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 misdemeanour 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!)

Leolani
Ummmm.....It's very small but I like the sound and it looks really professional.

Vintage Concert
I bought this Uke recently and I am very impressed with the quality and tone. A cracking little instrument.

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 ...

Kala
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
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'...

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 ...

Lanikai Not rated yet
It makes me happy!

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,...

Ibanez Not rated yet
Hey, I just got my first ukulele today for Christmas, and I love it. It is a Ibanez UKC10 concert ukulele with nylon strings. I play the keyboard, guitar ...

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'...

Nunes? Harmony? Not rated yet
Bought this recently, needs some work but it has no label or stamp, maybe you could help me identify this little baby.
Dan

Makala Not rated yet
I saw all the great ukulele players and I had to have one! I bought a entry level Makala with great sound. It has much, much better and more resonant than ...

Mahalo Not rated yet
I'm a newbie with string instruments.

I bought a (very cheap) black Mahalo U-30 from ebay. Overall I like it very much though I dislike nylon strings ...

Bluemoon Not rated yet
Bought this entry level Ukulele to see how I get on. Having great fun with it. Bluemoon do a range of stringed instruments.

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 ...

I make my own Banjoleles Not rated yet
Finding a reasonable priced Banjole in Holland was very difficult. So I decided to build one for myself and for a couple of friends.
Please visit my site ...

Brueko No.6 (from the thomann.de website) Not rated yet
Fantastic quality for the money (about £75), solid mahogany body, one piece maple neck. Lovely sound - not too sweet, crisp and clear. Intonation is virtually ...

Bell Brand Banjo Ukulele Not rated yet
I picked this little banjo Ukulele at a rummage sale for $10.00. It was all cruddy with dirt caked on it, but it had all the parts. I cleaned it up and ...

Willem soprano ukulele model-WEU Not rated yet
Given to me as a birthday present 5 years ago by my parents.

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 ...

unknown brand Not rated yet
I found this when cleaning an old house.
I am trying to I.D. the maker, it has quite a bit of damage.

Cambra Not rated yet
I think is a spanish manufactureer that buy chino ukulele, soprano, nato with rosewood frettboard.
I'm a 20 years guitarrist and i will like to learn ...

MRV Not rated yet
I've inherited a Ukulele. The identification inside is green with gold lettering with mRv made of dark wood, 8 string and estimated to be 1920 or 1930....

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 ...

Santini Not rated yet
Goes a little sharp when making chords.

Ukulele Manufacturers

What Brand Is YOUR Ukulele?

Brands Other Visitors Have Talked About