How To Buy Your First Ukulele - Got A Ukulele Beginners Guides 

I've just ordered one off of eBay, and my mother said I had to buy a cheap on first because she doesn't want to buy a nice expensive one and then I never play it. She said if I learn how to play and I'm good at it, she will see about buying me a really nice one. Thanks for the advice by the way! Great video

Great checklist for quality control. These are things I know to look at, but often forget about them when in the store.

I bought my first Uke on Amazon that came with a tuner, bag, Aquila strings and a towel. Had it for a year now and it looks and sounds great.

Thank you so much! This is an excellent checklist for shopping, and I'm sure your video is going to save me some buyer's regret.

Thanks for the great first time buyer's advice, lot of sense being made here.

Woah, i didn't know there were so many technicalities of buying a ukelele! It'll be my first instrument so Id feel a bit out of may depth in the music store, maybe I'll take notes from this video, act like I'm an expert hah

This is a great introduction about what to look for on Ukuleles when getting your first one. Personally I have found that Eagle Music shop of Huddersfield are a very good online store for buying instruments from. They will professionally set up each Ukulele before delivery, looking at string height, frets, nut width general playability of the instrument. They will deal with what needs to be done. The Southern Ukulele Store located in Bournemouth, and who also have a good online reputation, presumably do the same too. I have just brought a Tanglewood Soprano Ukulele that I am very pleased with.

Thanks for this video. I have been having such a hard time getting good information on ukuleles. But this was very helpful!

Thanks for a very informative, clear video. You gave us tips on the details we never would have thought about.

My first ukulele was a makala dolphi I got like 4 years ago. It was used and chipped, had old crusty tuners, and I’m still using it. I have a baritone but I hate the low dgbe tuning so I don’t play it as much. So I’m just playing my makala, it’s going well rn

Great video, thank you! My musician/music teacher husband has lent me one of his school’s ukes to play around with but I’m looking forward to getting my own. Your videos and reviews are helping me immensely!

The way my friends and I did it a little over 20 years ago: we went to a music store, saw some Hilo soprano ukuleles on the wall, played around with them a little, and bought them. Got four now and have been working on a tenor-length banjolele for a year now. Can't find the right junkyard parts that I want to use for the tailpiece and bridge, so no idea if and when I'll ever get around to finishing that one.

My dad just ordered me my third Ukulele because both of my other ones broke. When it’s Christmas I am so excited to get to tune it. It is the Kala Hawaiian Islands model

Good and thorough introduction to the ukulele

Excellent! We all get this question once people see the fun we have playing this instrument. Not all of us have the experience and knowledge someone like you, my friend, bring to the table. It is great to know I have some friends that can help educate as well as review ukuleles in a knowledgeable way. As always thanks! ……DOC

Wow! this is incredibly informative! thank you so much!

hi again, thank you so much for all your advice! I ended up getting a mahalo kahiko 2500 from Amazon. it's really great for complete beginers. thanks again!

I have been looking to buy a ukulele for a while now but I have never done it before so I have been hestitant to get one because I don't know a whole lot about them so this really helps, thankyou!

Thanks for sharing this helpful information.

I have 2 ukes and i bought both on amazon! One was a $10 soprano that is a Firat act uke. I also have a concert uke is the brand kealoha. It was only $39.99. They work perfectly and are a great deal if u are looking for a great ukulele!! ALSO GREAT VID

Great video, thanks for posting man

This is really helpful, thanks

You have no idea how much you 've helped me ~Thnx ;)

Very helpful thank you!

Teri - I can recommend several good stores. Don't rank them on whether they sell cheaper ukes though.

I'm getting my first uke today, thanks for these tips! I'd be sure to take notes!

I didn't know you could separately buy an electric pickup and install it. That's very interesting.

Really great video!! 😉 I left a like💞

I had no clue about ukuleles when I bought my first one last year I happened to pick a pretty good one though, a Fender Nohea. Love it! But this would've helped (;

i am visiting music & arts store soon cuz i got some money so i'm gonna buy myself a uke. i am planning to get the brand kohala . either a soprano or tenor. i play guitar and it would be my first time with the uke other than that dumb ukulele class they teach in grade school.

