I'm posting this because in future posts I will be referring to the parts of the ukulele and I will reference this post for those that are unfamiliar with the terms. It is important to memorize these terms.
Ukulele Review about the ukulele pictured, the Makala MK-S by Kala
The ukulele pictured is one of my favorite beginner ukuleles, the Makala MK-S. It is made out of agathis. Agathis has similar sound qualities to mahogany but is less expensive. Makala ukuleles are typically made out of agathis and Kala ukes are made out of mahogany. Mahogany will have a little richer sound.
The Makala ukes also use brass frets rather than the nickel frets used by Kala ukes. Nickel frets are a little stronger than brass and may last longer.
Most entry level ukes use brass frets and woods that are similar to mahogany, but are less expensive. Those are some of the ways they keep the cost down.
Makala ukes are great sounding ukes for the money and great for beginners! They are also a favorite among teachers because they represent such a great value.
The Makala ukes also use brass frets rather than the nickel frets used by Kala ukes. Nickel frets are a little stronger than brass and may last longer.
Most entry level ukes use brass frets and woods that are similar to mahogany, but are less expensive. Those are some of the ways they keep the cost down.
Makala ukes are great sounding ukes for the money and great for beginners! They are also a favorite among teachers because they represent such a great value.
Body
The body of the ukulele is the part that produces the sound. The body consists of the top, the back and the sides.
On better quality ukuleles the top, the piece of wood with the soundhole in it, is made from solid wood. Inexpensive ukuleles will have a top that is made from laminates. A laminate is a number of pieces of wood glued together like ply-wood.
A solid wood top will produce a more pleasing sound than laminates, solid wood will vibrate with the sound of the strings and produce a louder richer sound. The best ukuleles will be made of all solid wood. The more solid wood that is used, the better volume and projection you will have.
On better quality ukuleles the top, the piece of wood with the soundhole in it, is made from solid wood. Inexpensive ukuleles will have a top that is made from laminates. A laminate is a number of pieces of wood glued together like ply-wood.
A solid wood top will produce a more pleasing sound than laminates, solid wood will vibrate with the sound of the strings and produce a louder richer sound. The best ukuleles will be made of all solid wood. The more solid wood that is used, the better volume and projection you will have.
Strings
The quality of the strings play a big part in the sound quality of the ukulele. Strings are made of nylon, nylgut, or floro-carbon. These are all synthetic materials. Nylgut, or floro-carbon are preferred for their better sound quality, nylon is less commonly used.
Soundhole
the soundhole is the round hole in the body, it projects the sound. Usually the sound-hole is underneath the strings but not always. Since the wood vibrates the most right under the strings some ukulele makes find that is is more desirable to put the soundhole elsewhere to produce a sweeter sound.
The ukulele on the left is an example of how it might look if the soundhole is not under the strings. This ukulele actually has two sound-holes! The soundhole on top projects the sound out to the listener and the soundhole on the side allows the player to hear the sound produced by the ukulele better. The ukulele pictured is a Riptide UC-5NS Concert ukulele.
Bridge
The bridge is attached to the top of the ukulele, the strings attach to it. There are two types of bridges commonly found on a ukulele. One where the strings tie at the bottom and one where the string is threaded through it and tied in a knot. The bridge is usually made out or rosewood.
Saddle
The saddle is a thin usually white piece that sticks up out of the bridge. The strings rest on top of it. On inexpensive ukuleles these are made out of plastic. On better ukuleles they might be made out of bone or a hardwood like ebony.
Neck
The neck is the piece of wood that extends from the body to the head-stock. A ukulele neck is not as strong as a neck you would find on a guitar or a mandolin. This is because steel strings are used on guitars and mandolins and nylon or plastic strings are used on ukuleles exclusively.
The neck dose not have to be as strong because nylon string have allot less tension than steel stings do. Because there is less tension on the strings, ukuleles do not need, or have a truss rod adjustment like guitars and mandolins do.
The neck dose not have to be as strong because nylon string have allot less tension than steel stings do. Because there is less tension on the strings, ukuleles do not need, or have a truss rod adjustment like guitars and mandolins do.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the piece of wood that attached to the the neck. It runs the length of the neck underneath the strings. Fretboards are usually made from rosewood.
On nicer ukuleles they might be made from ebony and on entry level ukuleles they will be made from a less expensive hardwood and painted black. On these ukuleles the fretboards may be described as ebonized. This means they are made of hardwood and painted black.
On nicer ukuleles they might be made from ebony and on entry level ukuleles they will be made from a less expensive hardwood and painted black. On these ukuleles the fretboards may be described as ebonized. This means they are made of hardwood and painted black.
Frets
The frets are the strips or pieces of metal that you will find placed across the fingerboard. You push down on the string just behind the frets to make chords and play notes.
The frets are typically make of nickel but on inexpensive ukuleles they are made of brass. Brass is softer and less expensive than nickel.
The frets are typically make of nickel but on inexpensive ukuleles they are made of brass. Brass is softer and less expensive than nickel.
Nut
The nut keeps the strings in their proper positions as they go from the fretboard to the tuning keys on the headstock.
Nuts on better ukuleles are made of bone or ebony. On entry level ukuleles they are made of plastic.
Nuts on better ukuleles are made of bone or ebony. On entry level ukuleles they are made of plastic.
Fret Markers
The fret markers are the dots you see on the fretboard. On ukulele they help to mark the 5th, 7th and 10th frets.
Headstock
The headstock is located at the end of the neck and fretboard. The tuning keys are attached to the headstock.
Tuning Keys
By turning the tuning keys you can tune the ukulele! See more on tuning and tuning keys in our "3 tricks to tune your ukulele and keep it in tune" blog post