Ranking of the best ukulele makers for 2020

Ukulele is a stringed, plucked instrument. A four-string scaled-down version of a conventional acoustic guitar. Unusual sound, ease of use and relatively low price made the instrument popular.

A bit of history

Oddly enough, the homeland of the ukulele is Europe, or rather Portugal. In the 18th century, mandolins and guitars were quite expensive. In addition, bulky instruments were inconvenient to carry. Therefore, itinerant musicians began to make cheaper and lighter versions of instruments - the cavacinho.

In the Hawaiian Islands, Cavakinho ended up with settlers, among them was the talented carpenter M. Nunez. Initially, he planned to create furniture, but the grandiose business idea failed and, in order to feed their families, the carpenters had no choice but to start producing musical instruments.

The Hawaiians didn't like Cavakinho. "Jumping flea", "disgusting Portuguese guitar" - this is an incomplete list of offensive nicknames. By the way, the name "jumping flea" comes from one version of the manner of playing - chaotic finger movements. According to the second, the musicians themselves who grimaced during the game were called jumping fleas.

Later, whether because the ukulele was appreciated by Princess Victoria Kaiulani herself, or because the material for its manufacture was Hawaiian acacia - the indigenous people of Hawaii recognized the unusual sound of the instrument.

The ukulele gained worldwide fame after the performance of the Royal Hawaiian quartet at an exhibition in San Francisco in 1915.

Ukulele - features

In general, the ukulele is only slightly different from the guitar. The same hollow wood or laminate body, the same round resonance hole. But on the shortened and narrowed neck, only 12 frets and 4 strings fit.
And of course the size. The smallest ukulele is only 53 cm long and weighs just over 300 grams. Fits easily in a backpack, so there will be no difficulties with transportation.

Kinds

There are 5 types in total. They differ in size, sound volume and capabilities. For example:

1. The soprano is a miniature guitar. Quiet sound and 12 frets. Suitable for those who like to travel and as the first tool for a child.
2. The concert is 59 cm long, slightly larger than the previous model. 18 frets allow you to "take" additional sounds for instrumental music performance.
3. Tenor - 66 cm long appeared in the early 20s of the last century. Larger cabinet size provides louder sound. By the way, all famous musicians performing instrumental compositions on the ukulele use this particular instrument.
4. Baritone - resembles a regular guitar both in sound and in EBGD tuning (like a six-string guitar). It appeared in the 40s of the last century and is suitable for travel lovers as a travel version.
5. The bass is a miniature copy of the bass guitar.It can be connected to an amplifier and will complement any mixed instrumental group with its sound. It can also be used for performing rock compositions.

If you want to turn an acoustic guitar into an electric (acoustic) guitar, you can use pickups. These are piezoelectric elements that amplify the sound of the instrument.

Body material

The sound quality is influenced not only by the dimensions of the ukulele - size, thickness, but also by the material from which it is made.

Cheap models, as a rule, are made of laminate - three-layer plywood. You can identify them by their bright colors. Such ukuleles look more like toys in appearance, and in terms of sound they are not the best option. If you are planning to seriously make music, then it is better not to buy such guitars. Perhaps as an interior decoration or a musical toy for a child.

Mahogany is used in inexpensive models. The sound is dull, the instrument does not fully transmit the high frequencies. But at the same time, mahogany has good sound-reflecting properties.
Ukulele with solid spruce soundboard sound good. They transmit both low and high sounds. They do not "strum" and do not "ring". If you want to achieve full-fledged sound transmission, take a look at such instruments.

Koa is Hawaiian acacia. A beautiful tree with wavy patterns, noble color. It was from him that the first ukuleles were made. Koa tools are much more expensive. But they do not stand out in sound.

Exotic Zebrano guitars are beautiful. Valuable wood with uneven dark stripes on a lighter background looks impressive. But the sound, according to some owners of Hawaiian guitars, is more like ringing.

Tip: Unlacquered guitars reproduce the sound best. Unfortunately, it is impossible to do without a protective coating. The main thing is not to buy a guitar, the body of which is covered with a thick varnish layer. In this case, you can forget about good sounding.