I don't play the ukelele, but I'm enjoying your videos. I admit I laughed when you said that if the action is high is makes it hard to play.... I play the mandolin and like my action a bit higher than some. Single nylon strings could never be hard to push down.

I bought a kohala concert 65euros well it's sound its smooth in my opinion it looks great and yeah

I am an absolute beginner and wanted to try my hand at uke without investing too much money. I got a cheap (about 73 Euro) baritone Makala online and tested it like you show here (a very useful video by the way). As far as I can say (which is not much, of course) it looks good and sounds good, quite mellow, I'd say. My only qualm is that on the twelfth fret the strings are higher than 1/8 inch: they are 1,5/8 inch or slightly less than 5mm. I hope that won't be too bad.

very informative 🎥

I would love one of them ukes

Wish I saw this video... Before I got my Uke... But I think its Ok... Got a Ohana SK 15 GN...🎯

I got one from Amazon it was awesome

Quinn Bovell - sorry not a direct reply - your security settings mean I cannot respond directly. I think the brand you mean is Makala that make the shark. Yes, as entry level ukuleles go they are not too bad - just buy from a uke specialist who will give it a once over

Great review! FYI: I asked Anuenue to add a tenor scale to their Color Series. They say they plan the Release late this Summer. I hope you also get to review one. Neal

Excellent video , may have missed 2 points though , playability and how it stays in tune , but these are adjustable to some degree with a good setup usually and as long as the instrument doesn't have bad tuning problems it would not be a serious problem .

I got a ukulele from amazon and it acually really good I'm impresed

Hi I am a first time buyer. I am 6ft 4" tall, I have been told that a bigger ukulele would suit me better. Could you please tell me is this true. And what's the best one to buy for around £100 Thank you Paul

Hi Barry, I was watching again your video. Just because I want to get out of my head the idea of getting a new ukulele online. I got a Tiger when I was studying in the UK and I gave it to a friend when I came back to my country. I got addicted to the uke even though it was a very inexpensive uke with kind of a silent voice. In my country you have to redefine budget uke because 50 to 100 dolars are a lot of pesos and for instance a cordoba tenor could be easily half a month of salary. 2 years ago I end up buying 3 ukes in the local shops 2 of them are locally made apparently solid wood but poorly finished. The soprano I choose was about 25 usd at today's exchange rate it has a good set-up, lots of volume is made of cedar (supposedly) but has huge guitar tuners, plastic-look fingerboard, in general, is poorly finished and has a narrow nut. is very playable and enjoyble though. The second was a mahalo that I got for my daugther (the tunning machines of this are better than the soprano form the local fabric, imagine that) and I got a concert form the same manufacturer I fix the set up problems on this one that I bought just because the "guayacan" and acacia (I think) where very nice looking. This last one is thick (about 2 mm on the soundhole) and the stock strings were crap. I upgraded them to ernie balls and sound loud and clear. I srill found it sometimes difficult to play due to finishing issues like squared instead of rounded frets. So I preferto play the one locally made soprano over the others. Now I am thinking about getting a new one but again butget is a problem because 50USD is not a few pesos and I found that the cheapest option is to go against your advice and buy online form the us a KA-15Slng or a fllight Tusl-25. But I kept wondering whether they are going to be an upgrade over my poorly finished cedar soprano. PD: local shops are not doing any set-up I am not even sure they know how to do it.

I got my second uke it's cordoba it's awesome I got it for a 100 bucks it sounds great I got it at guitar center

just as i bu a uke from amazon -_-

I'm thinking of asking for a uke for my birthday. I used to play a small acoustic guitar when I was very young and then grew up playing the clarinet in band for five or so years. Then I gave up on instruments in high school. I miss it. After listening to people play the ukulele in music, I was drawn to their sound. I love it. My hands are very small, so I think the soprano uke would be a perfect fit for me instead of a guitar. I just need to find a somewhat good quality beginners' ukulele that will last but also not blow out anyone's wallet. I didn't think of trying one in a shop nearby. I'm sure there's one around here. I hope to find something in the $50-60 range for now. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the guide.

