chasAK Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 My daughter is doing her student teaching for her music ed.major. She wants to get a tenor ukulele. Can she get a decent one for $150.00? What should she be looking for? chasAK ps here is an interesting video http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/spotlight-on-youth-east-high-ukulele/29064246 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Davy Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I play a Luna mahogany tattoo soprano. It's seen as a decent starter Uke and has a bigger tenor brother that comes in at a shade under $150. They are well built and also an attractive uke. http://www.lunaguitars.com/acousticproduct/tattootenormahogany.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Depends on location... IMO go into a shop and buy something In the UK...ukes can be bought for next to nothing...some are excellent at that price Then there are the higher grade ones...acoustic and electro... Everybody needs at least one uke... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I really hope Buc McMaster weighs in here. Anyways, I have a Martin S1 Soprano Uke that is awesome, although a little small. Martin makes a Tenor that will not let you down, although it is above your price range: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/martin-tenor-ukulele-koa/h80797 Lanikai makes a great one as well in your price range: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/lanikai-nk-t-natural-koa-tenor-ukulele/620432 And Gretsch makes a really affordable one that I have not played, but I would give a shot nonetheless - just based on how impressed I am with their roots series resonator that I own: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/gretsch-guitars-root-series-g9120-tenor-standard-ukulele/h80540 I would also look at Elderly's amazing selection: Like this Kala: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/KMST.htm Or this Kala - http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/KACT.htm And I'll finish with the one I would buy. IThis one right here: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/KU5-TEN.htm Yep I like mahogany. Also, if it is for your daughter, even though one does not change strings often on a uke, changing them on a slothead is a PITA for me. I would avoid those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Actually... Let me reconsider. By all means you should look at the incredible inventory at all price ranges at Elderly. And for $150 I would buy the Gretsch I referenced above, but also for sale at Elderly's: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/G9120.htm and put on a fresh set of Aquila strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I play a long neck soprano Kala and long neck Ohana uke. If I were to expand into playing a tenor uke, I'd go for the same brands or maybe a Luna. Just my two cents. Jazzman Jeff aka QM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I have a few ukes In that price range I would look at the maestro Plain looking but good quality and materials I have one of their higher end models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasAK Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Thanks, you got me started on my search. A couple of questions: Do we need to look at a little high money bracket and what wood tops should I be looking at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I see LOTS of ukes on Craig's list locally. Search for "uke" or "ukulele" under "musical instruments" on CL…..great bargains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjunk Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I only have the tiny sopranos, but my Ohana is a wonderful uke and was less than $200 new. Any sort of used Kiwaya would be a good direction as well, but they can get expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I do not think you have to pay up for a name on a uke. I have a Martin S1, but I bought it used from Elderly, with a hard case for $220. It is elegant, simple, clean, all hog, and I dig it. I think you cant go wrong with the Gretsch I pointed out above, as well as many others in the sub $200 arena. Stay away from the super glossy painted caked on finish pretty ukes. Go simple and put Aquila strings on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Stay away from the super glossy painted caked on finish pretty ukes. Unless you find one of these............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasAK Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Thanks for all the info.! I didn't think about Craig's list.I would like to get one with a solid top. I saw one with a solid spruce top for a little under 200. I think it had rosewood back & sides. I was wondering if it still sounded like a uku? Sometime in the next few of days we will go out and see what is available locally. When we score, I'll let you all know.One of our local shops has some Gretsch guitars. We'll see if they have that hog uke. Hey Buc McMaster, any change on you selling that Giby for around $150.00? chasAK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Unless you find one of these............. The Holy grail for Gibson Ukes.. Beautiful piece.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 The Holy grail for Gibson Ukes.. Beautiful piece.. Yeah, and you won't find one for $150 either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Nothing wrong with painted or glossy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasAK Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Yeah, and you won't find one for $150 either! It's hard to even find a solid top for that price. Buc, Slimt, and Dave those are some gorgeous ukes!! I hope to go looking Monday or Tuesday to seewhat we have locally. We have also been put on hold as my daughter informed me that she need to pay her school bill first. We will have fun looking any! chasAK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderful remark Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 A Flea or Fluke ukulele are great around $150 range. http://www.magicfluke.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 It's hard to even find a solid top for that price. Buc, Slimt, and Dave those are some gorgeous ukes!! I hope to go looking Monday or Tuesday to seewhat we have locally. We have also been put on hold as my daughter informed me that she need to pay her school bill first. We will have fun looking any! chasAK sometimes a solid top is not the way to go.. getting her started with a Good uke that stays in tune and has a decent tone is a good start.. if it feels good to her she may stay with it.. they are fun to play on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Double post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I've got one of these…..just a blast to play! Kanilea Guitarlele w/Deluxe Koa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 As Saturdays usually are, I drop the wife off where ever she wants to go and I go and visit the nearest guitar store. Today I was at a local chain (Willis). I looked over their ukes and talked with one of the guys in the know. Around that range you should find a nice, no frill, solid top. From what I was told the things to really watch for in this price range - decent tuners. If your kid is constantly tuning they will not enjoy it. - really check out the intonation. probably 75% of them will be off from the nut up through the first few frets. Usually sharp on the top strings ???????? If you shop around and are willing to go around $250, you can find a vintage Gibson and always get your money back out of it later on if you wanted to. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 I've got one of these…..just a blast to play! Kanilea Guitarlele w/Deluxe Koa I have a Yamaha Guitarlele (6 string uke) in my collection. Fun thing to have, plus, a great travel guitar to put into a large suitcase on a plane. Enjoy playing mine a lot. They are really just miniature classical guitars. Jazzman Jeff aka QM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigshot Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Mine is a Kamaka baritone. Wonderful instrument! Cost more than some of my guitars though. This is a new one. Mine is from the 70s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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