What are /r/ukulele's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

I like it lot so far. It's got a bright bite, and the intonation is shockingly excellent. By comparison, my Epiphone Les Paul Uke (which was my first uke, I love it so much), which cost twice as much, has had some work done to improve the intonation and still can't match the Waterman. I think it's because the Waterman has a "zero" fret at the top of the fingerboard, right after the nut. Though to be fair, the Les Paul Uke also has a pickup in it. It can't match my Ohana TK-20CE, but for $50, it's a damn good sound.

According to the Kala page and this Amazon page, it's an ABS composite plastic. I've already dropped it a couple times and it has hardly a scratch, so they've made it out of something sturdy.

The shop that I buy from said they haven't carried them for an incredibly long time, though they usually have some crazy ukes... I've seen metal-bodied resonator ukes, 8-strings, and an arch-top uke there. But anyway, if your local place carries Kala ukes, maybe they'll get one in sometime that you could try for yourself! It's an interesting sound, not bad, but different from a wooden instrument.

TL;DR It's great for a $50 uke. Sorry for typing so much, figured I should answer as thoroughly as I could 'cuz I'm weird and wordy, haha. :)

Hipster eh?

George Harrison begs to differ.

http://www.openculture.com/2014/08/george-harrison-explains-why-everyone-should-play-the-ukulele-with-words-and-music.html

If you can find a used Risa Uke-Solid (aka Uke Stick) those are practically silent when not plugged in. They're well made and not exactly cheap, but so worth it. Here's an amazon link so you can see what they look like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solid-Electric-Concert-Ukulele-Deluxe/dp/B00DSOYXO4

Since a lot of people have asked, here's a link to a clip I just recorded with my phone. This is my first ukulele so I have no reference, let me know how you think it sounds despite the terrible quality of recording.

https://clyp.it/33ahqtd1

https://chordify.net/chords/ukulele-beach-doug-maxwell-limo-recording-studio

​

I've used Chordify a few times and it's fairly accurate.

Hey friend! There's a dope website called chordify that I use when I need to find the chords. Here's a link with the song you posted https://chordify.net/chords/everybody-wants-to-be-poppy-acoustic-poppy It's a great resource, and it may not be 100% accurate it will be very close and gives you a base to work with. Happy Ukeing!

I use gStrings, but there are several. Got a uke myself a few days ago. I like the app, but i think i will be buying this cool little gizmo, because all sounds surrounding you will interfere with the microphone tuning.

Although I haven't built one myself, I suggest you check out The Uke Book Illustrated. It is sort of a graphic novel style format, but steps you through the entire process.

Just buy the uke. Kala has several models for $55 or less on Amazon with free shipping. Ukulele is much easier to learn than guitar, and there's not really that much that carries directly over. Both are fretted instruments, but they have totally different fingering patterns and chords. Some strumming patterns are similar but the actual technique is different. You hold them differently due to the vast size difference. Etc.

I'm brand new, but just recently bought my first ukelele on Amazon. I went with Kala KA-15S Soprano for $55 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LU1SFO/

It has over 1,000 reviews and 4 1/2 stars, so I figured for the price I couldn't go wrong.

Got a smartphone? You can use a chromatic tuning app if you're in a pinch... Results won't be 100% but should get you damned close.

Android I use this on my Nexus One, works a treat.

iPhone (I guess?)

I think for beginners, the most fun way (and therefore probably the most consistent way) is to play along with songs. Start with 4 chord songs (I'm yours by Jason Mraz is a good example), then branch out. Good sites for playing with music are chordify and riffstation. Don't rush, just have fun first. You'll naturally be able to start nailing chords at speed.

About the pick, personally I absolutely hate the sound of them on ukes and I really think you should learn finger strumming/picking. Unlike a guitar, the strings of an uke are much friendlier and you won't get cut up as easily.