Ordered a tenor ukulele from World of ukes today. Looking forward to learning how to play it now but not sure how the neighbours will feel. 😆🤣

I respectfully disagree. I don't believe a novice looking to learn how to play a ukulele as their first instrument, needs to spend upwards of $100 or more on a mid to high end uke. A $30 Mahalo purchased online is more than suffice for a complete novice and is, in my opinion a well built ukulele. Yes, once you've mastered the basics and have a better understand and feel for the instrument, then go to your music store and buy your Kiwaya or whatever high end uke you like.

Very informative video! I am a beginner and was wondering if I should buy a soprano uke or something else. I want to play the basics and am not sure what the difference between soprano and baritone is.

Thank you for a very informative and thorough video. What Uke would you recommend one purchase for a 3 year old kiddo?

ahlo. im a liking the uke

I have bought several cheap ukuleles and one quite expensive ukulele from Amazon without problems. Ukes don't really require much setting up in the way guitars do. Basically you tune them and off you go. If you're not satisfied with the instrument, Amazon have a no quibble returns policy so long as the instrument hasn't obviously been abused.

i saw on GuitarCenter.com a ukulele that says "open box" on the title with a quite expensive price. there was also an exact same uke with a higher price. i was wondering if you know what the difference is? thank you!

do you have any recommendations for reputable websites to buy a cheaper ukulele?

Hi, what is the best ukulele I can buy on Amazon with a budget of $ 100-130. Concert size. Preferably not for beginners and not laminate. Thanks!! Great reviews!

which is better, a soprano or a concert. I want to be able to play a variety of songs but I I'm also fairly small so size isn't a problem, just sound.. .

What are some good concert ukeleles that aren't too expensive?

I bought a uke from amazon and it is amazing i donnt see why not to buy one of amazon and you dont have to really set them up they come with the string on the uke and its just tuning the uke and off you go.

So what would you consider a cheap electro acoustic ukulele?, is £200 about right?

What advice do you give for those looking into baritones?

Hi! I'am a beginner and want to choose a decent concert or tenor uke. But i observed that the ukes in the lower price range up to 300 dollar have that clong-sound of the f-note on the c-string in the 5th fret and on the e-string in the1th freth and also around these spots. I mean the tone has no sustain and die immediately. Is this a generell problem which is caused by the construction of a ukulele or doesn't this happen on higher price models with better craftsmanship?

I mean technically buying anything online or being delivered to you has a chance of being faulty whether its from Amazon or from the store and is delivered. Things can happen along the journey. So I guess saying Amazon has a higher chance of having a damaged uke is a bit unfair? Since anything delivered can get damaged. And only very phew places do double check their ukes anyways unless said otherwise. Well apart from that note, awesome video.

Hello! Really helpful review thanks a ton. I was wondering if you knew anything about the Lanikai Tunauke Pineapple uke? how's is as a beginner uke?

Great advice! Is a laminate ok for a first uke......... or should I invest in solid...... do all solid wood ukuleles require a humidifier? Is a basic Kala KA15 ok........ I know I need to go try them out.......

So what would be a good concert ukulele? I'm a beginner looking to get a ukulele for around $100-200

I Bought A Kohala not a makala concert size 65$ ITS model is KO-C am begginer whats your opinion?

***** I Got I From Amazon And My Tablet Is A Kindle Fire HDX

Hey there! what are your thoughts on Freeman and Nativa? (both sopranos) I'm also looking into de Makala Dolphin which it's a bit pricier but if it really makes a difference I'd rather buy that one (since I don't want to change it within a year or so). Cheers from Chile!

What do you think about Mahimahi soprano MS-1ST as first ukulele?

i have always wanted a light brown zebra wood style ukulele but they are usually like £250

There are no uke specialist where I live. I live in the middle of nowhere. Just woodwind and brass. The only place within 100 mile radius of me (and I checked) that even sells ukelele is guitar center. So I have no choice but to order online suggestions? Are some websites better to order from than others?

