Buying a ukulele

[Memorymakerfor4]

I'd like to buy a ukulele soon (music teacher) and have an Aulani trip coming up next spring. I thought it would be cool to get one in Hawaii but want a good quality one. I know I can get one where I live for around $200 - $250.

Has anyone bought one on the island and thought it was a good instrument? I know a lot of things are more expensive there, that's not a problem.

 

[Pooh2]

I'd like to buy a ukulele soon (music teacher) and have an Aulani trip coming up next spring. I thought it would be cool to get one in Hawaii but want a good quality one. I know I can get one where I live for around $200 - $250.

Has anyone bought one on the island and thought it was a good instrument? I know a lot of things are more expensive there, that's not a problem.

I doubt you can buy a "Made in Hawaii" uke for $250.
I got a cheaper concert K'anieala for $1300.
Their company is close to Aulani.
Maybe check out websites ahead of time to a range of prices?

Bend, Oregon's Outdoor Ukelele has "Made in the USA" ukes for about $250 and up (plastic and carbon fiber).
Got an Ourdoor Banjolele that is lots of fun.

Have a great trip!

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I doubt you can buy a "Made in Hawaii" uke for $250.
I got a cheaper concert K'anieala for $1300.
Their company is close to Aulani.
Maybe check out websites ahead of time to a range of prices?

Bend, Oregon's Outdoor Ukelele has "Made in the USA" ukes for about $250 and up (plastic and carbon fiber).
Got an Ourdoor Banjolele that is lots of fun.

Have a great trip!

Yikes that's way more than I was expecting. I don't need an instrument quite that nice, it'll be used in a classroom setting a lot.

The one I have my eye on here isn't plastic or carbon fiber, but I'm not sure exactly what kind of wood it is.

 

[Micca]

Just checked Guitar Center website and there are hundreds of ukes on there. I know you'd like to buy in Hawaii, but that site might be a place to get a good idea of price range. They have an "Exotic wood" category that you can narrow the field with.

Got an Ourdoor Banjolele that is lots of fun.

Sidebar: Until this morning I had never heard of a banjolele. Then I get a story on my phone about how George Harrison seldom ever left the house without his banjolele. I knew he loved ukes, but the banjolele story was new to me. Now I've heard this term twice in one day!

 

[monsterkitty]

Yikes that's way more than I was expecting. I don't need an instrument quite that nice, it'll be used in a classroom setting a lot.

The one I have my eye on here isn't plastic or carbon fiber, but I'm not sure exactly what kind of wood it is.

As a retired band and orch teacher, I would also not spend that much money on an instrument I would use in my classroom.

Your local music store will probably give you a teacher discount, so I would start there first. I would stay away from purchasing the instrument from anywhere you can also buy toilet paper or has one day delivery.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

As a retired band and orch teacher, I would also not spend that much money on an instrument I would use in my classroom.

Your local music store will probably give you a teacher discount, so I would start there first. I would stay away from purchasing the instrument from anywhere you can also buy toilet paper or has one day delivery.

Musicians support musicians! I forgot to ask them about a teacher discount, good idea. I do have one already in mind at a local shop.

I was mostly just curious if anyone had seen prices from small shops on Oahu that might not have a huge online presence, and if they would mind sharing what they saw. I love telling the kids “I got this from here or there.” It leads to great discussions.

 

[Micca]

I would stay away from purchasing the instrument from anywhere you can also buy toilet paper or has one day delivery.

Costco would like a word with you!

 

[monsterkitty]

Costco would like a word with you!

We call those "instrument shaped objects". You can buy an instrument at a toilet paper store or same day delivery business, but when it breaks it can't be fixed.

 

[lilsonicfan]

bumping up this old thread, i'm not sure it will be cheaper to buy in Hawaii or anything (unlikely) but for that price range, something like the Kala brand might be good.

I'm really wanting a Hawaiian-made uke and would LOVE to buy it in Hawaii, but with the CAD-USD exchange being so terrible, I am not sure it is worthwhile right now (we'll be travelling in spring 2023 too). I want a Kamaka....sigh.

 

[cgattis]

And this is why I love the DIS…..You just never know what someone here will know!!!

So when she was about 4 or 5, my dad bought my daughter an antique (or at least it looks really old) 4-string banjo and had a new head put on it. I have an absolutely priceless pic of her “playing” it and my dad playing her child’s guitar. He passed away when she was 6 (21 now).

Anyway, is any small 4-string banjo considered a banjo ukulele or is there some distinction?

 

[lilsonicfan]

And this is why I love the DIS…..You just never know what someone here will know!!!

So when she was about 4 or 5, my dad bought my daughter an antique (or at least it looks really old) 4-string banjo and had a new head put on it. I have an absolutely priceless pic of her “playing” it and my dad playing her child’s guitar. He passed away when she was 6 (21 now).

Anyway, is any small 4-string banjo considered a banjo ukulele or is there some distinction?

That's very sweet!

I think a banjo is a banjo no matter what - I am not sure there is anything called a banjo ukulele. Some ukuleles can be strung with 5, 6 or even 8 strings.

 

[Alohafan]

I'd like to buy a ukulele soon (music teacher) and have an Aulani trip coming up next spring. I thought it would be cool to get one in Hawaii but want a good quality one. I know I can get one where I live for around $200 - $250.

Has anyone bought one on the island and thought it was a good instrument? I know a lot of things are more expensive there, that's not a problem.

You want the best- Kamaka Ukulele. I do believe they have a website you can follow up on. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip!