Getting to know a new instrument is always a challenging journey. You might be eager, motivated to learn everything as soon as possible, but then you realize that the desire is accompanied with tons of problems. You need to think about so many things. Well… you have decided on the first step, what type of ukulele to get. Tons of options are available on the market of tenor ukuleles, as they are much appreciated in the society, due to unique features. Some models are advertised in the best way possible to trick you into buying a low quality instrument, but make you think you are getting the best one possible. That is exactly why I made a research in this matter and prepared the list of best tenor ukuleles, together with some general information. Do not worry, you will not be deceived, I will make sure of it. Here goes the list. Enjoy.
Top 5 Best Tenor Ukuleles
| Image | Ukulele Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Luna Mahogany Series Tattoo Tenor Ukulele |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Cordoba 20TM-CE Tenor Ukulele |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Kala MK-TE Tenor Ukulele | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Alvarez RU22T Regent Series Ukulele |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Caramel CT500 Rosewood Tenor Acoustic Electric Ukulele |  (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Luna Mahogany Series Tattoo Tenor Ukulele
Luna’s ukulele is very popular on today’s market. It has a nice, traditional vibe. The instrument is designed to have the legendary Hawaiian body ornamentation. It has mainly used different symbols inspired by the natural island world. Mahogany Series Tattoo Tenor Ukulele is primarily designed with symbols based on waves and sharks’ teeth which are also echoed as fret markers. It features Laser Etched Tattoo Design by Alex Morgan, Tenor body, with Select Mahogany on top and Mahogany on the back/sides. Its Nat neck is super comfortable with Fretboard/ Bridge of Rosewood and the Scale is 19″ Nut – 1 5/16 with the Finish from Satin. This ukulele feels very well weighed and rests comfortably in hands. It’s a showy ukulele, with a mature feel. The sound box seems to be marginally larger than other tenors. The intonation is rich, closer to a classical guitar, and still on the same sweet spectrum as a traditional ukulele. The sound is definitely loud, and it responds very well to strumming and plucking.
Pros:
- Balanced tone
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Great gig bag
Cons:
- Buzzing
- Action might be a bit high
Cordoba 20TM-CE Tenor Ukulele
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It’s easy to think of a ukulele as a children’s toy due to its size. They are like pugs – you look at them and think how cute they are. But these are some serious instruments with inspiring sounds. After all, they always trigger positivity and a smile on your face. Once I hear the sound of a ukulele, I immediately get surrounded with the vibe of advertisements with all the sea, sand, sun and fun times… I think I got a bit carried away. All I wanted to say was that ukuleles are produced with professional musicians in mind. Cordoba 20TM-CE will prove that with every note it emits. It has amazing qualities for the price – surprising even. This bad boy has a mahogany back and sides with a solid mahogany top. The C-shaped neck is also made from mahogany, while the fingerboard is built from a composite. This ukulele has a tenor body size, which means it’s not too small and neither too big. I’d say this size is absolutely perfect, well at least for me. 20TM-CE is an acoustic-electric model and it features Cordoba Active Ukulele Pickup with a 2 band equalizer. Not that we doubted, but Cordoba has once again created something spectacular!
Pros:
- Well-defined individual notes
- Decent build quality
- Comes with a gig bag
Cons:
- The action is too high
- The saddle needs some adjustments
Kala MK-TE Tenor Ukulele
I doubt anyone expected that we would have a “best” category and not include one of Kala model in it. Their Makala MK-TE is one of our favorite tenor ukuleles because it offers a lot more than what you would expect from its price. This model is lightweight and sturdy at the same time. The mahogany body and neck are beautifully constructed and durable. Mahogany is probably one of the most widespread tonewoods and for a good reason: it is durable, it ages well and it definitely does not hurt that mahogany is not the most expensive material. The MK-TE is one of the more accessible tenor ukes because of its playability. The neck with walnut fingerboard feels like you are gliding your fingers on the smoothest wood that has been polished for years. When it comes to the hardware, you get pretty basic but functional treatment. As for the electronics, the onboard 2-band EQ delivers clear, authentic sound. Maybe this is not a pro-level ukulele, but it sure as hell is one great way to start your journey in the world of ukes.
Pros:
- Easy to use electronics
- Durable, functional hardware
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Tuning issues (just like with most ukuleles but it goes away after the break-in period)
- A little expensive for beginner ukuleles
Alvarez RU22T Regent Series Ukulele
The Alvarez Regent Series is a high quality entry-level ukulele line designed to provide super value instruments with many features and specifications you find in pro-level Alvarez models. It features a classic look and are made from mahogany on top as well as back and sides with a gloss finish. Components such as Closed Back Tuners as well as our rosewood bridge, fan bracing, and real bone nut and saddle, work together to get the best tone and response possible. Regent Series have also been designed with the student in mind. The ukuleles have a classic look. Alvarez Alvarez RU22T Regent Series is the entry-level ukulele. It has a wonderful tone, great sustain, and stays in tune for a very long time. Its craftsmanship is pretty impressive for the price. Great choice. Would recommend to anyone. Great Uke for the money.
