Best Ukuleles
• Have you purchased a cheap soprano ukulele in the past and now thinking about upgrading to a Concert size that is high quality but doesn't break the bank? • A Beautiful Looking Ukulele made with very high quality materials, Sapele, Mahogany, Handmade Deluxe Bindings. NO buzzing noises, NO tuning problems even when you play higher frets, has a Big, Clear, Warm & Bright Sound, features an Arched Back. Extra Set of Aquila Strings • Two Strap Buttons Installed! • Beginner's Lesson. • How To Tune Your Ukulele Video. • Super Catchy & Fun Must Learn 'Hawaiian Songs'! (Strap, Tuner, Case, 2 Picks, Pick Holder, Extra Set of Aquila Strings) Don't spend an extra $10-20 just to have someone install strap buttons on your ukulele. A BEAUTIFUL LOOKING UKULELE: 24 inches long, Sapele/Mahogany Top, Back & Sides & Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, Aquila Strings Installed (Best Ukulele Strings), Handmade ABS Bindings, Chrome die cast tuning gears keeps ukulele in tune!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This uke isn't intended for high-end use, it's a great beginner uke or an excellent spare to keep handy for trips to the beach or parties where a better uke might get banged around. It also comes with picks, but you can throw those away - you shouldn't play the uke with a pick it makes it sound abrasive and shrill. A NOTE ABOUT TUNING: There's a misperception that a "good" ukulele stays in tune once you've tuned the strings. Strings change tune radically with even slight shifts in humidity or temperature. If you keep your uke in a house with an HVAC it should stay in relatively good tune (once the new strings have had a chance to stretch a bit), but if you take it outside to go to a friend's house or to school, the strings will need to be re-tuned before you play - anytime the environment changes, the strings will be affected to a certain degree. Finally, somebody explained to her the physics of instrument strings and they started tuning right before they went out to perform."
"She really loves anything to do with music and a while back decided that she wanted to learn to play the ukulele. This one is definitely a good competitor for some more expensive ones we found in a local music shop and a step way above some of cheaper ones. I will admit that we don’t know much about a Ukulele but we do know when in instrument sounds good and is in tune. This was a super easy instrument for my daughter to start playing immediately. This ukulele went on a cross country trip with 6 people in a vehicle so I know it got knocked around and has been played a ton. Product provided as a free sample in exchange for my evaluation and my honest, unbiased review."
"The bundle also included a rather thin gig bag which really does not protect the instrument very well, but I intend to purchase a hard shell case for this ukulele, it deserves it. So, in conclusion, let me say that I highly recommend this ukulele if you want to have a nice travel size instrument, it's playability is excellent and it was delivered by UPS on time and well packaged."
The Kala Ukulele Starter Kit comes with everything you need to start playing today. Includes FREE online lessons, Kala ukulele app with tuner, Kala logo tote bag, and ukulele playing quick start guide.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a nice little ukulele --it's the Kala KA-15S Mahogany Soprano-- and I like the concept of "starter" kit; it addresses the things -- tuning and a few initial chords -- a new player needs most."
"I have a lot of experience in the construction, setup, and playing of acoustic and electric stringed instruments. Being that I have given MANY lessons in my day, and have encountered many different instruments, I know that THE most common reason that a student gives up on a stringed instrument is if it is poorly set-up [i.e., physically hard to play]. Upon taking the ukulele out of it's second inner most packing box, I could immediately see that it was in fact made of mahogany [intentional mislabeling of construction wood is an unfortunate part of inexpensive guitars and stringed instruments]. For anyone familiar with guitars and stringed instruments, fret ends [the point at which your hand makes contact up and down the neck] can be a very troubling point of contact with inexpensive instruments. The nut, in my estimation is one of THE most important parts of any stringed instrument. A nut should be properly cut as to allow the strings to move without binding [binding creates issues with tuning and intonation] and the nut slots should be cut as so to allow the strings a downward trajectory into the tuning machines [maximizing resonance and projection of the instrument]. Once you've tuned the ukulele, as with any stringed instrument, it will be important to stretch the strings and then retune at least two additional times before optimal tuning stability will be achieved. It is the epitome of modern guitar construction and is arguably the greatest stringed instrument I've ever played."
