Ukulele Manufacturers

Now, the ukulele industry is experiencing a rebirth, and more and more companies and individuals are coming on the scene to continue the Hawaiian tradition on the islands themselves.

It's hard to imagine a ukulele company that isn't located in the islands, but they do exist. Around 1915, mainland companies tried to capitalize on the fanatical love of the ukulele at the time by manufacturing their own version and stamping them with the words: made in Hawaii. This was done deliberately to fool people into buying ukuleles made outside Hawaii.

In a way, this very act helped to protect the legacy of the ukulele by forcing the Hawaiians to act to preserve their heritage. They trademarked the phrase, made in Hawaii, U.S.A, and petitioned to make the sale of merchandise with this stamp a misdemeanor if they were, in fact, manufactured outside the islands of Hawaii. This successfully resolved the issue of fake Hawaiian ukuleles infringing on the Hawaiian markets.

Eventually, the demand for ukulele music fell significantly at the end of the 1960's. With that demise, the number of manufacturers decreased, leaving Kamaka struggling but still alive. It wasn't until the sound of the ukulele was rediscovered and brought back through the works of people like Jumpin' Jim Beloff and his Flea Market music, that the industry went into a rebirth.

Now, the islands have many notable ukulele manufacturers. Kamaka remains as the highest-quality and oldest manufacturer of fine ukuleles. Along with them, you can also find KoAloha, who is also in a similar quality and price range. Other manufacturers on the islands include Maui Music, Ko'olau, Pono, Island and G String Ukuleles, and more.

Every now and then you even see individuals who are taking up the manufacture of ukuleles to continue this fine tradition with newer types: the fluke ukulele, for one.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, and whatever brand of uke you want, if you are in the market for a new ukulele, I strongly recommend you check out my favorite online music store, Musician's Friend . . .

What Brand Is YOUR Ukulele?

Tell others about your ukulele. What's the brand? What do you like about it? What could be better? How did you buy it? Your story will help others decide when looking for a new instrument. And don't forget to send us a nice pic of your ukulele (yes, you may be on it, too!)

Brands Other Visitors Have Talked About

C.F. Martin & Co.
I have a Martin Baritone Ukulele that my grandfather had custom made at some point in the 70's. It's beautiful and has great tone. I recently took it ...

KoAloha Super Concert
While living in Honolulu, I went to the swap and bought my first ukulele. It was an inexpensive (about $125) ukulele & case. It was a no name laminate ...

Tangi
Hi,

I got lucky and found a good deal on a used Tangi ukulele. It's beautiful and it literally makes music all by itself.

It is made of Koa, and ...

Mahalo Les Paul
Hi, I originally bought a cheap Mahalo ukulele from a local music store. I tried playing it for little while but didn't like it. I returned it and got ...

Cordoba 20TM Not rated yet
I checked out local uke stores and after handling Kala, Lanikai's (I bought one for my daughter)...I loved the feel of the finish on the Cordoba tenor....

Cordoba Not rated yet
Although I am just a beginner at playing the ukulele for just a week, I had already confirmed that this will be my life instrument to play. I bought two ...

Le Domino from before 1960 Not rated yet
I have my grandfathers Le Domino soprano, he had it before I was born, but I don't know much more than that. It is maple colored with the Le Domino logo ...

I play a Kala Soprano Ukulele Not rated yet
While growing up, my Dad played a Gibson guitar in church. Coming from a family of 9 siblings, my Dad wanted one of us to play a guitar, but I wanted to ...

Lanikai "Figured Maple" concert uke Not rated yet
A friend and I spent a weekend at a mini-convention that had a loose program of this and that, including two intro ukulele lessons. We were so non-clock-...

Kala KA-MS Not rated yet
I got this soprano uke about 18 months ago. It's the most beautiful uke i have seen and I think it looks better then the one they use on their website....

Regal Not rated yet
Actually wondering if anyone out there can help with identification of my vintage ukulele. It was a gift from my father, who is Hawaiian (born in Honolulu)...

Cordoba Not rated yet
I recently acquired a model 10CM Cordoba Concert ukulele.
I got it at Sam Ash Music. I've never owned anything so easy to learn to play on. Although it ...

Hilo Baritone from China Not rated yet
Hello,
I bought this little ukulele from a friend who had just gotten it from a woman whom bought it new, then passed away. I only paid $40 for it, with ...

Vineyard Concert Not rated yet
I'm personally new to the Uke, but my family have been players for 3+ generations. When my grandmother passed away last year at 99, I was given her two ...

Kala KA-TE/C Not rated yet
I have played guitar for years and have owned some nice ones. I switched to uke about six months ago and this is my second uke. I like the intonation ...

Nalu Hokua, Kimo Jones #228, Kanile K2T, Kala FMT all Tenor Ukuleles Not rated yet
I played guitar some as a kid and am sure we also had a ukulele around as well. I had not played my guitar in many years and was listening to a youtube ...

Kamaka Tenor 4 String Not rated yet
On a trip to Hawaii, I wanted to buy a ukulele that was made in Hawaii by Hawaiians. Originally I planed on buying a KoAloha, but none were available. I ...

Kala KA-FMT Not rated yet
I recently upgraded my uke to a Kala Spalted Flame Maple Tenor. What a fantastic uke! Not only does it look good it sounds great (and loud) as well. I ...

Kala KA-ST Not rated yet
I'm originally a drummer, but besides drums and percussion's, eventually I learned to play a guitar. It was just for fun and for myself, never achieved ...

MAHALO Not rated yet
This is a strange one. I don't really know how and why I got into playing ukulele. There are two possible reasons: I accidentally came across a uke site ...

Greg Bennett Not rated yet
My ukulele is a concert size. I was attracted to it because it was nice looking with a high gloss finish and a nicely sculptured headstock - also it has ...

Lanikai: Perfect for anyone who doesn't want to spend too much Not rated yet
Lanikai offers amazing quality for low prices. There are probably better ukuleles out there, hand-crafted on the rims of the tallest volcanos in Hawaii,...

Mele 6-string tenor Not rated yet
I bought my Mele 6-string tenor ukulele in 2003 while on vacation in Hawaii. I knew it would be a special souvenir of the trip and, being a guitar player,...

Applause Not rated yet
Applause is the best ukulele (tenor) I have had.
Sorry Lanikai but your instruments live too much with humidity. Today they are OK but tomorrow you can'...

Flea and an Ohana and soon a Kala Not rated yet
My first ukulele was $40 @ Guitar Center. It was nice, don't even remember the brand...I accidentally sat on it.

I purchased a Stagg ukulele on Ebay ...

My first was a Hilo, then a Lanikai and finally a handmade Concert Uke from Portugal Not rated yet
It was my 45th birthday and I was looking to do something fun on my b'day. On my way to lunch I had a crazy notion to stop in Buckdancer's Choice in Portland ...

Mitchell Not rated yet
I'm 17 and my little sister has been involved with music for some time. The only musical background I have is a little bit of piano. Last year one of my ...

Leolani Not rated yet
I bought a Leolani rosewood with mother of pearl binding concert ukulele for USD$110 with hard case while on a visit for a short course in Drum Circle ...

Kala Not rated yet
My wife almost had to drag me to the islands. She almost didn't get me on the plane to come back home. I decided on the second trip (so far!) to buy ...

Kala Not rated yet
I am a beginner and went into a local (60 miles away) music store after some research on the internet. I was just going to look to see what they had. I ...

Kala Not rated yet
When I was a kid, I was crazy for a guitar or ukulele. I finally got an old guitar and learned to play badly. When I retired I bought a few 'entry level'...