Pros:
- Sturdy and durable
- Get a better quality for lesser price
- No need for extra tuning
Cons:
- High action
- A bit most expensive compared to other beginner ukes
Caramel CT500 Rosewood Tenor Acoustic Electric Ukulele
The Caramel CT500 is very affordable uke which is worth giving it a chance. Probably your first impression would be the quality, when you know its price. There is nothing to worry about since the quality is truly amazing. When you first see it out of the box you are going to be blown away by how polished it is. You cannot see any difference in built quality between the more expensive ukulele and CT500. This affordable uke features a Rosewood body, as well as a rosewood fretboard & bridge Buffalo bone nut & saddle, 18 frets, Aquila string, and 3 Band EQ built-in tuner. Very impressed. Looks good, sounds good. The sound is wonderful and projects very well. The placement of the sound holes makes for a very rich sound, for the price it can’t be beaten. This is a great ukulele. Would easily recommend it to anyone.
Pros:
- Amazing looks
- Good tonewood that allows for nice sound
- Beginner-friendly electronics
Cons:
- Not the best nut material
- Needs tuning and you should probably change strings for the best results
Hope you have found the perfect match from the list above. All of the models truly are best of the best on today’s market, among tenor ukuleles, so feel free to choose any. I would like to give you some tips about getting a new instrument as they might be really helpful. I wish I did so back when I was getting my first uke. I remember the first time I heard its beautiful sound. I was at my friend’s place and suddenly an unknown (for me) version of a very nice song pops up. I started to listen really carefully. I closed my eyes and this sound transferred my mind into a totally different place. I thought I was on a wonderful sandy beach, on some secret island, far away from the reality, looking into the horizon. I almost felt the breeze on my face and smell of salt. The whole experience was amazing and unforgettable for me. On the following day I played this song over and over again and finally decided that I wanted to make sounds like that myself. The tone of the instrument was so sweet and rich. It never left my mind so I went and got a uke. Since than I never stopped playing. I enjoy it in the best way possible and carry with me in all of my adventures. The name of the song was “somewhere over the rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole. I would advise you to check it out, as it really motivated not only me but a lot of people. I am really happy that you have decided to get a Ukulele. Trust me you will not regret it. Now I would like to give you some general info about tenor ukuleles – describe them briefly and give you in my opinion the most important advice before getting not only uke but any kind of instrument, to make this whole experience even more productive and pleasant.
As you already know there are four sizes of ukuleles. From smallest to biggest the order will go like this: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone. You can see that Tenor ukuleles are bigger than concert or soprano ones. Its size is approximately 26 inches (66cm). Tenor ukes have additional frets, therefore you get wider range of sound. They have fuller, more powerful sound and more clarity to it. This kind of uke is perfect for performances on stage, as it still delivers that beautiful tone of ukulele, but adds more volume and power. One of the most famous ukulele players – James Hill used Tenor ukulele while performing, so you can see that they are very popular among pros.
First of all, even though the models from the list above are really top-notch, they differ from each other. They feel different when played, similar – but still different. Even a minor difference makes a huge change in feel. Some might be comfortable with certain details while others can be completely against it. That is exactly why I would advise you to pick a few options, the ones that were most attractive for you with specs. If you ask me that is the key, the primary thing you should be okay with. Even if an instrument is extremely expensive and has the most amazing specifications, you will not be able to enjoy it at all unless you feel comfortable. Therefore, go for it, try out and find the perfect match.
Conclusion
To sum up this article we have given you the list of best tenor ukuleles, available on the market. Nowadays some crappy musical instruments are showcased in a way that consumer might think that it is of a highest quality possible. However, in reality they are super cheap, not only with price, but with material and overall craftsmanship as well. They usually are advertised in the best way possible, to deceive beginners out there. We hope that after reading the article you will not get deceived as all the above models are truly best of the best. Playing ukulele is an amazing feeling. Once you hear ukelele’s amazing tones you can never get bored and you would want to play 24/7. Well with these instruments you will undoubtedly be able to do that as playing is relatively simple with each one of them, due to perfect shape and decent quality craftsmanship. We wish you all the best of luck in your ukulele hunting process. Hope you will find your perfect match and add it proudly to your arsenal.