How to setup

The easiest way is to download the tuner app to your smartphone. Since the uki has only 4 strings (although some models may have 8 double strings). Turn on the microphone on your smartphone and follow the instructions in the app.

Important: when tuning a ukulele, it is worth considering that the lowest - thickest string does not emit the lowest sound, unlike a regular acoustic guitar. On the contrary, it sounds higher than the first three.

How to learn and what to play

Here the possibilities of uki are comparable to those of a guitar. There are many training videos on the Internet. Moreover, the compositions vary from simple lullabies to rather complex musical compositions.
Learning to play the uke is easy enough. Nylon strings are easier to grip, so your fingers will hurt less. If blisters are already working, you can slightly loosen the string tension.

How to choose

If you are just planning to learn to play or are looking for an instrument for your child, focus on the price. An inexpensive uk is a good place to start. But it is worth remembering that the tool cannot be cheaper than 2500 - 3000 rubles. Ordering a guitar on Chinese sites is not the best option. Firstly, you cannot check the sound, the settings (cheap guitars cannot be tuned to the frets, moreover, over time they start to ring). Secondly, a fragile instrument can be easily damaged during transportation.

Tip: This is only about ordering from Chinese sites. Buying a Chinese-made guitar from an offline store is no big deal. You can find an inexpensive and high quality model from a Chinese manufacturer. For example, from Lanikai.

When choosing an instrument for a child, check how easy it is to clamp the strings. According to connoisseurs, the ukulele is the easiest instrument to use - the soprano. It is perfect for small hands. But for men it is better to choose an uku concert or tenor.

The tuning pegs must be securely fastened, without spinning or loosening. The case is free from scratches and cracks.
Listen to the sound - there should be no extraneous crackling and ringing. In a professional store, the seller will tune the guitar, select the necessary accessories.

The case material does not really matter for a beginner. Try to play, listen to the sound. If everything suits you, you can safely take it.

How to choose strings

Depending on the string material, the instrument may sound differently.

1. Nylon is the most common string material. The price has practically no effect on the sound. Unless the cheap ones will have to be changed more often.
2. Fluorocarbon - gives a brighter sound and is virtually immune to temperature extremes
3. Braided metal - Metal core strings are durable but can create additional, unpleasant sound.
4. Metal is practically not used, as it creates additional stress on the upper body and neck. Therefore, before buying, it is better to clarify whether it is possible to use metal strings on a particular uki model.

Some manufacturers supply kits that consist of several types of strings - nylon and metal braided.

Best ukulele makers for 2020

BATON ROUGE

German brand. The office is located in Tübingen. Despite the fact that the tools are made in China, the quality does not suffer. Budget value and decent sounding - great for beginners. The material is mainly maple wood.

Reviews of the BATON ROUGE uk are mostly positive. The only drawback is the sound. Someone notes the clanging and ringing. But in general, for those who are just starting to learn or acquire an instrument for playing for their own pleasure, this is what you need.

Website: https://www.batonrougeguitars.com/

• budgetary cost;
• Beautiful design;
• informative site.

• small assortment.

Flight

Musical string instruments under the Flight brand appeared in the late 1980s. The peculiarity of the brand is that the entire lineup was developed in collaboration with musicians and teachers. The result is, albeit not professional, but quite reliable tools that will withstand any style of play. The company has representative offices in many countries of the world - Indonesia, China, Vietnam, India.

In the Flight DU design line, and specifically in the Amara model, Amaro wood was used. Luxurious, deep color and clear sound, pickup included. The top is one-piece, so the instrument must be handled carefully and carefully.

Flight also has models and simpler, mahogany, spruce. Top deck - solid or laminated.
Another benefit of Flight ukuleles is that they all come with a thick fabric case.

• reliability;
• high sound quality;
• beautiful clear sound even with inexpensive instruments.

• no official site.

Kala

American brand with 13 years of history. Offers both budget and exclusive ones, finished with precious wood and mother of pearl. Spruce, myrtle, mahogany, koa are used for the production of the case. Prices start at $ 99, and collectible Hawaiian Koa Gloss models reach $ 300.

