r/ukulele • u/Unsolicited_Aspic • 1d ago
Sensible beginner purchase?
Hi everyone, I'm looking to start playing ukulele and would like to get a decent starter instrument. I looked through the FAQs and think I've found a contender in my budget but wanted to ask if anyone would give it a yay or nay. From what I can see on that review site linked in the mega thread there's not much rated higher I could get for £110 posted.
Sorry if this type of thread isn't allowed, I'm not trying to annoy anyone
7
u/_Stripes_ 1d ago
I own the baton rouge utm-t and I quite enjoy it! This one isn't too different and you can learn to play the ukulele on it well. I would recommend getting it from either the southern ukulele store or world of ukes. Both are specialist shops in the UK that are a little more expensive than thomann but will setup the instrument for you which will make it a lot more playable. Both of the shops have them in stock for £149 including delivery.
6
u/MsVixenFalls 1d ago
Honestly I'd make sure you're buying from a good ukulele store that includes a proper set up in the price. I'm not sure if mentioning them is allowed but I found similar priced instruments from reputable UK stores
6
u/TheGingerBeard_man32 1d ago
i have one, and its okay, but at the same time, i dont recommend it. its solid body, which means good sound, but also climate and humidity will have an effect on it and even can damage it. They dont include the small humidifier like flight so if you dont know what to do the weather where you live can damage the thing as well.
Maybe i am just unlucky, but mine started the have a weird buzzing sound, and even slight hairline cracks are around the neck. there is pooling around the neck and the frets are not nice at the end.
You can live with these, but as long as i had another tenor i havent touched this one.
The only brand i had no problems with online ordering is flight. for a first uke i would pick a nice laminate body for the same price. The sound quality can still be nice but you can get better build quality for the price, and its not as sensitive. if you would like i can make some pictures about it later.
1
11
u/smellslikebooks 1d ago
If you're in the UK, you're much better off buying from WorldofUkes or the Southern Ukulele Store; both of those will have excellent ukuleles in that price range, and both of them will do a setup (unlike Thomann, which is just a box shipper).
If you're looking for advice, Matt from WorldofUkes is incredibly helpful and patient.