UKULELE STORES

This is my ongoing listing of Ukulele musical instrument  stores who have a decent reputation. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - if you have a store, don't email or message me asking to be listed - you get listed on here if I have bought from you or someone I respect highly has - there is NO other way!

A couple of other notes - I always do, and will recommend that if you are buying a uke, try to actually visit the store and check the uke out in person. Speak to a real dealer who can help you, and get touchy feely - for that reason, Amazon etc have no place on this list. That said, I know many people for a variety of reasons cannot visit shops direct and rely on mail order. If that is you, I hope this list helps you as sometimes you have no choice. If I have spoken to an online dealer and asked a question about a uke and got a duff reply, then they are not listed here.

And remember - just because you are a big chain retailer of musical instruments, doesn't mean you are a ukulele specialist. Those below ARE specialists. In short - this is the Got A Ukulele hall of fame for great ukulele shops!

UK

SOUTHERN UKULELE STORE -

Based in Bournemouth, an obvious choice for the UK buyer. Certainly the biggest UK ukulele stock (perhaps largest in the EU) - run by people who know and play ukuleles - instruments for all price ranges. Speak to Rob who will help you out. Amazing range, everything from strings and beginner ukes, to the finest handmade instruments. My Kanile'a and my wifes Pono came from here amongst many more I own. Recently became one of the carefully selected Kamaka dealers in the UK, and often carry luthier instruments too from the likes of Howlet, John Daniel and Beltona.

WORLD OF UKES - 

Based in Carlisle, World Of Ukes is a new specialist Ukulele store (not a general music store that stocks ukes), this is pure ukulele! Brainchild of Matt Warnes, the man behind Uke Magazine and the World of Ukes events and concert tours. His aim is to stock high end very special ukuleles and less of the mass produced garbage. His current stock listings show exactly that. Did I also tell you what a nice chap he is?



EAGLE MUSIC -

Based near Huddersfield, this is a well established music store that caters for the folk
musician (in the main). Great service, and the only (to date) UK dealer for Mainland Ukuleles, but also stocking the likes of Martin, Kamaka and Deering too. A nice range from beginner to professional. Great personal service, even if mail order. Check stock direct before ordering though.

FORSYTHS -

Based in Manchester - part of a much bigger music store - but with a good ukulele range and people on that side of things who know what they are talking about.

UKE SHOP

Local shop in Washington, North East UK, run by Steve Kyle and the only UK dealer of Outdoor Ukulele.

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GERMANY

GUTE UKULELE - Specialist dealer of some high end and bespoke ukuleles run by Andreas David. In Berlin. Some lovely instruments on his books!

UKE SURFER RISA - have not ordered from this shop, but it is run by Risa ukuleles and have an amazing range if you are in the EU.  I have had well trusted recommendations of them. They are also a EU registered dealer of Kamaka ukuleles, and Kamaka do not deal with just anyone!

ITALY

MERCATINO DELL'UKULELE - Specialist store in Caldogno, VI

SPAIN


Ukeshop Barcelona - Business of Nicolas le Proux de la Riviere, and stockists of some very nice ukulele names 





USA

ELDERLY INSTRUMENTS - 

Not shopped here personally, but hear great things and they seem to have the knack of finding some rare stuff. Besides all the other instruments you will find on this store, they currently have an amazing ukulele range. Based in Lansing Michigan.


THE UKULELE SITE -  

Based on Oahu in Hawaii - not much you can't buy here in the ukulele world and hugely respected

MAINLAND UKES - 

Not a store in the normal sense, but the online store for Mainland - I play one, and therefore Mike at Mainland gets a shout out - buy direct!





MIMS UKES - 

Ultra popular store from Virginia - off Blue Ridge Parkway - get into the uke community and before long you all come across Mim who is a fabulous person - great stock range and individual setups done by Mim which are world famous. Worlds biggest Ohana dealer too.

UKE REPUBLIC - 

Well regarded store - a real bricks and mortar shop that also sell their own line of Sailor brand ukes. I hear LOTS of great reports about this place and they also sell a lot of lines I recommend. Run by Mike - a very nice guy!










Why are there not more? Surely loads of music stores sell instruments? Well, yes, they do - but these named above are proper ukulele specialists! There is honestly nothing worse than a chain of music stores who stock ukuleles to get on the bandwagon without really knowing anything about them and ship them out without opening the boxes from the factory. You know who you are!