Buying a Ukulele & Uke Resources
Here are some of my favorite resources for buying, picking and singing. I am very much a buy locally guy, but there are just some times you can not get what you want from your favorite locally owned store. So, here are a few of my favorite sites here and elsewhere in the good old USA.
Scroll down for three reasonably priced ukulele brands the Twin Cities Ukulele Club highly recommends.
Questions? - [email protected]
Scroll down for three reasonably priced ukulele brands the Twin Cities Ukulele Club highly recommends.
Questions? - [email protected]
Click here for info on relatively inexpensive, good sounding and very durable ukes.
Click here for go anywhere, any time, any weather Tough Ukuleles
Ukulele Cost, Size, Restringing and Care Info
Uke price and size - How much should you spend and what size uke should you buy? What about new strings? Is humidity a big deal?
* How to buy your first ukulele - GotAUkulele.com - Click here.
* Ukulele Beginner Tips - GotAUkulele.com - Click here.
* Comparison of Ukuleles from Cheap to Expensive – Click here.
* What size should you buy? – Click here.
* What about a strap? - Click here, click here and here.
* How to restring your ukulele - Click here.
* CRITICAL - Uke Humidifier - Not an option in Minnesota or Wisconsin. When your furnace goes on in your house, your uke humidifier goes in your ukulele. Click here to find out why. My favorite humidifiers are Humilele (about $10) and Oasis (about $20). Cadenza, Groth and Homestead Pickin' Parlor stock these.
Uke price and size - How much should you spend and what size uke should you buy? What about new strings? Is humidity a big deal?
* How to buy your first ukulele - GotAUkulele.com - Click here.
* Ukulele Beginner Tips - GotAUkulele.com - Click here.
* Comparison of Ukuleles from Cheap to Expensive – Click here.
* What size should you buy? – Click here.
* What about a strap? - Click here, click here and here.
* How to restring your ukulele - Click here.
* CRITICAL - Uke Humidifier - Not an option in Minnesota or Wisconsin. When your furnace goes on in your house, your uke humidifier goes in your ukulele. Click here to find out why. My favorite humidifiers are Humilele (about $10) and Oasis (about $20). Cadenza, Groth and Homestead Pickin' Parlor stock these.
Three ukulele brands we highly recommend!
Magic Fluke Ukuleles
- They may look a bit goofy, but they are GREAT ukuleles
- They may look a bit goofy, but they are GREAT ukuleles
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The Flea, Fluke and Firefly are among my absolutely favorite ukuleles (and banjolele). Designed and built in the U.S.A. by knowledgeable, caring and very helpful people at the Magic Fluke. I know that when I recommend a Flea, Fluke or Firefly, the quality and sound will be exceptional. Click here for more info.
Where to Buy? - You can buy Magic Flukes online with total safety and the ability to customize "your" Flea or Fluke. Willie's Guitars in St. Paul also carries Magic Flukes
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"These instruments have been a standard since 1999. Loved for their big warm sound, ease of play, and durability for travel. Suitable for all players with lots of options and customization available."
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What Do Real Experts Say? - Click here and here to see what Barry Maz, www.GotAUkuklele.com expert, has to say about his own Flea and Fluke. Scroll down for video on his Flea. Click here to see a very thorough review of a concert size Fluke by music educator and ukulele lover Chris Russell.
My first ukulele was a Flea. I absolutely love my Ukelyptus (green) Flea with a concert length neck and custom etching around the sound hole. It plays wonderfully and sounds great! MANY of our Twin Cities Ukulele Club players have Fleas or Flukes. I have 2 Fleas and a Fluke. Want to try one? Just ask me. - Tony
Click on photo for video Magic Fluke models
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Click on photo to see Magic Fluke Strap video
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Mainland Ukuleles - Excellent Affordable Ukuleles
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From GotAUkulele.com - Mainland has "a range of beautifully finished all solid ukuleles at a great price point that I personally would argue is hard to match for the money."
The Mainland "sound is what I really like about the Mainland - and what sets well made all solid instruments apart from the cheaper end - the sound is just really sweet and rings - nice sustain (yes, sustain - on a ukulele) but real bell like chimes from it." "It therefore comes totally, 100%, no ifs buts or maybes recommended from me. If you are looking for a step up from a beginner uke, or just a uke in the £150 -£200 price bracket, you would be daft to ignore these." 
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Click the logo above for the Mainland website.
Click the photos above for GotAUkulele Mainland reviews.
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Enya Nova U Carbon Ukuleles
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Enya Ukulele is a great supporter of the Twin Cities Ukulele Club and the ukulele community. They make a tremendous ukulele, and we are pleased to recommend the Enya Nova U Carbon ukuleles.
