Inexpensive and super easy to learn, the best ukuleles are amongst the most popular and accessible instruments in the world. Their small size means they're playable for all ages whilst nylon strings are much easier to fret than the steel strings of acoustic and electric guitars. Plus, they're way cooler than the recorder! All of this has added up to make the ukulele a go-to for new players, as well as another string to the bow of existing musicians.

The ukulele does have a slight reputation for being a toy, but this is rather unfair in my opinion. The truth is the ukulele is every bit the proper instrument a guitar or bass guitar is, and it takes some mastery to make a ukulele really sounds great. There are plenty of pro-level ukuleles available that feature the same expert craftsmanship of acoustic guitars - case-in-point, my top pick here is from renowned acoustic guitar maker Martin - from the tonewoods and bracing patterns to the hardware.

Whether the ukulele is your first instrument or you're looking to expand your repertoire, I've searched through all the very best ukuleles available today to bring you the finest options for each use case.

If you're new to the ukulele I've got an extensive FAQs section that has loads of common questions answered by myself and our expert writing team.

Best overall

Acoustic guitar players will be more than familiar with the Martin brand, so I was understandably excited to see what their flagship soprano ukulele could offer. I was right to be excited, too. While it may cost as much as a mid-range electric, the Martin S1 delivers tones, projection and build quality a million miles away from what people may think a uke is capable of.

Although there may be flashier options out there, the S1’s beauty lies in its subtlety and Martin’s solid, considered construction. On top of that, accessories are always an appealing addition and you can rely on the Philadelphia giants as the S1 comes with a useful soft padded bag. This is ideal if you’re a frequent member of your local ukulele group, or you want to look after your investment properly long-term.

Sure, with a price tag like that, it’s only likely to appeal to professionals or those with deep pockets, but in the Martin S1, you have a ukulele that will sound great and last you a lifetime.

Best for beginners

As a step up in quality from the basic entry-level models, the Cordoba 15CM is a great choice for the beginner player. Packing proper tonewoods into its compact package, it's an inspiring choice that will encourage new players to keep at it.

I found that the chrome pearl button tuning pegs offer sturdy tuning stability and exude a premium feel; you won’t have to worry about constantly reaching for the tuner. The abalone rosette and ivoroid bindings are pleasing details and elegant touches, placing this ukulele in a league well above its price tag.

The 14.75” scale length of this concert model makes it slightly larger than a standard soprano, so it’s the ideal step-up for adult learners who’ve outgrown their first uke.

One slight gripe I have is the fact that the Cordoba doesn’t come with a gig bag – bear that in mind if you're a traveling ukulele player and are planning on practicing on the move!

Best budget option

It’s hard to look past the Mahalo MR1 as the best ukulele for beginners. As a complete package, including the ukulele and a handy carry bag, this tiny treat offers superb value. Simple enough to pick up and play, yet with more than a few neat touches of its own, in my opinion the MR1 is the perfect starter uke for anybody of any age.

Available in a selection of bold colors, the Mahalo MR1 has to be worth your consideration. Bonus points are awarded for the Aquila Nylgut strings it comes equipped with, which deliver a superb bright tone. If you were to twist my arm to reveal one minor hang-up with the MR1 it would be the tuning pegs. They aren’t the best quality, but this is all relative and expecting miracles from hardware on a $30 uke would be a tad delusional.

That aside, the Mahalo MR1 stakes a very strong claim as the best option for beginners looking to dip their toes in those tropical waters.

Best electric ukulele

Fender’s iconic Jazzmaster series has long been the choice of alternative acts, and with the Fender Fullerton Jazzmaster uke, you can get a small slice of the action too.

This concert-sized uke features a superb choice of tonewoods for the body and neck, while a Fender-designed preamp makes it perfect for live performance through an amp. The preamp also has an in-built tuner, allowing you to tune on the fly without having to carry an additional clip-on tuner.

Here at Guitar World we’ve always been big fans of a Shell Pink finish and I think the Fullerton Jazzmaster wears it with pride – it looks fantastic! Don’t worry if you’re a little more subdued in taste as there is a 3-Color Sunburst also on the market.

The matching headstock and four-in-line vintage tuning pegs round this little beauty off as a great option for guitarists looking to branch out into the world of ukuleles.

Best for playability

The all-mahogany construction of a Gibson Les Paul has gone down in history, so credit to Epiphone for offering ukulele players the chance to get in on the action. The Epiphone Les Paul ukulele is an electro-acoustic tenor voiced ukulele, where the all-mahogany body and neck bring out the potential resonant warmth that a 17” scale length can deliver.

However, Epiphone has gone one step further and provided a stunning AAA flame maple top, catapulting this tenor into rock’n’roll territory that some uke players may not be used to!

So, we know this ukulele looks the part, but how does it sound amplified? Every Les Paul worth their salt has to sound great through an amp and I'm pleased to report that the onboard undersaddle electronics offer some great tones! Other nice touches like the Les Paul-shaped pickguard and headstock signature add up to a sweet little piece of rock history.

Best tenor ukulele

Tenor ukuleles offer a bridge between soprano, at the small end, and baritones at the other, which are perhaps deemed more specialist. The Cordoba 25T is a sound example of a well-made, wonderfully voiced tenor uke for the more serious player.

Premium features like a solid Acacia top, a herringbone rosette and a bone nut and saddle make for a wonderfully constructed tenor that would suit any intermediate ukulele player’s collection.

The acacia wood brings out the best of the tone, while the active electronics ensure it sounds as good plugged in as it does acoustically. However, the 2-band active EQ on the preamp is slightly limiting, so don’t expect deep tone editing with this little guy.

The maple and ebony rope pattern binding may split opinion down the middle but I love it! It's a unique feature that helps the 25T stand out in a contested market.

More options...

So, those are my top picks, but here's a few more honorable mentions...

FAQs

How we test

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best ukuleles available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best ukuleles on the market right now.

Find out more about how we make our recommendations, how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides and our review policy.

Latest updates

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NAMM 2022: Martin has announced the arrival of three new ukuleles for 2022, the 0 Tenor, C1 Uke and T1 Uke FSC. 

First up, the 0 Tenor builds on Martin’s significant legacy as a builder of tenor ukes (which apparently dates as far back as 1929). 

The new instrument is made from what the firm calls its “stash of sinker mahogany," which was reportedly recovered from a river in Belize. This leads to a “dense” and characterful tone, which will make a refreshing change to ukulele players who are fed up with ‘plunk’. 

That said, it comes at a cost and this premium build will set you back $1,599. 

Second among the new ukes is the C1. This is a concert-sized model, making it smaller than the tenor format previously mentioned, but larger than a soprano build (the size of your usual entry-level Mahalo etc.) 

Martin says this makes it a nice learning platform, but the C1 still looks pretty classy, with its construction of Koa fine veneer. That comes with a price tag of $449.

Finally, the T1 Uke FSC is said to offer “premium tone in an environmentally-friendly instrument." 

It’s another tenor build, but as you may have guessed from the name, it is built from 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, in this case a combination of sapele (for the body) and ebony (for the fingerboard and bridge). And just to underline its environmental credentials, it’s supplied in a blue gig bag produced from recycled water bottles. The T1 Uke FSC will set you back $459. 

For more information on the new ukuleles, head to Martin’s website.

From smokin’ hot solid body electrics to natural wood acoustic guitars and fun instruments like lyres and ukuleles, Donner has a wide selection of instruments – all at great prices. 

The guitars even come with cases, straps, and everything an aspiring player needs to get started.

To make things even easier, right now Donner has a 15 percent discount on all acoustic and electric guitar bundles, and if you buy a ukulele, 3-string fun acoustic guitar, or lyre, Donner will throw in a kalimba with your order for free! Find the instrument that speaks to you with our guide below – and get it on the cheap now.

