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ezFolk Forums > Ukulele > Beginner Questions - Ukulele > Good beginner ukulele to bring on a bike tour? |
| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Good beginner ukulele to bring on a bike tour? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 12:18 am |
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1st Post |
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bjharriman Approved 
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Hi there, I am taking a year off to ride my bicycle around Canada. I've played guitar for 15 years or so, and will really miss playing while I'm on the road. I do not want to bring a guitar with me because of the size and weight, and also the potential damage that could occur. So.....I thought maybe I'd take up the ukulele. Can anyone recommend a good, beginner ukulele that could stand up to travelling by bike and being outside a lot of the time? Does such a thing exist? I won't be riding in really cold weather (no snow....) but there will definitely be the opportunity for a variety of weather conditions for the ukulele to experience---wind, dampness, humidity, heat, cold. From what I've seen online, I figured something like the Flea might be my best bet. Thanks for your help! Brenda
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| Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 01:11 am |
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2nd Post |
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artcrocker Approved
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Hi, guess I would have to suggest a Flea with the plastic back and fretboard. I have have had a few of them and still play my Flea much more than other ukes I have that are much more expensive. I do prefer the rosewood fretboard which raises the cost, however the plastic version sounds just as good. Good Luck,
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| Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 02:29 am |
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3rd Post |
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extramusical.com Approved
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I would get a solid wood one and even though it says professional the Koloa by AXL is only $145 and can be bought for that price at: http://www.extramusical.com/catalog/shopping_cart.php?sort=2a
____________________ Banjos |
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| Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 04:26 pm |
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4th Post |
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artcrocker Approved
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They look pretty good. Would think about any uke in the $100+ range would work fine.
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| Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 04:35 pm |
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5th Post |
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bjharriman Approved
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Hi all, Thanks for your help. I was thinking there might be issues with a primarily wooden ukulele because of dampness and temperature fluctuations, etc., which I know from my experience with guitars can be an issue. I will be camping most of the time, so won't be inside a whole lot. Are folks suggesting less expensive wooden ones because if they do get damaged I won't be out a whole lot of money, or because you actually think they could withstand the types of environmental fluctuations I've mentioned? Thanks again.
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| Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 08:22 pm |
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6th Post |
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Will Approved 
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I think you're right to be concerned with outdoor weather conditions, humidity, and the adverse environmental effects on a solid wood ukulele. I own a laminated wood $60 Samick Greg Bennett UK60 that has been taken on and has held up through many years of road trips, in the car, and on airplanes, at all times of the year. The UK60 seems to be harder to find nowadays than its cousin, the Oscar Schmidt OU2.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 01:43 am |
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7th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Just something to consider: Have you looked at the Martin "Backpacker" guitar? It's small, light, and a guitar. Just a thought.
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 02:20 pm |
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8th Post |
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Will Approved
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http://www.ezfolk.com/inst/guitar/acoustic-guitars/martin/martin.php?psps_search=backpacker Martin Backpacker guitar @$199 - comes in steel string and nylon string versions  I've played a friend's Martin Backpacker, but I own a Washburn Rover, which is slightly larger, but also has a solid spruce top, and a full 25.4" scale neck: Comes in 4 colors (blue, red, black, natural) and comes with a really nice, lightweight, nylon/foam semi-hardshell case @$149: http://www.ezfolk.com/inst/guitar/acoustic-guitars/washburn/washburn.php?psps_search=rover  http://r.popshops.com/sp/45827/428555/oscar-schmidt-ou2-concert-ukulele $69.00  http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kaces-Concert-Ukulele-Bag?sku=550004 $24.99  Last edited on Tue May 12th, 2009 02:46 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Tue May 12th, 2009 04:24 pm |
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9th Post |
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Dr. E Approved 
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Can't go wrong with the Flea. I carried one to London last year and it went from warm humid Alabama, thru two airports, eight hours on the plane, to cold damp London and never went out of tune.
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| Posted: Wed May 13th, 2009 12:14 am |
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10th Post |
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extramusical.com Approved
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Both, the only real concern on the Koloa would be temperatures above 130 degrees, not likely on a bike trip in Canada. You can get a more expensive solid wood one but damage may be a concern. Laminates can warp and come apart especially since they are the cheaper instruments.
____________________ Banjos |
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| Posted: Wed May 13th, 2009 11:37 pm |
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11th Post |
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jellybean Approved
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FLEA FOR SURE
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| Posted: Mon May 18th, 2009 03:21 pm |
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12th Post |
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Nephidoc Approved
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FLEA! My five year old takes it camping with us or on the back lawn. You won't be disappointed. Stan
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| Posted: Fri May 22nd, 2009 08:17 pm |
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13th Post |
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ralphiewho Approved
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I support the choice of the Flea but one of the solid body Bugsgear ukes might work for you too. They came in concert and tenor scale, and some have a plug for a headphone so you can play in comparitive silence yet hear yourself through the headphone. They should be bulletproof for a bike trip.
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| Posted: Tue May 26th, 2009 10:47 pm |
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14th Post |
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ichadwick Approved 
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Fluke. Bigger body than the Flea = better sound and volume.
____________________ Ian ------------------------------------------- Ukulele reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/ukuleles.htm Harmonica reviews: http://www.ianchadwick.com/essays/harmonicas.htm |
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| Posted: Mon Jun 1st, 2009 04:51 am |
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15th Post |
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bjharriman Approved
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Thanks everyone for your help. I decided to get a flea with a rosewood fretboard. So far so good!
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