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| Recommendations Disclaimer Electronic Chromatic Tuner Strings `ukuleles
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Electronic Chromatic Tuner Recommendations What kind of electronic chromatic tuner do you want? The most important consideration is the kind of method your tuner uses to measure the frequency of the sound or tone. I recommend you get a tuner that tunes by vibration with a vibration clip. Many modern electronic tuners have a clip built in. You attach the clip to the headstock of the instrument, and the resonating frequency or vibration is picked up through the vibration clip. When the string is plucked, or rubbed with a bow, the resonating note will be indicated on the display of the tuner. You will tighten the string to make the pitch go higher, or loosen the string to make the pitch go lower. When the right tone is found, you locked in the string adjustment (tuning machine) so the string does not get tighter or looser. You then repeat the process with the rest of the strings until all strings are in tune. The main reason you want to get a vibration type tuner is because it makes the whole tune up process easier and faster. The vibration clip eliminates the problems caused by background noise, and other extraneous sounds that interfere with your tuners ability to “hear” your instrument. Second, you will be able to use this to see if the `ukulele can be tuned. The `ukulele has no intonation problems if at the 12th fret (one octave above the nut) the strings still holds to the GCEA tuning. (My Dog Has Fleas). Your tuner will pick out this problem. Electronic tuners vary in the range of frequencies they can measure. The lowest frequency on a low G (GCEA tuned) (Open 4th string) tenor `ukulele is 196 Hz (G3), and the highest is 1318Hz (E6) (19th fret on the 1st string). By comparison, the highest note on a piano is the 88th key or C8. The lowest tone used in standard tuning GCEA “Key of C” (High G) used on soprano, concert and tenor `ukes is C4 (middle C). Key of C High G (GCEA) standard tuning A (1st String) = A4 = 440 Hz = Concert
Pitch = 49th key on a piano on 88 key keyboard Approximate Range is C4 to C6 for a soprano/concert
G C E A Web Pager Ukulele Tuner (fleamarketmusic.com) Low G (GCEA) tuning A (1st String) = A4 = 440 Hz = Concert
Pitch= A above Middle C Approximate Range is G3 to E6 for a tenor Electronic Chromatic Tuner Recommendations (models) I have used to
Seiko tuner and I have not had any problems. My favorite is the Seiko
ST757 Chromatic Tuner. The electronic tuner I recommend is the Intelli IMT-500 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner with backlight. The cost is around $30 dollars, but you don't have to fumble with any chords, and you can shut it off and leave it attached to your headstock after your done tuning your instrument. It does have a digital needle to show your position around the desired note. The tuner has a backlight, so you can easily tune in dark areas. This is nice when you are backstage, and you need to tune up in the dark . Amongst the hand-held/table top chromatic tuners. I like the Seiko SAT500 and Korg CA30. (street price $20) These models will work for many other types of instruments also. Unfortunately, neither of these tuners comes with a vibration pickup/tuner clip. You will need a vibration tuner clip with a ¼” jack. The tuner clip/pickup will run about $10 to $13 dollars, but it will be worth every penny. The best option is the Intelli IMT-500 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner for the price, and convenience. If you are looking for something cheaper, I would suggest a pitch/tuning fork (concert pitch A [440 Hz]) for the High G (GCEA) ukulele tuning. If you are primarily tuning for a Low G (GCEA) uke, I would get a Middle C pitch/tuning fork [261.6 Hz]. A tuning fork costs around $10. What are the attributes of a good ukulele? The attributes that make up a good ukulele is always a great debate amongst ukulele players. The consensus is sound and comfort by most uke players. Since comfort is one of the more important attributes lets start by giving you an overview of the different sizes of ukuleles. There are four main sizes to ukuleles. They are: 1) Soprano (smallest from 19” to 21”) 2) Concert ( 23” to 24” , most popular size ) 3) Tenor ( 26” to 27”, most popular amongst instrumentalist) 4) Baritone ( 29” to 30”, guitar tuning bottom 4 strings like a guitar (DGBE)) The typical standard ukulele has 4 strings. There are other ukuleles that have 6, 8, and 10 strings, but the string groupings are such that they can be played very much like a 4-string ukulele. That is why these “extra” string ukes are still called a ukuleles, because of the tuning and the sound. Beginners should start out on a typical standard 4-string model with GCEA tuning. What are the different quality levels of ukuleles? There are many different quality levels for ukuleles. I think the main reason is that they are small and easily constructed, and the joy of a “baby” instrument is appealing no matter what its playable attributes are. Below is a list quality levels for `ukuleles. Toys Unfortunately, these