May/2/08
10comments

eBay Ukulele Window Shopping

Genius or preposterous? Either way, after watching that video, I want a double-necked Mele ukulele. As luck would have it, this very uke is for sale on eBay. Now I just have to find a Russian oligarch in need of a kidney.

At the other end of the spectrum is this Gold Tone GU-100 soprano. Gold Tone are mostly known for their banjos – their wooden ukuleles had completely passed me by until recently. This one, sold by ukulele4u, hasn’t been finished correctly – but it’s only a slight flaw. At the time of writing, bidding is at $58 with 15 hours to go. Solid mahogany, hard case thrown in. Worth keeping an eye on, I’d say.

Curly Koa Martin Taropatch: There’ll be a few people after that one.

If you’re going to ask $6,000 for a ukulele, try focusing your camera: Wayne Henderson ukulele.

You are reading eBay Ukulele Window Shopping - permalink
  • Written by Woodshed
  • Filed in: eBay
View Comments

10 Comments

  1. Braden May 9th, 2008 9:42 am

    Hi, Al

    Perhaps this is the right post to pose the question of what kind of mid-range uke you would recommend for a novice who’s considering trading up? I’ve got my eye on a Fluke (the Tiki King model) right now. Thanks!

  2. Braden May 10th, 2008 10:23 am

    Hi Al,

    Perhaps I should have opened my eyes and saw the “BUY A UKULELE” button glaring at me, with all its advice and wonderment. Oops!

  3. Woodshed May 10th, 2008 10:36 am

    No worries, Braden. Buy a Uke has a long way to go before it’s really comprehensive.

    A Fluke would be a good choice. I love mine. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you could go for a Koa Pili Koko. If you wanted to spend less, there’s a KoAlana for sale on FMM that looks like a good deal (it’s hard to find them new now).

  4. Braden May 11th, 2008 12:36 am

    Thanks, Al.

    What appeals to me most about the flukes, apart from the fact that they’re loud and sound good, is their unique shape. I’ve got a fairly generic classically-shaped uke now, and I’m looking for something that’s both unique-looking and of a higher quality to really start the collection. ;)

  5. Woodshed May 11th, 2008 10:34 am

    Yeah, every collection needs a Fluke. I think I should have shelled out for the rosewood fingerboard, rather than the cheap plastic one. But I’m a cheapskate.

  6. Ukemike May 11th, 2008 8:13 pm

    Flukes are great. They’re great bang for the buck, but really it’s all about the flat bottom. It’ll sit fine on a table, the floor, a shelf, wherever there is a flat surface. Why does this matter so much? It’s because it is always right at your fingertips. It makes it easy to pick up to play for a few bars, then put it down and keep going with what you were doing.

  7. Woodshed May 11th, 2008 10:16 pm

    Good point, Ukemike. It is a definite advantage.

    “…then put it down and keep going with what you were doing,” in theory that’s true. I never seem to be able to put it down though.

  8. Braden May 12th, 2008 8:55 am

    We live in a small flat, and somehow the uke always seems to be within reach. Hmmm…
    Al, what’s the big deal between a plastic fingerboard and the rosewood? I’m probably going to save up all my pennies and hold out for an upper-range uke, even if it means waiting a few more months, but perhaps you can tell me a reason I can give my girlfriend! ;)

  9. Woodshed May 12th, 2008 2:28 pm

    Playing a rosewood fretboard is much more enjoyable. Plastic doesn’t have the same feel and the same ease of playing.

    Reason you can give your girlfriend? You need to get your priorities right ;)

  10. Braden May 12th, 2008 10:59 pm

    Sold! I’m definitely holding out for the rosewood. There’s a Tiki Mug Tenor on Ebay that looks like it’d fit the bill, but it’s going to be long gone before I’m ready for it. I’ll keep you posted.

Sorry, Comments Are Broken Right Now

You must be logged in to post a comment.