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Home -- Instruments -- Ukes
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. We finally have some very good entry level ukuleles in stock. Lately they've been as hard to come by as hen's teeth, but we have a few each soprano, concert, and tenor from Makala and they're quite good. Far better than most comparably priced ukuleles ($45.00-$75.00). We've also got quite a bit in the mid-price range at $150.00-$300.00
This Just in! The Recording King Banjolele. This has the biggenst bang for the buck in what you can spend in a Banjolele $250.00
At GUITAR TEX we've been into ukuleles long before the current surge of popularity. I had the unusual good fortune of taking guitar lessons back in 1970-71 from "The Wizard of the Strings", Roy Smeck (look him up on Youtube), who was the master of all fretted instruments, but his first love was the ukulele. Because of him I came to appreciate the possibilities of the ukulele beyond the usual Tiny Tim associations from my generation. Today's masters such as James Hill & Jake Shimabukuro have shown a new generation of players that the diminutive ukulele is a formidable instrument indeed. We're not some Johnny-come-lately on the scene, either, jumping on the latest band wagon. We've been singing the praises of the ukulele since we opened in 1999 & I had my 1st ukulele in 1952. The pictures below illustrate some of the high end ukuleles that you can try at GUITAR TEX. Great American makers like Santa Cruz, LoPrinzi, & National Reso-Phonic, as well as the Japanese made Kiwaya ukuleles are among the finest ukuleles made in the world.
At this date there are 11 LoPrinzi dealers in the USA, including Hawaii where there are 3. In Japan where the ukulele has always been taken seriously, there are 7 dealers, and Augustino LoPrinzi is revered as the Stradavari of the ukulele.The folks who have bought LoPrinzi ukuleles from us absolutely love them, with several returning for a second & even a third uke. With prices starting at under $500.00 LoPrinzi ukuleles are an exceptional value for a hand made, USA made premium quality ukulele.
Studies have proven beyond question that the ukulele is The sexiest instrument in the world! At one time it was the banjo, but recently the diminutive ukulele has surpassed it in sex appeal. Modern players are now discovering what everyone knew back in the "Jazz Age" during the 1920s; ukuleles are the bee's knees. The once lonesome lad is lonesome no more. Be the life of the party or the intimate crooner. So simple to learn the basics, yet as demanding as any instrument to truly master.
Kala U-Basses are back in stock! The acoustic version is $420.00 and for the solid body electric: $479.00
Fedora hats & ukuleles. I've worn them & played them all my life & been an anachronism. Now that these things are hugely popular again, you'd think I'd be the guy on the cutting edge instead of just an old guy with an ukulele & a hat.
C. F.Martin S-1 ukulele, NEW! $400.00
Bushman Englemann Concert Ukulele. Englemann Spruce is prized as a Concert Classical Guitar Top for its' brightness and clarity [not to mention volume]. Paired as it is with a Mahogany Back and Sides, 'tis a very pleasing Ukulele indeed! $195.00
Tex knows ukes. We've been selling quality ukuleles since we 1st opened over 11 years ago & that tradition continues. Back then there were precious few choices for decent, affordable instruments & now the market is flooded with many excellent choices. We've had to narrow it down to just a few that we especially like.We've been into ukuleles for a long time, even before they were cool. When we first opened, customers would come in & see our ukulele selection & wonder "Why?". That still happens, but not so much anymore.
There's a huge buzz in the music industry about how ukuleles have become enormously popular, outselling everything else. I wish I could say that I saw it coming & was wisely ahead of the curve, but the truth is that I just loved the ukulele. I had the incredible good fortune of taking guitar lessons for awhile from the great Roy Smeck "The Wizard of the Strings" (he was, too), who loved ukulele more than any other instrument & managed to instill in me an appreciation the instrument I wouldn't have had, otherwise. My associate, Gus Wanner, has the Fillipino heritage & he, too, gained an early appreciation for this tropical delight. Neither of us is a master of the instrument, but we both play them & we're happy to demonstrate the wonders & joy that the diminutive little "jumping flea" brings to players & listeners alike. 
"MIGHTY UKE The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog" Documentary DVD with extras. Featuring: Jake Shimabukuro, Bill Tapia, James Hill & much more. A great gift for ukulele lover in your life. This is a real jewel of a film that will keep a smile on your face all the way through. I thought I knew all there was to know about the ukulele & I've read all the available literature, but I learned a lot & heard incredible music from players I'd not known. Why weren't there girls like Uni (& Her Ukulele) when I was a young man? DVD extras include 10 short films about the ukulele including a stunning tribute to the late, great classical ukulele master James King $25.95 in stock!
VINTAGE UKULELES. A vintage Martin 5K model koa ukulele will fetch over $10,000.00 in good shape, but you don't have to spend that kind of money to start a collection of vintage ukuleles. In fact, there are many excellent vintage ukes that can had for a relative pittance. Right now we have some very nice vintage ukuleles:
1920s Kohala solid koa soprano. The label says it was made in Hawaii & it looks like a Hawaiian made, as opposed to a "mainland" ukulele, but many of these were actually made by the Gretsch Company. This has the more peanut shape, headstock taper & construction that certainly looks like a real Hawaiian koa ukulele. In overall excellent condition, free from cracks or noticeable play wear. The A string slot on the bridge is a bit chewed up, requiring a string ball end to be used top properly catch; I had to replace the missing 12th fret as well as the friction pegs with a set of NOS vintage pegs. Sounds, looks plays great. $195.00 1920s-30s ROY SMECK CONCERT MODEL by HARMONY. Solid spruce top & solid mahogany back & sides.The only thing that keeps me from calling it 'Excellent condition" is a 2" scratch on the top lower bout.
