# What should I look for in a ukulele? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 13, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457 "2005-09-13T17:51:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/1 "2005-09-13T17:51:11Z")
And where should I get it? Here’s the scoop: My SO is a professional musician (mainly guitar, but all stringed instruments capture his fancy). Every time we go into any kind of music store, or heck, even toy stores, he always makes a beeline to the ukuleles and plays with them, but never buys one (despite wanting one really badly). Clearly, it is time for me to give him one for his birthday. The trouble is, I have no idea what I should get. He wouldn’t use it onstage, but I bet he’d use it in recordings. He has declared many times his love of “shitty” guitars, and likes to mix them in with his super-expensive ones to get a nice variety of sound. All of which is to say, the cost doesn’t necessarily need to be high. So. How do I go about finding a decent ukulele? Where? What should I ask about? What should I look for? Thanks, Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![Meaty\_Beaty\_Big\_and\_Bouncy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Meaty\_Beaty\_Big\_and\_Bouncy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meaty_Beaty_Big_and_Bouncy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/2 "2005-09-13T18:05:23Z")
> **[Ukulele World - Chords, tips and techniques for Ukulele](https://www.ukuleleworld.com/)** > > Chords, tips and techniques for Ukulele ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/3 "2005-09-13T18:16:12Z")
Well, first you need to know whether he wants a tenor, soprano, baritone or banjo uke. Second, you don’t want to spend less than $50 minimum, and more like around $100 to get one that’s halfway decent to learn on. Try [here](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search?q=UKULELE&d=tp) to start - although these are at the bottom end of the playability scale. Don’t even think about a uke under $50, and if you can afford it, go higher. You can sort by price range there. Rogues are pieces of crap - the Oscar Schmidt’s aren’t good, but they’re not bad either. If you’re rich, get him a Martin. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/4 "2005-09-13T18:30:46Z")
A good rule of thumb is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. If there’s quite a distance, it’s a piece of shit and not worth buying. Look for something where the strings are no more than about 1/8th of an inch above and truly parallel to the fretboard. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/5 "2005-09-13T18:42:10Z")
> [@](#): > > What should I look for in a ukulele? A felt pick? 😛 My sister used to have one that was plastic, and had plastic frets. It was crap. In addition to the action, make sure that every string on every fret rings true and clear, with no buzzing sound. Look for quality materials. Look for quality workmanship, especially in the tuning pegs and bridge. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/6 "2005-09-13T19:06:58Z")
**picker** has good advice (why do we keep running into each other in these threads?) My mom collects ukes - has over 40 or 50. Oy. Anyway, you just need a good tone - what you should probably do is either get one that is 100% guaranteed returnable/exchangeable (if you really want him to get something physical as the gift) or just tool up a gift certificate and let him pick. It is a GREAT idea - you should be applauded. At the same time, musical instruments represent a very personal choice… ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/7 "2005-09-13T19:31:01Z")
Thanks so much for your guidance, guys. I really appreciate it. > [@](#): > > Well, first you need to know whether he wants a tenor, soprano, baritone or banjo uke. Good point. I’ll have to ask him, but on the sly. I don’t want him to figure out what his gift is in advance. So, to recap: - Plan to spend at least $100 for something decent - No Rogues - No Oscar Schmidt if at all possible - On the fretboard: no plastic, strings no more than 1/8" off board and perfectly parallel with it - No buzzing tone from strings - Quality workmanship - Guaranteed exchangeable (I do plan on giving him the physical instrument) I am going to keep this list handy as I begin shopping. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/8 "2005-09-13T19:36:58Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > strings no more than 1/8" off board and perfectly parallel with it. I should comment on this quickly. 1/8" is not a hard and fast rule. It’s a pretty good approximation, but is largley a matter of taste. And no good instrument is going to have perfectly parallel strings (but they should be pretty close). A bridge of adjustable height is worth looking for. If you really want to know what your SO will like, take a close look at his high-end instruments. A uke that is set up like those is one that he’s going to enjoy playing. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/9 "2005-09-13T19:40:52Z")
I should add one more bit of advice, then I’ll shut up. Find one of his band members, or a friend, or even a complete stranger who plays guitar or mandolin. Drag this person to the store with you. Trust his advice. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/10 "2005-09-13T20:06:29Z")
One of his good friends/bandmates works at Willie’s American Guitars, which is the best guitar shop in town (the Rolling Stones people came in last week, for example). I’m-a ask John to help me out, but I wanted to be educated enough that I won’t be a total idiot when looking, you know? And yes, I know that no fretboard is perfectly straight, but that note will help me remember to look carefully at it, and its relationship with the strings. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/11 "2005-09-13T20:18:33Z")
> [@](#): > > [http://www.ukuleleworld.com/](http://www.ukuleleworld.com/) **MY EYES!!** Just kidding. Thanks for the link – I’m enjoying poking around all the options. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/12 "2005-09-13T21:12:38Z")
Interestingly, I just put a Martin and a Kamaka up for sale with the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society. They have several on consignment. Might be worth checking into. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/13 "2005-09-13T21:25:05Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > Interestingly, I just put a Martin and a Kamaka up for sale with the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society. They have several on consignment. Might be worth checking into. In Oregon? Interesting. I should tell Mom!! ---
**Author:** ![Meaty\_Beaty\_Big\_and\_Bouncy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Meaty\_Beaty\_Big\_and\_Bouncy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meaty_Beaty_Big_and_Bouncy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/14 "2005-09-13T21:31:39Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > **MY EYES!!** > > Just kidding. Thanks for the link – I’m enjoying poking around all the options. Yes, it’s a bit loud. My apologies for not warning you. :smack: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/15 "2005-09-15T15:18:49Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > In Oregon? Interesting. I should tell Mom!! Well, no, in Hawaii. I didn’t think there’d be much of a market here. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/16 "2005-09-16T18:37:01Z")
If there’s anything in an ukelele that isn’t glued down, it’s not a good thing. Loose braces are bad. Small rodents are right out. It’s good to look for those things in an ukelele. (note that I’m using the Hawaiian oo-keh-lay-leh pronunciation that requires “an.”) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/17 "2005-09-16T18:47:11Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > Well, no, in Hawaii. I didn’t think there’d be much of a market here. You sent them from Oregon to Hawaii? (I am assuming your profile of means you are in Oregon - if wrong, sorry). Bummer - there is a HUGE market for them in the 48 lower states if you know where to look. My mom networks a lot - there is a ton of traffic in uke’s - gotta love the internet! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/18 "2005-09-16T18:55:35Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > What should I look for in a ukulele? A self-destruct switch? ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/19 "2005-09-16T19:11:36Z")
> [@](#): > > A self-destruct switch? Hey now. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457/20 "2005-09-16T19:29:36Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > Hey now. I kid! Just don’t go all Tiny Tim with one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ukulele/321457.md?page=2)