Finding a new instrument is always something to think about very carefully. When it comes to ukuleles, there are four kinds of them available on the market. Well… you are obviously looking for a concert uke. Good thing that you already know what size do you want it to be, as this is the first step. A huge number of options is a bit decreased now.
We have researched this matter for you, in the most accurate way possible and made a list of best concert ukuleles. In this article, we will also give you some insights about instruments, and general tips that will be useful throughout the playing experience. Ukuleles truly are amazing instruments. Their voice can be distinguished from thousands of others.
It is so beautiful. The tone delivers that Hawaiian mysterious vibe. While playing I feel like I am kind of teleporting to the champagne sandy beach, looking down into the crystal clear water. The sensation that ukes deliver is worth all the trouble with choosing, and so much more. We are here to make the job easier for you. Hope that after reading the article you will be able to make up your mind and get the instrument, as for some people the stress of actually getting an instrument can be a preventing factor for purchasing. You can find best concert ukulele for your needs from the list below:
What’s The Best Concert Ukulele
| Image | Ukulele Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Kala KA-C Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric Ukulele Outfit Heritage |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Luna Guitars UKETCMAH Tattoo Concert Mahogany Ukulele |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele |  (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Kala KA-C Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele
This uke has very minimalistic, natural, beautiful look with traditional white binding. Its body is made of mahogany. Rosewood fingerboard on the mahogany neck, with gloss finish, gives instrument excellent playability. Your hand will glide like a breeze on the thin and smooth neck. The instrument has 18 Silver Nickel Frets, so the is definitely a room for your fingers to move. Kala KA-C Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele is geared with a chrome die cast tuning system, so you do not have to worry about it going out of tune. The instrument comes equipped with Premium AQUILA NYLGUT Strings, which provide extra comfort and crisp sound. Even though the instrument is pretty affordable, it sounds like a much more expensive model. The tone is full, warm and sweet. It does not have any kind of buzzing noise. Its overall performing quality will satisfy not only a beginner but an experienced player as well. It surely is a great addition to your arsenal.
Pros:
- Stays in tune
- Full sound
- Elegant, minimalistic look
Cons:
- High action
- Fret edges are too sharp
Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric Ukulele Outfit Heritage
Epiphone usually is very good at providing excellent performance quality in low price. It surely did a great job in the case of this model as well. Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric Ukulele Outfit Heritage has mahogany body, with AAA Grade Flame Maple Veneer top. It has D-profile mahogany bolt-on neck, with a rosewood fingerboard to deliver nice and smooth playability. The scale length is 15 inches, so you get a wide range of sounds. The instrument accepts standard G, C, E, A tuning. For easy connection to an amp or mixer, Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic/Electric Ukulele Outfit Heritage provides an Epiphone passive piezo pickup, wired to a standard ¼” output jack. It is equipped with 14:1 Diecast tuners, so stays in tune pretty well. The Uke is available in two colors, cherry burst and vintage sunburst. It undoubtedly is a great deal for the price.
Pros:
- I mean…Mini Les Paul!
- Great price for acoustic-electric
- Easy to use electronics for beginners
Cons:
- New strings ASAP
- Low volume when unplugged
Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele
Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele has nice craftsmanship. Its body is made of mahogany, to deliver solid sound. The beautiful satin finish, with abalone-style rosette, ivoroid body and pearl buttons on natural color facade give the instrument nice aesthetic. This model is a bestselling one from the Cordoba ukulele series. The neck of the instrument is very smooth and comfortable. Nut width is 35mm, as for the scale length – 375mm. It has nice overall playability. It comes with Aquila Nylgut 7U Strings to make the sound more detailed and crisp. The instrument has 17 frets, but is still pretty compact and gives you wide range of tones. In conclusion, the sound and quality is surely good for the price. It is great for beginners.
Pros:
- Good tonewood
- Great tone
- No tuning issues (unlike with a lot of beginner ukes)
Cons:
- Composite nut and saddle
- Sharp frets
Luna Guitars UKETCMAH Tattoo Concert Mahogany Ukulele
The incredible design of this beautiful instrument will amaze its every user. Just a look of it represents mysterious vibes and the historical background of this uke. Not only is its façade impressive, but its sound and craftsmanship as well. It is made of select mahogany, so delivers nice tone. The instrument has a lot of tattoos of old Hawaiian symbols on the body. According to the company itself, the engraved drawings are based on waves and sharks’ teeth which are also echoed as fret markers. The symbols are themed. The strong geometric pattern of black tattoos on brown skin make a significant aesthetics. The sound of this uke is pretty amazing. Its like you get teleported in Hawaii right away. The instrument rarely goes out of tune. Overall, this beautiful uke – Luna Guitars UKETCMAH Tattoo Concert Mahogany Ukulele will produce nice sound in a budget-friendly package. Its exotic look gives you a feeling of mystery, adventure, legends, and stuff like that. We would definitely recommend you to give it a shot.
