Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

How to Buy Ukulele: A Beginner’s Guide

Author: Johny Farrell
by Johny Farrell
Posted: Mar 17, 2014

Ukuleles are fun to play and are quite popular musical instruments. These come in a wide range of choices and are inexpensive than most of the musical instruments. Shopping online is a good choice to get high quality ones, but you should consider various points before making a purchase. From these stores, you should opt for the one that provides detailed description of the product. The key features and qualities should be properly described.

Find out if the body of ukulele is laminate, solid or made by combination of both. Check if the tuners are friction or geared pegs. The finish is glossy or satin and surface is smooth. If you are a beginner, then before buying a product you should figure out certain terms related to it. Following are few features which would help you to understand this musical instrument in a better way:

  • Binding: It is a strip that generally differs from the main material used for body. It is set on the covering seams or on the edges of the instrument.
  • Bridge: It holds the strings together in place and helps to transfer vibration of the strings to the main body. You can find it located on the soundboard.
  • Fret-board: It is a part of the neck where frets of the instrument are installed. Usually these are made by using dense hard wood like Ebony or Rosewood.
  • Headstock: Located just above the nut and at the end portion of the neck and fret-board.
  • Neck: It holds the strings together and is made from a thin piece of wood. You would find that neck, fret-board and headstock are build by using Nato wood.
  • Nut: You can check it at the end of the fret-board and at the top of the neck. It helps to provide proper spacing between the strings at the top of the fret-board and holds also holds the strings above the frets of the instrument. Generally, these are made by a hard or dense material and bone.
  • Purfling: A thin decorative strip which helps to prevent the instrument from getting cracked around the edges.
  • Rope: It is just like trim or bindings and has an alternating pattern of dark and light shade wood.
  • Saddle: Its main work is to hold the strings in place and is located on the top portion of the bridge. These are also made up from either bone or any dense and hard material.
  • Rosette: It is located around the sound-hole and used as decorative rings, though it also provides much needed strength to the area encircling the sound-hole.

For a beginner, laminated ukuleles are considered as a good choice, but a proper combination of laminated back and sides with solid top is the best purchase you can make. There are a number of online stores where you can find high quality ukuleles for sale at an affordable price range. It is recommended that you should conduct a small personal research, before buying. Always go for the products that fulfil all your needs without getting harsh on your pockets.

About the Author

Ukuleles For Sale have a wide range of affordable Ukuleles For Sale perfect for a gift for that someone hard to buy for or as a Kids Ukulele.

Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
Author Thumbnail
I Agree:
Comment 
Pictures
Author: Johny Farrell

Johny Farrell

Member since: Jan 03, 2014
Published articles: 14

Related Articles