My husband would like a ukelele for his birthday. I'd like to get him one of quality. Any recommendations on what to look for in a ukelele or suggestions for where I might buy one online? Thanks!
The brand "Kamaka."
This is, the best and very well known.
Used by many long time Hawaiian & local musicians here.
Ukelele's are not cheap.
no answers for you, but a big thanks.....I have & treasure my grandfather's ukele. Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories!
My husband is a musician and he says that buying an instrument is like buying a bra, you really have to have the person who will use it try it on first. I bought my husband an ukulele and he went back to the store and traded it for another one. Maybe you should just give him a gift certificate or take him shopping.
Don't buy a uke online. You need to hear an instrument to know if you like its sound or not, and you also need to look it over to see if there are any cracks in the wood. I am a professional musician-composer-- play guitar, piano, sing and write for band and orchestra, and I own two ukeleles. I bought vintage ukes in a local vintage stringed-instrument store and am happy with both. Each of my ukes has a different beautiful timbre; one cost $175 and the other $225, I believe.
You'll probably need to spend a minimum of $150 to get a uke that sounds halfway decent. Wood mellows with age so older instruments between 20 to 50 years old tend to have a better sound. However, it's not advisable to buy a ukelele that's older than 50 years because the wood of super-old instruments begins to deteriorate after a certain point. One of the ukes I bought is made of koa wood and it really has the Island sound. Different woods produce different sound characteristics, and there are many other variables. Also you need to make sure that the uke will stay in tune, that the tuning pegs are working properly, and that the bridge is solidly attached to the body of the instrument.
I live in L.A. and I do agree that McCabe's is a good resource; the vintage shop where I purchased my ukes is in San Rafael CA, I think on B Street.
These are some of the important considerations. Good luck!
I also agree that buying online might not be your best option. The Folk Music Center in Claremont, CA is another wonderful resource. Good luck! http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/
I highly recommend calling the fabulous McCabes in Santa Monica with your request.
Here's their contact data:
McCabes Guitar Shop
3101 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
###-###-####
They are truly amazing!!! : )
With lots of love,
L. and adventurously spirited & imaginatively creative, 3 year old, Dylan Orion. : )
