Ukuleles come in all price ranges. Thousands of colorful ukuleles have been sold across the Nordic countries in recent years. It was also in the wake of the ukulele boom that swept across Scandinavia in the early 2000s that what is now Nordisk Ukulele was founded.
What many people don't know, or perhaps don't consider, is that there is an enormous difference between a cheap instrument and one that costs a bit more.
Playability and String Action Affordable ukuleles often have (too) high string action. This means you have to press much harder to get a sound from the string. For a beginner, this makes it unnecessarily difficult to play, and fingers tire more quickly.
At Nordisk Ukulele, we ensure that every instrument has a comfortable string action before it leaves the store – regardless of the price range. To be honest, we ensure that the comfortable string action is in place even BEFORE the ukulele arrives at the store.
Intonation – Does it sound in tune? The higher up the neck you play, the more important it is that the distance between the bridge and nut is accurate. Without correct assembly and construction, the notes will be out of tune when you fret higher up the neck. Affordable ukuleles are often carelessly assembled, which means they never sound completely in tune.
Buzzing and Unwanted Noises A neck or fretboard must be perfectly straight. Cheap ukuleles often have either a neck that is crooked already when it leaves the factory, or a neck that slowly bends after humidity and temperature have fluctuated a few times. A crooked neck or poorly fitted frets are common reasons why a ukulele sounds bad. This prevents the string from vibrating freely, leading to shorter sustain and lower volume.
It pays to spend more If you choose to go up a bit in price, you get an instrument that is easier to play, sounds better, and lasts longer. A good starting point for a beginner should be at least 900 – 1,500 Norwegian kroner to ensure lasting playing enjoyment.
