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A
lot of people ask me about instrument choices and my suggestions.
Well here it is for the record.
PART I
My suggestion is to buy the best instrument you can afford. This improves your playing since the instrument will most likely sound good and be easier to play (and keep in tune). A poor sounding instrument, an instrument that will not keep tune, or an instrument that is hard to play will make your practice time more difficult. As a consequence you will not practice as long and you will not progress in your playing. Does this make sense? A factory built $ 60 dollar instrument does not meet my approval.
Instrument in order of preference are 1) Luthier built instrument like my DaSilva SM1 ($900), 2) KoAloha ($600), 3) KoAlana ($200), 4) Flea with rosewood fingerboard ($250). I prefer soprano sized.
Part II
Luthier built instruments...I know that it seems like a lot of cash for something that small, but I have an approach that is less painful. Put about 50% down on the instrument to get the luthier going and then pay $50 - 100 a month till the completion. This puts less stress into the the purchase and can bring it into your price range. The instrument is well worth it and you will be better served with a GREAT instrument.
Part III
Good strings will always improve the sound of a marginal instrument (but never the $60 Chinese Factory built instruments) and it makes better instruments sound exceptional. I use Aquila Nylgut Strings - ONLY! I've tried other brands but with in a day or two replace these with Aquila's. Buy the correct string size for your instrument.
PART I
My suggestion is to buy the best instrument you can afford. This improves your playing since the instrument will most likely sound good and be easier to play (and keep in tune). A poor sounding instrument, an instrument that will not keep tune, or an instrument that is hard to play will make your practice time more difficult. As a consequence you will not practice as long and you will not progress in your playing. Does this make sense? A factory built $ 60 dollar instrument does not meet my approval.
Instrument in order of preference are 1) Luthier built instrument like my DaSilva SM1 ($900), 2) KoAloha ($600), 3) KoAlana ($200), 4) Flea with rosewood fingerboard ($250). I prefer soprano sized.
Part II
Luthier built instruments...I know that it seems like a lot of cash for something that small, but I have an approach that is less painful. Put about 50% down on the instrument to get the luthier going and then pay $50 - 100 a month till the completion. This puts less stress into the the purchase and can bring it into your price range. The instrument is well worth it and you will be better served with a GREAT instrument.
Part III
Good strings will always improve the sound of a marginal instrument (but never the $60 Chinese Factory built instruments) and it makes better instruments sound exceptional. I use Aquila Nylgut Strings - ONLY! I've tried other brands but with in a day or two replace these with Aquila's. Buy the correct string size for your instrument.
Picture of Me with my Kepasa Madeira and Kevin Crossett (Kepasa
Ukuleles) at recent Ukulele Noir at Johnny D's Somerville MA (Click on
Picture for more uke pictures)
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