If I understand you correctly, you might like Musescore3, free notation software for Mac, Windows & Linux systems. You can compose for a number of instruments using standard notation and tabulature. This include ukulele, I believe.

https://musescore.org/en

For those who aren't familiar with the Indian Chief Tootsie Pop reference, there was a myth back in grade school that you could get free Tootsie Pops by mailing the wrappers with Indians on them back to the Tootsie company. It wasn't true but that didn't stop some girls in class from collecting them :)

The true story behind the Lollipop Indian: "It’s a trippy tale about how the inventor of Tootsie Pops originally wanted them to be star-shaped, but couldn’t work out how to get the Tootsie Roll filling inside. One day he hallucinated an Indian Chief who showed him that the pops should be round by shooting an arrow at the moon."

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/damon-hill

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DamonHillBand

i have a great book about building ukes— it’s not expensive— and there is even a kindle version.

The Uke Book Illustrated: Design and Build the World's Coolest Ukulele (Fox Chapel Publishing) Graphic Novel Format Shows Every Step of Construction with 1,500 Beautiful Watercolor Illustrations https://www.amazon.com/dp/1497100070/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_ZP76ZTTCCKGACJ67YH38?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah, it does! Not surprising I guess, since that's the exact model I got, haha. I got mine at a local shop for $50. If you've got a place locally that caries Kala instruments, they might have one. You can also get one from Amazon, though I'd recommend seeing if you can try one out in person first.

Also, here's a video I just made with mine, if you want to hear some more Waterman audio.

On top of all the theory-related benefits others have already covered, I've found that practicing scales helps me get consistent finger placement, and better tone. Segovia wrote a set of scale exercises that work major and minor scales, both across and up and down the fretboard. You might want to check them out. I ordered mine from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Diatonic-Major-Minor-Scales-Book/dp/1598060597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487910316&sr=8-1&keywords=segovia+scales

Yeah sure. No worries it was quite a dividing initial comment lol

I was thinking absolute absolute beginner level, like "I want to try this instrument" tier beginner. Other than that I don't see an issue in spending money after that point. My £20 uke I bought from amazon sounded awful when I first got it, but that was entirely down to my skill, my £240 uke sounds great, but my £20 uke sounds fine too now I'm more proficient.

The benefit of not spending a huge amount was if I didn't decide to continue learning I hadn't blown a large amount on it. It was two years after I eventually upgraded too and the starter uke was fine the entire time.

I'm not a huge fan of blowing a large sum of money on something you might not pick up after a few days. Ukes have an unusual ability to sound great at both £20 and £1000

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0nf4BiossT8

This was the uke I used initially: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002Q4PZ6W/ref=pe_1909131_77697001_tnp_email_TE_AMZLdp_1

i got this one because it was a lightning deal with Amazon prime day. Did you happen to get the same one?

I haven’t had much luck with spring capos on my ukes, but I’m sure they work for some people. This one is what I use, and it fits great on my soprano, concert, and tenor! Good luck!

OP, if you want DGBE or a related tuning on a tenor uke, they make strings for this tuning for tenors, so that you can have the correct intonation and tension. Here's an example.

I think it's because you tuned it an octave lower. That Snark tuner won't give which octave. If you're on Android download Tuner & Metronome (it's also available for ios). All your notes should have the number 4 (G4, C4, E4, A4).

"Song for Cheri"

The video

here's some help for future reference: it's a hiphop song, so 90% of the time it is sampled from another song... i googled "who sampled the palisades by childish gambino" and got http://www.whosampled.com/sample/326249/Childish-Gambino-Christian-Rich-The-Palisades-Marcos-Valle-Parab%C3%A9ns-%28Dan%C3%A7a-Do-Daniel%29/ then you search the new song with "chords" for guitar or ukulele, and then translate them. It seems like a relatively generic progression, its 4 chords quickly progressing

Fellow uke noob speaking: I use this programme when near my laptop; otherwise I borrow my friend's clip-on tuner. I'd definitely recommend getting a clip-on tuner - you can tune wherever you are and since they tune off vibrations it doesn't matter if you're somewhere noisy!

