'Ukuleles Depending on where you’re located in the world and what you’re looking for, I’ve developed a few tips for you. First… what type of ‘ukulele do you even want?
If you want a high pitch sounding one - get a soprano ‘ukulele.
Typical sounding one - concert ‘ukulele.
If you’re wanting a more resonant sounding one - tenor ‘ukulele or even one with a dropped G.
If you’re a guitarist and want an easy transition, get a baritone (it’s the highest sounding 4 strings of a guitar in an ‘ukulele shape).
If you want something very different and will be in Tahiti, get a Tahitian ‘ukulele (4 strings) or a Tahitian banjo (8 strings, 4 doubled). These are carved out of wood, and I absolutely love mine! They’re also very inexpensive on the islands. But you can ONLY GET ONE in TAHITI/ French Polynesia.
Honestly, EMAIL ME and ask me or ask an ukulelist before purchasing.
Where to buy my ‘ukulele?
Kamaka Ukulele Inc.*
Honolulu, Hawaii - the real deal
Go to the Kamaka store - headquarters. If you are there between a Monday - Thursday, you can schedule a tour in advance. This is REALLY cool. See how the luthiers make their ‘ukuleles. Meet some of the Kamakas, and how incredible this place is.
If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a Kamaka, then I would even suggest a beginner one - the Concert Kukui, which is less than $1,000.
Kamaka dealers are all around the Hawaiian islands as well.
*If you go to the Kamaka HQ in Honolulu, tell them Ukulele with Mele sent you for some extra aloha!
Papeete, Tahiti or Rarotonga
If you want a Tahitian ‘ukulele or banjo, and are willing to spend about 100USD or 150CAN. There are places in the Marché that’s open almost every weekday until the afternoon or on Saturdays until 12noon.
If you’re there on a Sunday, don’t bother. Most things aren’t open.
There’s a store I have visited, pictured above, and they have reasonable ‘ukuleles. They’ll give you fishing string for your extra ‘ukulele string, and a soft material case to go with your new instrument.
If by luck you’ll be in Rarotonga and can get in from the swells, then purchase one here. They have mother of pearl inlay and their ‘ukuleles go for about 120USD for the Tahitian banjos.
Cheap/ beginner one for your grandchild
Just go to any kine store on the islands or even Walmart if it’s something that you want that’s cheap and just to have one.
It’ll work for a little bit of time. I’ve had students try them out for a week and then went off and bought a Kamaka or one in Papeete to have after they realized they wanted one!