Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I got this 21" Economic Soprano Ukulele Start Pack by ADM for my wife who is a musician of many sorts. This review is based on her experience using the product. Ukuleles are a string instrument made from a hollow soundboard and four strings. They look like a mini guitar. They have an hourglass base and a fingerboard neck. Often, ukulele manufacturers make the strings from stainless steel or nylon, and the instrument's tuning should be (in order) the notes of G, C, E and A. Most ukuleles have wood construction. However, musicians may find less expensive versions built from plastic. There are a variety of models including: soprano, concert, armadillo, pineapple, banjo tenor and baritone. This Ukulele is a soprano version that has a basswood body and nylon strings. As a musician my wife said that that this is quality constructed instrument. It's not top of the line mind you but it's a good solid instrument perfect for starting out and beyond. Other features of the instrument include a black neck fingerboard with sturdy brass frets (a total of 12 altogether). The frets are marked at the 5th, 7th & 10th levels. The tuners are chrome plated metal with plastic buttons and look like that of a guitar. They are just as sturdy as the rest of the instrument. This set comes with a pink holding bag, a shoulder strap that can be taken on and off, 2 picks, extra white nylon string in case a string needs to be replaced, an orange polishing cloth to keep the instrument shining and a digital tuner. They even included the battery for the tuner. The instrument is remarkably lightweight. This in combination with the nylon strings makes this instrument a good choice for children who are learning. Aside from the features there is another huge consideration that speaks of what a nice instrument this is. It's a soprano ukulele. It has the highest pitch of all of the ukulele's. It has a clear and joyful sound but has limited resonance and amplification. This is the kind of instrument that you would use in small entertainment venues and/or for personal enjoyment in the home. A few things to keep in mind in regards to this instrument. The strings need to be tightened when it arrives. You do this by turning the 4 white knobs towards you. Turning them away from you loosens the strings. Unless you have an excellent ear you WILL need to use the digital tuner. Figuring that out can be a bit of a challenge if you have never done it before so I suggest that you consult a musical store for a one on one instruction or watch a you tube video. Once you do it one time it comes naturally after that. The most tuning the instrument needs is when you first get it. After that you can pick a set frequency and just do it at the designated times. There is one thing about ukulele's in general that most certainly applies to this instrument as well. Their sound quality increases with time as they age. What it sounds like when it first arrives isn't exactly what it will sound like a few weeks or months down the road. With time the sound becomes richer. My wife just received the instrument a few days ago so she's still in the initial fine tuning stage. Right now the sound quality is lovely and she stated it was easy to play. She recommends using the picks because they help protect the skin on the fingers from irritation. The only improvement that my wife could suggest was the carrying case. She felt that if the case were firmer that it would protect the instrument better from damage. This is truly a beautiful instrument. It comes in a variety of colors. My wife's is pink. The price is affordable. It would be a wonderful gift for child or adult alike. My wife specifically mentioned that this would be perfect to use in schools during music class. Usable by musicians of ALL levels. It really provides so much for such a small instrument! My wife saw Tiny Tim sing "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" while playing the ukulele as a child. This whole experience has been both fun an nostalgic for her. I was provided this product at no cost to me in exchange for an honest unbiased evaluation.