Even though the ukulele is a very easy instrument to learn and play, choosing the right one for you can be quite a daunting task. That’s because there are numerous ukuleles for sale on the market made by different manufacturers, coming in different sizes, models, and prices.
However, if you know what to look for when buying a ukulele, you can easily narrow down your choices and end up buying a ukulele that suits your needs. If you are planning to buy a ukulele, but you don’t know where to start from, you are in the right place.
In this article, we are going to give you some of the things you need to know when buying a ukulele. Let’s explore them!
- What size do you want?
Ukuleles generally come in different sizes. That’s why the first step is to decide which size you want to buy. The most common ukulele types include soprano, concert, and tenor.
- Soprano
This is the smallest ukulele. It measures around 21 inches. The soprano size is also known as the “standard” size. In addition to that, they are the most affordable and most portable, making them perfect for beginners. If you are buying your first ukulele, you should go for the soprano.
- Concert
This ukulele size measures around 23 inches. It is usually considered the “right” size by a number of players as it provides a middle-ground between a soprano and a tenor ukulele. Additionally, a concert-size ukulele produces a sound almost similar to the soprano ukulele and even adds volume and depth.
If you are a beginner with relatively large hands, the concert ukulele is a perfect choice because you will feel comfortable playing it. Your fingers will not be crammed and you will not also struggle with striking the chords.
- Tenor
Tenor ukuleles are the largest ukuleles, but not larger than baritone ukuleles. They measure approximately 26 inches. This is the most commonly used ukulele by professionals on stage. That’s because it boasts the highest number of notes, the largest space between frets, and the fullest dynamic range.
- What brand do you want?
The next thing you need to pay attention to is the ukulele brand you want. You can search online and look for the brands available. You can read reviews about your potential brands. You should only choose the ukulele brand with good reviews. You can also check ukulele reviews on YouTube.
- What’s your budget?
Once you have identified the size of the ukulele you want and which brand, the next thing is to determine your budget. You need to know how much you are willing to spend on a ukulele. If you are a beginner who just wants to test the waters and you don’t want to spend a significant amount on ukulele, you should go for a ukulele that is between $80-$150. Any ukulele that costs less than $80 won’t be worth your money. It is very rare to find a good quality ukulele at an extremely low price.