ukuleles are way too common. Many people pick them up in the flea markets when they visit Hawaii, and they get a wall decoration unknowingly. These ukulele can not be tuned, are unplayable, and just toys for looks only. Starters These ukuleles are not great ukuleles, but are good for people who want to get started on a real instrument and don’t have a lot of money to spend. They are tunable, and produce a fair sound up till about the 6th fret. The sound is short, and recognizable. (see the section “Ukulele on the Cheap”) Midrange These are the ukuleles I recommend to serious students and people that are no longer beginners. These ukuleles are mass produced (not a single builder). Also, these manufacturers have good quality control. These ukuleles do not have any serious problems. They do NOT have intonation problems, twists in the neck, tuner issues, unfinished frets, tone intensity problems, high action, or unpleasant extraneous sounds. The volume is generously loud, and fit the role of a good all around ukulele that can be use for performances also. Professional These are the high end of ukuleles, custom built. These ukuleles can run from $800 to $2000 plus in price. These ukuleles are for professional players. These are usually built by just a few people, or a single person in the manufacturing process. These ukuleles are developed like a work of art. They have no problems just like the midrange ukuleles, but extra care is taken on the finish. The best woods, and materials are used. Many ukuleles have special beautiful inlays, and elaborate designs on the head stock, fret board, and sound board. The action is low (strings are close to the fret board), but there is no buzz when the ukulele is strummed hard and fast. Many have a high quality pickup, so they can be plugged into an amplifier for large performance venues. Last and most importantly, these ukuleles have a rich and beautiful sound. The timbre is full and clear. You can be off a little on your finger placement on a chord (forgiving), and the instrument will still generate a pleasant sound. Antiques These are the ukuleles most desired by ukulele collectors. Many of them are rare and getting harder and harder to find in decent condition. Many of these ukuleles are more expensive than the best professional ukuleles. Unfortunately, the sounds and techniques used to build many of these ukuleles were lost. Many of the old ukuleles have a better sound, than the best modern professional models. WARNING: There is a great many mass-produced novelty “junk” ukuleles, but if you do find an old ukulele, get it checked out before you throw it away, or let the kids play with it. Some are quite valuable, and are worth preserving. How to check out a ukulele? What questions to ask before you buy? 1) Borrow or buy an electronic tuner. Make sure you can tune it to GCEA tuning for Sopranos, Concerts and Tenors. You should hear the “My Dog Has Fleas” strumming from top-to-bottom strings with the tuners (string winders) in the left hand and the body of the ukulele in your right. You should be able to strum it for 30 seconds and not have it go out of tune. Make sure the turners can stay tight, and not let the strings unwind. You might have to tighten the tuners when the uke is first played. 2) On the 12th fret, holding down all four strings with one finger, you should be able to strum “My Dog Has Fleas” with everything being a higher pitch. The electronic tuner should show you GCEA tuning on the strings without having to adjust the tuners. If you have a problem being able to do this, the ukulele has an intonation problem, and is not worth any real money. The strings need be broken in and in good shape. 3) Find out the return policy from the people you buy it from. You might not be able to judge a ukulele properly, and you should be able to return it, if it does not measure up to a playable instrument. 4) You should not get any buzz (strings touching the frets below any finger holdings towards the bridge) this indicates that the ukulele’s neck is twisted, and will not play properly. Playing a bar chord down the fret board usually can pick this problem out. 5) There should be nothing loose when the ukulele is played or shaken. The sound board should vibrate a little when played, but no unpleasant sounds should be heard. 6) The fret edges should be smooth and finished no sharp edges. 7) The action should be low. You should not have the strings very far off the fret board as this makes the ukulele very hard to play. You have to press/squeeze the strings to the fret board to generate the different chord sounds. If the action is too high, you will have a more difficult time playing the instrument, and it will slow you down unnecessarily. Ukulele Recommendations (Midrange) They following recommendations are my opinions. They do not constitute an implied contract, commandment, or law of the land. These opinions are based upon my experience, and I do not harbor any responsibility for the use or misuse of my opinions in the review or judgment of the following products, materials, techniques, or processes I will mention. I try to be as factual and non-bias as possible, but I make no warranty on any