Choridify has it. It defaults to guitar, so you will need to choose the ukulele option. Chordify chords are rarely perfect, so you might need to play around them a bit to get it work.

​

​

Sounds great, a physical tuner will definitely be a nice addition. I would skip the case. As for the uke, I think of Kala as like, the best entry level ukulele. While I do prefer the sound/intonation of the Cordoba I don't think you can do any better at that price point.

You really don't need a pick unless you are coming from a guitar playing background. Not sure about best books, perhaps a beginners guide and tuning / note reading intro and then let them find transcribed music online.

https://chordify.net/ (change instrument to ukulele)

https://play.riffstation.com/ (change instrument to ukulele)

Specific songs/tutorials are often found on Youtube as well. Good luck!

Another free basic tab editing software is TuxGuitar: https://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxguitar/ is another basic gui type editor which can be adapted for doing string tab and musical notation together. There are some limitations when it comes to formatting output and not good support for lyrics but I found it pretty intuitive and you can enter notes either on the music staff or on the tab staff using just keyboard which really speeds things up.

Lilypond looks much more flexible but i didn't see Linux support if that's your OS flavor, Tux might be an option.

I bought this Kala beginner concert ukulele kit because I had never played a stringed instrument before and wanted to try. I’ve been really pleased with it as a beginner and now have a much better idea of what kind of upgrade I’d like to spend more on.

Yeah you can get a pick guard. Get some plastic sheet like this , cut it to the right shape and you’re good to strum.

Thanks for the detailed reply! Where did you place the hygrometer inside the case? I have a hardcase that’s a snug fit, so the only place I can store a hygrometer is either behind the headstock or inside the small door under the neck. What do you think of this model:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BHPS45S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4JTFTQ2R3R7GNZWMRFDD

I'm not aware of anything like that for finger picking, only chord sheets. The ukulele groups here (in Hawaii) use chord sheets.

You might want to use chord sheets and come up with your own finger picking pattern based on the chords. This is a popular songbook with chords: https://www.amazon.com/He-Mele-Aloha-Hawaiian-Songbook/dp/0974256420?language=en_US

You can also look up Hawaiian music and find songs you like and then do a search for tab, sheet music, or chords. https://mele.com/ is a good place to start.

https://www.amazon.ca/Enya-Nova-Ukulele-Carbon-Ukulele-Beginner/dp/B07WMRDVXB/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=enya%2Bukulele&qid=1617819617&sr=8-5&th=1

Those are better than the Fenders you're thinking about. A lot better. And Enyas pretty much always come from the factory set up well.

Came here to say this.... She's amazing and very thorough!

Also...Ukulele tuner is free and excellent if you don't already have one....

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myrapps.ukuleletools

Flight has a series of travel ukuleles that are made of hard plastic. They cost about 50-60 bucks on amazon depending on the color and are a fairly decent instrument.

https://www.amazon.com/Flight-4-String-Soprano-Ukulele-TUS-35DB/dp/B07SHJSL6J

I am not familiar with that one, but I have one of these and it is an unbelievable value for the price. Highly recommended!

You can get straps that do not require a button. https://www.amazon.com/M33-Hawaiian-Jacquard-Ukulele-Multicolor/dp/B07SDFPFPZ/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=ukulele+straps&qid=1606797937&sr=8-6

I have a Baritone that I’ve strung to GCEA (low g), using these strings. They sound good on the baritone, but will sound similar to her other ukes.

However, I am waiting on an order of these. Make sure you get the Low G one octave lower set. They will allow her to play the same fingerings as her other ukes, but will sound much lower and will give a unique sound. Just a heads up they are custom, so take 1-3 weeks to make. Hope this helps!

It's on USA Amazon too! I want to pick this up for my goddaughter!

