My Gear
Everything I use on this journey — the instruments, the accessories, and the resources that are helping me learn.
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HUG BEGINNER TENOR
“The One That Started It All”
This is the ukulele I bought at Lahaina Music in Lahaina, Hawaii — the one that started everything. The owner’s son played several ukuleles for me and I kept coming back to this one. Something about the warm mahogany tone just sat right. Part of HUG’s Beginner collection, it did exactly what it needed to do: got me playing for real.
Type: Tenor
Brand: HUG Ukulele
Where I Got It: Lahaina Music, Lahaina, Hawaii
Current Strings: Pepe Romero UT2 Low G
KALA SSMHG-B BARITONE
“My Primary Instrument”
When I signed up for Uke Like the Pros, they offered a free ukulele with enrollment. I already had a tenor, so I went baritone. The first time I played it I just knew — that deep, warm sunburst sound, the way it settled into my hands. This is where I spend most of my time.
Type: Baritone
Brand: Kala
Current Strings: Stock strings
KALA KA-C MAHOGANY CONCERT
“The Travel Uke”
Spotted a deal and figured — this would be great for travel, why not? The Kala KA-C is compact enough to take anywhere and sounds great for its size. My grab-and-go uke. Also awesome anytime I want to play a more traditional high G.
Type: Concert
Brand: Kala
Current Strings: Worth BM-46 Brown Fluorocarbon High G
Cases & Bags
BARITONE ARCHTOP HARDSHELL CASE
“Olive Tweed — Protection in Style”
Bought this to protect the baritone properly. Archtop design, wine-colored plush interior, antique bronze hardware. It looks as good as it functions and the baritone fits perfectly.
Brand: Uke Like the Pros
Type: Archtop Hardshell
Exterior: Olive Tweed with Brown Tolex Trim
Interior: Wine Colored Plush Velvet
Where I Got It: Terry Carter Music Store
KALA RUSSIAN RIVER RED GIG BAG
“The Tenor’s Home”
This is the red gig bag the HUG tenor came home from Hawaii in. Soft case with good padding, easy to carry. It’s held up well and the color is hard to miss.
Brand: Kala
Type: Soft Gig Bag
Color: Russian River Red
Fits: Tenor Ukulele
Strings
TENOR STRINGS
Finding the right strings is a journey. Here’s what I’ve tried across all three of my ukuleles — all personally played.
Aquila 15U New Nylgut — Low G (paid link)
A great starting point for tenor. Warm traditional ukulele tone. The Aquila feel is distinctive and a lot of players love it.
D’Addario EJ99TLG Pro-Arte Carbon — Low G
Warm balanced sound with good feel under the fingers. Hard to go wrong with these as a starting point.
Oasis GPX UKE-8101F Warm Clear Fluorocarbon — Low G (paid link)
Brighter and higher tension than nylgut. Good if you like a crisp clear sound.
Pepe Romero UT2 — Low G ⭐ Current
My favorite so far. The wound G string sits in a register that just sounds right. Premium strings from a legendary name.
Fremont STR-FTG Black Fluorocarbon — Low G
Unique black fluorocarbon with a smooth consistent feel. A great alternative if you want something different.
Pepe Romero UBB Baby Baritone — Upcoming Experiment
Baritone-tuned strings I’m planning to try on the tenor. Curious what that tuning sounds like on a tenor body. Check back in a few months for the verdict.
CONCERT STRINGS
Worth BM-46 Brown Fluorocarbon — High G ⭐ Current (paid link)
Warm and mellow tone. Worth strings have a devoted following and for good reason.
Aquila 85U Red Series — High G (paid link)
A step up from standard Aquila. The red compound gives a warmer richer tone. Great value for the quality.
BARITONE STRINGS
Martin M630 Clear Fluorocarbon — D-G-B-E ⭐ Current (paid link)
Classic baritone string choice from a trusted brand. Wound D and G strings give a full deep tone.
Learning & Practice
ONLINE COURSES
Uke Like the Pros (affiliate link)
The online program that changed everything for me. Structured lessons, great community, and the reason I ended up with a baritone. Genuinely recommend it.
BOOKS
Hal Leonard Ukulele Method Book 1 (paid link)
Solid step-by-step beginner book. Covers chords, strumming, and reading music. Good structured foundation.
The Daily Ukulele Songbook (paid link)
365 songs, one for every day of the year. Chords and lyrics for everything from folk to pop. A great resource to just open and play something.
