There might be less fanatical present buying this Christmas for most gifts, but that’s not the case for ukuleles. This year ukes are selling faster than they ever have done before. The massive popularity of songs by the likes of Jason Mraz and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole on the uke have made them the must have gift this Christmas. But what is the best ukulele to get as a gift? Well, that party depends how much you’re planning on spending.
If you’re just going for something cheap but don’t want a ukulele that’s just a toy, that won’t play and will fall apart in a few minutes, then the best one to go for is a Lanikai ukulele. Lanikai are a great make of ukulele for beginners. They’re cheap and very playable. Even their cheapest range (the LU-21) is played by professional musicians. Zach Condon of Beirut played a tenor size LU-21 and Jason Mraz has a baritone Lanikai.
Another option in this price range is the Oscar Schmidt. These are made by Washburn (a company with a great reputation for guitars). They tend to be a little more expensive than the Lanikais, but generally in the same price bracket.
But I would highly recommend that you stretch your budget just a little further and get a Kala ukulele. These are great ukes. They’re not much more expensive and the quality you get for the extra money is well worth it. Their ukes look and sound great. They are well constructed and will last and last.
Whichever ukulele you decide to go for, it’ll be great for you. The uke is a wonderful instrument to play. Fun, rewarding and challenging.