Famous ukuleles

Probably the best known and most widely sold ukuleles in Japan are Famous.

The manufacturers of Famous ukuleles are based in Gunma, northwest of Tokyo, in an area known for furniture production. Mitsuba makes both ukuleles and furniture. The ukulele side of the operation produces the Famous brand and the Zephyr--a down-market "beginner" ukulele.

They started out manufacturing school instruments in the 1940s. When the ukulele and Hawaiian boom hit in the 1950s, Mitsuba began turning out ukuleles. I have read that at one point they manufactured enough to even export to the North America. However, when the craze bottomed out, Famous was the last brand standing. All other ukulele makers had called it quits.

Famous was apparently able to maintain its niche market. For a couple of decades, it survived as the only Japanese ukulele manufacturer. Famous is famous again. Almost any shop selling ukuleles in Japan other than toys is likely to carry Famous ukuleles. They seem to be almost a standard entry-level ax. A sizable portion of the beginners I have met here have them.

As far as I can remember, I have never played one personally, so I can't really comment on how they play. But, the company's motto runs something like "At a reasonable price with quality surpassing that".

The models they manufacture can be seen here.