Baritone Ukulele from Scratch (paid link)
Specifically for baritone beginners. Covers the unique tuning and approach of the baritone. Hard to find good baritone resources — this is one of them.
Lil’ Rev Hal Leonard Baritone Ukulele Method Book 1 (paid link)
Another solid baritone-specific resource. The more baritone content the better when you’re learning an instrument that doesn’t get as much coverage.
CHORD CHARTS
LookVeeT Ukulele Chord Chart 2 Pack (paid link)
A4 size laminated chord reference guides. Handy to have on the stand during practice.
Laminated Baritone Ukulele Fretboard & Chord Chart (paid link)
Baritone-specific chord chart. Essential since baritone is tuned differently from standard ukulele.
Accessories
TUNING & TIMING
Wegrower 3-in-1 Metronome/Tuner/Tone Generator (paid link)
One device that does it all. Rechargeable, works with ukulele, and keeping time is something every beginner needs to work on.
HUMIDITY & CARE
MusicNomad HONE Hygrometer (MN312) (paid link)
Monitors humidity and temperature right where your instruments are. Wooden instruments and dry air don’t mix — this keeps me informed.
Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer (paid link)
Connects to your phone and sends alerts if humidity drops. A great backup and easy to check without being in the room.
Boveda 49% RH Starter Kit + Fabric Holder (paid link)
Two-way humidity control that keeps moisture levels stable inside instrument cases. Essential for protecting wooden ukuleles, especially in Seattle winters.
MusicNomad Premium Ukulele Care Kit (MN142) (paid link)
Everything you need to keep your ukuleles clean and protected. Polish, cleaner, microfiber cloth — the works.
MusicNomad GRIP String Cutter (MN226) (paid link)
Makes string changes much cleaner. Worth having in your kit.
MusicNomad GRIP String Peg Winder (MN221) (paid link)
Speeds up string changes considerably. Rubber lined so it won’t scratch your tuners.
STANDS & LIGHTING
Manhasset Symphony Music Stand (paid link)
The gold standard for music stands. Sturdy, adjustable, made in the USA. Once you use one of these you won’t go back to a cheap stand.
Manhasset Stand Light (paid link)
Clip-on light for the music stand. Great for practice sessions when the room lighting isn’t ideal.
JCWINY Phone Holder for Mic Stand (paid link)
Lets you mount your phone to a stand for recording or following along with video lessons. Adjustable and fits most phones.
Liquid Stands Guitar Stool with Backrest (paid link)
A proper musician’s stool. Having good posture while playing makes a real difference, especially in longer practice sessions.
FINGERTIP TRAINING
Rock Tips Liquid Callus Formula (paid link)
Helps toughen up fingertips faster. Every beginner’s fingertips go through it — this helps speed the process up.
D’Addario Varigrip Hand Exerciser (paid link)
Build finger strength and dexterity away from the instrument. Good for practice when you can’t play.
Fender Callus Builder & Finger Strengthener (paid link)
Similar idea to the Varigrip but with simulated strings to help develop calluses. Good complement to actual playing time.
Silicone Finger Guards + Picks Set (paid link)
Good for protecting fingertips while you’re building calluses. Comes with a variety of sizes and some basic picks.
PICKS
Black Mountain Thumb Picks (paid link)
Spring loaded thumb picks that work great for baritone. Took some getting used to but I like what they do for the low end.
Anwenk Leather Ukulele Picks (paid link)
Soft genuine leather picks that produce a warm, mellow tone. A nice alternative to standard picks.
BoloPick Felt Ukulele Picks 6-Pack (paid link)
Original felt pick recipe made in the USA. Produces a warm soft tone that suits ukulele perfectly.
STRAPS & CASES
MUINS Ukulele Case — Starlit Sky 23″ (paid link)
A stylish gig bag for the concert uke. Good padding and the starlit sky design is genuinely cool.
Music First Country Style Ukulele Strap (paid link)
Soft yarn-dyed fabric with genuine leather ends and a strap locker. Classic look, comfortable wear. My go-to strap.
Nefelibata Guitar Strap (paid link)
Nylon with a Halloween/pumpkin print and cowhide leather ends. Fun and functional. Comes with strap locks and picks.
REMAGIC Ukulele Strap (paid link)
Adjustable national style strap with soft PU leather ends. Works on all uke sizes including baritone.