Ukulele Price Guide: Current Values & Sales

Ukuleles are among the least expensive instruments to start on, which is part of their appeal. Prices still spread more than newcomers expect, from simple laminate sopranos to handmade koa instruments aimed at professionals.

Size is the first choice. Soprano is the smallest and most traditional, concert is a little larger, tenor larger again, and baritone is the biggest. Larger sizes give more room for the fingers, and some players find that easier.

Kala is one of the best-known ukulele makers in the United States, so its prices are a useful reference. Its Makala MK-S soprano lists at $65, and the KA-15S satin mahogany soprano at $69. A teak concert, the KA-TEAK-C, lists at $89. Sweetwater lists the KA-S mahogany series soprano at $89.

Moving to a built-in pickup raises the price. Chuck Levin's lists the Makala MK-CE concert with EQ at $169 and the KA-TG mahogany gloss tenor at $229, both at the maker's suggested retail price. Martin, a guitar maker, sells a soprano too, and the Martin S1 lists at $449.99 at Sweetwater.

Wood is the biggest factor. Laminate bodies are cheaper and sturdy, while solid mahogany and solid koa cost more and are often chosen for tone. Tuners, nut and saddle material, and finish quality also vary. Gear tuners hold pitch better than friction pegs on many instruments, though that is a general pattern.

A brand with a long history, such as Martin, can charge more for a similar size, and a maker's higher lines add inlays, binding, and hand finishing. For a first ukulele, the difference you will notice most is how well it stays in tune.

At the top of Kala's range, the Revelator line uses solid Hawaiian koa. The Nautilus koa tenor, NS-KOA-T, lists at $1,999, the baritone version at $2,199, and the Emperor Nautilus koa tenor at $3,299.

Several of these are marked out of stock or backordered, so stock changes. They are aimed at experienced players and collectors, and they are not a sensible first purchase.

A mid-priced soprano or concert from a known brand is a safe start. The cheapest models sometimes have uneven frets or tuners that slip, and these problems make learning harder. A shop that checks the instrument before shipping is worth some extra money.

If you have large hands, try a concert or tenor. If you want the classic bright sound, try a soprano. A local music shop lets you hold several to compare.

A local shop lets you hear the instrument and have it tuned and checked, and many will adjust the setup for free or a small fee. Online sellers often offer broader choice and lower list prices, but the instrument may arrive out of tune. Check the return policy either way, and remember that retailer prices change with sales and stock.

Nylon strings stretch for the first days, so a new ukulele drifts out of tune often at first. A clip-on tuner solves this, and a case or bag protects the finish and keeps the humidity steadier, which matters more for solid wood than for laminate.

Most ukuleles do not include a case, so budget for a gig bag. A clip-on tuner, a strap, and a spare set of strings are the usual extras. Some retailers sell bundles that include these, though a bundle's total can run higher than the instrument alone.