Donner DTC-100 Electric Guitar Bundle

Donner's DTC-100 electric guitar has a classic design that players of all styles can utilize. The accompanying bundle, meanwhile, includes all the accessories you need to start playing right out of the box. 

Get 15 percent off the DTC-100 Electric Guitar Bundle right now at Donner.

Donner DST-400 Electric Guitar Bundle

The Donner DST-400 has a slick, classic look and set-up that fits with a wide variety of styles. This guitar is quite a deal by itself, but it's also bundled with everything a beginner needs to start playing, including a gig bag, a guitar strap, cable, and more. Pick one up and get playing!

Get 15 percent off the DST-400 Electric Guitar Bundle right now at Donner.

Donner DLP-124 Electric Guitar Bundle

The Donner DLP-124's sleek cutaway body and sunburst finish really make it special, and evocative of the glory days of classic rock. With – like all other Donner electric bundles – a gig bag, strap and cable included, you'll immediately be ready to make some noise and get noticed.

Get 15 percent off the DLP-124 Electric Guitar Bundle right now at Donner.

Donner DAG-1CS Acoustic Guitar Bundle

If acoustic music is more your thing, this Donner DAG-1CS Acoustic Guitar Bundle offers everything you need – including online learning! Whether you're making music solo or with your friends, the DAG-1CS acoustic has a full, rich sound and classy looks that'll fit well on any stage.

Get 15 percent off the DAG-1CS Acoustic Guitar Bundle right now at Donner.

Donner DUC-4E Ukulele Bundle

With a strap, picks, and even some free lessons to get you started, you'll be ready to play right away with Donner's DUC-4E Ukulele Bundle. You don't need years of lessons and Mozart-like talent to make memorable, soulful music with this sunny-sounding ukulele – take it and your music wherever life takes you.

Get 15 percent off the DUC-4E Ukulele Bundle right now at Donner.

Donner DPB-510 Electric Bass Bundle

Boasting a bold sunburst finish and white pick guard, Donner's DPB-510 Electric Bass offers both good looks and a solid bottom for your band. It's also a great deal because Donner adds a gig bag, cable, strap and adjustment tools – everything you need to start adding the bass to the music you make. 

Get 15 percent off the  DPB-510 Electric Bass Bundle right now at Donner.

Donner Tri-pop 3-String Children's Guitar Bundle

The Tri-Pop 3-String Children's Guitar is a blast to play. Lighter than a full-sized guitar and easy to handle for any age, this little beauty comes in six fun colors. 

It’s easy to pack and carry, too, so plan to bring the Tri-Pop 3-String Guitar with you everywhere. In addition to a set of 24 chord cards and a tutorial book, the Tri-Pop comes with everything a young person needs to start playing: a gig bag, strap, tuner, and strings. 

Order the Tri-pop 3-String Guitar Bundle at Donner today and get a free kalimba!

Over the past few years, the popularity of the ukulele has skyrocketed and as an instrument for younger players and beginners, it's an excellent way to get your foot on the musical ladder. The best ukuleles for beginners provide a great way to start playing chords and learning scale shapes, all while being fun and easy on the fingers.

It's much more straightforward to learn the uke versus a guitar, as you have fewer strings to worry about learning. The frets are closer together which makes chord shapes and general playing easier, while the nylon strings are easy to press down versus a steel-string acoustic guitar. Add in their small, portable size and you've got the perfect companion for a musical journey.

If you'd like to learn more about the ukulele before you buy or have some unanswered questions, then go check out our FAQs section which has loads of useful knowledge to arm yourself with. To see our top picks, just keep scrolling...

Our top picks

Best overall

Kala is a big name in the ukulele game, with a vast range that covers every base from beginner to expert player. It's certainly a brand you can trust to deliver instruments built to a good standard, even at the lower price points.

Its KA C RW Mahogany Concert hits the sweet spot, both in terms of pricing and sound. You get a mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard and Graph Tech nut, all for around the $/£100 mark. As you'd expect from the construction, it sounds very clear and direct with good projection.

It looks rather smart too, with its satin finish and classic cream binding. This is a ukulele that successfully demonstrates why it's worth spending that little bit more than entry-level prices.

Best for kids

If your little one keeps getting precariously close to your guitar and has expressed an interest in playing an instrument, the ukulele is a great route to go down. With a low barrier of entry, the Mahalo MR1 is an ideal option for testing the water with any young, budding musician. Costing around $/£30 the MR1 has a ludicrously small price tag, meaning if they don’t quite take to it, your bank account won’t be wounded beyond repair. 

However, don’t be fooled, the MR1 is no mere toy. Where other affordable ukes stumble, the MR1’s tuning pegs are capable of holding the tuning steady, hurrah! The MR1 is also available in a cornucopia of fantastic finishes and the handy travel bag makes traveling to lessons with it a breeze. 

Mahalo has also strung the MR1 with Aqua Nylgut strings, a sign of their earnest commitment to providing young beginners with an instrument capable of learning on. Although the committed beginner will likely outgrow the MR1 rather quickly, it is a great option for those wanting to find their feet.  

Best budget

Back in the day, Epiphone used to make world-class guitars that were right up there with the very best. More recently, (well, over the past 60 years, since it was bought by Gibson) it's earned a reputation for building world-class inexpensive guitars that are, in the main, every bit as good as its pricey rivals pretend to be. 

Epiphone is the guitar brand of the people. Inexpensive instruments that are built like a Lexus, look like a Jaguar and play as fast and smooth as a Tesla. 

The EpiLani shares all of these values. This is an unashamedly budget instrument from Epiphone, designed from the ground up to be thrust into the hands of beginners. It even ships with a handy chord chart.

For the money, it's one of the best beginner ukuleles around. It's all-mahogany tone punches well above its weight, fretwork is tidy, intonation is good, and it's neatly put together. 

There's an awful lot of rubbish out there at this price point, but if you're on a tight budget then this is a good choice.

Best premium

OK, we admit it. Perhaps we're taking the 'buy well, buy once' ideology to extremes here but bear with us.

Why should beginners be cursed with cheap, awful, unplayable 'starter' instruments? Who propagates cynical nonsense such as 'all the gear, no idea'? We should all be free to buy whatever we can afford, without the fear of jealousy-fuelled judgement. 

Of course, affordability is an issue for almost all of us, which is why we've included eight very good instruments at a broad range of price points in this buyer's guide. But we shouldn't ignore the top end. 

Not all beginners are cash-strapped youngsters. It's common for those facing retirement to take up an instrument because they finally have the time. Sometimes, they have the disposable income too. So, this choice is for them.

The Martin Concert Uke FSC is a premium instrument for those who value craftsmanship and the environment. Every piece of mahogany used in its construction is sustainably sourced, as it should be.

There's very little decoration on show, it's rather a plain looking instrument, but the investment has been made in quality tonewoods and build, not bling.

This is a beautiful, understated uke that sends out all the right messages. Maybe it really is the only ukulele you will ever need – what could be more sustainable than that?

Best for gigs

Cordoba's mission has always been to make nylon string acoustic guitars cool again. It may appear to be an old company, steeped in heritage, but it was only founded in 1997. Since then, it's been successfully luring steel string players – both acoustic and electric – to its superbly built nylon strung guitars. 

The point being? Well, this is a company that knows about craftsmanship, it knows how to build lightly constructed instruments that resonate beautifully. And, it has its finger on the pulse.

Ukulele construction is very, very similar to classical guitar construction. So, who are you going to trust to build yours? A company that usually screws together weighty electrics and now markets cheap ukes as a side-line, or the luthiers at Cordoba?

The 20TM-CE is more expensive than some other ukuleles in this buyer's guide but then it is completely handmade with a solid mahogany top, back and sides. It has a built-in undersaddle Piezo pickup and Belcat electronics, ready for when you're ready for your first stage performance. 