I just bought my first uke off of Amazon, and I love it! It's the right price range at $80, concert size, and you get a case with it which is nice. I got a used one for even cheaper and it still looks good as new and sounds great

unfortunately i did some searching and cant seem to find any results for this ukulele's existence, however the strap in the photo is being sold on amazon. I'll link it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZXVZQ3S?tag=topmusicalinstruments01-20

Thanks! I don't have a chance to listen to a lot of strings, so I thought I'd throw the question out to the universe, and see what feels "right".

I'm leaning towards Martin strings right now. They are cheap, but they get good reviews. I live out in the countryside, so Amazon is my best bet, and I was looking at these: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Martin-Ukulele-ソプラノウクレレ用-M-600-Soprano/dp/B003O268SY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531179988&sr=8-1&keywords=Martin+concert+ukulele

I'm a little leery of getting cheap knock-offs, though, if I go through Amazon.

Have you thought about making one? I found this instructible pretty easy to follow and I didn't spend much. It might be good enough to get the job done for you. I bought the parts off amazon and modded it per the guide. Hope it helps!

https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Contact-Microphone/

uxcell Musical Instruments Pickups... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WW6TNXK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I actually got it as a gift, but there are a number of places to buy the kit. Here is one from Amazon:

Zimo Make Your Own Ukulele 23in Concert Ukulele Hawaii Ukulele DIY Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EPPS1VA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Dld8Bb0PTBKH2

I would recommend getting better strings as the ones that came with the kit were pretty cheap. I used the Aquila Red ones, but that's just personal preference.

My favorite is a Protec bag -- it doesn't have as many pockets as the one you showed. I think it'd only have room for a t-shirt, a pair of underwear and a couple of pairs of socks and a little music. But it's sturdy, and it has back-pack straps as well as an extremely handy loop at the top. The guy at the ukulele store must have given me a good deal; it was half the price they are showing on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tec-CF217-Concert-Ukulele/dp/B016RVDK20

You can download an app for your phone (like this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myrapps.ukuleletools&hl=en_US ), or you can use an online tuner that can listen for the pitch (assuming you have a mic on your computer) like this one https://ukebuddy.com/ukulele-tuner (tap the microphone on the ukulele headstock picture and your browser will ask for permission to record).

danemonyo's tips seem to me to be for dealing with excess humidity (those silica gel packs remove moisture).

You're going from an extremely humid environment to a much dryer one, so you want to retain moisture to keep it from drying out too fast.

Buy a good ukulele humidifier - I have an Oasis brand that I like, but there are all different brands and styles to choose from.

You want to slowly and gradually acclimate it to the dryer environment. You may even want to buy a room humidifier and only take it out of it's case when it's in that humidified room, while you gradually lower the humidity in the room.

I'd suggest buying an inexpensive hygrometer - I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DEN4UYG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for about $5 and it seems accurate and reliable.

Measure and note the average humidity where you are now and then again when you get to Canada and try to slowly transition the uke from the one extreme to the other.

The bottom line is that it's not the high or low humidity that causes damage, but a too rapid change between the two, so you want to make every effort to slowly and gradually transition your uke from one environment to the other.

Someone with more expertise than me might be able to give you a more specific idea of how to do it more carefully and deliberately. You may want to ask the builder.

Speaking of the builder - does he have a website? That uke looks really nice and I'd like to see what else he may have for sale!

This isn't a duet book, but I just got this book for solo ukulele and it's so much fun! I bet you and your sister could just play in unison, or she could fill out the melody with some chords or accompaniment patterns.

Ukulele Aerobics

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Johnson-Ukulele-Aerobics-Levels-Online/dp/147681306X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ukulele+aerobics&qid=1597263569&sprefix=Ukulele+areo&sr=8-1

Ukulele aerobics. This book has challenged me and helped me break out of the same intermediate level plateau you described. I highly recommend it.

Here's an Amazon link (price is US$70). If you want to invest a bit more into a uke, you could consider getting it set up (idk how much it'll be though).

