Need some ukulele help

[Feynman]

I know zilch about ukuleles. My friend wants one, and knows enough to not buy absolute junk. Still, he's frugal+unsure and doesn't want to spend more than a couple of hundred bucks. He came to me since he knows I am familiar with classical guitars.

Any advice? Are there various types of these things? Is there a "standard" one if so?

Thanks.

--

You will notice that I didn't say "What is the Hamer of Ukes?"

[cmatthes]

My son got a nice Fender Koa uke last year. Fun little thing, and it is definitely not a toy.

[JohnnyB]

I tried out some Lanikai ukes at GC and thought they were pretty nice. They cover a pretty wide price range and the ones at $200-ish are very sweet for the money.

i'm sure the Fenders would be good too. Ibanez also makes some ukes in your price range, including a soprano koa model right at $199.

[tomteriffic]

We have several. The three smallest sizes (soprano, concert and tenor) are all tuned the same, it's just a matter of differing scale lengths and commensurate body sizes. The tenor is the longest scale and, for my money, is the best option for a guitarist who wants to dabble.

The baritone is tuned like the top 4 strings of a guitar (D, G, B, E) and is the most direct, instant conversion from guitar.

There are loads of decent ones out there. Better known brands include Kala and Lanakai. Avoid friction tuners and look for geared ones.

Do yourself a huge favor and try to find one with a solid top. That can be done in your price range. My wife's tenor has a solid spruce top and the "bark" and projection are a mile ahead of my all-laminated koa baritone,

A friend of ours just got a Fender as well, and I was surprised at how good it sounded.

Since I don't have anywhere to stash an audio file on the web (suggestions anyone?), hit me up and I'll send you a cut from our recent album that features my wife's tenor prominently. Unfortunately, it's me playing it....

[kizanski]

Oh, you fucking need help, alright.

[MCChris]

Since I don't have anywhere to stash an audio file on the web (suggestions anyone?)

Soundcloud

[carfish7]

Nate at Willie's is a certified Uke freak. They have a huge selection across the price spectrum. 651-699-1913 is their # if you think you might want to get some pro advice.

[tomteriffic]

Thanks, Chris

Here ya go:

http://soundcloud.com/tomteriffic/06-marvelous-toy-mastered

[Feynman]

Oh, you fucking need help, alright.

LOL!

Thanks for all the help. He doesn't play guitar (or anything else). He's just got it in his head that he wants to learn some Hawaiian tunes and strum along with a uke (so any beginnner books or DVDs would be good too).

You guys will make me sound smarter today - thanks.

[Bennyboy-UK]

This was gold, and I missed out!

[django49]

Something for the macho hard rockin' uke player....

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/MU40-PINK.htm

[Caddie]

Don't be fooled, the uke is not a toy. Cool voiced n versatile instrument.

caddie

[Hamerhack]

Play this Spongebob classic: