TEN THUMBS PRO UKULELE FULL

Kalakaua, the last king of Hawaii (aka the Merrie Monarch), was so taken with the diminutive instrument that he liked nothing better than to serenade his guests with his playing and singing. Back in the 1870s, Portuguese sailors from Madeira introduced the very similar four-stringed cavaquinho to the islands, and within a few years immigrant Madeiran cabinet makers started crafting them for the local market. Hold on a minute! It turns out the ukulele isn't really Hawaiian at all. The fabulous little ukulele, what could be more Hawaiian than that?

TEN THUMBS PRO UKULELE FULL

Now, what's that we can hear? It's a chilled hula band – the hypnotic beat of the Pahu drum, the otherworldly sound of a lap-steel in full song and the unmistakable strum of a ukulele.

Soft, white sand beneath our toes, aquamarine waves lapping up against the dazzling shoreline, tall palms swaying in the cooling breeze, surfers riding that perfect break.

What we'd give right now to spend an afternoon relaxing on a tropical Hawaiian beach. (Image credit: Future) Best ukuleles: A brief history Read the full Yamaha Guitalele GL-1 review The GL-1 provides a thick tone, with a better bass response than most ukes on the market. In terms of voicing, we think it sits in a similar ballpark to a baritone uke. Thankfully, the price isn't too high - so it's win/win, in our opinion. Granted, if you want a uke, this isn't it - but if you're undecided, then this guitalele just might help you decide. Tuned to A, and without the re-entrant 'G', it really does sit perfectly halfway between guitar and uke, hence the name.Įssentially, It's neither a guitar, nor a ukulele - but as much as this might put people off, the unique status and position of this instrument within the market makes it one that bridges the gap especially well. Released by Yamaha a decade before the current uke boom, they're only just now becoming more widely available. Alternatively, if you're already a guitar player and you can't say goodbye to those two extra strings, then this could be a gateway to the uke. If you've always wanted a guitar but are unsure about the size of a three-quarters, or even half-sized axe, then a guitalele could be for you. The build quality and sound quality surpass other ukuleles of a similar price and style - and if that name on the headstock is important, then this could be the best uke for you. Granted, it's not cheap - especially if you're a beginner to the world of the ukulele - but in our opinion, you do get what you pay for. This projection and tonal warmth is down to the mahogany and spruce body.

You might not find those Hank Marvin or John Frusciante-inspired Strat tones, but the Fullerton Strat ukulele still sounds rich and pleasing. The Fullerton Strat ukulele even features a built-in pre-amp, giving you the option to enjoy it unplugged or plugged in to one of the best guitar amps if you so wish. The inspiration for the body shape is obvious, and while the aforementioned novelty value of a Strat-shaped uke may wear off after time, the sound and feel of this concert-voiced ukulele will bring you pleasure for years to come. All novelty value put aside, the Fender Fullerton Stratocaster uke is a good-looking, well-made instrument which will bring a smile to the face of nearly everyone who takes a look or picks one up. The Fullerton Strat is an ideal ukulele for anyone who's a self-diagnosed Fender addict. Novelty of the shape may wear off quickly So long as you don't take yourself too seriously, this is a wonderfully inexpensive way to get started with the ukulele. We love the 'flying V' variant, but they do so many styles in a range of colours that you won't struggle for choice. If a budget-friendly ukulele is more your thing, then the Mahalo Soprano ukulele is the option on this list that represents the ideal mix of value for money and fun. If the ukulele is your main instrument, you should consider spending a little more to get the perfect instrument, however for most players the benefits above this price bracket will be marginal and you probably won't hear or feel them. There are definitely more expensive models out there, but the T1K represents the best sounding ukulele we've tried that's not rare, vintage, or a custom order. If you're in the market for a high-end ukulele, we can't think of a better uke to splash your cash on than the Martin T1K Tenor uke (opens in new tab).

Ten thumbs pro ukulele