Why do I keep buying instruments and what am I searching for? My name is Alex and I quite clearly have a problem. It seems that no matter what my last purchase was or even how recent - I still want another one. I am not even limiting myself to Ukuleles. In my six years here at the Southern Ukulele Store I have bought and sold Classical guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Electric guitars Guitaleles, Tenor Guitars, Harmonicas, Resonators, Keyboards, Synthesisers and that is before I even consider the piles of effects pedals, amplifiers, microphones, toys, gadgets and Musical paraphinalia I have aquired/lost/used or chosen to put out of my mind incase I began to cry or mourn them. Sometimes I re-buy things I already own and I give up looking for them. Things like Capos, strings, plectrums, cleaning equipment and bridge pins. I had a beautiful Kanile'a Guitalele (for sale here as of writing) and in the 5 months I owned it, I tested more than 15 different sets of strings on it. That is on average almost a string change every week. I am out of control! I bet I spent more time looking at it than playing it. Why did I get rid of it? Because I know I'll never play a better one and knowing that is enough for me to move on to something else I 'have to have'. If you are interested - I finally got a Beltona Resonator Ukulele. In an attempt not to pontificate too much I should explain why I am telling you this... I think I am searching for 'the ultimate' better known as the 'holy grail' or 'the golden goose'. Sometimes I think I have it in that moment just before I hand over my money but how do you know if it is the real deal or just infatuation? Hopefully I can help you decide before you buy your next Ukulele. First thing to do is decide what you are looking for. For some customers it is all about brand recognition, others its the look, the sound it makes, or how it feels in your hand. The perfect Ukulele is a happy mixture of all of these things you were looking for going in surely? Well maybe not. How many times have we all thought something was going to be perfect and then it fails to meet or exceed your expectations. It is the same with cars, bad holidays and even food. If you are looking for something that sounds the part, it may not look how you were hoping. Likewise, the really premium curly Koa is often a lot quieter and tighter sounding than something straight grained. 'It looks a bit plain...' Pete Howlett once did a workshop at our shop that involved detailed analysis of what wood to use for certain sounds and sure enough, the straighter grained woods like Spruce produced a stronger and clearer sound wave. The very striking solid instruments with curls and extrovert wood grain variation were almost always very mellow by comparison. So many people want Mahogany Ukuleles because of the dark, kinked textured look but it is those very characteristics create its natural scooped mid and treble sound. That only gets better the more you play it. An old Martin can be appreciated and enjoyed like a fine wine but it takes decades to dry that wood out... I recently watched a documentary from the Martin factory about how they were analysing the wood they use at a molecular level in an attempt to understand what makes an old instrument sound Maybe consider the potential an instrument has to mature with you when you buy it. The Martin IZ Ukulele sounds great now so imagine how good the Martin IZ Ukulele will sound in 2045. Wow! 'It's a bit quiet...' Does it sound quiet or mellow? Some instruments are better enjoyed at a more thoughtful and considered volume. If you play like George Formby then you probably want volume and a bit of snap to the sound and you won't get that from a Kanile'a Gloss Tenor at £700+ but you probably would get that from a Magic Fluke Firefly Banjo Ukulele at £250. formby Consider what you play before you jump in to buying an instrument. I hope these following descriptions offer some insight if you didn't know already; Spruce - Can be strummed or picked and gives a balanced and true tonal response. Perhaps best suited to larger size Ukuleles and players that like to play an instrument hard and at volume with minimal distortion. Cedar - similar to spruce with a crisp and clear quality to it. Can be dented very easily and produces and is unforgiving with incidental noise like fingers squeaking and fret buzzes. Mahogany - Soulful and bluesy but perhaps quieter than the aforementioned woods. Great for gentle rhythm and vocal accompaniment Koa - Varied but harp-like. Hawaiian built Koa instruments can be very loud and complex sounding but never shouty or aggressive. Joe Souza and Aldrine Guerrerro are both playing Hawaiian Koa instruments in the video below. 'But it isn't a Fender...' A common misconception from Guitarists looking at Ukuleles is that the brands they trust in the Guitar industry are the place to pitch your tent with the Ukulele. Almost every major Guitar company has a Ukulele available now but don't be afraid to think outside your comfort zone. Ohana, Kanile'a, KoAloha, Kala and Uluru all produce Ukuleles at most price ranges and the Ukulele is what they are known for. If you walk in a shop thinking 'I only want to buy 'x' brand'. You may miss out. Equally, don't allow yourself to only look at one Ukulele. I bullishly refused to look at anything other than Gibson when buying my last Guitar because I wanted the name and the sunburst finish - Within six months I was looking at Martin's because they had the right sound. Don't be an idiot like me. (Pictured below - an Idiot like me) glasgow 'The neck is too thin/wide/lumpy...' It is so important to have a clear idea of what you like in your mind and if you don't try lots of different things you won't know what that is. Pono's have big chunky necks and KoAloha's have quite flat think profile necks. Some people can enjoy anything they are given to play but make sure you give the neck shape and size some thought before coming in so that we can show you some of the different options available to you. That is enough from me. I really have waffled on today... Hope it helps, until next time. Alex