information, suggestion, or recommendation I suggest. The ukuleles I like to recommend are the midrange ukulele (see section on different quality of ukuleles). The following brands are good for all. They are currently still in production as of 02/2007. Fluke/Flea http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/ Bushman http://www.jumpingflea.com/ Pono http://www.koolauukulele.com/pono.html Cordoba http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ Mele http://www.meleukulele.com/ Ukulele Recommendation (Professional, Custom Built) DeSilva http://www.ukemaker.com/ LoPrinzi http://www.augustinoloprinzi.com/ukuleles.html Black Bear http://www.blackbearukuleles.com/ Kanile`a http://www.kanileaukulele.com/ Pahu Kani http://ukulelefriend.com/ Moore Bettah http://www.moorebettahukes.com Ukulele on the Cheap (Starters) Hohner/Lanikai S-C Concert The Classic tenor ukulele (machine head) Model CL500M This is great starter `ukulele. This `ukulele is part of the national music program in Canada. It is very well made and inspected. This is actually a concert size `ukulele (24"). The cost is $40, plus shipping. I got one and I put some aquila strings on it and I was generally impressed with the quality of the sound, and overall construction. Johnson UK-120 soprano Antiques These ukuleles are still around and generally not cheap, but are worth a look if the price is affordable for you. They are no longer manufactured. Martin
Gibson Lyon & Healy Sammo (very few) Santo (extremely rare) Leonard Nunes (also quite rare) Kawika http://www.ukuleles.com/ What kind of ukulele strings should I get? The choices of strings are varied, but the main factors you need to consider when you buy a set of strings is as follows: 1) What kind of music do you want to play? 2) How hard and how often are you going to strum your ukulele? 3) What kind of sound are you looking for? With consideration of the three questioned asked above, there is NO perfect strings for all types of ukulele music. The main reason being is that some of the qualities that make ukulele strings great for some songs, makes it a poor choice for others. Aquilia Nygut Ukulele Strings Pros: These strings are the best strings for their sustain (duration of sound). They are also the loudest strings, and can make an average ukulele sound much, much better. They are based on the sound of gut strings (sheep intestines) that were used in the old days before plastics with good acoustic properties were invented. The problem with gut strings was they were very sensitive to humidity and temperature changes. The nygut string eliminates these problems and produces excellent sustain, and clear and bright sound. These strings are great for slow songs, ballads, many Hawaiian songs, and people who are NOT aggressive strummers. Cons: The only problem with these strings is that they do not last the longest for people who play a lot and are power strummers. These strings produce a great long beautiful sound, but these properties contribute to them wearing out sooner. All in all, these are the best sounding strings I have heard, and are worth the extra cost, and shorter life. However, these strings are not for songs with the highest tempo vaudeville type songs. Kamaka Ukulele Strings Pros: These strings are the best for staying in tune, AFTER they are broken in. They are great for the professional player because these strings have the highest durability, and last the longest. The sound stays intact after long sessions, and requires the least maintenance after they are broken in. They are great all around string, and would work on any ukulele. I recommend these strings to anyone. Cons: These strings MUST be broken in, they take the longest to break in. They need to stretched three, four or five times before they stay in tune. The process works like this: 1) Put on the strings, tune them up. 2) Play a fast strumming song for a minute or so. 3) Retune, and play another fast strumming song. 4) Repeat, until the strings stay in tune, then these strings are properly stretched (broken in) Once these strings are properly stretched (broken in), you will love these strings. WARNING: Do NOT put these strings on right before a performance; these strings take awhile to stabilize to sound great. You don’t want to go out of tune during a performance. Ko’olau Gold Ukulele Strings http://www.koolauukulele.com/pono.html Pros: These strings are the sort of half way in between the Kamaka and Aquila strings. My friend Chris a professional ukulele player loves these strings. He likes them due to the fact he can do all sorts of bending, pull-offs, and other string tricks and the strings still hold up. These strings are manufactured very well, and the diameter of each string is monitored very closely. I have used these strings with no problems and I really like the Tenor Low G (4th wound) set I got. The color also goes well against the wood grain that high end ukuleles are made of. Cons: I have not found any real cons with these strings. The sound is very good, and clean, but they are not the loudest strings. Remember, this is an inherent quality with any string that has great durability.
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