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Ukulele please?

P

Post Mortal

Jun 19, 2011
74
0
33
South Jersey
#1
So, I've been playing bass for about 4 years now and I love it. I play other random musical instruments and the next I want to pick up is a ukulele. And since I don't know anything specific about ukulele's I have no idea which kind I should get. And information about them is great, thanks!

-Doug
 
#4
Kala is a very popular brand of uke. They offer dolphin bridged ukes starting around 32 bucks. They also have Kala that are around 200 beans. Check out Ukedelic (Spelling?) for some cool graphs on the ukes. Fender and Ibanez also make ukuleles.

I personally do not like them, but I dislike them even more when people play them terribly. Strum the strings gently. Going over board takes away the essence and timbre of the uke.
 
#6
Some trivial for you: "ukulele" translates to "jumping lice". Reportedly when the natives saw guitars being played for the first time, one of them commented that the fingertips jumped around the fretboard like crab lice.

It's not a "you ka lay lee"; it's an "oo koo lay lay".
 
#13
Post-my advice is get one that is decent to play (good set up). If you go too cheap-you will loose interest (cruddy sound and improper set up). Lanikai, Flea and Kala have some well built ukes for under $200.00. Size is also something you will want to consider (tenor/concert/soprano) with tenor typically being easiest to start on (larger fretboard).

If you have a music store nearby that stocks ukes-go strum some and see how they feel to you. Ukuleleunderground is the best uke site on the internet-lots of helpful folks to ask your questions to and free lessons! Good luck with your quest.
 
#14
fish552 said:
Post-my advice is get one that is decent to play (good set up). If you go too cheap-you will loose interest (cruddy sound and improper set up). Lanikai, Flea and Kala have some well built ukes for under $200.00. Size is also something you will want to consider (tenor/concert/soprano) with tenor typically being easiest to start on (larger fretboard).

If you have a music store nearby that stocks ukes-go strum some and see how they feel to you. Ukuleleunderground is the best uke site on the internet-lots of helpful folks to ask your questions to and free lessons! Good luck with your quest.
Click to expand...

This is why trying something out in a store is preferable.
 
#15
Dude, get a dulcimer (sorry about the spelling) and throw a lipstick in it.

I've only seen this once. The female that plays with Blind Pilot has this as an instrument. She wore it like a guitar and shredded the hell out of it. One of the best shows I've ever seen. The Parish in Austin was the perfect place for that show, too.

On second thought, don't do the dulcimer idea. I'm going to do it.
 
#16
Fassa Albrecht said:
Now you're being silly.

Now, I'm going on a mandola hunt!
Click to expand...

Screw all that, I'll be getting a Mandobass :bassist:

fish552 said:
Post-my advice is get one that is decent to play (good set up). If you go too cheap-you will loose interest (cruddy sound and improper set up). Lanikai, Flea and Kala have some well built ukes for under $200.00. Size is also something you will want to consider (tenor/concert/soprano) with tenor typically being easiest to start on (larger fretboard).

If you have a music store nearby that stocks ukes-go strum some and see how they feel to you. Ukuleleunderground is the best uke site on the internet-lots of helpful folks to ask your questions to and free lessons! Good luck with your quest.
Click to expand...

Awesome help, thanks for that. And yeah i was looking for something in the $200 range. I was wondering what the difference between tenor and all of that was. The only music store with ukes nearby is guitar center.. 45 minutes away. So next time I need to go up there for something I'll check them out.
 
#17
Post Mortal said:
Screw all that, I'll be getting a Mandobass :bassist:
Click to expand...
And I'll one-up you with a contrabass banjo.

4x8RPnAYei3LP.jpg
 
#19
WHY NOT? Get a whole collection that ranges from contrabass banjo to banjo uke. And with the banjo uke, the thread comes full circle...

I used to own an English "bass banjo", actually - tuned like a cello and with about a 16" head diameter. It was a very nice, usable instrument but not needed for many gigs - I sold it before moving across the Atlantic.
 

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