It's also a thing of beauty.

Best vintage

This is a fantastic little uke for throwing in the back of your car and just speeding off, seeing where life will take you. What is it about Gretsch? It seems to ooze more vintage cool, more authentic heritage, than almost any other brand out there. And this little uke has been soaked in a good dollop of the stuff.

Its authentic good looks are matched by an equally authentic tone. Mahogany is a great choice here. Soprano ukuleles can sound weak, subdued and top-end heavy, but the mahogany just punches through with its powerful, focused midrange and lack of harsh, ringing overtones. 

Not one for chunky fingers, but nevertheless a powerful little beast that will look and sound the part in any folk, country or bluegrass setting. Hang that, we'd take it anywhere…

More options...

Fender makes all manner of ukuleles and is possibly best known for its models that mimic the looks of its classic Strat, Jazzmaster and Tele guitars. Call us boring if you like, but they seem a little ostentatious to us (but great fun!). We prefer the traditional look of the Zuma, with its classy sapele body and abalone rosette.

It can do humor too, just take a look at the Tele style headstock complete with inline tuners, or the tongue-in-cheek versions in vintage Fender colors Lake Placid Blue and Burgundy Mist.

Looks aside, the Zuma is a strongly built, well specified ukulele with a rich tone that balances both warmth and clarity in a very pleasing way. Its excellent sound and concert size lends this uke to fingerstyle, as well as hearty strumming.

We can see this little uke being casually strummed on its namesake Zuma beach in Malibu or played with more proficiency in the studio. A versatile beginner ukulele for sure.

Ortega takes its fun seriously. A lot of thought has gone into the cute RU5CE, and it shows. Many of the beginner ukuleles in this buyer's guide are all mahogany, which is a good choice, but it's refreshing to see the classic combination of a bright spruce top matched with the warm sapele back and sides.

Little touches, like the sealed machine heads, built-in tuner and the lightly applied finish that lets the natural wood grain through, demonstrate that somebody at Ortega cares.

The fretwork on our RU5CE is excellent, with even, carefully filed frets and no discernible buzzing. The walnut fretboard is smooth and fast.

The icing on the cake, at this price point, is the inclusion of an undersaddle Piezo pickup and accompanying MagusUke electronics. 

Unfortunately, the laser etched Butterfly and Grass artwork on the bridge will prove a bit 'Marmite' to many. You'll either love it or hate it.

The Yamaha Guitalele is a uke for the guitar player who doesn't like ukes. Or, more accurately it’s a mini-guitar, six strings 'n all, with a ukulele-sized footprint. If it sounds like we're being a bit negative about the Guitalele, we're not, it's actually very good.

There is however, no getting away from the fact that it's not really a ukulele. But that's OK. If you're a guitar player who craves a strong hint of that uke sound but doesn't want to have to learn a new instrument to get it, then the Guitalele is perfect for you. If you prefer the versatility that two extra strings bring, then the Guitalele scores again.

There's nothing to dislike about the Guitalele. It benefits from Yamaha's legendary build quality, its comparatively large size means that it sounds full, large and loud, and it's nicely specced with a spruce top, meranti (similar to mahogany) body and rosewood fingerboard. It can handle any repertoire a ukulele can, plus everything in your guitar songbook. 

What's not to like? It's not really a ukulele…

Gold Tone’s ‘Folkternative’ series offers something that is not usually associated with folk music: modernization. Known for blending instruments like electric guitars, mandolins, resonators and basses, the series’ most intriguing fusion for us is the banjo-ukulele combo.

The Little Gem banjo ukulele is ideal for the beginner starting out as it’s less expensive than other banjo-ukulele hybrids in the range. Made from brightly colored acrylic, it is incredibly eye-catching. Much like a banjo, the Little Gem is pretty loud with an impressive note projection, more so than a standard ukulele. Gold Tone is known in the folk music scene for good quality, and although affordable, the Little Gem doesn’t let this reputation down. 

Available in striking colors like Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond and Amethyst, the Little Gem may not suit everyone's taste. However, if you're looking for a fun and vibrant ukulele to learn on, it could be just what you're after.

The Jazzmaster is the latest guitar-ukulele mashup released by Fender, and in our opinion, is by far the coolest. Available in either 3-Color Sunburst or Shell Pink, these things ooze offset coolness. If you’ve got a Dinosaur Jr fan in your life and their birthday is coming up, this Fullerton Jazzmaster ukulele should be the first thing you buy them. 

There is a real premium feel to the Fullerton Jazzmaster, from the glossy bound maple neck to the vintage-style 4-in-line tuning machines, you feel that Fender has taken good care in creating these. Despite its quality, this ukulele comes at an affordable price of around $150. It offers great value for what's included and shouldn't deter beginners looking for an instrument that can grow with them up to intermediate level.

Also, much like its guitar brethren, you can amplify the Fullerton Jazzmaster if you wish. The Fender FE-U01 preamp sounds great through both acoustic and electric guitar amps, adding to its versatility. Of course, those wanting to replicate George Formby aren’t going to take to this Jazzmaster, but for those wanting something a bit more edgy, you can do a lot worse than this. 

FAQs

How we choose products

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best beginner ukuleles available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best beginner ukuleles on the market right now.

Find out more about how we make our recommendations, how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides and our review policy.

Related buyer's guides

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• Best cheap electric guitars under $500
• Best guitar tuners for acoustic, electric and ukulele
• Guitar accessories for beginners and beginner guitar gear essentials
• Best online guitar lessons for uke players and beyond

Harley Benton has had a stellar 2022 so far, releasing the sub-$150, dual-active humbucker ST-20HH guitar, the G112A-FR – a downsized 1x12” active FRFR cab – and a pair of expandable pedalboards, the SpaceShip Flex 5085 and 4070, to name a few.

Ever relentless in its quest to conquer every corner of the affordable guitar gear market, the Thomann-owned brand has unveiled four new ukuleles: one solidbody uke and three U-Bass models. The latter consist of one solidbody U-Bass, the SB, and two acoustic/electric models.

Both the solidbody Uke Natural and U-bass SB share a similar set of specs, including an okoume body, purpleheart fretboard and bridge, and an onboard Harley Benton-designed pickup system with a two-band EQ. Other common features include Graph Tech nuts and die-cast tuners.

Differences include scale length and number of frets – the Uke Natural measures up at 432mm and sports 20 frets while the U-Bass SB clocks in at 512mm and features 22 frets.

The other two U-Bass models feature spalted maple and mahogany builds, respectively, but otherwise share a near-identical set of features. These include a mahogany neck, walnut fingerboard and bridge, Graph Tech nut, 20 medium frets and die-cast black tuners.

Electronics on both come by way of a Harley Benton-designed piezo pickup system with a two-band EQ and tuner.

Pricing for all four models can be found below. For more information, head to Harley Benton.

• Solid Uke Natural – $97
• U-Bass SB Sunburst – $130
• U-Bass Mahogany – $130
• U-Bass Spalted Maple – $163

Where is the craziest place you’ve played a ukulele? Whatever your answer is, it will have to be something seriously impressive to beat this effort from astronaut Chris Sembroski, who is about to take a Martin uke to space with him for what promises to be an out-of-this-world performance.

Sembroski is set to take part in SpaceX’s three-day Inspiration4 expedition – the first-ever private all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth – which aims to raise $200 million in funds for St. Jude Children’s research hospital.

And, when he’s taking a break navigating the void of space, engaging in his day-to-day duties as an astronaut and ensuring a safe space exploration, Sembroski will have the perfect pastime – his one-off Martin ukulele. A necessity for any space travel, of course.

He will be joined on the trip by entrepreneur, mission commander and Inspiration4 funder Jared Isaacman, as well science communicator Sian Proctor and chief medical officer Hayley Arcenaux – all of whom will no doubt appreciate Sembroski’s serenading during the trip.

