Here at Bounty Music on Maui, we have the world's largest selection of ukuleles, so this question comes up often. The answer, of course, is largely a function of the artist's taste. However, we do see patterns! Almost all the pro players, men, and women seem to choose the larger Tenor size as do most men players as well. The ladies here in Hawaii seem to favor the mid-size Concert as do many teens. The younger set seems to be more comfortable with the smaller Soprano. All these three sizes are tuned and played the same.
If you're looking for the best, we heartily recommend the excellent Hawaiian-made Koa wood instruments like Kamaka, KoAloha, and Kanilea brands, widely considered the best in the world. These can start at out around a thousand dollars. However, good playing ukes start around $59 for the Sopranos, $79 for the Concerts, and $89 for the Tenors from the Kala company. Finally, there is a wide selection of quality ukuleles of layered wood, solid top, and
all solid wood construction in the $200 - $400 range.
Check out www.bountymusic.com & Ukes.com for the many choices!