"That's right, I wanted to learn to play the uke because my fingers are short and my hand is weak (that sounded weird). I searched on Google, hunted in Reddit, and crept through online blogs to obtain the answer. It had great reviews across multiple sites, it was made by a reputable company, and most importantly... it was pretty cheap for a beginner ukulele. I was looking for a quality instrument that I could practice with, but also inexpensive enough that I wouldn't feel guilty about it if I failed to learn. And coming from a guitar, these strings were softer than a freshly baked Krispy Kreme Doughnut straight outta of the oven. I could actually play simple barre chords for the first time ever AND I didn't cut through another layer of calluses on my fingertips. Wish me luck :). Quick note: Tuning this particular ukulele is easy; I personally use an electronic tuner."
"I've always wanted to play either guitar or uke or some related instrument...funny story....I'm actually a cellist and pianist. As a cellist I have the same issue but my instrument is a professional instrument worth thousands."
Style: Classic. 12 Brass Frets with Fret position Marks at 5th,7th and 10th frets on neck and top of fingerboard.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a nice little ukulele --it's the Kala KA-15S Mahogany Soprano-- and I like the concept of "starter" kit; it addresses the things -- tuning and a few initial chords -- a new player needs most."
"I have a lot of experience in the construction, setup, and playing of acoustic and electric stringed instruments. Being that I have given MANY lessons in my day, and have encountered many different instruments, I know that THE most common reason that a student gives up on a stringed instrument is if it is poorly set-up [i.e., physically hard to play]. Upon taking the ukulele out of it's second inner most packing box, I could immediately see that it was in fact made of mahogany [intentional mislabeling of construction wood is an unfortunate part of inexpensive guitars and stringed instruments]. For anyone familiar with guitars and stringed instruments, fret ends [the point at which your hand makes contact up and down the neck] can be a very troubling point of contact with inexpensive instruments. The nut, in my estimation is one of THE most important parts of any stringed instrument. A nut should be properly cut as to allow the strings to move without binding [binding creates issues with tuning and intonation] and the nut slots should be cut as so to allow the strings a downward trajectory into the tuning machines [maximizing resonance and projection of the instrument]. Once you've tuned the ukulele, as with any stringed instrument, it will be important to stretch the strings and then retune at least two additional times before optimal tuning stability will be achieved. It is the epitome of modern guitar construction and is arguably the greatest stringed instrument I've ever played."
"That's right, I wanted to learn to play the uke because my fingers are short and my hand is weak (that sounded weird). I searched on Google, hunted in Reddit, and crept through online blogs to obtain the answer. It had great reviews across multiple sites, it was made by a reputable company, and most importantly... it was pretty cheap for a beginner ukulele. I was looking for a quality instrument that I could practice with, but also inexpensive enough that I wouldn't feel guilty about it if I failed to learn. And coming from a guitar, these strings were softer than a freshly baked Krispy Kreme Doughnut straight outta of the oven. I could actually play simple barre chords for the first time ever AND I didn't cut through another layer of calluses on my fingertips. Wish me luck :). Quick note: Tuning this particular ukulele is easy; I personally use an electronic tuner."
"I've always wanted to play either guitar or uke or some related instrument...funny story....I'm actually a cellist and pianist. As a cellist I have the same issue but my instrument is a professional instrument worth thousands."
