Advice for a ukulele newbie? Please help!?

[lyresrock!]

So I've been playing around with the idea of getting a ukulele because I love the sound and it seems like a fun instrument to play. I'm also getting an acoustic guitar, but I've found finding a guitar I like much easier than finding a ukulele. See, I have next to no idea on what to do. I have a couple questions if someone could help?

1) What is the ultimate difference between soprano, tenor, concert, and baritone ukuleles? I know it's the size, but is the sound really affected that much?

2) What size (soprano, tenor, concert, or baritone) would be best for a beginner?

3) Can I buy online or should I try and find a store? I live in the Omaha, NE/Council Bluffs, IA area so if I do have to find a store does anyone have suggestions?

4) What would be the best price range? I really don't want to spend $200+ on an instrument I'll just be playing for fun, but I don't want a really cheap, crappy one either. I mean, if I'm spending about $100 on a guitar, I have trouble justifying spending more than that on a instrument like a third the size.

5) I play double bass and electric bass guitar... treble clef notes give me a migraine... will I have a lot of difficulty learning to play the ukulele?

6) Are lessons necessary? I personally don't think I'd need them. There seems to be plenty of sites that I can learn from, but is it recommended to take lessons with an actual teacher?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Chris S]

1. The difference in size between ukuleles offers more frets and therefore more avaialble notes. The tenor and concert sizes are usually fuller sounding because of the body size, although I personally have a soprano that beats both my concert and tenor in resonance.
2. Sopranos are popular simply because you can find them very cheap. Most men go for a tenor simply because of the fret board size. Bigger fingers+ bigger fretboard = easier to play
3. Stores give you the possibility of trying a model or two but online offers the best price unless you get a great sale.
4. I woud not spend less than $100 simply because anything less is usually a toy or souvenir that you will never be able to keep in tune and the money you spent will be wasted.
5. Ukulele is relatively easy.. four strings, 12 frets how hard can that be?
6. There are so many online video courses and instructional videos that you won't need lessons to see if your interested, however, I think to become good you need lots of practice and some personal instruction. Strumming is the hardest thing to learn without personal instruction.
Good luck.