Ukuleles are outrageously popular and as such, it's only logical there's a huge selection to choose from. To repair yours, replace a worn out part, or upgrade it with some high-quality components, you can browse this category to find anything from individual machine heads to new bridges, nuts, saddles and even ukulele scratchplates.
Upgrade the Machine Heads for Stable Tuning
Most ukuleles have nylon (or polyurethane) strings. Since the strings need a little time to stretch and fully 'break in', it makes sense that you'll need to tune up more regularly at first. But if you know your strings are nicely played-in but they're still not holding tune, then you might want to check your machine heads. Over time, machine heads can collect a lot of dust, dirt and grime which can stiffen the action as you turn the tuning buttons, and if they're a little worn out, they might not have a good grip on the strings any more. In that case, it can be good idea to replace them with a new set. If you need help replacing your machine heads, there are plenty of clear tutorials you can follow online, or you could get some advice from your local luthier.
Besides the machine heads, the nut and the saddle of any ukulele are essential, since they not only hold the strings in place, but are the two points where the strings make contact with the body, ensuring that the string resonance is transferred through the body. This has a big affect on the intonation of your instrument, the playability and sound. If the saddle is a bit too high, this raises the action of the ukulele - meaning, the strings sit higher above the fretboard, making it harder to press them down and harder to play. If the action is too low, it can lead to 'fret buzz', where the string buzzes against the other frets instead of producing a clean note. Replacing small parts like the nut and saddle can improve the tuning, sound and playability of a ukulele no end.
Most ukuleles won't come fitted with a scratchplate (also known as a pickguard), but it's actually pretty easy to install one yourself. Having a scratchplate can be useful, especially if you play with a plectrum, since it stops the soundboard from getting scratched and dented as you play. Adding a scratchplate to your uke can also be a sweet aesthetic upgrade, giving your instrument a more stage-worthy look.
