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Original Post By:
Ticker
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Date: 6/5/2015 2:50:26 PM |
| I am going to try to start a Ukulele group at our Senior Citizens center in Galion, Ohio. Need recommendations on inexpensive but playable Ukuleles. I have done a little research and am thinking that a Diamond Head DU-150 (which I bought) might fit the budged of someone on a limited income. It would benefit from a set of better strings but otherwise seems OK. Any thoughts? Charlie Coleman aka "Ticker" |
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Posted By:
deejay
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Date: 6/5/2015 9:39:12 PM |
| Mahalo colored U-30 series are around $35 and are playable. I have the U-30GR (green) and it sounds really good.
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Posted By:
Dutch
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Date: 6/6/2015 2:34:31 PM |
| The Makala Dolphins are colored as well and in the same price range as the Mahalos.
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Posted By:
Ticker
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Date: 7/7/2015 5:03:31 PM |
| Thanks to deejay and Dutch. I have both the Mahalo U-30's and Makala Dolphins. Yes, they both sound great and are affordable. I have a couple Diamond Heads as well. I will have my first class on July 17th. Wish me well! Charlie
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Posted By:
Dutch
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Date: 7/9/2015 4:48:23 PM |
I wish you well Ticker Charlie. Happy music times!
Strength & Honor
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Posted By:
deejay
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Date: 7/9/2015 8:41:17 PM |
| Best of luck with the group in Galion, OH!
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Posted By:
karl
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Date: 7/10/2015 4:41:43 AM |
I used to buy them in bulk for classes as well, or try to get group discounts. But in the end it wasn't worth the effort and everyone should buy a ukulele that he or she likes best - be it in price, size, colour, bling, with or without pickups, new or second-hand or on loan from a friend.
As in The Life of Brian: 'We're all different! (Well I'm not)'.
I do still give basic advice for best buys (please no baritones in beginners' classes; the lighter the better; supermarket ukuleles often have high action and sharp bits that can hurt; invest in a bag and a tuner)
Best of luck!
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Posted By:
singndance
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Date: 7/10/2015 6:42:41 PM |
| Ditto to Kari's advice. Some of your group may be happy with just enough ukulele to play together and some may be craving the sound they need.
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Posted By:
Ticker
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Date: 7/16/2015 9:36:17 PM |
| Thanks to all who responded. Appreciate the encouragement. And every one of my students will have a good electronic tuner as an absolute necessity. My first student came in with a beautiful tenor uke so badly out of tune that it wouldn't even play a dischord! I sold her a tuner at my cost and showed her how easy it is to tune a uke. But NOT with friction tuners. I retrofit all my ukes with geared tuners. Even the vintage ukes. So sue me. Thanks again, Charlie
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Posted By:
coolhanduke
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Date: 7/29/2015 7:43:06 PM |
| When I started a senior group 16 years ago, I bought a dozen Johnson ukuleles, three different styles. Later, I bought a half a cord of Mahaolo ukes. I had to spend a few minutes on ea h one to lower the action and round off the sharp corners of the nut and bridge--I don't want anything that will discourage my students. Today there are several providers of good inexpensive playable ukes. Kala has a low end offering, Makala that is a real player. Also, the Canadian company, Empire Music, offers an inexpensive triangular uke that U.S. The Canadian standard. Hope this helps.
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Posted By:
Ticker
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Date: 8/1/2015 9:51:03 PM |
| Hi Coolhanduke (like that handle), Thanks for the suggestions. I saw a Mitchell MU70 in an antique store (?) and really liked how it played. Only problem they wanted twice what it was worth. Found one from Guitar Center at half the price with free shipping. And I agree that the inexpensive ukes sometimes take a bit of time to get them up to speed which means new strings along with knocking off the rough edges. So far I have five students and hope to get more as we progress.
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