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bl0ops
Aloha
13 Posts |
 Posted - 06/17/2005 : 08:22:41 AM
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I'm looking to purchase an ukulele. I'm looking in the $200-$400 range because I'm on a budget. I want a 4-string tenor. Anyone know of any tenor ukuleles in that price range? I know Lanikai has some in that range. Anyone know if they're any good?
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 10:35:16 AM
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The "Which uke should I buy" question comes up a lot here, and everyone has an opinion.
But there are quite a few ukes in your price range, including Lanikai, Lehua, Bushman, Mele, Ovation and Fluke. These are all good ukes, but, in general, fall short of the handmade all-wood ukes of Kamaka, Koaloha or any of the many small run luthier shops.
I would suggest purchasing an all-solid wood uke, if possible, to get the mellow sound for Hawaiian music. Places to look on the internet are www.ukuleleworld.com, www.harpdepot.com, www.meleukulele.com, www.ukes.com, or www.lehuaukulele.com.
Jesse Tinsley |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 11:24:14 AM
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bl0ops,
It all comes down to what tone will your budget and ear agree to? Some, like Fluke, have a nice sound for the price but do not sound the same as an all-koa tenor. But then, that sound may be more than your budget can handle. The KoAloha and Kamaka (new) will be at leat double what you are looking at but the tone difference is really evident when played next to another uke. Sometimes deals can be found on eBay on used Kamaka or KoAloha ukuleles, but then, it is hard to play one over the internet. Not knowing where you live, you should find the closest music store with the widest selection and play the tenors they have until your ear and wallet are happy. Of course, you have more to select from on Oahu or in Japan for that matter.
Then again, I have heard different strings on the same ukulele and noticed a difference in tone. And, as Daniel Ho says, tone is a function of how your fingers (and/or fingernails) strike the strings, how you hold the ukulele to limit or allow the top to vibrate, and how your fretting fingers press on the strings. In short, tone is a very complex and subjective matter. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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bl0ops
Aloha
13 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 11:27:19 AM
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| Thank you both for your replys...I think I'll just save my money up to get a top of the line uke. |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 8:20:48 PM
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Lest you wait months to hold a tenor uke in your hands, I wouldn't want to tell you not to try an all-wood uke in your original price range: the Lehua, Mele and Bushman, plus a few high-end Lanikai ukes. In the sub-$400 price range, most are mahogany or Australian blackwood/acacia, both of which have good tonal qualities. Koa is a good tonewood, too, but isn't found much in the lower price range (koa and acacia are the same thing).
And by all means get a good set of strings (Aquila/Worth/Ko'olau) for whatever uke you buy.
Jesse Tinsley |
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