Especially for beginners, inexpensive plastic tips are produced. The cost is about 3500 rubles (with a discount - 2500). You shouldn't expect a deep sound, but it is quite suitable for beginners.

For connoisseurs of great sound and beautiful design, models from the Ziricote line are suitable - chocolate brown wood with a contrasting finish.

Website: https://kalabrand.com/

• wide range of products;
• different price range - you can choose a uk for both a professional game and for training;
• good quality (no complaints from the owners).

• English-language site.

Mahalo

The brand name is “thank you” in Hawaiian. Chosen musical instrument distributor Kikutani Music (Japan). The first ukuleles were produced in China in a limited range.

Despite the low prices? the Mahalo ukuleles sounded good. The peculiarity of the brand is that it exclusively makes uki. And, according to the representatives, he knows absolutely everything about the ukulele.

Today the instruments are manufactured in Indonesia.

In addition to the ukulele, the brand produces accessories - stands, belts, covers, picks, tuners.
Judging by the reviews, the quality of the instruments is excellent. Good assembly, no complaints about sound and strings. The only possible drawback is that at the first stage, you will often need to tighten the strings. It's worth noting that string stretching is quite normal for a new instrument.

Website: https://mahaloukuleles.com.au/

• quality of performance;
• the ability to purchase additional accessories;
• clear sound;
• price-quality ratio;
• high-quality and beautiful packaging - when ordering online, you can be sure that the uka will be delivered safe and sound.

• not.

Lanikai

The brand belongs to the German company Hohner. The Lanikai line is a ukulele. Mahogany and rosewood are used for production. Laconic design, beauty of natural wood and clear sound - all this made Lanikai popular in Russia.

Depending on your wishes, you can choose a ukulele with or without a pickup, a miniature soprano or a more solid concert version. The uki keep in tune for a long time, they are distinguished by a bright, sonorous sound. It is possible to customize each string (in this regard, the construction is similar to electric guitars).

In general, the reviews of the Lanikai ukulele are only positive. The only drawback is the price. The soprano will cost at least 6,000 rubles.

Website: http://lanikaiukuleles.com/

• high-quality assembly;
• clear sound;
• in the manufacture are used noble wood species.

• expensive.

Pono

Subsidiary brand of the Hawaiian workshop Ko’olau Ukuleles. Guitars are collected in Indonesia. Quality control is strictest. The wood for the case is kept for 6 months at a humidity of 45%, at the same humidity the production process takes place.

Extensive lineup, deep sound. At the same time, the sound is slightly quieter than that of similar inexpensive models.
The materials used for the production of Hawaiian ukuleles are standard, namely acacia, mahogany. Case finish - matte or glossy. It is noteworthy that tenors are equipped with a special rod, which can be used to adjust the angle of the neck.

Besides the ukulele itself, Pono is also a string maker. Sold in sets. Choose from nylon or nylon monofilament.

• quality control;
• deep sound;
• wide range of products.

• price.

Luna

Beautiful ukulele with author's design. Each instrument is handcrafted from mahogany, rosewood and koa.

Each model is decorated with an author's drawing. Basically, these are waves, motifs from traditional ornaments that resemble tattoos.

Luna Ukulele is suitable for both beginners and professional musicians. The price is not budgetary. A soprano ukulele from the Big Wave line will cost 9,000 rubles.

Website: https://www.lunaguitars.com/

• Beautiful design;
• guitars are made of precious woods, some models are decorated with mother-of-pearl mosaics;
• built-in tuner (depending on model).

• no significant

Kamaka

The brand has a very interesting history. Founder - Samuel Kayaliili Kamaka started making ukuleles in the basement of his own house. Later in 1921, the first store was opened, which presented an oval sample of uki, reminiscent of a pineapple. And already in 1928, the original design was patented.
Uki Kamaka will suit the connoisseurs of real quality and handicraft.

Website: http://www.kamakahawaii.com/

• handmade;
• good sound.

• high price.

Ukulele is a unique instrument that opens up many possibilities for both beginner musicians and professionals. Perfect for kids. The main thing is to choose your instrument.