason for getting a uke in your hands for inspection is simply to see how it feels in your hands. Ukulele necks come in various widths and lengths, and one manufacturers fret board may not feel the same as another. The frets on one uke may not be as smooth as on another. Some fret boards are slightly curved while others are flat. Again, we are talking of subjective issues and since this is something that you will be spending time holding in your hands it is most important that it be a good ‘fit’ for you.

But what if I want to buy a ukulele from an online retailer and my local shops don’t carry the ukulele I’m interested in?

If this is the case then you should contact the online retailer and see if they can provide you with either a sound clip of the ukulele via the internet or have them play it for you over the telephone before you buy a ukulele from them. If they have more than one in stock, ask the salesperson if he or she could play the others and pick out one that they felt had the best sound and the best feel. Most online retailers will let you keep the ukulele for a trial period, this is usually seven to fourteen days, after that time if you do not like the uke you can return it and continue your search for the perfect uke.

Whether you’re buying a twenty dollar ukulele or a five thousand dollar ukulele, the most important thing is that you buy a ukulele – one of the happiest instruments in the world. Have fun with it, carry it with you and spread that happiness where ever you go.


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