Want to get into Ukulele..what is a good starter uke?

Typical question from someone wanting to start in ukulele, What is best to start on?

Q. Hi Chris,
 A friend Linda recommended you to me.
I wish to purchase a ukulele, but have no idea what type/size to get.  I have no musical experience and, as my father said, tone deaf ... hopefully an exaggeration.  I guess that I want a beginner type, but with reasonable strings etc. Linda said about $40 could get me started.  It sounds a good price. Please let me know what you suggest and how to purchase it.

Cheers, Martin


A.  Hi Martin,
Lots of choices at the starter level.  Many are not too good unfortunately.

Most of your $25 ukuleles are pretty much toys, they may look like an instrument, but they; 
1. Are Hard to Play (Nut/Bridge height too high or too low and of poor quality)
2. Refuse to stay in tune (fishing line for strings and rubbish tuning pegs)
3. Are badly intonated (Nut/Bridge/Frets not in right place) so they barely play in tune and get worse as you move up the fretboard

IF you spend about $40 you are getting into the range of proper Instrument not Toy. 

I sell a lot of the Makala Dolphin Series Soprano Ukuleles at $40, they come with GHS Brand strings (USA) rather than fishing line.  11 colors to choose from. They feature a one piece resin moulded back and sides, with a wood top, so there are no back braces to come loose, no joints to crack.  Tough as old boots they are and the back is even arched, which is nice.  Frets/Bridge/Nut are all in the right positions and fitted well.

WHAT SIZE UKULELE IS RIGHT?

If you have big hands and chunky fingers then you might opt to go for the next size of ukulele up from the Soprano.  The Concert size Ukuleles have more space for Chunky fingers on the fingerboard.

A good starter Ukulele is the Makala MK-C, they cost just $65, again with quality GHS Brand strings.
Only available in Natural Wood with a satin finish.

All ukuleles I sell are Checked for Quality and Playability before I post, and if needed, adjusted and set up for best playablity.

HOW TO PURCHASE
I sell direct to the public by mail order with a small Flat Rate fee for Postage in OZ ($10),
Normally payment for mailorder is Direct Deposit or I can raise an Invoice via PayPal Payment.

Purchase in Person COD
Or you can collect from me in Elizabeth Vale and save postage.
Or you can collect at The Nukes Ukulele Club Tuesday Evenings at the Old Spot Hotel, 7pm.
Or I can deliver depending where you live.

MAKALA AND KALA RANGE AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA
Here is a link to the website of the Aussie distributor if you like to check out range prices pictures etc.
http://www.jacarandamusic.com.au/

If you have anymore questions please get back to me.
Always happy to arrange demo of a few for you.
Regards Christopher

KALA KA-TE Tenor Size Electric Ukulele by Kala,

KALA KA-TE
Tenor Size Ukulele by Kala, Mahogany with Electric Pickup.
Retails for $285 In Australia.

Every Ukulele I sell Comes with a Setup Included.  Upgrade to Worth Strings for $30 Extra (Low or Hi G)

The Kala Mahogany Series Ukuleles offer a Full-Bodied Tone with plenty of “Sweet Highs” And “Mellow Lows” that combine for a full rich sound. Traditional white binding on the top and back accent the Rich Satin Mahogany finish, while geared tuners assure your instrument will keep it’s tune.

The Kala KA-TE now has a built in digital tuner in the preamp mounted on the side facing you as you hold the ukulele. This is so convenient! One less thing to buy, keep track of, and find when you need. It's a back -lit chromatic tuner that tells you the note you play and whether you are flat, sharp, or in tune.

Kala KA-TE ukulele has fantastic features and would be an excellent choice for any budget conscious musician looking for a quality sound and plug in. The Kala KA-TE has a bright, full sound that will either jump start your love for ukulele, or take it even higher!

ABOUT KALA.
Kala Ukuleles are a relatively new ukulele brand, but have made a big impact. They are a great choice for people who want a well-made, quality ukulele at a decent price. They are particularly good for people who are getting more serious about playing the uke and want a quality ukulele without breaking the bank.


VIDEOS about the Kala KA-TE on YouTube.


SPECIFICATIONS.
17 tenor scale (distance from nut to saddle)
26-3/8 overall body length
11-3/4 body length
6-3/4 upper bout
9 lower bout
5-1/4 waist
3-1/8 body depth
1-3/8 at nut
Traditional white binding
Fret position marks at 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th frets on neck and top of fingerboard
Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
Chrome die-cast sealed geared tuners
Aquila Nylgut premium strings

If you are Brand New to Ukulele, then you have two questions you first need to ask yourself. Q 1. Size and Q 2. Budget

Howdy Ukulele Lovers. If you are Brand New to Ukulele, then you have two questions you need ask yourself.
Q 1. You need to think what size (Soprano/Concert/Tenor) would suit, 
Q 2. Budget that you want to invest, anything from $40 up to about a grand I can do for you and you get Aussie Hospitality as you get 'mates rates' off the retail prices.