Amazon is good. This is the best I've bought, very soft: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07874YWQP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zEQdEb9BFD47G

I like this type of strap better than clip-on type, which doesn't actually hold the instrument hands free.

For those who like the case: Kala TCC Tweed Concert Hardshell Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EZU2Z4/

It seems to be a branded CrossRock: Crossrock CRW700CUTW Concert Ukulele Case Hard shell - Deluxe Tweed Wooden Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DEVRHSA/

Those are both concert sized, but they come in others. I'm tempted since I bought a cheap hard case for my inexpensive uke, but might upgrade in the future.

Hey, thanks! I have this app on my phone called Camcorder. I don't know if it's available for Apple, but if not, there is probably some equivalent :)

It’s a Kmise I got off of Amazon, I’d say probably low to mid-range quality wise but it’s sufficing for me at the moment. I love the twang and sound it makes...working on my finger picking as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Kmise-String-Ukulele-Concert-Sapele/dp/B01NCLJDZG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1536695415&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=kmise+banjolele&psc=1

I have found OpenSongApp to be relatively useful.

It was designed for worship leaders, but you can put whatever music you want in there.

It has a built in feature for pulling music from Chordie, Ultimate Guitar, and Youtube. I haven't used the Youtube one yet. The Chordie and Ultimate guitar features are nice for getting the words and the approximate locations of the chords, but you need to do a bit of formatting after importing.

Once you get your library set up, I have found if fairly useful for setting up a 'set' of several songs and quickly playing through them.

Link

This is the one I got and love. I’ve had a few years now and it’s worth the $120. Or maybe you’ll find it used for cheap.

Between the 2 options, I would stick with Kale. I'm a guitar player and first got a Tenor uke but my sweet spot was the baritone uke because it's turned lexactly like the 4 botyom strngs of a guitar. However, baritone ukes do sound the same as a guitar. I listened to a Kale and believe it not I like the Caramel tenor better. The sound is amazing and they have eletrica acoustics.

Amazon.com: Caramel 26inch CT103 Zebrawood High Gloss Tenor Electric Ukulele Professional Ukelele Kit Beginner Guitar Starter Bundle Strings, Padded Gig Bag, Strap and Wall mount Set : Musical Instruments https://www.amazon.com/Caramel-Electric-Ukulele-Professional-Beginner/dp/B07R2KHSMH

Watch "High Glosss Zebrawood Tenor ukelele" on YouTube https://youtu.be/NdZ8LIwlbdo

I did.

Strung my Flight soprano uke with Aquila's strings. They're uke strings, but with CGDA mandola tuning. Bottom 2 strings are wound steel, top 2 are their nylgut, which is some sort of nylon.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquila-AQ-31-Concert-Ukulele-Strings/dp/B00MXUIIHC

Works well. I could play Bach on it and sounds good.

You could also choose to get the GDAE mando*lin* set.

https://www.amazon.com/Nova-Ukulele-Carbon-Ukulele-Beginner-Red/dp/B07WK18YMW/ref=asc_df_B08DR8TPYV/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459506721817&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5983642150835326652&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&a...

I have the concert, and it honestly projects better than my fender uke which was twice the price.

I checked out alot of different ukes and I found that the Caramel ukes sound amazing for a lower price and they sell them on Amazon.

Watch "Caramel - 23" Concert Acacia Ukulele CC207 Gigbag Beginner Kit" on YouTube https://youtu.be/vRkGgjM-zME

Amazon.com: Caramel - 26" Tenor Striped Grain Acacia KOA Ukulele CT207 Gigbag Beginner Kit : Everything Else https://www.amazon.com/Caramel-Striped-Acacia-Ukulele-Beginner/dp/B08YYCGWWL/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=56095345436&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsoycBhC6ARIsAPPbeLuuzyLVFtUbYXuj5rxI4qwu780BN_WVtbsymKk8ClfpCOJ7HZEzMucaAgMOEALw_wcB&hvadid=409999071504&hvdev=m&...

