All about the electric ukulele

The ukulele, otherwise called the ukulele, is considered one of the most popular instruments in the world. And the small size of the instrument allows you to travel with it without interference. To enhance the natural sound of the ukulele, an electric ukulele model was developed, the features of which can be found in this article.

The ukulele belongs to the class of stringed plucked instruments, just like the guitar. It is distinguished by a unique, soft and life-affirming sound. A classic ukulele has four strings.

The traditional tuning of the instrument is la-mi-do-sol. The bottom three strings line up in the first octave. The normal tuning of the fourth string uses a low-octave G. But some musicians tune the string even lower. This way it is possible to achieve a greater range of sounds.

To obtain an instrument with a large range, a concert ukulele was created. This model has a longer scale. The difference is 5 cm (38 cm versus 33 cm for the soprano). The classical system is preserved here.

Over time, musicians needed an instrument with a larger scale. This is how the tenor and baritone ukulele appeared (43 cm and 48 cm, respectively). Due to the size of the largest ukulele, the tuning had to be revised. The four strings of a baritone instrument are in tune with the first strings of a classical guitar: mi-c-sol-re.

Increasing the scale had an effect on the sound, which became quieter and softer. This difference is partially eliminated by the introduction of electronics.

When choosing an electric ukulele, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• wood used for the hull;
• features of electronics;
• the quality of the tuners;
• the height of the fourth string;
• reputation of the manufacturer.

The best ukuleles are made from Hawaiian acacia. A similar acoustic effect is produced by mahogany, which is inferior to the original in texture quality. More budgetary options for the instrument are made from cedar, rosewood or spruce. In this case, mahogany or ebony is used for the neck. The cheapest models are made of chipboard.

The quality of the tuning pegs that hold the strings is an important aspect in choosing an instrument. If they are of poor quality, then the tuning will need to be checked every 10-15 minutes, which will quickly tire the musician.

The tuning of the fourth string is considered a matter of taste. But the structure of the nut depends on this. Therefore, it is better to buy a guitar according to your parameters than to try to reconfigure later.

By the type of sound, an acoustic instrument is distinguished, electro-acoustic and electronic.

It completely lacks the electronic component, and the sound, if necessary, is amplified by means of microphones. This option is considered the most prestigious and expensive in terms of price. Especially in cases where the tool is made of fine wood.

Used in two ways. The hollow body allows for natural sounding, and the built-in piezo sensor improves the sound when connected to the network.

This option assumes a built-in mechanism. Without connecting to the equipment, the instrument is practically not used. Outwardly, it is compared to a miniature electric guitar.

Practice shows that the ukulele is most popular as an acoustic instrument. Versions with built-in electronics are rare. However, if you want to enjoy the composition through headphones or make a high-quality recording of the next masterpiece, the thought of purchasing such a ukulele model appears.

Since ukulele players generally also prefer the acoustic version, electronic modification is more often of interest to amateurs who are not ready to spend a lot on entertainment. Let's consider several suitable options.

• Vorson FSUK with tenor scale. The popular models of the brand are Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul. Their main difference lies in the shape of the body.

• Fender Ukulele comes in different sizes, the body is made entirely of mahogany or sapale wood, the neck is mahogany. Concerto models are in the price range from 12-13 thousand rubles.

• Epiphone les paul available with hollow body and piezoelectric sensor. It sounds better when connected than in an acoustic version. The advantage over analogues is the presence of belt holders.

• Mahalo EUK-200. This manufacturer specializes in acoustic ukuleles. In the electronic version of the instrument, the user is attracted by the presence of an active preamplifier on a 9V battery, a headphone jack, an input for a player or a smartphone. This makes it possible to mix live sound with recording while enjoying the combination through headphones.

The ukulele has gained popularity for its many virtues. Although the electric ukulele is not as popular as an acoustic instrument, it is interesting due to its additional capabilities.