It was this model that Roy used when he taught his students (I took lessons from in the early 1970s). Nothing at all like the later Harmony RS models from the 1950s & 60s, this will rival a nice Gibson or Martin with a great looking tobacco sunburst finish, multiple binding, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl dot inlays.
LE DOMINO 1920s-30s Soprano. Solid mahogany finished black with domino applique rosette, fingerboard & top adornments, & white binding to the body & neck. Has to be among the coolest looking ukuleles of its' day & a great sounding & playing instrument. The bridge has been replaced & there are several repaired cracks to the body, as well as having the 12th fret replaced. All in all, though, she plays & sounds really good, ready to go for another generation. Vintage Guitar Price Guide shows this one at $500.00-$700.00. We've priced this very fairly at $275.00
 Wendell Hall T-V Concert Ukulele. From Before the days of Televison Wendell Hall was an American Songster in the manner of today's pop star but perhaps this sobriquet is too mild. This is a gorgeous piece from the late 1920's and can be yours for $225.00 for more information about Wendell Hall follow the attached link:http://www.answers.com/topic/wendell-hall Harmony Ukulele from the 1950's. Back from the days of Arthur Godfrey comes this lovely relic of the baby boom! $75.00
New OHANA UKULELES just arrived.  We've got some really nice concert ukuleles starting at $75.00. Ohana TK 35S all solid mahogany tenor ukulele with full gloss finish, wood binding, bone nut & saddle for $195.00
New Ukulele Cases
KIWAYA UKULELE STRAPS ARE BACK!. These are best ukulele straps we've seen. $16.00 We always have a few dozen ukuleles ranging from $50.00 up. New Ohana Ukes have arrived. These Ukuleles are a tremendous value for the money. Don't you owe it to yourself to have a little uke fun?
GuitarTex has your ukulele strings! We strive to keep in stock the best quality strings availible and this goes for ukulele a well. We've just recieved a new shippment of Fremont strings and have been carrying the Worth strings for awhile now. The Fluorocarbon strings have an exceptionally strong response and great durability. We also have in stock a limited number of the Low G strings that many ukulele enthusiasts have been requesting. These are a plain Black Fluorocarbon string and blend well with the rest of the set!
FLUKE, LOPRINZI, KIWAYA, OHANA, GOLD TONE, MARTIN, & VINTAGE. Too many ukuleles to list so call us if you're looking for something special. Keep in mind that we are only dealers for the brands mentioned & we cannot order other brands. We are happy to order any instrument we don't have in stock from these makers. LoPrinzi Ukuleles. Played by Ohta-San & Lyle Ritz ( LoPrinzi Guitars have been played by Segovia as well as endorsed by Larry Coryell!), we believe that LoPrinzi ukuleles are not only a superlative instrument, but also an outstanding value when you compare features to other US makers. Augie LoPrinzi built his 1st guitar in 1958 & today, working with just his daughter Donna, maintains a proud tradition & standard of excellence. Completely hand made in Clearwater, Florida. Augie LoPrinzi has helped noted luthiers Bob Benedetto, & John Buscarino among many others & is considered a founder of modern luthery. In Japan, where the ukulele is held in extremely high regard, LoPrinzi ukuleles are considered the best of the best & Augie LoPrinzi is revered as the modern Stradivari of the ukulele. Be among the fortunate few who own & play these wonderful & distinctive instruments. Check out all of the LoPrinzi models through the Kiwaya USA website: www.kiwayaukulele.com LoPrinzi offers many different models with a variety of features, from the spartan A model to the beautifully appointed 3K model. Check out the unique Nova & Herb Ohta models. We are extremely proud to be the exclusive dealer in Texas for LoPrinzi ukuleles.
VINTAGE UKULELES: call or email for pics on any of the instruments described Davitt-Hanser baritone. 1950s USA made of solid mahogany with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Not a Harmony, Kay, or Regal, perhaps made by Sorkin of New York. Quite a good baritone that plays very nicely, sounds great and is in very good condition. $175.00 Regal soprano. USA 1950s-60s. Solid mahogany with white celluloid binding, sunburst finish, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and quality replacement pegs. This little gem is in excellent condition and plays very nicely with excellent tone. $169.00 Kohala 1920s. Hawaiian made of mahogany or unfigured koa. In excellent crack-free condition with the 12th fret replaced as well as some quality vintage tuners that look and work great. Typically skinny Hawaiian-style neck that plays very nicely and sounds especially good. This will rival some expensive vintage and new ukuleles for a bargain price. $195.00 Roy Smeck Concert. Made by Harmony in Chicago, circa 1930s. Solid spruce top with multi-ply binding, solid mahogany back and sides, also bound, and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dots. Full sunburst finish that looks very "Gibson". Harmony made several different generations of Roy Smeck ukes with this being the 2nd. These are exceptional ukes that competed with Martin and Gibson in all respects and should not be confused with the 1950s-60s Smecks with the decidely cheesey plastic fingerboard. $295.00 LeDomino. Circa 1930s made by Regal in Chicago. Very cool ukulele but it has had some restoration, with several repaired top and back cracks and a replaced ebony bridge, slightly oversized with bridge pins. Still an excellent sounding and playing solid mahogany vintage ukulele for only $250.00
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