7 Tips & Checklist Before Buying Your 1st Ukulele
Investing or buying your first ukulele is exciting.
But before you make a purchase, you should consider the quality of your musical instrument. In this article, we will give you 7 tips and a checklist to guide you before buying your first ukulele. Beginners and ukulele professionals are welcome.
Here are the things that you need to consider:
- Ukulele Sizes
- Acoustic or Electric
- Price Range
- Craftsmanship
- Sound Quality
- Accessories
- Trusted Brand
Wagas Ukuleles is the leading manufacturer of ukuleles in the Philippines. We aim to craft affordable and premium wooden instruments that last for generations. In this guide, we share our expertise to help you.
1. Size
Ukulele size measures from 575 mm to 620mm. The length may slightly vary depending on the manufacturer. Does size affect the sound and price? Yes. The most common size is the soprano. So how to determine the size that fits you?
If you’re a beginner, the soprano ukulele is best for you. If you want a large and professional sound, we highly recommend getting the tenor ukulele. If you’re a traveler, you might want to consider a travel ukulele, it has a thin body fit for traveling. To check the in-depth guide on this, check our ukulele size and price comparison blog.
2. Acoustic or Electric
Acoustic ukuleles are the most common ukuleles in the market. It features a traditional standard size and tuning. The body is made up of bent or solid-block mahogany wood. Unlike the electric uke, the acoustic ukulele doesn’t have an electric plug-in feature. It is ideal for newbie music enthusiasts.
Electric ukuleles are made of solid-body uke. It is made of a single plank of wood or solid carbon fiber. Unlike the acoustic, electric uke hardly produces sound if not plugged in. So it’s ideal for late-night practice.
On the other hand, the electro-acoustic ukulele is a hybrid of both standard and electric features. It detects sound and amplifies it to electrical waves. You can play electro-acoustic uke, with or without electricity.
3. Price
If you already have the ukulele size and type you’d like to buy, it’s time to consider the price.
Prices vary depending on the size, country, and materials of your ukulele. If you’re buying your first ukulele, don’t invest in cheap knock-offs. Consider buying a premium musical instrument because quality comes with a price.
Ukulele prices in the Philippines range from 800php to 10,000php. Online marketplaces like Shopee and Lazada, also offer cheap options. But if you’re looking for affordable yet never compromise the quality, price range from 2,000php to 4,500php. Top-notch uke can be bought directly from the manufacturer.
We provide shipping worldwide. Here’s our price range depending on its size and feature.
| Ukulele | Size | Price | Feature |
| Ursula Collection | 21 inches | 1,495php | Fun and vibrant colorful ukuleles |
| Travel Collection | 21 inches | 2,021php - 2,500php | Thin and portable for travelling. |
| 21 inches | 2,500php - 4,000php | Great for beginners. | |
| Concert Collection | 23 inches | 4,000php - 4,500php | For intermediate musicians. |
| Tenor Collection | 26 inches | 4,500php - 5,000php | Full large sound for professionals. |
| Guitarlele | 30 inches | 5,000php - 5,500php | Combination of a guitar and ukulele |
4. Craftsmanship
Always check the craftsmanship of your uke before purchasing.
Ask the manufacturer about the quality of the strings and the wooden materials. The traditional body is bent to form the shape. But, Wagas Ukuleles redefines this tradition. We use solid block mahogany wood in our ukuleles. This method of wood-crafting ensures durability.
If you want a pretty uke, limited edition ukulele designs are also up for grabs. Every month, we release new unique designs that embody rich arts and culture. For a more patriotic vibe, you can check our ukulele Philippines collection. We feature Philippine flags, maps, and proudly Pinoy designs.
5. Sound Quality
Checking sound quality when buying a ukulele online can be challenging. Unlike buying in the music shop, you can’t try and feel the music on your fingertips. You can’t also inspect the quality up close, right?
The reason why we’re uploading a series of ukulele soundcheck videos for everyone. We’re happy to provide jamming sessions online on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Stay tuned for our next music session.
If you’re looking for an unboxing video to review the quality we provide, watch Jaytee’s review on our Royale Violele.
6. Accessories
Ukulele accessories are life-saver. Don’t underestimate these freebies.
A ukulele bag is a must-have accessory. It protects your uke from dust when not in use. And it also makes traveling easier. Aside from the bag, we recommend getting a capo, pick, and ukulele strap.
Here in Wagas Ukuleles, we provide a free bag, pick, uke basic chords, travel sling for every travel package. We also offer FREE delivery and awesome discounts anywhere in the Philippines. We uploaded a video on Facebook showing our ukulele accessories. Watch it here.
7. Brand
Last but not least in our checklist is the brand.
There are a lot of ukulele brands out there. So what makes a brand great? It’s their mission to provide quality products without breaking your bank. In trusting a ukulele brand, make sure they have satisfactory reviews, superb customer support, and provide world-class craftsmanship. You can also read press and media features, or watch videos from professional musicians.
Final Word
Before buying a ukulele, you should consider the quality above all else. The size, design, craftsmanship, and price depend on you. But if you don’t want to waste your money, invest in a premium ukulele. It is always worth it.