My soprano uke is a pin bridge style and it’s a pretty cheap one off Amazon. it was originally a gift to my kid from his grandfather, but I’m the one who ended up playing it.

I actually just replaced the strings, and the original strings had beads — I ended up taking the old strings off them and tying them onto the new ones.

I started off with a children's nursery rhyme book since most of my playing is around my toddler. Children's Song Book This is the book I used and it has the chords with chord diagrams and the tabs for each song if you wanted to play the lead melody. I also use the Hal Leonard 3 and 4 chord songbooks. I also second the app previously mentioned but have to use books primarily because my son always swipes at the screen!

Yes I think so - for example a grade 5 scale exercise is to play the G and G minor scales campanella-style on the G and A strings.

I think that's a really good thing to be able to do and increases your understanding of the ukulele.

You're right that shipping abroad might add to the cost though. Perhaps if you contact them, you could purchase a PDF.

I've searched for similar scale/arpeggio exercises on YouTube or on ukulele websites and not had much luck though you can find them.

There is also the Ukulele Aerobics book which does have scale exercises and might be of use to you.

I'll go against the grain and advise you to hold off on lessons.

First, think of some songs you love and look for videos of them. Visit Dr. Uke and search for more songs you love. Find a few with 3 or 4 cords.

Then play them. Put you uke where you'll pick it up several times a day to play those couple of songs you love.

Then look for a local uke group - meetup.com is a great place to start. Don't worry that you're just a beginner - just go!

Then, after you've played for a while and want to go to the next level look for lessons.

Have fun!

I feel so dumb right know. I looked it up similar models but couldn't find any detailed image. But now I looked it up again for exact same model as mine and found a detailed image on amazon. And the second image is the right way. Thanks!

Amazon link

I own a Kala KA15 Concert. If you check Amazon it’s really well reviewed. It’s a great all rounder and it’s a real Uke. A lot of the Ukes in the same price bracket sound like toys. It’s a great Uke for the money.

https://www.amazon.com/Kala-Mahogany-Concert-Ukulele-KA-C/dp/B00172YM40

It really depends what you’re after as there are different sizes/playing styles.

https://www.amazon.com/Kala-KA-15S-Mahogany-Soprano-Ukulele/dp/B001LU1SFO

These are built and sound really well. Probably best bang for your buck. It it’s the Soprano size which is the smallest.

Concert is the next size up and is more popular (it’s slightly more expensive) and there is also a Tenor which again is larger and better suited to instrumental playing.

I would either go with the soprano or save a little more and buy a bigger size but same model KA15 series.

two books that really helped me are:
Fingerstyle-Ukulele-Method-Songbook
and
Ukulele duets for one

They both focus on playing chords and melody at the same time. Left to my own devices, i will strum chords and pick out melodies, but i wouldn't have thought of a lot of the techniques they cover. when you practice other people's ways of doing stuff, it can ignite your own creativity.

Make sure you get one like that OP and not like this if you're used to having a strap that actually connects and are scatter brained like I am. Uke met floor :(

You should get this style to not possibly damage it.

https://www.amazon.com/Jumpin-Jims-Ukulele-Masters-James/dp/1540003043/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KX46KNT9C9GR&keywords=james+hill+duets+for+one&qid=1662593331&sprefix=James+hill+%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1

get something like a tripod and an external microphone (a bluetooth one would work) and you should be good to go.

I picked up a "Guitalele" from amazon a few years ago and was able to learn guitar on that. The Yamaha is popular, but I went with a different model: https://www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-GL1-Guitalele-Tobacco-Sunburst/dp/B00AC0OBYE/

Amazon link

In terms of ukulele/music theory and learning the “why” of the things we play rather than just the “how to play it” part, here are 2 resources that I’ve gotten a lot from and heartily recommend:

The book “music theory for ukulele”

James Hill’s Ukulele Way course is GREAT and it’s only $9 a month. For about the cost of a set of strings you can get a ton of high quality video lessons and arrangements by one of the best ukulele teachers there is.