Upon reaching the Earth’s orbit, the ukulele will be played by Sembroski for a special performance, and, after being safely returned to solid ground, will be auctioned off in aid of St. Jude’s.

In terms of specs, the fearless soprano-sized four-string was custom-built for the purpose of accompanying the crew, and features eco-minded sinker mahogany top, back and sides, as well as a sinker mahogany neck topped with an FSC-certified rosewood fingerboard.

For the pièce de résistance, the one-of-a-kind uke features a meticulously inserted inlay – created by master craftsman Brent Williams – which recreates the team’s mission patch using gloss acrylic, recon stone black mother of pearl, recon stone Dark Lapis, recon stone chrysocolla, and corian.

Martin ukuleles seem to have a knack for cropping up in some truly obscure places. In 1926, one accompanied Admiral Richard Byrd on his trip to the North Pole. 

Heck, it’s not even the first Martin to experience space – Pierre Thout took his Backpacker acoustic guitar with him on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1994.

The expedition is scheduled to launch on September 15, though if you miss the event, do not fear – the entire mission is the subject of an ongoing Time/Netflix documentary, titled Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission To Space.

There’s only one question left on everyone’s lips: What will Sembroski play? A uke-heavy reimagining of Joe Satriani’s Surfing With The Alien? Or how about David Bowie’s Space Oddity (as per Chris Hadfield)? 

Head over to the Inspiration4 mission website to find out more.

Fender has teamed up with Dhani Harrison – singer-songwriter and son of George Harrison – for a brand-new Artist Signature Series ukulele.

Available in two finishes – Blue Sapphire and Turquoise – the new tenor-sized model features a solid ovangkol construction, with three quarter-sized depth and upgraded Fender electronics.

Visually, the instrument sports a Shiva Yantra design on the back, as well as Shiva moon phases decorating the fingerboard. The pattern of these inlays varies depending on finish.

“I knew that if I did a Fender signature model, it would have to be a ukulele,” Harrison says. “I've always played it and I write a lot of stuff on a uke. I spent a lkot of time in Hawaii growing up and it was there that I really fell in love with the uke as a serious instrument.

“I designed it to be my ideal stage ukulele that also sounds great when you're not plugged in. The design is very much inspired by my passions and quest to build the the ultimate ukulele.”

“We're thrilled to launch the Dhani Harrison Signature Ukulele, the latest addition to our expanding line of Fender ukuleles,” adds Billy Martinez of Fender. “Dhani is a world-leading talent and we are seeing more demand for ukulele instruments than ever – so this collaboration made total sense to us.

“Dhani worked hand-in-hand with us to create his ideal ukulele, incorporating design elements that are deeply personal to him, which we hope will encourage people all over the world to express their own individuality and creativity.”

The Dhani Harrison Signature Ukulele is available now for $250. For more information, head to Fender.

Harley Benton is no stranger to the ukulele game. Its range of paradise-inducing mini-strummers already includes a DIY Concert Ukulele Kit and pair of Hawaiian artwork-adorned models, to name a few, and it's expanded further with the all-new UK-12 Stain Ash.

With a body crafted from stained ash wood – as its name suggests – this new soprano-sized addition boasts a basswood neck with a 17-fret roseacer fingerboard, a single black body binding and an ABS nut and saddle.

• Just starting out? Check out our guide to the best beginner ukuleles

Other features include a body-matched headstock, black button tuners and side-positioned fret markers at frets five, seven, 10 and 12. Each purchase also comes with a gigbag.

Available in a rainbow of finishes, including Blue, Red, Natural, Green, Yellow, Purple, the UK-12 Stain Ash retails at an astonishing $27.

For more information, head to Harley Benton.

Luna Guitars has introduced its new line of Vineyard Series ukuleles, which arrive in the form of the Vineyard Koa Bevel tenor and concert models.

The high-end ukes have been designed for beginners and veterans alike, playing on the symbolic growth of a vine to draw comparisons to the "creative growth" of musicians.

Both the tenor and concert iterations of the ukulele sport koa back and sides, as well as a solid A-grade flat koa top, which is complemented by an intricate pearl vine rosette inlay. Both models feature an ergonomic bevel contour for comfortable playability.

The vineyard imagery continues elsewhere, appearing in the form a decorative pearl vine inlay on the 18-fret rosewood fretboard, which sits on top of a C-shape mahogany neck.

A bone nut, rosewood bridge, open-gear tuners, and single-ply rosewood binding are all included for added sophistication.

Other universal features include Fishman's Kula ukulele preamp system, which boasts an onboard three-band EQ and an integrated tuner.

The only spec separating the models is the scale length – while the tenor ukulele features a 17" scale length, the slightly smaller concert version comes equipped with a 15" scale.

The Lunar Vineyard Koa Bevel tenor and concert ukuleles are available now for $499 and $449, including a padded gigbag.

Visit Lunar Guitars for more information.

In the world of guitar, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know who Fender is. Responsible for some of the world’s most iconic electric guitars, acoustic guitars and bass guitars, Fender has ploughed this expertise and experience into their revolutionary online guitar lessons platform, Fender Play. 

We’ve all got more time on our hands this winter, and how better to spend that time than learning to play guitar with 50% off an annual plan with Fender Play this MLK weekend using the discount code winter50 – knocking the price down from $89.99 to just $44.99. You’ll also save 10% on gear on the Fender store, including brand new guitars and amps.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned expert, there’s always something new to learn. Fender Play allows you to track your progress so you can keep an eye on how your skills are developing, and with bite-sized lessons you no longer need to set aside hours of your day to learn a new riff or chord progression. Fender has assembled a highly qualified team of instructors and industry professionals to guide you through the content too, ensuring that you won’t be picking up those bad playing habits that so many people spend years trying to unlearn.

For those who prefer four strings (whether that’s bass guitar or ukulele), Fender Play has something in store for you too. You’ll have an extensive library of backing tracks to help your musicianship, and over 70 easy and fun song-based lessons to get you on the right track. There’s also a collection of quick 5 minute lessons, for when you’re learning on the go. 

Fender Play is available for desktop or mobile devices.

• Find out more: read our Fender Play review
• Check out the best Fender Play deals online right now 

 Beginner gear guides

• New to guitar? Check out the best beginner electric guitars
• Or the best acoustic guitars for beginners
• Explore our pick of the best beginner bass guitars
• Get started with beginner guitar gear essentials and accessories 

While Harley Benton is known for being a brand that deals in affordable instruments, it certainly doesn't shy away from producing eye-catching designs. Extending its already vast ukulele offering, the company has announced two new models, each adorned with Hawaiian tattoo-style artwork.

The Hawaii Concert Spruce Tattoo and Hawaii Soprano Spruce Tattoo both feature solid spruce tops with mahogany backs and sides, okoume necks and rosewood fingerboards and bridges.

The concert-sized model is naturally larger than the soprano, and as such features 17 frets as opposed to the soprano's 15.

Harley Benton says the Concert version sports wider fret spacing, making it “slightly easier to handle for learners or players transitioning from guitar.”

The launch follows the company's Concert Ukulele DIY Kit, which allows aspiring luthiers to build their own ukulele.

The Hawaii Concert Spruce Tattoo and Hawaii Soprano Spruce Tattoo are available now for $90 and $80, respectively. For more information, head over to Harley Benton.

Affordable music gear purveyor Harley Benton has expanded its range of DIY instruments with a ready-to-assemble concert ukulele kit.

The new addition joins the company's existing DIY guitar kits lineup aimed at aspiring luthiers, which includes kits for single-cut, double-cut, Strat-, Jazzmaster- and Tele-style electric guitars, as well as a soprano ukulele model.

The Concert Ukulele DIY Kit includes all the pre-cut wood pieces, tuners and strings needed to create a fully fledged, functioning instrument. Builders will, however, need some tools of their own.

While the wood included in the kit is pre-treated, users can paint or decorate it to their personal taste.

Says Harley Benton, “Building an instrument gives valuable insight into the luthier’s craft and provides players with first-hand experience of how the components combine, and how each part shapes the instrument’s feel and sound.”

The Concert Ukulele DIY Kit is available now for £18.90/€20.40/$20.65. For more information, head to Harley Benton.

Fender only recently unveiled its Billie Eilish ukulele, but the signature four-string has already found a fan in Gerard Way.

The My Chemical Romance singer posted a photo of his new Eilish uke to his Instagram page, writing, “So one of my friends, favorite people in the world, and patron of the arts, Michael Schulz, worked with his company @fender to collab with very cool musician @billieeilish on her rad looking and sounding ukulele. They were kind enough to send this to B and Linds and myself so I wanted to post a picture of it in our garden.

“It has a really interesting pattern on it, and you can plug it in, so now I’m going to plug this into a fuzz pedal and see what happens. I may report back with my findings. It’s fun to play.

Way also hinted that the uke may even wind up on a future recording. “I don’t normally play ukulele,” he wrote, “but I did in fact recently write a song called Ukulele Songs, which is about ukulele songs. I may share that. I’m not sure, but if I record it, I will use this ukulele. Have a good Saturday. Congrats on the uke, Billie!”

The Billie Eilish Ukulele boasts a sapele top, back and sides, and comes finished in matte black, adorned with the artist’s trademark ‘blohsh’ symbol. There’s also Fishman Kula electronics, complete with volume, bass, middle and treble controls and a built-in tuner.

For more information on the uke, head to Fender.

Despite an astonishing number of product announcements this year, Fender is far from finished for 2020, as it launches a signature ukulele for pop music prodigy Billie Eilish.

Eilish’s signature concert-sized model features sapele top, back and sides, finished in matte black and adorned with the artist’s trademark ‘blohsh’ symbol.

Fender is promising a stage-ready instrument, thanks to Fishman Kula electronics, complete with volume, bass, middle and treble controls, and a built-in tuner.

Other features include a no-tie bridge, nato neck, walnut fingerboard, bone nut, and four-in-line, black-finished Tele headstock.

The ukulele was the first instrument Eilish learned, and continues to be her main writing and recording tool - Fender recently added six Billie Eilish songs to its Fender Play learning platform for others to learn.

“The ukulele was the first instrument I learned,” said Eilish. “It’s where I started writing, and where I found new ways of writing that I had never tried before. It inspires a different kind of writing. 

“The rules of the ukulele are simple, and basically if you know three chords you can play almost any song. I hope my Fender Signature ukulele inspires people to start playing, and start writing; anyone can do it.”

The Billie Eilish Uke is available now for $299 - see Fender for more info.

It marks the latest addition to Fender’s rapidly expanding line-up of ukuleles, which was bolstered by Fullerton ukes in Tele, Strat and Jazzmaster shapes earlier this year.

If you’re looking to learn to play guitar, bass or ukulele, Fender Play is one of the most complete online guitar lessons packages out there - and now the guitar giant is offering three months of free lessons to celebrate the platform’s addition of six songs from Grammy-winning phenomenon Billie Eilish.

Guitar and ukulele players can now learn Eilish songs &burn, my strange addiction, ocean eyes, Six Feet Under, watch and when the party’s over.

Fender Play boasts a rapidly expanding series of lessons, covering a wide array of genres and artists, all delivered by professional instructors.

Nearly one million people have signed up during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world seeks a way to destress and reduce anxiety.

To get your free three-month trial - and be in with a chance of winning a ukulele signed by Billie Eilish herself - head over to Fender.com.

• Find out more: read our Fender Play review
• Check out the best Fender Play deals online right now

Since it went from a pillar of jazz to a largely mass-produced plastic instrument manufactured by the millions in the '40s, '50s and '60s, the ukulele has been on the receiving end of a fair share of scorn from guitarists. This criticism though, isn't terribly fair.

In defense of the ukulele, we here at Guitar World have collected 10 videos that show the versatility and usefulness of this lovely four-stringed instrument. 

• Best ukuleles: acoustic and electric ukes for every budget

1. Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - Ain't She Sweet

Taken from the 1995 Anthology  documentary series, here the surviving Beatles get together on a summer day at Harrison's house. Harrison, who was a big fan of the ukulele, leads this casual sing-along of Ain't She Sweet, a tune the Beatles performed in their earliest days. A very cool moment to see these  musical giants gathered around a uke.

2. Jake Shimabukuro - While My Guitar Gently Weeps 

Racking up over 16 million views on YouTube - and one of the site's first viral videos - this clip introduced modern day ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro to the world. Since then, the Hawaiian-born musician has become a living legend of the instrument, and this is the video that started it all. 

3. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World Medley

A  list of the top ukulele moments would not be complete without Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. Known to his fans as Iz, the musician passed away in 1997, but his medley of Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World has become ingrained in Hawaiian culture, living on in countless films and shows. 

4. Eddie Vedder - Sleeping By Myself

Though he's best known as the frontman for durable hard-rockers Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder has always had a huge soft spot for the uke. Soon Forget - a solo uke-and-vocals track from Pearl Jam's 2000 album, Binaural - served as a preview of Ukulele Songs, a 2011 album from Vedder comprised entirely of just his unmistakable voice and a ukulele as accompaniment. 

Sleeping By Myself is one of the album's standout cuts, a beautiful, forlorn track that shows Vedder at the peak of his songwriting prowess.  

5. Taimane Gardner - Live in San Diego

Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner, who has been playing since she was knee-high to Don Ho, kicks things off in this incredible clip with a version of the James Bond theme before moving into Stairway to Heaven territory - and well beyond. 

6. Roy Smeck's tapping technique

Not only was Roy Smeck extremely proficient on the ukulele, he wasn't too  bad on banjo and guitar either, earning him the nickname Wizard of the Strings. Here he's featured in an old film demonstrating a tapping technique decades before Eddie Van Halen.

7. Queen - Good Company

While Brian May is well-known for his homemade Red Special guitar, he also played ukulele or banjolele on some of Queen's material - a  perfect example being Good Company. 

Taken from the band's breakthrough LP, A Night at the Opera, the chord progression was written by May during his early grade school years when he first learned to play the uke.

8. Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

I can see you rolling your eyes, but unless you've been living in a cave for  the last decade, you've heard this song once, twice, or a few million times. There's a reason though, that Jason Mraz was able to launch himself into record-breaking ubiquity with I'm Yours. 

Mraz gets an impressive amount of mileage out of the song's bright, bone-simple riff, which starts out - as shown in  the live video above - on a uke. 

9. Honoka & Azita - Bodysurfing

Honoka Katayama and Azita Ganjali were 15 & 13, respectively, when this astounding display of ukulele virtuosity was recorded. The Hawaiian instrumentalists were named MVPs of the 2013 International Ukulele Contest in Honolulu and - from the video above - it's easy to see why.

10. James Hill - Voodoo Child

You can definitely be forgiven for not immediately thinking "ukulele" when Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Child, comes up, but this video may change that. Here, ace ukulele player James Hill manages a very faithful and convincing Voodoo Child cover with just his ukulele. Makes you wonder what Hendrix would've done with a ukulele in his hands...

Fender first unveiled its Fullerton Ukulele Series at winter NAMM, and now the line, which features ukes in Tele, Strat and Jazzmaster shapes, has been officially launched.

The impressive new ukes feature laminated spruce tops, maple necks, laminated walnut fingerboards and Fender-designed preamp systems controlled via a single tone knob.

There's also a no-tie bridge that, according to Fender, “makes string changes a breeze in comparison to traditional ukulele bridges that require special knotting.”

The ukes are available in traditional model colors – Butterscotch Blonde and Black for the Tele and Three-Tone Sunburst and Black for the Strat. The Jazzmaster, meanwhile, is offered in Olympic White and Tidepool, which you may recognize from the Player Series.

The Fullerton Series Ukuleles are available for $199.99 each, and Fender is giving free uke lessons via Fender Play to the first one million people to sign up.

For more information, head to Fender.

We spend a lot of time here writing about new and cool electric guitars, but let's take a minute to check out Lava Music's impressive and unusual Lava U, a preamp-equipped carbon fiber ukulele.

The Lava U sports a one-piece body constructed of the company’s AirSonic carbon fiber, a low-density, high stiffness material that Lava touts as “highly resistant against extreme changing of temperature and humidity.”

Other unique features on the Lava U include a BreathNet Bionic structure soundboard, L2 mini preamp system that offers reverb, delay and chorus, and FreeBoost technology, which uses the back of the instrument as a speaker and allows for playing with effects without plugging into an amp.

The ukulele comes in six sparkle pearl powder matte finishes (red, pink, purple, black, blue and gold), as well as with an incredible cool-looking Space Case.

The Lava U is available in 23- and 26-inch versions, starting at $299.

For more information, head to Lava Music.

NAMM 2020: Thanks to an influx in ukulele covers being used to sell products on television adverts - as well as, of course, the ever-enduring popularity of folk music - these miniature instruments have never been more in demand. And now, thanks to Fender, they are available in a choice of classic colors and body shapes with a custom-voiced preamp system. 

Designed with every kind of player in mind, from beginners to experts, all of the new models incorporate a laminated Spruce top, a maple neck with a laminated walnut fingerboard and tone controls to alter the voice of the Fender preamp system.

The Fullerton Telecaster Ukulele is available in Butterscotch Blonde or Black, with the classic Tele headstock and nickel hardware. Similarly the Strat comes with the headstock you’d be hoping for, finished in either black or sunburst.

Perhaps the biggest departure from traditional ukulele design arrives with the eye-watering Jazzmaster option, complete with a pickguard and premium finish choices of Olympic White or Tidepool.

Whether you’ve looking to develop your ukulele chops or simply want something that looks cool and collectable to hang up in the music room, the Fender Fullertons will be worthy of consideration.

For more information, head to Fender.

Rob Scallon and Sarah Longfield have rocked out on ukulele covers of Slayer songs before, but never with as much shreddy, bloody goodness as they do on this rendition of the band’s “Piece By Piece,” which originally appeared, in uke-less form, on their 1986 album Reign in Blood.

Make it to the end of clip and you might be cowering in a corner just like the flower-adorned ukulele group here.

For more from Rob Scallon, check him out on YouTube.

Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and George Harrison all did it, so why can’t I? After a quick Google search, I found out that Marilyn Monroe and Dwayne The Rock Johnson did too. What’s that? They all played ukulele.

Sound Smith and I were in the middle of setting up a review for one of their new acoustic guitars, but when stock was limited they asked, “Any interest in a resonator ukulele?” I said, “Sure!”

Before this I hadn’t played much ukulele, but since being a working guitarist in this era sometimes means being your own tech, studio bassist and travel agent, why not add some ukulele skills to that list?

A resonator ukulele has the same goal as a resonator guitar; volume! Instead of a soundhole like you’d see on an acoustic, a resonator catches the string’s vibrations from the bridge and reflects them off a metal disc like a speaker.

The resonator cover is chrome-plated brass with a walnut biscuit and a maple bridge saddle. The 17-fret neck features a walnut fretboard and the body is made with mahogany for the top, back and sides. It ships in a generously padded soft case and comes with Aquila strings.

While the Resonator Ukulele is imported, it’s inspected by Sound Smith’s luthier before it leaves Bend, Oregon. I’ve been skeptical of other companies that claim a luthier inspection, but in this case, the fret ends were smooth, the action was comfortable and the cream binding and satin finish looked great all around!

After a couple minutes a day of studying chord charts and watching YouTube lessons over a few weeks, here’s my ukulele debut. For the sound clips, I used a Shure PG27 large diaphragm condenser microphone about a foot back positioned halfway between the neck and the bridge of the ukulele.

Clip One: Here are some chords strummed first with a Fender Medium celluloid pick, followed by the same chord pattern played using the nail of my index finger. While the pick is brighter and easier to get a consistent sound, you can hear more of the resonator’s tone when played with fingers.

Clip Two: To demonstrate some single note playing, here’s a 12-bar blues that I fingerpicked until the end, when I strummed using my index finger.

For more on the Sound Smith Resonator Ukulele ($249), head on over to soundsmithegear.com.

Recently, I was laid up from surgery and under doctor's orders not to lift anything heavier than a tea kettle for a month. First off, thank you kidney stones. Secondly, doctors here in England apparently use the tea kettle as the standard unit of weight. Which gives you an idea what British doctors spend most of their free time doing.

Like any rational person, when I got home from the hospital I immediately googled, 'How much does a tea kettle weigh?' followed by a request to my wife to put my guitars on our kitchen scale.

The result showed that I needed an alternative to even my lightest parlor acoustic.

It occurred to me that maybe I should try a ukulele, as a lighter form of an at least vaguely guitar-like instrument.

Some more googling followed, this leading me to a website that said tenor ukuleles weigh somewhere south of a pound and a half. That's less than two-thirds of a tea kettle, to put it in medical terms.

So next stop, Amazon. After doing a little horizontal shopping as I lay in bed, I ordered a uke (which is what we ukulele aficionados call them, as opposed to f*cking annoying, which is what everyone else calls them). I bought a solid-spruce-top tenor model— including a gigbag that could double as a pillow case if you're not worried about damaging your pillow—for £45 (about $60.)

So, on the second day of my bed rest, the uke arrived, and I happily started plunking away. Here's what I found out initially about ukuleles:

• The ratio between time spent tuning a cheap uke and playing one is around 2:1.
• They are loud. Who knew? Probably everyone who doesn't like them.
• That's pretty much all guitarists.
• They're actually good instruments for making music.

And here you have the problem. Guitarists tend to think of the ukulele as a guitar for people who can't handle more than four strings. But ukuleles are–and I am as shocked as you by this—instruments in their own right.

Moreover, because they have a lot in common with guitars yet have their own voice, they make a great addition to the guitarist's toolset.

To begin with, ukuleles have nylon strings, like a classical guitar. If you don't already have a classical guitar, a ukulele can add some high, sweet, guitar-like tones to a mix.

Ukes can take you out of ingrained musical habits by making you play and think differently while still making use of what you know from the guitar.

Plus ukuleles are small, light, cheap, and make great travel instruments.

Not counting somewhat specialist models like the baritone and sopranino, ukuleles come in three standard sizes:

• Soprano: This is the archetypal ukulele, with a 13" scale length. Unless you have the hands of a child, you might not be able to play too easily beyond first-position chords.
• Concert: The 15" scale is better but not nearly large enough for me. I know that's longer than a mandolins scale, but there's something about the nylon strings that just fights playing them on a 15" scale. Again, at least for me.
• Tenor: With the 17" scale, I can actually play barre chords and solos past the third fret. It's also louder and less plinky than the other two. And we all hate plinky.

Regardless of size, all three ukuleles are tuned to the same pitch: GCEA. You can think of this as playing the top four strings of a guitar, with a capo at the fifth fret, and the bottom string tuned an octave up. This is called re-entrant tuning.

If this is too un-guitarlike, you can always tune the fourth string to a regular G, called linear tuning, but this requires a heavier string.

