Kmise Banjo Ukulele Concert 23 Inch Size Sapele Wood Review (2023)

Build Quality:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:
Average:

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Pros:

• Great looks
• Nice strings
• Comfortable
• Great combo of banjo and uke sounds

Cons:

• Needs to be set up
• Not the highest quality tonewood (but it works for this model)

When it comes to string instruments ukuleles are probably the most approachable and easy to master. And don’t think anything offers as unique of a sound among popular instruments as banjos. So the marriage of banjo and ukulele, as you might expect, is a perfect way to combine the best of the two instruments. With banjo ukes, you get the amazing, distinct sound of banjos but the playable neck of ukuleles. And like with most other instruments there are hundreds of varieties of banjoleles. Some of them are under $150 and some of them cost enough for you to reconsider having a savings account. The Kmise 4 String Banjo Ukulele Concert 23 Inch Size Sapele Wood, fortunately, is one of those instruments that does not cost too much and will work as an amazing entryway for beginners.

Build

This 4-string banjolele features Sapele’s back, sides, and neck. Sapele might not be everyone’s favorite tonewood. It is a sort of top-quality mahogany knockoff but then again with this price sapele is also a great option. As it goes with most banjo ukes the neck is taken from ukuleles. This particular one has 12 frets and bound rosewood fingerboard. The fingerboard along with snowflake inlays is corrosion resistant and very playable. With 8.46″ drum size and 23.03″ total length, this banjolele offers what any beginner needs the most, comfortable lightweight instrument that is not hard to handle even for kids.

Hardware

In terms of hardware, Kmise equipped this 4-string banjolele with chrome geared closed tuners that keep the tune pretty nicely. The prestrung Premium Aquila strings are pretty good for this particular instrument and they are tuned for  G-C-E-A (standard ukulele tuning). While there is a little set up you need to do when you get the instrument, to be precise you need to put the bridge on, there is nothing too complicated and if you follow instructions it will be done in minutes. While the hardware on this instrument it pretty minimal and not that complicated it does the job pretty well.

Kmise Banjolele Sound

While the sound of banjoleles is usually reminiscent of banjos more than ukuleles, with this Kmise model you can actually hear details of both banjo and uke. The clear and sweet sound along with nice projection is a result of nice construction and decent quality tonewood. The strings also greatly help out the sound. While the volume is not as bombastic as with resonator banjos, you still get a pretty decent sound. This model is great for picking, strumming and everything in between.

Conclusion

Whether you have been an avid fan of banjos or ukuleles or you have never tried playing either of those instruments, banjoleles are amazing, unique instruments that offer unique sound and great playability. The Kmise 4 String Banjo Ukulele Concert 23 Inch Size Sapele Wood is sort of an homage to the ’20s & ’30s styles but manages to incorporate modern methods of construction to produce one of the best banjoleles in its price range. Of course, there are certain small issues but this instrument is a bang for the buck.

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