UKE Republic Ukuleles

Dear Ukulele Clubs, Groups, Ensembles, Circles, and Strum-Alongs, First, let’s get this out of the way: we love you. We love your potlucks and quirky songbooks. We love your Hawaiian shirts, your loyal gig bags, and your fearless renditions of “You Are My Sunshine.” You’ve kept the uke spirit alive through seasons, storms, and yes—even that one unfortunate kazoo duet. But let’s talk. Honestly. It’s time we addressed the elephant in the strum circle. Where are the young folks? We’re not trying to be ageist—we’re trying to be age inclusive . Because let’s face it: if we want our beloved ukulele communities to keep thriving, we’ve got to start thinking beyond the tried-and-true three-chord singalongs and start inviting some new voices to the table (preferably one with snacks and decent lighting). 🎯 Why Recruit Younger Members? 1. They Bring the Heat. And the Tech. Younger players are often plugged into trends, sounds, and yes—loop pedals. They’re remixing classic songs with a twist, fing...

So you've got a few gorgeous ukuleles in your collection—the kind you wipe fingerprints off and store in climate-controlled luxury. Nothing wrong with that. But what happens when you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, the river, or a jam session in a monsoon? You need a tough-as-nails, take-it-anywhere uke that can handle the elements—and still sound good doing it. At UKE Republic, we’ve tested plenty, and here’s the verdict: today’s travel ukuleles aren’t toys. They’re smartly designed, surprisingly tone-rich, and built for rugged play in unpredictable places. Let’s dive into the all-stars of the plastic and polycarbonate uke world. Flight Travel Series Soprano Ukulele Kala Waterman Travel Soprano Ukulele 🌊 Kala Makala Waterman: The Original Trailblazer When Kala dropped the Makala Waterman , we were all in. Inspired by the vintage plastic Maccaferri ukuleles of the 1950s (which sold over 9 million units!), the Waterman brought back a concept we loved—with modern pla...

When most folks picture a ukulele, they think of high, cheerful tones and breezy beach jams. But somewhere along the way, someone dared to ask: “What if a ukulele could groove like a bass guitar?” And just like that, the bass ukulele was born. At UKE Republic, we’ve watched the rise of these little low-end dynamos—and we’ve been happily riding the wave alongside curious strummers and seasoned bassists alike. Whether you're looking to add bottom end to a uke jam, downsize from your traditional bass, or just want to play something wildly fun and portable, bass ukuleles are where it's at. Metal Wound Bass Strings The Origin of the U•BASS®: A Smart Revolution in Sound It all kicked off in the early 2000s when Kala rolled out their now-iconic U•BASS® —a short-scale ukulele tuned like a standard bass guitar (E-A-D-G) but strung with thick polyurethane or fluorocarbon strings. Suddenly, bassists didn’t need to lug around a massive rig to get fat, thumpy tone. Ukulele players c...

At UKE Republic , we believe you don’t have to break the bank to play a tenor ukulele with great tone, craftsmanship, and stage-worthy looks. Whether you're a newbie with taste or a seasoned player on a budget, we’ve curated a lineup of tenor ukuleles under $250 that punch far above their price point. This isn’t a ranked list—it’s a carefully curated lineup of our top tenor uke picks based on value, tone, features, and style. Each one brings something special to the table (or the stage). Let’s dive in and help you find your next favorite uke—without giving your wallet performance anxiety. 🥇 Top Tenor Ukuleles $250 & Under at UKE Republic 1. Kala KA‑EBY‑T Striped Ebony Tenor Ukulele – $199 Kala KA-EBY-T Striped Ebony Tenor Ukulele Tone & Build: Full striped ebony body gives you bright, crisp tone with bold projection. Maple binding + abalone rosette = visual wow. Why It Rocks: Looks and sounds like a much pricier instrument. Great for clear leads and percuss...

  Spreading Aloha One Strum at a Time Since 2007 At UKE Republic, we’ve always had a soft spot for the underdogs, the dreamers, and the builders. So back in 2007, when we were just tuning up our fledgling ukulele shop , we stumbled across a new name on the scene: Kala Brand Music Co. At the time, they were working out of a converted chicken hatchery (yep, you read that right) in Petaluma, California . But there was something special about them—a spark of passion and purpose we immediately recognized. We reached out. Kala answered. And just like that, the beginning of a beautiful uke-lationship was born. Early days repping Kala for UKE Republic Early NAMM days at the Kala Booth From Hatchery to Heavy Hitter Fast forward to today, Kala has become the world’s most popular ukulele brand, and UKE Republic is proud to have been along for the ride since the early days. What drew us in then still holds true now: Kala’s relentless commitment to quality, innovation, and accessibility. Whe...

When you’ve been slingin’ strings and spreading ukulele joy as long as we have, you come to know the brands that really get it . Ohana Ukuleles isn’t just a manufacturer - we’d call them family. Back in the early days, when UKE Republic was fresh on the scene in 2007 and Ohana was still shipping from Louis’s garage, we connected over a shared passion: offering players something more than just an instrument. We both believed in curating experiences, creating community, and carrying only the gear we’d be proud to hand to a friend. Ohana Ukuleles & UKE Republic with uncle Daniel Ho Built on Aloha and Craftsmanship Ohana doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality. From their vintage-inspired SK-28 soprano (a personal fave around here) to their forward-thinking bari-tenors and rare tonewood experiments, they strike a sweet chord between tradition and innovation. Donna has a soft spot for their pineapple models - especially that warm, glossy PKC-25G . And honestly? We don’t blame her...