Once you’ve got your uke tuned up (a normal guitar tuner works just fine for this), skip the happy strumming and learn some fingerpicked chord-melody work. Yes, the ukulele is perfectly capable of doing that. In fact, the first two songs I learned were The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun"—because basically it already sounds and plays like a uke song—and Jake Shimabukuro's version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Move away from the "Tiptoe through the Tulips" repertoire and you'll find that there's plenty to keep a guitarist happy. Maybe not quite Tiny Tim happy, but what's good enough for George Harrison, Brian May, Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, Steven Tyler, Pete Townshend and moonwalker Neil Armstrong is good enough for me.

William Baeck is a writer, photographer and hack guitarist living in London. You can check out his webpage at williambaeck.com and reach him on Facebook and Twitter.

Córdoba has debuted its new 21 Series ukuleles. The ukuleles feature solid spruce tops and striped ebony back and sides for a guitar-inspired look and sound.

The ukuleles feature a satin finish, hand-inlaid wooden rope rosette, and matching purfling. The striped ebony features a high-contrast wood grain pattern, making each ukulele unique.

Each 21 Series ukulele is available in four sizes from soprano to baritone, and with a tenor cutaway-electric option.

21S (Soprano): $179.99 MAP • $235 MSRP

21C (Concert): $189.99 MAP • $245 MSRP

21T (Tenor): $199.99 MAP • $260 MSRP

21T-CE (Tenor with Electronics): $229.99 MAP • $300 MSRP

21B (Baritone): $209.99 MAP • $270 MSRP

For more info, stop by cordobaguitars.com.

At this year’s Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, D’Angelico Guitars is set to show off its 2017 Deluxe Series, new options in its Excel Series and an all-new line of ukuleles—just in time for summer.

Also on display will be the Bob Weir Signature SS, which has been on tour with Weir across the country with Dead & Company.

Additionally, the Limited Edition Elvis Presley Excel 175 will be on display as an homage to Memphis’ hometown king of rock and roll. D’Angelico will be at Booth 1333, where they will be giving away free packs of their new Electrozinc strings and conducting a guitar giveaway.

Committed to being at the forefront of marrying modern aesthetics and construction with vintage-style instruments, D’Angelico has continued to prove its innovation by integrating new features into the Deluxe and Excel Series. For the Deluxes, striking matte finishes combined with custom-made pickups from Seymour Duncan and TV Jones, Jescar fretwire, Grover locking tuners, and a six-way toggle switch for coil-tapping on double-humbucker models—D’Angelico’s newest finish options are uniquely bold, ideal for a limited release.

In the Excel Series, D’Angelico is introducing two new models, the DC Shoreline and SS Shoreline—new options on two of its most popular models. Rather than double humbuckers, the Shoreline guitars are strapped with P-90’s and a Bigsby B-50 for a modern look and sound. Perfect for a summer introduction, the Shorelines are available in Vintage White, Indigo and Surf Green.

For more information, visit dangelicoguitars.com.

Kahuna Ukuleles is pleased to announce the new Felix the Cat line of graphic ukuleles in collaboration with renowned Felix artist Don Oriolo and Oriolo Guitars.

The line will feature four designs of the legendary cartoon cat in both soprano and concert ukulele sizes; additionally, two new Oriolo-designed graphics will be released in tandem. The new ukuleles will be available in October 2016 on the brand-new Kahuna website, kahunaukes.com.

Felix the Cat has been an internationally recognized cartoon superstar for decades, remaining an unparalleled pop culture icon nearly a century later. Don Oriolo, son of Felix co-creator Joe Oriolo, has been in control of the Felix franchise since 1985, successfully implementing numerous licensing, merchandising, and marketing strategies for the legendary character. He has recently made a deal with DreamWorks, who will shepherd Felix into the future of film, TV and merchandising.

Now that Don and Oriolo Guitars are teaming with veteran manufacturers AP International (Floyd Rose), the popular feline figure will adorn their quality Kahuna instruments, auspiciously bringing together the music and animation worlds.

To find out more, visit kahunaukes.com.

D’Addario Accessories has announced its new Ukulele Humidifier Pro.

The Ukulele Humidifier Pro is D’Addario’s first humidifier designed to fit in the soundhole of a ukulele. Based on the design of their Guitar Humidifier Pro, this version contains an easy-to-remove rubber cap and a hydrophilic sponge in a smaller size that is perfect for a ukulele. The humidifier’s stopper provides a tight seal when in place and allows the player to check the sponge status without removal of the unit.

The specialized sponge holds 12 times its dry weight in water, far more than an ordinary sponge, which allows for longer periods between refills, and increases protection in drier environments. Suspended by the strings, the humidifier releases moisture evenly and slowly inside the ukulele, yet never touches the instrument’s body.

Maintaining the humidifier is as fast and simple as moistening the sponge when it becomes dry, making it easier to preserve instruments’ ultimate playability in even the driest conditions, by guarding against cracks, warped necks, and shrinkage.

D’Addario has always had a passion for creating innovative products to inspire musicians to play and perform with the finest accessories, but they also advocate proper care, maintenance, and treatment of musical instruments. From their top-selling Two-Way Humidification System to their Bluetooth-sensor Humiditrak launched earlier this year, D’Addario Accessories believes maintaining an instrument’s humidity level is both critical and essential to preserving its playability, integrity, and sound.

The D’Addario Ukulele Humidifier Pro will be available August 15. To find out more, visit daddario.com.

Here’s a sweet giveaway brought to you by Twenty One Pilots, Luna Ukuleles and the fine folks at Fueled By Ramen.

Not only will you get this gorgeous Maluhia Concert ukulele from Luna, but you’ll get this entire pack of goodies:

· Luna Ukulele with black canvas gig bag!
· Dog Days Guitars UKE Strap
· Twenty One Pilots Black Canvas Tote, Signed Blurryface CD and Signed Poster.

About the Luna Maluhia Concert Ukulele

"Maluhia" means peace in Hawaiian. The Peace design on this concert uke is a very special one for us here at Luna as it embodies a philosophy we hold dear. It features a laser cut peace sign at the sound hole and the word "peace" in different languages forming a graceful continuum across the soundboard. So, go forth and raise smiles through music….the universal language!

Find out more here lunaguitars.com

About Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots, recently released their sophomore studio album, Blurryface. The first single, “Fairly Local,” debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Top Rock Songs chart with the companion music video amassing upwards of 2 Million views on Fueled By Ramen’s official YouTube Channel.

Long hailed as one of the most energizing live acts in any contemporary genre, Twenty One Pilots has spent much of their summer knocking out happy throngs at such international festivals as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, Belgium’s Pukkelpop, and Montreal’s Osheaga Festival Musique et Arts. More about Twenty One Pilots here www.twentyonepilots.com

The band is set to head out on their Blurryface North American Tour. See dates here:

• TWENTY ONE PILOTS
• 09.11 Philadelphia, PA @ Festival Pier
• 09.12 Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
• 09.13 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
• 09.15 New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
• 09.18 Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
• 09.19 Rochester Hills, MI @ Meadow Brook Pavilion
• 09.20 Indianapolis, IN @ Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn At White River State Park
• 09.22 Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
• 09.23 Papillion, NE @ Sumter Amphitheater
• 09.26 Manga, UT @ Great Salt Air
• 09.27 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• 09.29 Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theater
• 10.06 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
• 10.08 Orlando, FL @ House Of Blues
• 10.11 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
• 10.15 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
• 10.16 San Diego, CA @ SDSU Open Air Theatre
• 10.17 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
• 10.20 Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades
• 10.22 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
• 10.23 Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theater
• 10.25 Boise, ID @ Revolution Events Center
• 10.26 Bozeman, MT @ Theater At The Brick
• 10.28 Sioux Falls, SD @ The District
• 10.29 St. Paul, MN @ Myth
• 10.30 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom

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We've watched ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro deliver some amazing performances live in the Acoustic Nation studio.

We've had a wonderful chat with him about his latest album, his gear, touring, recording and so much more.

Now things get hands on.

