The Lanikai LU-21 Tenor Ukulele is ideal for anyone wanting to start out with a tenor ukulele. There aren't too many choices for a first time tenor, but this is a great one. The uke is well made, sounds great and is reliable. Obviously, it is more expensive
So why would you want to start with a tenor ukulele? It does give you a fuller sound, more room to play, more range and is better adapted for solo type playing. It's particularly popular with guitar players who are moving onto the ukulele.
Here's Narciso Lobo doing a great version of the Jackson 5's I Want You Back on his Lanikai Tenor ukulele. He really shows of the great sound that this instrument is capable of.
LU-21T Tenor Specifications
Construction: Top, back and sides - laminated mahogany/nato Fretboard: Rosewood Bridge: Rosewood. Tie-on configuration Neck: 18 frets (hits body at 14th fret) Binding: Top and back: white Tuners: Geared, Chrome Finish: Satin
The Lanikai LU-21 Concert Ukulele is a great starter concert ukulele. It comes at a reasonable price (slightly more than the very cheapest) but offers a quality that is far above the very basic ukuleles. If you want an upgrade from one of those very basic, soprano ukes to something a little larger and better quality, then this is an excellent choice.
This ukulele is concert size. This gives you slightly more room for your fingers than the LU-21 standard ukulele. That does give you a bit of an advantage - particularly if you have larger fingers. And you don't lose the distinctive soprano sound as much as you do with the LU-21T ukulele. Personally, concert is my favourite size of ukulele. The only downside is that they tend to be a little more expensive.
The guy in the frog hat is playing the Lanikai LU-21C. The other uke in the video is a Mitchell.
LU-21 Concert Specifications
Construction: Top, back and sides - laminated mahogany/nato Fingerboard: Rosewood Bridge: Rosewood. Tie-on configuration Neck: 18 frets (hits body at 14th fret) Binding: Top and back: white Tuners: Geared Finish: Satin
The Lanikai LU-21 Standard Ukulele is the uke I recommend to anyone who is buying a ukulele for the first time and wants something fairly cheap but also wants a uke that is reasonably well made.
The uke is well put together has the essentials for an entry level uke (particularly the geared tuners which are essential at the low price end). As you would expect, it is a laminate ukulele so it's not going to sound as good as a more expensive solid wood ukulele. But having said that, they do make a very good sound.
This ukulele is soprano size. Which is the standard size of ukulele (hence the name) and probably the best size of ukulele to start on.
Lanikai ukuleles are one of the most popular brands of ukulele around - particularly for beginners. Their LU-21 range is a step above the cheap, entry level ukuleles in terms of quality and price. This makes them great for people who are new to the uke but want a good quality ukulele to start on.
Probably the most famous Lanikai player is, Beirut frontman, Zach Condon. He plays a Lanikai LU-21T - well within the price range of any uker. Another famous player is Jason Mraz who has been spotted with a baritone LU-21B.
Lanikai on Video
Here's a clip of Zach Condon playing the ukulele classic Postcards from Italy on a Lanikai LU-21T tenor.
Martin ukuleles are the most respected brand of ukuleles ever produced. They are certainly the most collectable with many obsessive Martin-hunters around.
In recent years, the price that vintage Martin ukuleles has fetched has risen considerably. Particularly the koa models. However, prices have dropped a little in the recession with the number of Martin ukuleles cropping up on eBay rising noticeably.
As well as the vintage range, Martin also produce new ukuleles. However, these tend not to be as highly prized as the vintage ukes.
This video by Ukulelezaza gives a great overview of a few of the different styles of Martin. In it he plays a 1950s style 0, a 1960s style 1, a 1920s style 2 and a 1940s style 3.
And here's another Martin collection show-off video from krouk.
The Martin 5K is the Rolls Royce of ukuleles. Classy, exceptionally well built and very pricey. They are the top of the range, made of solid koa and exquisitely decorated.
The most obvious things that immediately show the ukulele to be a 5K model are the flowery design on the peghead and the snowflake and diamond inlays on the fretboard.
The original 5K was discontinued by Martin in 1940. However, they have recently started producing them again. The word on the new models is that they aren't up to the vintage models. Whether this is because they haven't had time to 'open up' as the old ones have, only time will tell.
What is certain is that you are likely to have to pay much more for a vintage model. The current price for a new 5K is $4,199. The price for vintage models varies, but you can expect to pay well into 5 figures for a mint condition model.
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Martin 5K on Video
Martin ukes have cropped up a couple of times on Antiques Roadshow. In this appearance, the Martin 5K ukulele was valued at $10,000 to $12,000. It's in excellent condition and I'd say the valuation was fairly accurate.
The Martin Style 3 is one step down from the 5K, but was also intended for use by professional musicians. It is still a very highly sought after instrument. Top quality vintage 3Ks can sell for many thousands of dollars.
The most distinctive features of the Style 3 is the } shape on the body and the stripe down the centre of the neck. The 3K model is exactly the same as but made from solid koa rather than mahogany. Today, the koa model tends to fetch a much higher price than the mahogany. Partly because koa is now much rarer and partly because they look much better (and, of course, there is the Hawaiian connection). There is some difference in tone, but I wouldn't say one is superior to the other - certainly not enough to justify the price difference.
Like the 5K, the 3K's popularity has lead to Martin resurrecting it. They currently offer a Koa Style 3 (at $1,899) and also a Cherry model (at $1,499).
The Style 2 Martin was the highest in the range of ukuleles intended for amateur players. But don't let that fool you, they are still very high quality instruments and valued amongst collectors and players alike.
The quickest way to spot a Style 2 is by the thick white binding around the rim of the ukulele's body. Like the Style 3, it was produced in both mahogany and koa with the koa now fetching a higher price.
They were produced up until the mid 1960s when demand for ukuleles fell rapidly.
The Martin Style 1 is a straight forward instrument without much ornamentation. But they are still very much prized for their sound and economy of construction.
It's very easy to get the Style 0 and Style 1 mixed up. The quickest way to spot the difference between a Style 0 and a Style 1 is to check the 7th fret. A Style 1 will have have a double-dot fret marker whereas the Style 0 will have only a single dot. Also, if the instrument is koa it will be a Style 1 as the Style 0 was only produced in mahogany.
The Style 0 was the simplest and cheapest of all the Martin ukuleles. It has no ornamentation at all apart from a dark ring around the soundhole. However, it does have the craft and construction associated with Martin ukuleles so still commands a good price today (a few hundred dollars for one in good condition).
US $119.99
