Like small guitars, ukuleles are unique instruments that are a lot of fun to play. While the instrument finds its origins in the Hawaiian Islands, it is used far and wide across the world.
For someone starting out, you’ll be pretty stumped to see so many choices. If you want to know how to find a good quality ukulele, you have come to the right place.
A quick search for ukuleles on Amazon will show you thousands of ukuleles in different models, sizes, brands, and prices. This is a simple guide that will help you choose the best quality ukulele, based on your needs.
Good Quality Ukulele Price Range
The first factor that you should consider when you’re looking for a good quality ukulele is your price range. If you’re starting out, your budget should ideally be from $50 to $100.
Comparison Chart
The ukuleles you can get within this price range are reasonably well-sounding and easy to play as well. Of course, you can always spend more money if you have the budget.
If you’re spending a lot of money on a ukulele, you can expect to see better overall craftsmanship and improved playability. There are models that have electronics which allow you to play the ukulele through an amp as well.
Perhaps, the best quality about the pricier, good quality ukuleles is the fact that they have solid wooden sides, top and back for better tone.
Avoid cheap ukuleles. The lower the price, the lower the construction quality will be. Cheaper ukuleles are more difficult to play and they don’t sound as well as the high-quality ukuleles.
Good Quality Ukulele Sizes
Now, for the body size. A lot of beginners get intimidated by the fact that there are multiple sizes but honestly, it’s pretty simple. All the different-sized ukuleles are tuned in the same way and they’re played the same way. The Soprano is 21” tall, the Concert is 23” tall and the Tenor is 26” tall.
If you learn how to play on the soprano, you can pretty much play the Tenor as well. The only difference is in the tone and the playability of the different types.
How to Find a Good Quality Ukulele in 2019
You see, the bigger the body of the ukulele, the better the tone. Concert and Tenor-sized ukuleles tend to have a richer sound than most Soprano-sized ukuleles. A larger body also produces more bass and volume.
Sopranos happen to have a more treble heavy sound. Deciding between these is actually a matter of personal preference. Of course, the larger-sized ukuleles are much easier to play because of the increased distance between the frets.
How to Choose Good Quality Ukulele for Beginners
As a beginner, size does matter when it comes to choosing the ideal ukulele. While the price range and quality of construction make a huge difference, the size affects playability quite a lot.
Ideally, beginners should go for high quality ukuleles that are Concert or Tenor-sized. This will give them the necessary training they need so they can move on to the Soprano later on.
Final Thoughts
After you consider these three factors, it becomes a matter of choosing the manufacturer and model they provide based on your preference. You can consider the Concert and Tenor models of the Lohanu LU, they’re not the most economical ones out there but definitely some of the best quality ukuleles.
If you want to go for a reasonably priced soprano-sized ukulele, you can always go for the Kala KA15S, it is a pretty good price for a good quality ukulele for beginners. Find out what else you should know about ukulele?
Kala KA-S Soprano Mahogany Ukulele
Finding the best soprano ukulele may seem like a subjective endeavor, but there are some aspects of each ukulele that are indisputable. The Kala KA-S ukulele, for example, is one of the finest-made ukuleles on the market, and it produces a rich, crisp sound when playing both high and low notes.
It has a standard ukulele look that is very attractive, which includes white binding on the top, chrome die-cast pegs on the headstock, and even an eye-catching Kala™ logo for extra effect. To top it all off, the instrument tends to hold its tune for a long time, which is very convenient for beginning players.
Pros:
- Easy and fun to play.
- Made with high-quality mahogany.
- Great tone-sustaining ability.
- Great aesthetic appeal.
- Very well built overall.
Cons:
- Some intonation problems are, sometimes, found with the strings.
Conclusion: As far as its downside, there are a few minor things to consider if you are thinking of purchasing this model. The G and A strings, sometimes, do not hold their tune as long as the other two, although the inconvenience is minor because you should still find tuning these two strings on the simple side.
Other than that, the Kala KA-S is an excellent ukulele for the price, which is one of the reasons it is so widely chosen for beginning ukulele players.
Overall, the Kala KA-S is a great ukulele for beginners, despite its few flaws, especially once you consider how well made and inexpensive it is.
Lastly, if you want to look at a well-constructed Soprano that provides you good value for money, consider the Hricane UKS-1 series. Good quality craftsmanship and playability are both there at an affordable price.