Pros:
- Beautiful looks
- Quality tonewood
- Great sound and volume
- Good quality gig bag
Cons:
- If you are a beginner, this might be a bit pricey
- Needs tuning
- Change strings
Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele
Oscar Schmidt OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele is one of the most popular models on the list due to its super affordability nice tone. It comes in an all-inclusive package – to make a job easier for you beginners out there, as well as solo instrument This ukes’ top is made of Hawaiian Koa, as well as back and sides. The neck of the instrument, with a rosewood fingerboard, is pretty comfortable, so you can play for many hours on the smooth surface, without getting tired. Its overall craftsmanship is pretty impressive. The look is minimalistic and natural, with abalone top inlays – to deliver the most authentic Hawaiian vibe possible. Oscar Schmidt OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele is equipped with high-quality Grover tuners, so going out of tune will surely not be a problem in this case. The sound of this instrument is full, vibrant and loud. It will perfectly accompany not only a beginner but an experienced player as well.
Pros:
- Durable, sturdy construction
- Koa wood is durable and has amazing, rich tone
- Sweet, consistent sound
Cons:
- ABS nut is not the more durable
- Heavy headstock
Instruments from the list above are truly the best of the best among concert ukuleles. Hope you decided which one to get. In my opinion, when you are getting to know a new instrument is essential to know its history, when was it invented? How was it developed? And stuff like that. It gives you more insight about the instrument itself and makes the experience enriched. Therefore, I would like to give you a short story about ukuleles and their background history.
How did Ukulele become the symbol of Hawaii?
Well in order to find that out, we need to jump back into the history. Since old times Hawaii was one of the few places that could produce large amounts of sugar. In 1878 a large number of Portuguese workers arrived on the island. The reason for it was, the increasing demand for sugar on the market as new markets were opened in California. Portuguese people settled down in Hawaii. Of course, with a mixing population, came a mix of cultures. Big part of Portuguese emigrants was from Madeira, which is known for loving music. They brought a new musical instrument called the machete de Braga. It was relatively simple, and had four metal strings. Locals loved this new instrument and started to modify it the way they wanted. Finally, Machete de Braga turned into a ukulele-like instrument. The result was the predecessor of modern-day uke. Eventually, three cabinet makers added last changes to this instrument and turned it into uke, which has not lost its face since then. That definitely was a new and exciting innovation by that time. The population fell in love with it.
Let’s get back to the question- how did it become the symbol of Hawaii?
Well…The answer to this question is pretty simple. Thanks to King Kalakaua. The nation saw him as the savior of Hawaiian national identity, but also as someone who admired music and art in general. The kind loved the sound of new instrument – the Ukulele and insisted on it being played during royal events. That is how it became a huge part of Hawaiian history. After that, it slowly spread throughout the entire world. And nowadays it is firmly associated with Hawaii.
Now that you know the history of the Ukulele, let’s talk more about Concert ukuleles.
Concert ukulele
Concert ukuleles are usually, 23 inches long (58 cm). They deliver a wider range of sound than soprano ukuleles, as they have more frets – up to 20 frets. It has a bit longer neck, so playing is more comfortable and smooth. Concert ukuleles also have a bigger body than soprano ones, so the sound is much fuller, has more power to it and is louder. One more feature which is super attractive in concert ukuleles is that, they have more space in between frets, so there is more room for your fingers to move. That makes playing even simpler and delivers nice overall playability.
Conclusion
To sum up this article, we have given you the list of top concert ukuleles that are available on the market nowadays. We understand that choosing a new instrument is always difficult. That job is even harder if you are a beginner. Trust me, I know – been there before. I have learned all the specs that you should pay attention to and tips the hard way. But on the other hand, I can share everything with you guys. When I picked up my first uke, I had an amazing feeling, but I did not know anything at all. Learning needs a lot of work. Do not think that you will be a pro right away, give yourself some time. Ukulele’s sound is so amazing and playing it is even better. Everyone who is into the music should try this beautiful instrument out. You feel like you are teleporting into a totally different, mysterious, place – possibly somewhere in Hawaii. Those vibes are well portrayed in a song” somewhere over the rainbow” played by Israel Kamakawiwo ‘ ole. That song is actually what made me want to pick up uke in the first place. It inspired me to start playing right away. We hope that this article about the best concert ukuleles helped you in making up your mind about which instrument should you get, and give you the general idea about concert ukes. We wish you all the best in your ukulele hunt.
