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Buying a Ukulele
There may seem a lot to think
about when choosing a Ukulele,
so we have put a few helpful
pointers below to help you out.
But
remember, we're always happy
to offer friendly advice, and
help you make the right choice,
so please feel free to call us
on 020 8123 9329 or
email us.
Ukulele sizes -
Soprano, Concert, Tenor and
Baritone
Ukuleles come in 4
sizes, from the smallest, the
Soprano (about 21 inches long in
total), to the
Concert (23
inches),
Tenor (26 inches)
and then
Baritone (30
inches).
The
Soprano
is considered the “standard”
size for ukuleles. It usually
has 12 to 14 frets. There are 2
types of tuning: C tuning,
which is gCEA or D tuning,
aDF#B. The C tuning is probably
the most popular.
The
Concert is a little larger,
allowing for a bigger sound, and
usually a larger fingerboard,
with around 14 to 17 frets
(sometimes more). It is usually
tuned to gCEA.
The
Tenor
ukulele is larger again, has 17
to 19 frets, so more scope for
playing solos and different
chords. Many guitarists
prefer the Tenor models. Again,
it is usually tuned to gCEA.
Baritone ukuleles are
closely related to the guitar,
and being the largest ukuleles,
have a bigger, fuller sound.
Baritone ukes have around 19 to
21 frets and are tuned like the
top 4 strings of a guitar: DGBE.
Different Ukulele Shapes
Ukuleles come in a
range of different shapes,
including
the standard guitar shape
(sometimes called the figure 8); the pineapple (no
curves); and the cut away (where the body is
“cut-away” near the fingerboard
to allow better access to the
frets).
Risa
electric and solid ukuleles, and
the
Fleas and Flukes,
bring a whole new range of shapes and
design to the ukulele world.
Ukulele Tuning
The standard tuning
for the Soprano, Concert and
Tenor ukuleles is gCEA. The g
string is tuned an octave
higher. This is known as
"re-entrant" tuning. However,
some prefer "Low G" tuning, with
the G an octave lower. The
Baritone is usually tuned to
DGBE, like the top 4 strings of
a guitar.
Types of Wood used
to make Ukuleles
Ukuleles are made
from a range of wood; koa,
mahogany, spruce, cedar, maple…
Koa is a native Hawaiian wood
and offers a bright, punchy
tone, and is very beautiful to
look at. Many Hawaiian ukulele
makers consider koa to be the
best wood for ukuleles. However,
good quality koa is hard to find
and expensive.
Mahogany
wood offers a warm, rich tone.
The classic Martin ukuleles of
old are probably the most famous of all
mahogany ukuleles.
Spruce is
popularly used for guitars and
is now commonly used for
ukuleles too. Ukuleles are often
made with a spruce top (front)
but with the back and sides made
from a different wood, for
example rosewood.
You may also find
ukuleles in maple, mango,
cedar, cherry wood…all sorts of
wood. During the 50s and
60s there were many ukuleles
made from plastic.
Apart from the
looks and tone, a lot will
depend on what you want to
spend. A koa ukulele will
invariably be more expensive
than one made from plywood wood.
Solid Wood or
Laminated / Ply
You might see a ukulele that
is "laminated" or made from
"ply" wood. Put simply, this is
a uke made from a cheaper wood,
covered or laminated in a nicer
looking wood such as mahogany.
A
ukulele made from solid wood,
or at least with a solid wood
top, will nearly always give a brighter tone
than a uke made from ply.
Ukulele Tuners or Tuning
Pegs
Ukuleles come with geared,
side-mounted tuners, or with rear-mounted,
friction tuners. The friction
tuners are considered to be more
traditional, although many
ukulele players like the control
that geared tuners offer,
particularly on a larger
ukulele, such as the tenor size. |