Here Shimabukuro sits down with Acoustic Nation editor Laura B. Whitmore and shares some ukulele basics that are sure to get you strumming.

So grab whatever ukulele you have handy and play along!

View the lesson here:

Find out more about what's up with Jake Shimabukuro at http://jakeshimabukuro.com/

Everyone's been talking about the Doof Warrior in Mad Max: Fury Road.

He rides atop a rig loaded with speaker cabinets and plays a flame-throwing guitar.

It turns out one YouTube user figured out how to create a flame-throwing instrument, and he’s created a step-by-step video to demonstrate it.

In the video below, Caleb, a YouTube user with Make Magazine, shows how he built a flamethrower into a ukulele. OK, so it’s not a guitar, but a ukulele is a good and affordable piece place to start with project like this. You wouldn’t want to risk turning your favorite ax into a torch.

Besides, as Caleb explains in the video, “I don’t live in the post-apocalyptic desert. I live in the Midwest. So I had to take it down a notch.”

Caleb also talks about safety precautions to take when tackling a project like this. On that note, we should point out that we are presenting this video for entertainment purposes only. So kids, please, don’t try this at home!

Need a ukulele pick-me-up?

This video’s for you.

Watch as Hawaiian ukulele goddess Taimane Gardner takes the instrument to a new level with this impressive medley.

Performing the Latin classic “Tico Tico” along with pieces of the Mission Impossible and James Bond themes, Gardner leaps and dances around the room gazing at the audience – almost without ever looking down.

At the age of five, Taimane picked up her first ukulele and began her future in performing. Playing on the streets of Waikiki, HI, she was discovered by legendary crooner Don Ho and became a featured performer in his show.

Today she has performed around the world, opening for Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Isaak, and many more.

Watch the medley below and be amazed!

Find out more at www.taimane.com.

Led Zeppelin and the ukulele might be an unlikely combination, but this rendition of “Kashmir” is on point!

The cover is performed by Bartt Warburton and James Hill, two ukulele players hailing from Australia and Canada, respectively.

Warburton and Hill not only do an excellent job of keeping the song’s groove in tact, but they nail Robert Plant’s vocal line too.

So who are these guys?

Hill is currently enjoying success with the release of his latest album Man With a Love Song, which blends jazz, bluegrass, old-time and folk influences with ukulele. Find out more at jameshillmusic.com.

Warburton, also known as Ukulele Bartt, has developed a series of instructional DVD’s and books devoted to learning ukulele. You can check them out, as well as many of his ukulele cover videos, at bartt.net.

Watch the duo perform “Kashmir” below and enjoy!

Here's a video demo along with a song performance that includes a run through of product features of this cool, fun instrument.

Acoustic Nation editor Laura B. Whitmore talks features and then performs an original song on this ukulele that we're giving away during the month of April 2014!

Fender®'s ukuleles feature a new bracing patterns, arched backs, thicker fingerboards, thinner headstocks, bone nuts and non-compensated bone saddles, and thinner finishes.

• This mahogany laminated model features:
• A concert shape
• Tele headstock
• Scalloped Fan bracing
• Acrylic abalone rosette
• 19 frets
• Rosewood bridge
• and more!

We're giving one of these away during the month of April 2014. So check out the video and then sign up for a chance to win!

Find out more about the Fender Ukulele Hau'oli at fender.com

This year, I returned from my annual holiday trip to my hometown with a fun new toy - a ukulele. It’s a casual instrument that most people can learn the basics of in a day or two, and if you play guitar you could probably learn to play a song in minutes. I immediately got “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz under my belt and was left wondering what else I could do with my beautiful, tiny instrument.

I googled “ukulele music” and was not surprised to find a lot of Hawaiian, tropical sounding music. In other words, a lot of “cute” music. Cute can get real boring, real fast. I set out on a virtual quest to find people who are doing unique, musically deep, non-cute things with the ukulele. Hopefully some of my finds will inspire you to experiment with the ukulele, or any instrument, in a new way.

tUnE-yArDs
My first choice is “Powa” by tUnE-yArDs, the moniker for the eccentric Merrill Garbus. This lady isn’t looking for “cute.” In the New York Times she said, “I definitely made it my goal to make the ukulele sound not like the ukulele.” Perfect. The use of amplification and overdrive adds an edge that makes the instrument so much more interesting.

Beirut
I’ve been a fan of Beirut for a long time now, so I had to include “Postcards From Italy,” written by frontman and ukulele player Zach Condon. The ukulele part itself is fairly simple, but there is a heaviness to it that drew me in. Combined with a full band arrangement in the style of Sufjan Stevens (including a trumpet) it sounds like pure nostalgia to me.

Umin
This next artist kind of blew me away at first listen. Based in Covington, Kentucky, experimental musician Umin uses the ukulele in a truly masterful and new way. His newest release, Altiv, is an instrumental album which layers the baritone ukulele with a vast array of digital sounds. Using sequencing, sampling, and looping he’s created a hypnotic experience.

Ings
Inge Chiles is the creative mind behind the group Ings. Yes, she’s a girl who plays ukulele and sings, but she’s definitely more than that. She’s got artistic vision. The addition of a full band (including dreamy electric guitars and reverb-drenched tambourine) to her doubled vocals and occasional tinkling of bells is a convincing argument for the use of the ukulele in indie alternative music.

James Hill
This next find is the only video I’m including of someone using just a ukulele. Okay, he also uses a stick and a comb. James Hill is a classically trained Canadian musician who plays the ukulele like no one else. I don’t really know how he does what he does in this video, which makes it all the more fascinating. Let’s just say there’s a hip hop section and leave it at that.

Buke and Gase
Buke and Gase (formerly Buke and Gass) is a Brooklyn-based duo named after their homemade instruments. They both use one foot to play percussion and another to control effect pedals. Heavy polyrhythms and plenty of harmonic dissonance makes this baritone-uke based music the antithesis of cute, tropical, and happy-go-lucky.

Daniel Rojas
Film composer Daniel Rojas scored the soundtrack to the short film “Restoring the Light,” about a Chinese eye doctor who sells his home to establish an independent mobile clinic for the underserved in rural China. In the track “Hair Wash” the ukulele is the centerpiece. Layered tracks create an ambient, but organic soundscape. Daniel used the ukulele percussively, banging and pitch-shifting to create a cajon-like sound.

Jonathan Coulton
My last choice is for the gamers and nerds out there. Jonathan Coulton composed the song “Still Alive” for the video game Portal. “Still Alive” is sung by a fictional artificial intelligence computer system who is narcissistic, passive-aggressive, sinister, and witty. Sarcasm + Artificial Intelligence + Ukulele. What could be better?

Kaela Sinclair is a 23 year old indie musician from Denton, TX. Sinclair’s debut LP, Sun & Mirror, was called “...one of the best albums to emerge from the DFW area thus far in 2013” by DFW.com and is available for purchase now on iTunes under “New and Noteworthy.” It features producer and drummer McKenzie Smith (Midlake, Regina Spektor, St. Vincent) and names like Buffi Jacobs (Polyphonic Spree) and Daniel Hart (Broken Social Scene, St. Vincent, Dark Rooms). For music, tour dates, videos, and more visit www.facebook.com/kaelasinclairmusic, www.kaelasinclair.com, www.twitter.com/kaelasinclair

At last week's Winter NAMM show, Guitar World headed straight for the Builder's Reserve in the Taylor booth to check out Taylor's first-ever ukulele.

These tenor ukes are made out of the same Hawaiian koa wood used for Taylor's guitars -- but from smaller pieces the company has been saving for years. They are designed by Taylor's Andy Powers, who has been making ukuleles since he was a little kid!

For more info, check out the video below.

For more about Taylor, visit their official website. And be sure to check out all the latest NAMM videos, photos and new-product information at our special NAMM 2012 page.