Another newbie needing advice on buying a uke!

[jacothedog]

New member here - and need advice. I recently visited a great friend who used to play guitar in a band with me way back when and he has recently purchased a few ukes and he now has uke-fever!

I quickly found out that this type of fever is highly contageous and I need to be cured!

I know NOTHING about the instruments except that I had a pretty easy time figuring out how to play. I've been looking at many in person and online. I do play live occaissionally in an acoustic duo and will want to add some uke to that also, so will eventually need electronics.

I'm big on aesthetics - yeah, a bit shallow, but that's me; and I really like the looks of the mango wood.

So tell me if this is realistic - a good quality, good sounding mango uke (or anything else unique looking - archtop / resonator / whatever) - for around $200

What 'ya got, ukeys?????

 

[jacothedog]

I guess I should mention that I want a tenor.

Anxiously awaiting recommendations! Great forum here.

 

[Kanaka916]

I know you mentioned you wanna a tenor, but there's a Mango Bari for sale in the Marketplace and it's a more than what you wanna spend. It also has a pickup.

 

[RevWill]

If you can go up to $260 (including shipping) http://cgi.ebay.com/KA-MT-MANGO-TEN...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf021b5d4

That also gets you a hardshell case and a clip-on tuner

 

[Kanaka916]

Mainland also has a Solid Mango tenor for $289.50 + S&H. I don't think you're gonna find anything in the price point you gave.

 

[RevWill]

The Kala will be a very pretty, nice-sounding laminate mango tenor and MusicGuyMic will set you up right. You'll probably end up buying a tuner and a case anyway, and MGM's price includes those things.

The Mainland is made from all-solid wood and will be quite a step up from the Kala. It doesn't have that spalted mango look, but it is beautiful. Solid wood instruments tend to sound better than laminates, and improve with age.

Oscar Schmidt also sells a laminate mango uke for around $200, but I honestly think you'd be happier with the Kala, and happiest (in the long run) with the Mainland.

I have no affiliation with the above dealers, except that I am a satisfied customer of both.

 

[3nails4holes]

good news!! for that price, yes you can get a decent starter tenor uke!

go to mgm's ebay site & search for kala brand ukes in your range. for example:

http://stores.ebay.com/Musicguymics...Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=9

for that price, you can get a decent lanikai or kala to start off. those two brands are pretty much the same just with cosmetic differences. some will even contend that they are made in the same china factory with different bridges & headstock only.

i got a solid spruce top lanikai with case for about $160. i've really enjoyed it. it's great to have the best starter uke you can get--and not some $50 makala or p.o.c. from guitar center. if you went with the cheap uke, played everything right but hated it cause you sucked, it could very well be the uke & not you!

depending on where you live, you could get some great deals from local shops. here in charlotte i know a great uke shop where you could easily play about 50+ ukes before making your decision & i'm not even talking guitar center or sam ash.

try the following searches:

http://www.google.com/products?q=lanikai+tenor+ukulele&hl=en&lnk=pruser&price1=150&price2=225

http://www.google.com/products?q=kala+tenor+ukulele&hl=en&lnk=pruser&price1=150&price2=225

http://www.google.com/products?q=makai+tenor+ukulele&hl=en&lnk=pruser&price1=150&price2=225

loads of ppl on here rave about mainland ukes:
http://www.MainlandUkuleles.com/

there! that should get you started on your about $200 first tenor uke search. also read the reviews on here before making that final purchase:

http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?36-Ukulele-Reviews

http://ukuleleunderground.com/ukereviews/
(although the above has been buggy today.)

my final piece of advice would be to seriously consider the price difference vs. value when you make that final purchase. loads of ppl on here love music guy mic (mgm) and his vast knowledge and overall helpful manner. if you find a uke on his site that someone else has for a bit cheaper--even with shipping--you may still want to consider what you would get ordering from mgm vs. elderly or guitar center or some unknown site that probably won't be there in 6 months if you have questions.

now, when you finally get your uke, find a local uke jam group & use the free lessons on here to get better & better!

alright! happy searching!

:shaka:

 

[RevWill]

It isn't mango but that flame mahogany is dang pretty. And it's $209.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Flame-mahog...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5c6b2ee0

 

[jacothedog]

Great advice so far! Rvewill - that last posted uke really is a beauty.

Based on searches so far, I found a few local stores that have a decent variety of ukes - gonna check some out after work tonight.

Thank everyone!

 

[RevWill]

Great advice so far! Rvewill - that last posted uke really is a beauty.

Based on searches so far, I found a few local stores that have a decent variety of ukes - gonna check some out after work tonight.

Thank everyone!

Have fun, and stick around.

 

[Lori]

I know what you want. I wanted the same thing on my first uke. I got the Kala Mango Tenor. The woodgrain varies greatly in the spalted mango, so make sure you see an actual photo of the one you are getting if you can't get one in person.
I would look at Emil Bader Hawaiian made ukes. http://www.globalcreationscart.com/concert-ukulele-mango-pineapple1.html
http://www.globalcreationscart.com/tenor-ukulele-mango-wood-ebony.html
http://www.globalcreationscart.com/soprano-ukulele-mango-wood-dark.html
Very reasonable prices, rave reviews from people on UU, and very interesting wood choices (including mango). I think you should aim to spend a bit more than $200 for a nice tenor sized uke. Tenors cost more than sopranos and concert ukes.
I love my Mango Mainland Concert, but it is a straight grained wood. Sounds great, but not as visually dramatic.
I would also consider the Lanikai Spalted Mango. It wasn't available when I was shopping for my first uke.
–Lori

 

[jacothedog]

Thanks, Lori - those look great!