That doesn’t mean that we’re not looking for new members, we most certainly are but as we meet only once a month, as well as enjoying the meetings, we ask new ukuleleists to practice at home too. And when it comes to tone and sound, well there isn't a great deal I can say really. Almost zero sustain and about the most 'plinky' dull sound I think i've heard from a ukulele. There's just nothing about it for me that is likeable. Yes, the intonation is slightly off, but actually that isn't the worst of it. It just has no life to the sound whatsoever. The C strings is worst, but really none of them come together to give me anything. It has 'some' volume, but it's really not great (and to be honest, I am not sure I would want it any louder..) And yes, before you say it, new strings would help, but really, when the rest of it is so rough - why would you? I will tell you what it sounds like. It sounds exactly like people who have a deep rooted hatred for the ukulele think all ukuleles sound like. That assumption of the ukulele sounding like rubber bands on a tissue box, of being childlike and non serious. It sounds EXACTLY like that. And that is pretty damning. At GAK, we supply a variety of ukulele types, including Soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles, so you’re bound to find the one that’s perfect for you. Whether you’re just starting out or are looking for something more professional, our range will have you covered. After two years together we’re pretty well settled and have moved on from teacher and student to group enjoyment where members suggest what to play next.

Scores in 7s - reasonable, but some bigger issues you may need to be mindful of. Doesn't get a full recommendation but may suit you I decided it didn’t have to be like this so I used a knife to make the grooves in the nut deeper meaning I don’t have to press anywhere near as hard. It is now far easier and the sound is still good.We know how important a great sound is, which is why we put so much time and effort into the research and development of our products." It may be small, but the ukulele is a serious instrument in its own right. Originally from Hawaii, it gained popularity throughout the United States during the early 20th century, then eventually internationally. I found it to have one major negative feature in that the nut is very pronounced, making the strings quite high in relation to the fretboard, meaning you really have to press a long way down to play anything on the first fret. As a beginner I dreaded any songs featuring Bb or F as they were both difficult and painful to play on this uke. The Number of Strings - If you are a guitar player, you would already be aware of the fact that a guitar comes with six strings. A ukulele, on the other hand, comes with four strings. The smaller number of strings makes this musical instrument easier to learn, especially for those who already know to play the guitar. I say Australian, and that is because Ashton are an Australian company, but this particular ukulele is made for them in China. Intriguingly though, the box and makers label both say proudly that it is 'designed in Australia'. I am not entirely sure what that means as from a first glance at it I can't see any particular design cues and it all looks rather generic, but there you go. As a company, Ashton make quite a range of musical instruments and gear, including drums, a range of guitars and a number of ukuleles. It must be said that the UKE 100 is their entry level ukulele, but as a brand with a number of stringed instrument products in their line up, perhaps they know what they are doing. We shall see.

Overall, this ukulele is above average when you consider the price. It is fun to play and is best aimed at beginners. The uke is very good to learn how to play and if you want a durable ukulele for cheap, this is your best buy. Although Jake Shimabukuro or Eddie Vedder would probably spit on a uke like this, it suits most uke players’ needs perfectly. Overall gets a seven out of ten. An instrument to inspire beginners of all ages. The Gear4music Ukulele is fun, portable and easy to play. With a quality build to stand the test of time, it will hold your interest throughout hours of play and practice. This ukulele is stronger than concrete and can basically be dropped off a building and not be damaged too much. Mine has a fair few dents due to being dropped lots but still plays fine. It also stays in tune brilliantly and the paint even stays on. The only minus for this ukulele is that the screws can sometimes come undone. This is easily fixed as you can tighten them up again very easily. Durability gets a nine out of ten.The Ashton 400750 is not bad looking and comes in almost all the colours of the rainbow. Mine is orange and looks like your stereotypical ukulele. Kind of like something you would see on “Spongebob Squarepants” or “The Simpsons”. The tone of this ukulele is very inconsistent however. For example, a friend of mine has one the same, and is a lot more bass heavy than mine. My one has a sharper tone and works better on single-note-at-a-time songs, whereas the bassier uke works better on chord-orientated songs. So, if you are planning on buying one of these ukes, best to listen to the ukulele first. Presentability gets a six out of ten. Just 20 minutes per day and you’ll be on your way. Full training will be given, along with a beginner’s book, which takes the learner from simple two chord melodies to the more complex in gentle, easy stages. Anyway, play it I must. And after days and days of tuning, re-tuning and re-tuning, those nylon strings eventually got to a point of holding.. Incidentally, talking of tuning. You know I said the tuners looked bad? Well they work pretty badly too. The usual issue of some grinding, some feeling loose and there being lots of play. Oh well, being gears, they won't slip I suppose. Designed in Australia by a highly qualified team of experts, Ashton’s range of musical instruments and sound equipment are built to strict quality standards.

All are welcome and all we ask is that you chip in a quid for admin and that you buy a drink from behind the bar to keep the Landlord happy. But before you go ahead, let’s have a brief look at what makes the ukulele different from the guitars so you have a better understanding of what this musical instrument is: We offer a wide selection of ukuleles across a range of popular brands, including Fender and Epiphone, who incorporate their classic guitar designs into stylish takes on the compact folk instrument. Other brands like Cordoba specialise in building high-quality ukes, while some series like the Yellow Submarine Ukuleles have a bright, quirky appearance and are ideal for beginners wanting a groovy-looking uke.Ukuleles come in 5 main sizes - Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. Electric ukuleles are also