GotAUkulele Review - Barry Maz at GotAUkulele.com gave the Nova an "OVERALL UKULELE SCORE - 9 out of 10." He said, "all in all it's pleased me (and you know how picky I am!). It pleases me to play and I think it looks just great too. It 'is what it is' and I'd be glad to own one and travel with one." Twin Cities Ukulele Club Tough Ukulele Rating - The Enya Nova was highly rated in our "Tough Ukulele" ratings. |
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Ukulele Magazine Review - One of the magazine's editors reviewed the Enya Nova U Carbon and said, ""the more I played it, the less I thought about the materials and just enjoyed what I heard. Overall, I am pretty amazed by the technology and performance of the Nova, especially given that you can pick one up online for $189, only $89 for the acoustic version." Click here for the complete review.
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Superb ukuleles. Sound great and extremely durable. They've been played in the Arctic Ocean, paddled down the Amazon River, hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. Made in Corvallis, Oregon USA with 24,000+ instruments sold since 2015.Outdoor Ukulele™ Soprano and Tenor sizes are available in glass fiber polycarbonate (warm tone) and carbon fiber polycarbonate (bright tone). Gotaukulele.com video review.
2 Comparisons - Enya Nova U vs. Outdoor Uke
- Barry Maz - BAZ - Enya Nova U Concert vs. Outdoor Tenor
- Chris Russell - Ukestuff.info - Enya Nova U Tenor vs. Outdoor Tenor
Cadenza Music - St. Paul
Whether you currently play, used to play, or always wanted to, Cadenza Music has the musical instruments, teachers, printed music, and repair shop you need. Good selection of ukuleles, uke cases, strings, tuners and ukulele music. Their ukulele stock includes Amahi. Plus, they carry Crossrock and ProTec uke cases. Twin Cities Ukulele Club jams at Cadenza the second and fourth Fridays every month. Click here for Jam info.
Whether you currently play, used to play, or always wanted to, Cadenza Music has the musical instruments, teachers, printed music, and repair shop you need. Good selection of ukuleles, uke cases, strings, tuners and ukulele music. Their ukulele stock includes Amahi. Plus, they carry Crossrock and ProTec uke cases. Twin Cities Ukulele Club jams at Cadenza the second and fourth Fridays every month. Click here for Jam info.
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Willie's American Guitars (and Ukuleles) - St. Paul
Willie's American Guitars specializes in vintage, used and new electric and acoustic guitars as well as tube amplifiers. We also carry many fine basses, ukuleles, mandolins and effects pedals. Satisfaction guaranteed. Website is updated daily. |
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Groth Music - Bloomington
Groth Music was founded in 1939 by Chester E. Groth, a professional musician, who sought to bring a quality music store to Twin Cities musicians. Groth has a tremendous selection of ukuleles. Their stock includes ukuleles from Martin, Kala and more. If you are looking for a reasonably priced quality uke in the Twin Cities, visit Groth music.
Groth Music was founded in 1939 by Chester E. Groth, a professional musician, who sought to bring a quality music store to Twin Cities musicians. Groth has a tremendous selection of ukuleles. Their stock includes ukuleles from Martin, Kala and more. If you are looking for a reasonably priced quality uke in the Twin Cities, visit Groth music.
The Ukulele Site - Haleiwa, Hawaii
Hawaii Music Supply (www.theukulelesite.com) provides great value in quality musical instruments. They have an extensive selection of ukuleles and uke accessories. They are also known for a complete setup on all ukes, regardless of price.
Hawaii Music Supply (www.theukulelesite.com) provides great value in quality musical instruments. They have an extensive selection of ukuleles and uke accessories. They are also known for a complete setup on all ukes, regardless of price.
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I am an ukulele dealer because I am an ukulele player, and I think you will be able to see how important that is when it comes to my passion, recommendations, and setup of this awesome instrument! I am most known for my meticulous ukulele-specific setup skills! I am a proud technician with an ear for perfection. I believe you should not have to deal with an ill-sounding, buzzy, or ill-playing ukulele! I believe that EVERY ukulele deserves a great setup. Whether your budget is $40 or $3000, your ukulele will get my personal skilled attention!
Flea Market Music - For All Things Ukulele
The Daily Ukulele – Ukes – Books – CDs – DVDs – Bulletin Board – Player Directory – Marketplace – Events Calendar – Collector’s Uke Yak – FAQ – Ukulele Links – Ukulele Tuner – and MORE! This is a must site for uke players!
Elderly Music - Lansing, Michigan
Elderly is an established music store (in business since 1972) with a real showroom and employees who like music, play music, and really know the instruments and supplies they sell. They are known for a complete setup on all ukes, regardless of price.
