My third grade music class in Hawaii was composed of about 30 Kamaka ‘ukuleles in cardboard triangular shaped boxes. Music class was a chance to learn the basic chords and standard songs of Hawaii. Imagine day-one; 30 kids with ‘ukuleles in hand strumming and singing – it must have been a train wreck. This was a long time ago, because, frankly, Kamaka ‘ukuleles are now priced out of most people’s budget.
I don’t recall who my music teacher was, but I still remember the basic chords, and I can still play along with my family and friends whenever we get together to jam (kanikapila) – all this from 3rdgrade ‘ukulele drills.
The ‘ukulele is gathering a rich following, and is snowballing in popularity. Blue grass, rock, Hawaiian, jazz, eclectic music and more become mainstay for the ‘ukulele. If you don’t know what all the fuss is about with ‘ukuleles, just hop on over to youtube.com and punch it up. I guess part of the new wave of ‘ukulele enthusiasts is being able to express yourself through music with an instrument that isn’t burdensome to travel with, and doesn’t taking a year of lessons to muddle through “Row, row, row your boat”.
There is a plethora of ‘ukulele makers from Hawaii to China, and everywhere in between. Each label makes their ‘ukuleles out of different woods and material. They have their own sound, their own look, design, and feel. In compiling this best-list, I have taken into consideration the best sound, the best quality, and the best feedback from friends and family – some of which are professional entertainers. Mind you, there are so many exceptionally made ‘ukuleles, but alas, there is only room for five on this list. A hui hou – till we meet again.
Why it's best: Kamaka is the oldest on-going company that has survived since the very beginning of the ‘ukulele’s history. To say that they know their stuff would be an understatement. There is no mistaking the pure and clean resonating sound of a Kamaka ‘ukulele being played. It’s projection of sound and quality can easily hold it’s own within a group of guitars.
It amazes me how much sound comes out of a Kamaka ‘ukulele. No string buzz on the frets – pure intonation, always holds its tune, and always so dependable. It can be left in the closet or on a shelf for a year, picked up, quickly tuned, and ready to play without a problem. ... Read Full Review
Why it's a best pick: Ko’olau ‘ukuleles can be made to order. You can request different variations of woods to achieve different sounds. I think the best thing about Ko’olau ‘ukuleles, is their refusal to go the cheaper route with the use of ply-laminates. All Ko’olau ‘ukuleles are built from solid wood which produce a more desirable tone. On the other side of the coin, solid woods are more prone to react to weather – mainly, a lack of humidity. To counter this, Ko’olau ‘ukuleles carry a fair but exact lifetime warranty against manufacture defects in workmanship.... Read Full Review
Why it's a best pick: I like that the Ibanez UEW20SG ‘ukulele comes with the Aquila strings – strings really make the difference when you have a good ‘ukulele. I also like the convenience of a cut-away on this ‘ukulele. The nice finish on this Mango wood design is very nice, and projects a solid tone. The action is good up and down the fret board with no buzzes on the strings – it’s what you can rely on when you buy from a reputable maker.... Read Full Review
Why it's a best pick: The Fender Nohea Koa Tenor ‘ukulele is a great transition for the guitarist, and comfortable enough for most people. The tenor ‘ukulele brings a richer, fuller tone to the ‘ukulele family. The signature Fender Telecaster headstock shape should be a dead giveaway of who the maker is for this ‘ukulele.
I like this uke, and for the most, it’s a larger body that I feel more comfortable with. I like the even, mellow tone of the tenor, and the value for this particular ‘ukulele in my opinion is quite good.... Read Full Review
Amazon.com$199.99
Why it's a best pick: The Lanikai brand is a more economical label with models for beginning ‘ukulele enthusiasts in the less-than-$50 range, but with the NK-C model, it pushes other economical labels to get on the ball. More attention to detail is given to the NK-C model, and you can expect more quality on this ‘ukulele than on the more economical models that you may have started off with. I appreciate the tie-over on the bridge and the well balanced over-all look of the Lanikai NK-C ‘ukulele. Nice job.... Read Full Review
