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Ukulele Brands
Lanikai is probably one of the most familiar names for ukulele brands with instrument models to fit a wide variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary, with many options and price points ranging from economy to premium. Lanikai's catalog includes acoustic electric ukuleles in addition to the standard acoustic instruments. For guitarists trying out ukulele for the first time, Lanikai offers a concert ukulele and a tenor ukulele made with wider string spacing designed to be more comfortable and easier to play. These ukuleles each come as part of a ukulele pack, complete with gig bag and tuner.
Kohala is Lanikai's introductory brand. Kohala instruments are economy priced with no frills, but their instruments are dependable and great for students and beginners.
Martin and Takamine are fretted instrument brands best known for their guitars. Their instruments are typically higher level and constructed with premium woods. Martin is a legacy company and has about 12 ukulele models in their instrument repertoire. Takamine is a name brand Japanese company with 3 ukulele models in their current catalog.
Ukulele Options
Ukuleles are traditionally acoustic, but modern ukuleles are sometimes offered as acoustic electric. This option is available across sizes, styles, and price points. The choice of electronics is dependent upon the needs of the player to play amplified in an environment where you need more volume.
Ukulele Body Styles & Sizes
The soprano ukulele is the traditional and smallest ukulele size, making it extremely portable. You could even call it cute. Tuning: GCEA
The pineapple ukulele is just like a soprano ukulele, but with a round body shape. This body style is the most authentic of modern ukuleles. Tuning: GCEA
The concert ukulele is the second smallest and provides a "best of both worlds" in terms of small size for portability while producing more volume than its little sister, the soprano uke. Tuning: GCEA
The tenor ukulele is the third smallest and most popular ukulele size. It's also the easiest for bigger hands or a guitarist to start learning to play. Tuning: GCEA. Additionally, tenor ukuleles are sometimes available as 6-string or 8-string instruments where the additional strings are duplicates or octaves giving the 12-string guitar effect. These niche options are specific to a player's need and the extra strings can add color to regular uke playing.
The baritone ukulele is the biggest and deepest sounding ukulele with bass heavy tone. Since the baritone's strings are the same as the top 4 strings on a guitar, it is sometimes used to introduce small children to the guitar. Tuning: DGBE.
The banjo ukulele (or "banjolele") comes in concert and soprano ukulele sizes and is a sort of hybrid between banjo and ukulele with ukulele tuning and a banjo twang. This unique, off-kilter instrument was popular in the 20's and 30's.