Thank you so much! After viewing a few reviews on Ukulele I have to say yours is the best. I also compared your review on the Ranch tenor Ukulele and this review. I decided to order the Concert Uke.
Thanks for your positive comments! Two years ago, I didn't know what to make of all these low-cost brands on Amazon, but really, so many of the instruments I have reviewed have been affordable, decent instruments for beginners...at a low enough price point that they can get started well and then move up to other models (from ukulele specialists) at a later point. And there are some players who will never need anything more than these models, too! I think you'll be very happy with the concert ukulele, and if you are unhappy, you do have the ability to return it and try something else. Do check in when it arrives and let us know how it goes for you!
Chris - I also worked on a Hricane concert uke that looks identical to the Ranch. I wonder if Hricane, Ranch, and Lohanu ukes are all made in the same factory. Rick
Very talented. I just bought it because of your review. Don't know how to play it, hopefully you give lessons on YT. However, I was thinking of GDAE tuning switching A & E and using Ernie Ball classical strings. You think that would work?
Hello, you can find the GCEA U series here on RU-vid (with the document on my website at UkeStuff.info, for free) which was created during COVID to help people get started right. I don’t do anything with non-standard tuning; my closest is using Pepe Romero Baby Baritone Strings on a Concert so I can play it like a Baritone ukulele. I would be cautious of any tuning without taking to a string expert, as most ukuleles do not have a truss rod, and as such, if the strings have more tension than they were designed for, the neck can warp. The Ranch remains an affordable entry level ukulele with a good kit, allowing you to start off “right” with the instrument. Do be aware that all ukulele strings take some time to settle in!
Chris - I sold the uke to a good home. I have two 80-100 year old soprano banjo ukes needing resurrection. Maybe Martin 600 strings would have convinced me to keep the Ranch uke, but the two vintage ukes have priority. Thank you again for your review. Rick
You do the most thorough reviews in the biz. Keep it up! It really is awesome how good these “starter” bundles are these days. I paid $70 for a basic laminate concert uke 15 years ago and it came with a basic gig bag and nothing else.
Thanks! I really want to do something that is different than everyone else (and especially not “copy” Barry Maz, who is the pioneer of this type of video. I feel that I have much more freedom to do long reviews with RU-vid chapters; people can jump to parts that they want to watch very easily. And for people who think they are too long, there’s the One Minute Review! 😀 I also look at this as leaving a record of instruments. Down the road, many of these may not be available in stores but may still circulate privately. People will want to research what they might buy second hand, and these may be some of the only places to find out more about their potential instrument. And I love to cover the entry level ukuleles, as a teacher. Parents really do just hit “buy” on Amazon, and there’s a chance they might do a quick search on RU-vid.
UkeStuff the new chapter feature is really nice. People seem to jump around RU-vid videos a lot. At least now they can know what part they are looking at.
Good morning, Chris. I just got one of these bundles used - complete and in mint condition. I agree with you - it is not as loud or bright as I would like. Did you try the Martin 600 strings on yours? Thanks. Rick
Thank you so much for this. I’m about to buy my first Ukele and I can get this kit for $44.95 as of this writing. Would you recommend I get it? Or is there a better option?
$44.95 for the concert? That's a no brainer. It is an absolutely fine first ukulele. If you buy it...and love ukulele...make a commitment not to buy another one for 30 days at least, 60 days ideally. You'll start reading up and will know what you want for your next ukulele. Most players have multiple ukuleles (it's rare to find a ukulele player with only one) and really learn the basics and learn about the instrument before buying the next one. If you're starting from scratch, try my (absolutely free) beginner course at ukestuff.info. Go to the GCEA U tab.
