Ukulele Buyers Guide

Ukulele Buyer's Guide

Our sister site, UkuleleHotline.com is proud to offer a wide selection of ukuleles from around the world. Our ukulele inventory includes budget friendly instruments from Kala, Lanikai, Pono, and Eddy Finn; we also stock fine American made ukuleles from LoPrinzi, Kanile'a, and Breedlove. The UkuleleHotline.com Buyer's Guide will provide you with the information you need to choose an instrument that is just right for you.

If you are interested in a ukulele you cannot find on this website; please visit our sister site: UkuleleHotline.com

Ukulele Buyers Guide - The Sizes

Ukuleles come in several different sizes. The most common ukulele sizes are soprano, concert, and tenor. They all play the same, and are tuned to the same pitches: G, C, E, A. The physical size of the body is the only difference and therefore the soprano sounds smaller or "boxy," the concert sounds a little bigger, and the tenor sounds the biggest and most open. The baritone ukulele is tuned to D, G, B, and E, like the first four strings of a guitar. Finally, the bass ukulele popularized by the Kala UBass, is available as an acoustic UBass or a solid body electric UBass.

Ukulele Buyers Guide - The Tone Woods

The sounding board of any string instrument is its top. The wood utilized for the top is the single most important factor determining the tone of an instrument. The wood used for the back, sides, neck, and fingerboard will enrich or subdue aspects of the tone generated by the top. Of course, there are many other factors that will shape the final sound of a ukulele, and there is no way to determine exactly what an instrument will sound like. Selecting a soundboard, however, should guide you in a general direction and give you the confidence needed to make an informed decision.

Koa - is the traditional wood used in Hawaii to build ukuleles. This hardwood often has attractive grain patterns and commands a premium price. Sonically it has a strong fundamental with midrange emphasis and low overtone content. When used as a soundboard, it responds best at the upper end of the dynamic range. Koa makes a great rhythm instrument; it is perfect for the typical ukulele strum. Many times Koa is used for the sides and back as well.

Mahogany - has been used for tops, backs, and sides for many years by C.F. Martin and other famous makers. It has a strong midrange and a mellow sound that sweetens with age. There are other woods, such as Sapele, that fall into the Mahogany family and have a very similar sound.

Spruce - is another popular wood for ukulele soundboards, due to its wide dynamic range, solid tone, and large fundamental to overtone ratio. It can produce more volume than Koa and has less midrange.

Cedar - is often used for tops. It has a softer more matured treble tone than spruce. It sounds warmer but has less projection.

Ukulele Buyers Guide - The Electronics

Some ukuleles come with a pickup and a preamp built in, for performing in larger venues. Amplifying the ukulele makes it easy to perform with many other instruments, like electric guitar and drums. Depending on the model, it may also have other features such as a built in tuner or equalizer.

Ukulele Buyers Guide - Made in USA

We are proud to promote LoPrinzi, Kanile'a, and Breedlove ukuleles all of which are made right here in the USA. The difference in quality between these ukuleles and those made elsewhere is instantly recognizable in both appearance and sound quality. They all have solid top, back and side woods for a deep, rich tone.

Breedlove Ukulele - Breedlove Ukuleles are made in Bend, Oregon USA. They offer the Breedlove Master Class Tenor, Breedlove American Tenor Ukulele, and the Kim Breedlove Signature Ukulele.

The Breedlove Master Class Ukulele is made from dramatically stunning flame Koa. The neck is made from genuine Honduran Mahogany, one of the Holy Grail tone woods.

The Breedlove American Tenor Ukulele is constructed with Sapele back and sides and a Sitka Spruce top.

The Kim Breedlove Signature Ukulele is made with a Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top, Myrtlewood back and sides with Spanish cedar purfling, and a Honduran Mahogany neck.

Kanile'a Ukulele - Kanile'a is a family owned business based in Kaneohe, Hawaii. They build a very fine ukulele that sounds and looks fantastic. They have a special bracing they call the Total Resonating Ukulele (TRU) bracing system. This increases volume and resonance. We can also help you with a custom build from Kanile'a. The most popular request is personalized inlay work on the fingerboard or headstock.

LoPrinzi Ukulele - Augustino LoPrinzi began his career building classical guitars. He began building ukuleles when he was asked to build an instrument for ukulele virtuoso Herb Ohta. The LoPrinzi name soon became a legend on the small instrument. They have been making ukuleles in Clearwater, Florida ever since.

Ukulele Buyers Guide - Gretsch Roots Collection

The Gretsch Roots Collection takes players on a musical journey through nearly a century of great Gretsch history. The Gretsch Roots Collection is an exciting new family of banjos, mandolins, resonator guitars and ukuleles featuring classically authentic Gretsch designs that transport players to a bygone era well before rock 'n' roll blasted off in the 1950s. Reviving the spirit of a simpler time, with instruments as ageless as a great melody, is what the Gretsch Roots Collection is all about. Unique designs, superb craftsmanship, and great tone also make the Gretsch Roots Collection a superb value.

If you are interested in a ukulele you cannot find on this website; please visit: UkuleleHotline.com