I retail Ohana and Kala ukuleles here in OZ (worldwide really)
Here are some links to places to check out the Fabbo Kala and Ohana ukuleles.

REMEMBER that if you see something you like, then  shoot me a message, and I can arrange an in person demo/play test for them, or can arrange to send pictures and videos for you.
My email address is   ChrisFromUkuleleTradingATgmail.com    just replace the AT with @

My web presence is here;
http://theukuleletradingcoaustralia.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTradingCoAustralia

To check out what ukuleles are available in OZ go to

The OZ Wholesalers Website is at http://www.jacarandamusic.com.au/

and the Kala USA Manufacturer's website is at http://kalabrand.com/

and the Ohana USA Manufacturers Website is at http://www.ohana-music.com/

the Facebook Pages for these are

https://www.facebook.com/jacarandamusicaustralia

https://www.facebook.com/KalaBrandMusic

https://www.facebook.com/ohanaukuleles?fref=ts


Cheers CC

Christopher Carr
ChrisFromUkuleleTradingATgmail.com
Phone 0432 306 920
The Ukulele Trading Co Australia: The Popup Music Shop
Purveyors Of Fine New & Vintage Ukuleles,
Setups, Lessons - Private and Group.
http://theukuleletradingcoaustralia.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTradingCoAustralia
Book the Popup Music Shop for your Community Event or Corporate Workshop. 

Little Ukulele Rockstars Kids Playgroup. Monday 26th 10:30 am E for Ethel Cafe

KIDS MUSICAL PLAYGROUP
Monday 26th 10:30amE For Ethel Cafe
116 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
Yes CC is getting in his Big Red Car and Toot Toot Chugga Chugging along to E for Ethel on Monday Morning of the 26th to host a Kids Playgroup.

The Wheels on the bus will go round,
The MacDonalds farm animals will be named,
The Five Little monkeys will be jumping on the Bed.
Ukuleles and Rhythm instruments supplied and a Baby Cino.
Tell all your friends, 
Ta Muchly Crew.

Kent Armstrong 7 String Guitar Humbucker. Pair for $100 They were $180 Each!

Kent Armstrong 7 String Guitar Humbucker.

New IN Box
Were $180 Each
Now the pair for JUST $100...Check it out now! Click to see the ebay listing  http://r.ebay.com/EgaTg6

Clearing Out Items as I am now a dedicated Ukulele Shop,
so out goes all my remaining guitar, bass and drum stock.

Like the way your 7 String guitar looks and feels BUT the Sound (tone) is letting the side down?

Then try a new set of Hi Output replacement Pickups!

The Kent Armstrong range of pickups are a guaranteed fix for your weedy tone woes.

The "Bang for Your Buck" Meter is off the scale. 

You dont have to cough up mega bucks for a big USA name brand, try a Kent Armstrong Pickup. All the design work is done in the USA, the pickups are built in the far East to keep costs down for you. 

I  just can't praise them highly enough!!

WSC Jazz Bass Pickup The "Bang for Your Buck" Meter is off the scale.

WSC Jazz Bass Pickup

NEW IN BOX
Must Clear
Was RRP $49 On Sale for $25Check it out now!   http://r.ebay.com/6GtHhF 

Like the way your Bass guitar looks and feels BUT the Sound (tone) is letting the side down?

Then try a replacement Pickup!

The WSC range of pickups are a guaranteed fix for your weedy tone woes.

The "Bang for Your Buck" Meter is off the scale. 

You dont have to cough up mega bucks for a big USA name brand, try a WSC Pickup. 

The classic Jazz Bass pickups have a characteristic bright single coil tone.

I  just can't praise them highly enough!!

KENT ARMSTRONG SLIMBUCKER Was $125... Sale Price $65.

KENT ARMSTRONG SLIMBUCKER

NECK MOUNT JAZZ PICKUP (Johnny Smith style)
BLACK COVER. 

My Last Unit Left In-stock and I Must Clear 
Was $125...  Sale Price $65.Check it out now!  http://r.ebay.com/Ygvtjt

A mellow, highly acclaimed floating mini humbucker for traditional archtop jazz guitars.  No routing is needed — the brackets attach to the end of the fingerboard, suspending the pickup above the guitar top in the Johnny Smith style.  

This pickup is only 3/8" thick but sacrifices nothing in terms of the full rich sound that players have come to expect from Kent Armstrong's great jazz pickups.  

This pickup will fit in tight spots where other jazz pickups can't!

The coils are epoxy-sealed for feedback suppression.  
Exposed solder lugs, can install either to onboard volume and tone controls, or directly to an endpin output jack.  Includes detailed installation instructions.

Read reviews of this pickup here:
http://www.harmonycentral.com/products/110327