If you're getting through a lot of one particular string, maybe buy a reel of fluorocarbon fishing leader line to make it more cost effective. It's basically the same thing that most string companies sell, and much cheaper.

This is what I use on all my ukes (soprano to tenor):

Seaguar Pink Label Fluorocarbon Fishing Leader Line 30lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00II1SN3Y/

NB I originally bought Seaguar Blue for all strings but I found the A strings kept fraying (the rest have been fine). The pink has been way more robust, no complaints here.

Came here to say this.

OP get a grade 1 ukulele book and Alfreds Essentials of Musical Theory:

https://lcmmusicshop.uwl.ac.uk/shop/prod/Various-Ukulele-Grade-1-Book-Online-Audio/2323976

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alfreds-Essentials-Music-Theory-Complete/dp/0882848976?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=eb762c5a-6a46-4f14-901b-2430a8a42d5e

Hello again, I was looking some more, and came across this other package, do you think I should just buy from Kala directly, or would it be okay to get this?

We have kids attening our uke groups sometimes. For that purpose I always bring one of these. Easy to press, instant success, and it trains the fingers:

https://www.amazon.com/QIND-Teaching-Practrice-Fingering-Ergonomic/dp/B08CDCSNKS

So I just ordered my first ukulele Flight TUS 50 for $50 and very happy with it. But I needed a padded bag and when I search on Amazon I found this Hola Ukulele for $28 coming with a very nice padded bag. I thought I might as will spend a bit more to give a try. The sound is actually surprisingly good that I might even prefer it over Flight.

I just ordered the [Flight Travel Soprano TUS 50](https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Travel-Soprano-Ukulele-Salamander/dp/B07SGGQT5N/?th=1) for $50. How does it compare to Makala Dolphin? The reviews on www.gotaukulele.com seem to be a bit in favor of the Flight uke. Btw which tuner app do you recommend?

Thanks! I ended up buying the Flight Travel Soprano TUS 50 for $50. It has the highest score of 8.6 for 0 - 50 price range on this review site. I also watched the gotaukulele Youtube review and he seems to like it a lot.

Yes the Enya gets really good reviews and looks nice too but I ended up buying the Flight Travel Soprano TUS 50 for $50. Looks like the shipping is from China so it takes a while?

Thank you so much for the detailed advice! I ended up buying the Flight Travel Soprano TUS 50 for $50. It seems to be highly rated from the review on gotaukulele.com. I also really dig the looking of Enya Nova but looks like the shipping takes a while and the material attracts lots of fingerprints? Not sure if I can just wash it if its plastic haha.

Spend $10 more on a Makala Dolphin.

If you have a few bucks more, get strings.

Download a tuner app for their phone/tablet. (Or get a cheap tuner.)

Print a chord chart of off the internet and go for it!

Well the easiest thing would be to just wire the piezo directly to the output jack, bypassing the electronics altogether and using an external preamp (such as: https://www.amazon.com/Schatten-Mini-Pre-Belt-clip-Instrument/dp/B006AVA3TQ).

I'm lookin for a slightly more elegant solution though ...

Maybe leaving the OEM electronics in place, and just pulling the signal off the piezo and running it through a separate preamp to keep the mp3 and headphone capability ...

But maybe I don't really need the mp3 and headphone capability.

This is what I got:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01DK723AY/

It’s far from top of the line, but it’s big… 26” long, and with a wider body and fretboard. I think I originally paid around $80. You may be able to find a higher quality one elsewhere, but I’ve found it works quite nicely and has a decently full tone for its price.

Can you spend just a little bit more? I’ve handled dozens of cheap Chinese ukes from different companies, and the one company that stood out to me as the best option under $100 was Ranming. I’ve had one in spruce and one in Acacia; both of them looked, felt, and sounded a level above the others in the price range. The vast majority of cheap Chinese ukes I’ve tried have been about what I’d expect (not great), but Ranming was one of the few standouts to me.

