Is a Factory Ukulele Set-up Good enough? WHAT... Don't you want an easy playing Ukulele?

People buy ukuleles and often don't realise that their ukulele could be so much easier and more enjoyable to play.

Mass produced ukuleles come with "factory settings".
Factory built Ukuleles (all instruments really) are set-up to get out the factory door quickly.  Time is money in production and they just don't have the time to invest in making every ukulele play to its best, or set it up to suit each player individual buyer.

So Factories err on the side of high-action (strings are high over the fretboard) to get as many units out the door as possible.

Good Brand Vs Poor Brand

Some factories do take more care and attention to developing a good set of factory settings, instating several Quality Checking stages along the process.  This is what separates the Good Brands from the Poor Brands. To me a Good Brand  takes pride in its reputation, and strives to produce the best product it can.

Factory Set-up Vs Final Set-up.
General rule of thumb for the Musical Instruments Industry is that it's expected that the final check, and if required, set-up will be performed by the shop that sells the instrument.

This actually makes sense, the ukulele has to travel internationally long distances and humidity, temperature changes and shipping handling takes its toll.  Plus it is the retailer who is dealing with the customer and they get the final say.  Some players like low actions for easy play and can put up with a little rattle and buzz, some want higher actions for maximum volume, some players like low G strings, some are left-handed.  So yes it makes sense that the retailer does the final set-up.

Time is Money for the Retailer too, and profit margins are Thin.
The problem for the retailer is that Time is Money too!  Sometimes they sell a ukulele straight out of the box with no set-up, other retailers will do a personalised set-up if you ask them politely  (don't be a demanding dick, retailers have feelings too OK), some will charge you for the set-up, especially for the cheaper end ukuleles.

All Ukuleles can benefit, but you must understand the retailers position, they just cannot afford to spend an hour of set-up time on a $40 ukulele.

Play Testing and Checking Before Sale.
Pre Sale at minimum all Ukuleles should be tuned up and checked for playability, intonation, buzz and rattles. If the ukulele is found to be substandard and fails this basic test, then the unit should go back to the wholesaler for a replacement.

No Check = Problems
Problems occur where this checking/rectification step is skipped and a box is simply plucked off a shelf and sold, who would like to open a box to find a lemon? Not me and Not you!

The Set-Up Process.
You can feel the difference between a non-set up uke and a uke that has been through a Set -Up Process. Tuners are checked and adjusted, the Nut and Bridge is checked and adjusted if required. Neck, Fingerboard and Frets are checked with a straight edge and play tested for low / high frets that give 'Buzz".

Where required frets are levelled, re-crowned and polished. The fingerboard is given a protective conditioning with lemon oil.  You ukulele is strung up the way you want it and play checked again.

If you need a uke set-up Low G, or Lefty, let me know.
Cheers CC

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