If you can’t stand the sound of your loved one strumming incessantly, it might seem a little counter-intuitive to buy them an electric ukulele. Were it not for one word: headphones.
With their round backs and distinctive sound-holes, Ovation Applause tenor ukuleles are heavily based on their guitar big brother. In my opinion, they have a slightly dated look – there’s a definite whiff of Bon Jovi unplugged about them. But recently, Kaki King came along and rescued the Applause image.
Buy for: the hair-rocker in your life.
Bugsgear’s Eleuke has a much more modern look. They come in a sparkling blue or a more understated natural wood.
They now have one you can plug headphones straight into, so no excuse for waking up family members with midnight strummings.
Kala Archtop
The Kala Archtop Tenor has a more classic look with jazzy f-holes and an archtop.
Buy for: midnight jazzers, those who find the term ‘f-hole’ endlessly amusing.
What’s your electric uke recommendation?
I love my Ovation Applause, though mine does not have the electrics buit-in. Its got quite a good sound despite the wierdly placed sound holes – 20 holes in total of various sizes. This one was given to me as a gift, but I do quite like the look – its got a greenish centre and the wooden inlay could be either wings or leaves.
As far as electrics go, I’m quite intrigued by the RISA solid ukes. They have quite a funky look and apparently can crank out 30% of the volume of a standard uke despite the complete lack of a body. Put one on my wish list…