I am a complete beginner at an electric ukelele, I gotten an acoustic electric Ukelele a few days ago and practiced an acoustic Ukelele for a few months now. When I say acoustic- electric ukelele, I mean a acoustic Ukelele that can be plugged into an amp(like this:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C8YNYWL/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_i_QJV34WV76DCW0WWCPDB1

If that block of wood is your bridge, it may be quite a bit too small.

The strings spread out to almost twice the width of the nut on top, and my bridge is wider than that still.

In case you didn't know what to look for, I've included the Amazon listing for the bridge I used. Seven bucks ain't bad.

4 String Banjo Bridge New Banjo Parts Maple Ebony https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0196J71NO/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_F8W4GC60HYKDVMG8T6M1

I would not recommend either. Pick one out of this list instead: https://www.gotaukulele.com/p/ukulele-reviews.html?m=1. Tenor is a popular size. Concert would be fine too. I would not buy off Amazon. Try Mim's Ukes.

Don't buy a starter kit. Buy a Snark tuner: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H74YXNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_6A770C3QDY1GVMAYNS6H. Buy fluorocarbon strings. Fremont is good. A lot of people like Worth. That's all you need.

Most ukulele strings are not wound. Where are you looking?

As I said in another response, I recommend these: Martin Ukulele Strings M600, Soprano/Concert-Gauge Fluorocarbon Ukulele Strings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002CZVZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_19JHMFM46J7C08F2QFBX

Are you looking in a music store or online? You want something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Ukulele-Strings-P02329/dp/B07N287LYY

But if you find unwound strings for a classical guitar, the high strings on those could potentially be a compatible size, like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Classical-Nylon-Guitar-Strings/dp/B003B07GXA

This looks is very close.

The best case I own is this abs plastic one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LF1DBZI/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_XX8DGZCJ82G6FPD0MCC5. It's indestructible, but that won't protect you from humidity.

This is the best dehumidifier I've used: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F81TK6M/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_2H8E71NF9HVG169DT70T. The packs last about 6-8 months, until they get hard.

Enjoy your Pono tenor, I play one regularly myself.

Unfortunately, it looks like mine is no longer available on Amazon. Here’s the link in case it’ll help with your search:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01DK723AY/

Like I mentioned, it holds its tuning pretty well—I check the tuning maybe once a month but it rarely needs anything more than minor adjustments. It sounds fairly warm, which I personally like, and it’s a bit on the larger size. I was wrong about it being a baritone uke, though… just a “concert” ukulele, which I think just means it’s a bit bigger.

Regardless of which you go for, I wish you luck! I’ve personally really loved playing with mine, even if all I do these days is some occasional strumming and fiddling.

I put daddario EJ99B baritone ukulele strings on it. DGBE tuning. They’re fluorocarbon, but I couldn’t find any string packs for baritone without at least 1 metal wound string.

Here

The ukulele is https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/Enya-Nova-Ukul%C3%A9l%C3%A9-concert-comprenant/dp/B07WK18YMW/ref=asc_df_B07WK18YMW/?tag=cafrmoshadgo-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459486710080&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6053521082454072164&hvpone=&hvpt...

The amp is https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/Amplificateur-%C3%A9lectrique-acoustique-tonalit%C3%A9-distorsion/dp/B08LH77N2R/ref=Oct_m_omg_8397071011?pd_rd_i=B08LH77N2R&pd_rd_r=220f63c4-e148-4063-b85b-190616ec9072&pd_rd_w=IsCkk&pd_rd_wg=X9qr6&pf_rd_...

I simply put a bit of overdrive and it sounds like that :D

Sounds like a high fret. You can get a really long ruler and lay it across the frets then look for gaps, or you can get a fret rocker or use something similar to check each fret. Any flat edge will do, as long as it spans no more than 3 frets anywhere on the fretboard.