Best Ukuleles, Mandolins & Banjos
• Have you purchased a cheap soprano ukulele in the past and now thinking about upgrading to a Concert size that is high quality but doesn't break the bank? • A Beautiful Looking Ukulele made with very high quality materials, Sapele, Mahogany, Handmade Deluxe Bindings. NO buzzing noises, NO tuning problems even when you play higher frets, has a Big, Clear, Warm & Bright Sound, features an Arched Back. Extra Set of Aquila Strings • Two Strap Buttons Installed! • Beginner's Lesson. • How To Tune Your Ukulele Video. • Super Catchy & Fun Must Learn 'Hawaiian Songs'! (Strap, Tuner, Case, 2 Picks, Pick Holder, Extra Set of Aquila Strings) Don't spend an extra $10-20 just to have someone install strap buttons on your ukulele. A BEAUTIFUL LOOKING UKULELE: 24 inches long, Sapele/Mahogany Top, Back & Sides & Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, Aquila Strings Installed (Best Ukulele Strings), Handmade ABS Bindings, Chrome die cast tuning gears keeps ukulele in tune!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This uke isn't intended for high-end use, it's a great beginner uke or an excellent spare to keep handy for trips to the beach or parties where a better uke might get banged around. It also comes with picks, but you can throw those away - you shouldn't play the uke with a pick it makes it sound abrasive and shrill. A NOTE ABOUT TUNING: There's a misperception that a "good" ukulele stays in tune once you've tuned the strings. Strings change tune radically with even slight shifts in humidity or temperature. If you keep your uke in a house with an HVAC it should stay in relatively good tune (once the new strings have had a chance to stretch a bit), but if you take it outside to go to a friend's house or to school, the strings will need to be re-tuned before you play - anytime the environment changes, the strings will be affected to a certain degree. Finally, somebody explained to her the physics of instrument strings and they started tuning right before they went out to perform."
"She really loves anything to do with music and a while back decided that she wanted to learn to play the ukulele. This one is definitely a good competitor for some more expensive ones we found in a local music shop and a step way above some of cheaper ones. I will admit that we don’t know much about a Ukulele but we do know when in instrument sounds good and is in tune. This was a super easy instrument for my daughter to start playing immediately. This ukulele went on a cross country trip with 6 people in a vehicle so I know it got knocked around and has been played a ton. Product provided as a free sample in exchange for my evaluation and my honest, unbiased review."
"The bundle also included a rather thin gig bag which really does not protect the instrument very well, but I intend to purchase a hard shell case for this ukulele, it deserves it. So, in conclusion, let me say that I highly recommend this ukulele if you want to have a nice travel size instrument, it's playability is excellent and it was delivered by UPS on time and well packaged."
Best Banjos
24 Bracket with Closed Mahogany Back; Nut Width - 1.25 inches.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I didn't want to spend big bucks, in case my dream of banjo picking didn't work out. This banjo is beautiful, sounds good, is fun to play on and I'm super happy I bought it. Except when I started playing I found that it was a much better thing to have my left (dominant) hand up on the neck of my banjo."
"Be aware, in order to avoid possible confusion, Jameson Guitars is actually a sub-brand of Davison Guitars, so if you order and look at your peg-head and it says Davison (like mine does) and not R.W."
"Mine was shipped during this extreme cold so make sure you keep the banjo warm as the cold will loosen the head."
"I had to buy one soon after, before the interim strap with metal hooks could erode more paint off my new banjo! Though the banjo came with the bridge installed and could be played soon after just tuning the strings, here are a few things that were done on the advise of my banjo teacher and my experienced friend [who, needless to say, did it for me and made it all look quite easy to do as well! (like for most new banjos, I guess) Install a hook that would work as a capo for the fifth string (to be able to play in 'A', for example). (Though not necessary) Replace the bridge with a shorter one so that the strings are now closer to the base of the banjo neck, and thus, more easily pressed down while playing."
"However, for the money I spent on this, I have no problem spending a couple extra dollars finding a new set of strings."
"i cant play a banjo, looked nice. i would recommend going to a music store and picking on one for a minute and see if its for you, high learning curve, harder than a guitar."
"It fits great."
Best Mandolins
Easy to play and easy to own! Maple neck.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Nice little mandolin, very nice for the price."
"I can't play it yet...but after tuning it and strumming a few chords that I just learned for the mandolin...it sounds good!"
"Bought for my grandson..."
"He has never had any issues picking up an instrument and playing a tune on it within an hour after first touch. The tuning keys are the only other issue he has had."
"Rogue?"
"I am just starting to learn, so I don't have too much experience with different mandos, but it seems solid and holds a decent tune."
"could not pass up the "deal".."
"Excellent quality finish."