Dear mr, I want to buy a second ukelele, because my first one was really cheap. But I still do not want it to be too expensive. So can you tell me if this is a nice ukelele??

Would you recommend Octopus UK-200 Soprano for a beginner Ukulele player

I've been attempting to find some solid research and I just can't find a reliable source. Im extremely left handed and if I'm not mistaken, if I buy a uke then all I would have to do is restring it to suit my needs? Or am I wrong?

do you think the brand first act is a good brand? They are 50 dollars but since I think that's a good price for my first uke I'm not sure if I should get it. Can you please reply

May I ask, what's that type of ukulele you have in the video?

I got a Fender soprano uke that i was proud of... everyone says Concert one is better...n now i feel bad for having a soprano

I don't believe I have any nearby music stores, are there any good online websites you would recommend?

Can I buy a concert ukulele even if I'm only a beginner?

Any good brands you'd recommend? I am planning on becoming more serious with the uke and upgrading from my Luna Tattoo ukulele as it has horrific buzzing on the first couple of frets. I was thinking between $2-300 for a tenor.

Do you have any experience with Islander ukuleles? I know they're like a more budget friendly uke from Kanile'a, but they're made in China rather than Hawaii like the Kanile'as. I just ordered an Islander MC-4 from a music store, but I haven't gotten it yet.

Is Kala KAA-15C Limited Edition Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele okay? What's your opinion on it?

would you reccommend the Tiger Soprano Ukulele might get one on groupon

Hi! I was just wondering if you can recommend any good online stores to buy from? I live in Hong Kong and I haven't been able to find a good ukulele in stores. Thank you!

Hi, Would you recommend a Kala KA-15S as first uke? I've been playing the acoustic guitar for some time now. If not, please suggest some other. Also, should I go in for a Soprano or a Tenor(I am thinking about a Tenor, as a Soprano seems too small for me). TIA.

I got a stagg and the back is equal.... (no I didn't get it from any web sites or apps like Amazon)

3:19 - what is meant with above the crown? (Sry English is not my first language)

Hey ! What do you think about Aloha ukes !

Is Thomann a good music’s store?

I saw that it was an Ohana uke, what specific model?

Do you recommend a side hole for sound?

What Ukulele Brand Works Best For Beginners? I’m Really Looking For A Good Sounding Ukulele That Doesn’t Look Or Sound Too Bad

Good video, thank you. I've posted a question on one of your other videos about any recommendations and price to pay so hope you'll be able to look at that? Just one comment about buying from a shop v online; I live in Cornwall and am struggling to find a shop who have a reasonable selection of baritone ukuleles? Closest is Bristol and even then, not many baritones - hence I'm looking at Gear4Music? Anyone have any comments or experience?

So ive played avoustic for a few years now, mostly fingerstyle and now i would like to try out the ukulele since ive always had an interest for it, i dont want to spend alot on the first one since it might not be something ill like that much but i also dont want a pieve of crap, what are some good ones? Thanks.

hey dude, really cool information about the ukes. Well, i am gonna buy a ukulele from banggood. Any advice about the best one to buy? The brands are: Kaka,Deviser,Andrew, Hawaii and Mahalo. Which one should i choose? I can afford one with about 35-40 euros

I bought deviser uk- 2430 for $54, is it worth it?

Oh yes what to buy! Soprano, concert, tenor? It's a minefield!!

You say the foremost parameters are: 1. how the instrument sounds and 2. how it plays, but you don't cover these issues. The other factors are: 3. the build standard (which affects the above and which you cover) and 4. how it looks ( a matter of personal preference). I would have preferred that the video concentrated on 1 and 2, maybe by some comparisons between different price instruments or different height bodies (you show a shallow body instrument). But what you do cover is good. At the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the playing and the sound it produces!

I'm interested in a caramel ukulele any experience with them? Thanks.

I am sure that I am not the first to ask this question. If you had to buy just one ukulele for less than $1000what ukulele would it be? I could sit and watch your videos until I’m blue in the face but I still would not know exactly which ukulele would be a wise purchase. I am a big guy 6’2”so I’m guessing it would be probably a tenor.