Ashton UKE100BL Soprano Ukulele - Blue

Product Information

Just 20 minutes per day and you’ll be on your way. Full training will be given, along with a beginner’s book, which takes the learner from simple two chord melodies to the more complex in gentle, easy stages. Overall, this ukulele is above average when you consider the price. It is fun to play and is best aimed at beginners. The uke is very good to learn how to play and if you want a durable ukulele for cheap, this is your best buy. Although Jake Shimabukuro or Eddie Vedder would probably spit on a uke like this, it suits most uke players’ needs perfectly. Overall gets a seven out of ten.

But before you go ahead, let’s have a brief look at what makes the ukulele different from the guitars so you have a better understanding of what this musical instrument is: After two years together we’re pretty well settled and have moved on from teacher and student to group enjoyment where members suggest what to play next. Anyway, play it I must. And after days and days of tuning, re-tuning and re-tuning, those nylon strings eventually got to a point of holding.. Incidentally, talking of tuning. You know I said the tuners looked bad? Well they work pretty badly too. The usual issue of some grinding, some feeling loose and there being lots of play. Oh well, being gears, they won't slip I suppose. At GAK, we supply a variety of ukulele types, including Soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles, so you’re bound to find the one that’s perfect for you. Whether you’re just starting out or are looking for something more professional, our range will have you covered.I say Australian, and that is because Ashton are an Australian company, but this particular ukulele is made for them in China. Intriguingly though, the box and makers label both say proudly that it is 'designed in Australia'. I am not entirely sure what that means as from a first glance at it I can't see any particular design cues and it all looks rather generic, but there you go. As a company, Ashton make quite a range of musical instruments and gear, including drums, a range of guitars and a number of ukuleles. It must be said that the UKE 100 is their entry level ukulele, but as a brand with a number of stringed instrument products in their line up, perhaps they know what they are doing. We shall see. And when it comes to tone and sound, well there isn't a great deal I can say really. Almost zero sustain and about the most 'plinky' dull sound I think i've heard from a ukulele. There's just nothing about it for me that is likeable. Yes, the intonation is slightly off, but actually that isn't the worst of it. It just has no life to the sound whatsoever. The C strings is worst, but really none of them come together to give me anything. It has 'some' volume, but it's really not great (and to be honest, I am not sure I would want it any louder..) And yes, before you say it, new strings would help, but really, when the rest of it is so rough - why would you? I will tell you what it sounds like. It sounds exactly like people who have a deep rooted hatred for the ukulele think all ukuleles sound like. That assumption of the ukulele sounding like rubber bands on a tissue box, of being childlike and non serious. It sounds EXACTLY like that. And that is pretty damning.

Barely a month in, I have upgraded to a Clearwater tenor uke, which I’m just getting the feel of as I write this. It wasn’t dissatisfaction with the Ashton, it’s just that I’m 6’2″, with rather large hands, so I fancied something with a bit more finger room. I decided it didn’t have to be like this so I used a knife to make the grooves in the nut deeper meaning I don’t have to press anywhere near as hard. It is now far easier and the sound is still good. I also found it painful to begin with, atleast for a couple of weeks, until I finally took a needle-file to work on the nut to lower the action. Problem solved! The Number of Strings - If you are a guitar player, you would already be aware of the fact that a guitar comes with six strings. A ukulele, on the other hand, comes with four strings. The smaller number of strings makes this musical instrument easier to learn, especially for those who already know to play the guitar. The Size - When you buy ukuleles online, you will notice that what makes this musical instrument different from the guitar is the size. Ukuleles are mainly available in four sizes. You have those that are especially small. These are called sopranos and are mainly for beginners. Then you have the slightly bigger ones called altos. These provide fuller tones and are good for people with large hands. The third type is called the tenor, which is ideal for concerts with its full sound. Finally, you have the largest type which is called the baritone. With its large size, the baritone is similar to the guitar and can even be tuned like one.We offer a wide selection of ukuleles across a range of popular brands, including Fender and Epiphone, who incorporate their classic guitar designs into stylish takes on the compact folk instrument. Other brands like Cordoba specialise in building high-quality ukes, while some series like the Yellow Submarine Ukuleles have a bright, quirky appearance and are ideal for beginners wanting a groovy-looking uke.