Not sure where to start when choosing your first ukulele? Here are a few tips on how to buy a ukulele

Get in touch with ukulele players

If there's a ukulele group near you, get yourself down there. You'll be able to try out a whole heap of ukuleles and get a good idea of what you like and what you don't like. The other players will also be likely to give you plenty of great advice on what to look for and where to buy it.

Buying from a Store

If you're lucky to have a ukulele shop nearby, you're in luck. Be sure to try out as many ukuleles as you can. The sound of ukuleles can vary a great deal, even within the same brand and the same model. This is particularly true of cheaper, entry-level ukuleles made in the Far East where construction can be a bit hit and miss.

Buy Online

By far the biggest selection of ukuleles for sale online is at eBay. You do have to be a little careful, but if you get a ukulele from the right dealer it is the best place to go. Two sellers you can be confident in are musicguymic and ukulele4u. Check the description of the ukulele. If it includes set-up and a good set of strings (such as Worth or Aquila), then it's well worth paying that little bit extra for. A well set-up, nice sounding ukulele will give you much more pleasure during those early, sometimes frustrating, practice sessions.