UKE Republic Ukuleles

  Why the Ukulele Is the Ultimate Gift for College-Bound Kids: Stress Relief, Social Connection, and Portable Fun Heading off to college is a huge milestone—filled with excitement, nerves, and a fair share of stress. If you’re hunting for a gift that stands out and actually helps your college-bound kid navigate this new chapter, look no further than the ukulele. It’s compact, approachable, and surprisingly powerful in its benefits. Here’s why a ukulele makes the perfect companion for any student starting college life. 1. Tiny but Mighty: Portability That Fits Dorm Life Dorm rooms aren’t known for their spaciousness. A bulky guitar? Forget it. But a ukulele? It slips easily into a gig bag, fits snugly in a corner, or even hangs on the wall as a cool decoration. It’s perfect for dorms, apartments, and campus lounges alike—wherever your student needs a little musical escape. 2. Stress Relief That Doesn’t Require a Prescription College can be overwhelming. Between exams, papers,...

Your strings are your voice — and whether you’re strumming by the seaside or gigging under stage lights, the right set can make all the difference.  UKE Republic carries a wide variety of carefully curated ukulele strings At UKE Republic , we carry a carefully curated collection of ukulele strings from top-tier brands that we know, trust, and play ourselves. From bold projection to vintage warmth, from silky fluorocarbon to mellow nylon, each set helps your ukulele sing its truest voice. Aquila Aquila’s renowned Nylgut and New Nylgut sets bring a rich evolution of traditional gut tone with modern performance. Constructed from their proprietary synthetic gut, these strings offer warm, resonant tones rivaling classic gut but with impressive tuning stability—even through changes in humidity. Their Red Series amps up brightness and responsiveness, creating a dynamic, powerful range across the fretboard, while the grey-black LAVA Series merges exotic Hawaiian inspiration with Nylg...

  Left-Handed Ukulele Players: How UKE Republic Makes It Easy Being a left-handed ukulele player often means navigating a world built for righties. Most ukuleles, setups, and learning materials assume right-handed playing, leaving left-handed players feeling like they’re always adapting instead of just playing naturally. We get it. At UKE Republic, we’re here to make your ukulele experience comfortable, enjoyable, and fully yours. Left-Handed Ortega Bon-Fire Series Left-Handed Ortega Neo Series Bass Ukulele Two Ways to Get Your Left-Handed Ukulele Setup Custom Left-Handed Setup on a Standard Ukulele If you find a ukulele you love but it’s right-handed, don’t worry—we can flip it for you. But this isn’t just restringing it backwards. We carefully adjust the nut slots to fit the proper string gauges for left-handed playing, ensuring smooth action and perfect intonation. Our expert Pro Setup includes precise tuning, fretwork, and overall playability tweaks so your instrument fe...

Ortega TourPlayer RTPX-U-FMA Tenor Ukulele – Gloss Blue Flamed Maple Stage-Ready. Battery-Free. Built to Perform. Includes TourPlayer Gig Bag + Pro Setup by UKE Republic Looking for a performance ukulele that can handle the spotlight—and look good doing it? The  Ortega TourPlayer RTPX-U-FMA Tenor Ukulele  is engineered for modern players who want bold tone, sleek style, and no-nonsense functionality. This isn't your average uke. Featuring a  solid chambered Okoume body  with sculpted cutouts, the TourPlayer is lightweight, resonant, and ready to rock without feedback issues. The  flamed maple top in a rich gloss blue finish  gives it a visual edge that turns heads before you hit the first note. But the real power move? The onboard  MagusX/U preamp system —complete with  built-in tuner  and  USB-C rechargeable battery . Say goodbye to bulky 9V batteries. Just plug in and power up. Whether you're plugging into a PA system or recording dire...

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...