4 Tips to Take Care of Your Ukulele
Congratulations, you got the ukulele you've been eyeing! Now, let's take care of it.
In this guide, we'll go over some best practices and care tips to ensure your instrument continues to bring joy to you and others. Taking good care of your ukulele is an investment that pays for itself and expands its lifespan.
To ensure your instrument remains in top condition, here are 4 tips on how to take proper care of your ukulele.
Storing Your Ukulele
We try our best to handle our instruments carefully, but accidents can still happen. Purchasing a ukulele case is essential to prevent potential damage and extend longevity. You can choose between a hard shell case or a gig bag. Each has its advantages, but it's up to your personal preference and requirements.
Hard Shell Cases
Hard shell cases provide the best protection from dents and dings. For musicians who travel or play in outdoor gigs, a hard shell case is your best bet. Another advantage with hard shell cases is they protect your ukulele from humidity and moisture.
Kala Tenor Ukulele Archtop Hard Case in Black
Gig Bag Cases
Gig bags have come a long way and are great for portability when you're on the go, as they are much lighter and less bulky than a hard case. They also usually come with a zippered pouch or two to hold books and accessories. Some cases offer a padded foam interior. They're great to protect your instrument from the sun and dust.
Fender FU610 Soprano Ukulele Gig Bag in Black
Cleaning Your Ukulele
To keep your ukulele the "happiest instrument in the world" - a happy uke is a clean uke. Do simple maintenance tasks like washing your hands before playing and wiping down the strings to help your ukulele last longer.
Clean your fretboard using lemon oil to ensure that dirt and grime don't accumulate. Dirt can be the main cause to ruin your instrument's overall playability and appearance. Polish your ukulele after playing it to enhance its aesthetic appeal and protect its surface from potential damage. Use a 100% cotton cleaning cloth and follow the instructions on the package of your guitar polish.
Restringing Your Ukulele
Restringing your ukulele is key for maintaining that bright, happy sound that the instrument is known for. The types of stings you choose is a personal preference, so don't be afraid to experiment with different strings.
If you start noticing your ukulele strings starting to sound dull, it's a good time to change them.
- Unwind and remove the old strings.
- Secure the new strings to the bridge
- Feed the strings through tuning peg holes
- Tighten the strings
- Stretch the strings and tune to pitch
With practice, changing strings will become second nature. See a great video by Long & McQuade technician Michael Robicheau on restringing your ukulele below.
Restringing kits, tuners and other accessories are available at your local Long & McQuade store. If you're not comfortable changing the strings on your own yet, your local Long & McQuade guitar technician offers this and other services.
Dealing with Temperature and Humidity
Here in Canada, we can experience some pretty cold and dry winters. The summers can get humid as well. The fluctuations in weather can affect the structure of your ukulele. Protecting your ukulele from extreme temperatures and maintaining the right level of humidity can help preserve the wooden components.
Use a humidifier to monitor humidity levels and extend its life when not in use. This will help prevent the wood from drying out and cracking. Keeping your instrument in a humidified environment will help maintain its tone and playability. Make sure to regularly check and refill the humidifier to ensure its working effectively.
By following these simple ukulele care and maintenance tips, your well-cared-for ukulele will continue to produce beautiful music for years to come.
