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Pros:
- Easy to use electronics
- Comfortable
- Bargain deal
Cons:
- Not the best gig bag
- Not the smoothest fretboard
As you binge browse through dozens and probably hundreds of instruments debating whether it is really worth spending money on a ukulele, you finally come to a conclusion that YES! You want to treat yourself. Not only that but you want to get an acoustic-electric uke instead of an acoustic one. You get all excited and map out a five-year plan of how to become the legend of the ukulele world. And as the imaginary light shines down on you, you go back to mindlessly browsing through ukuleles.
Okay, I might have raided too far into my personal experience and might be very far from what you are actually doing, BUT the point is that you want to find the best possible acoustic-electric ukulele without having to sell your arm and kidney. While researching your best options you might stumble upon Oscar Schmidt OU2E and should not scroll through. Well, you can, but you shouldn’t. The OU2E is a nice model if you are looking for your first ukulele.
Build
Okay, this is a bundle deal but even so, the ukulele build is the most important part. I mean you might be interested in a clip-on tuner for… other reasons? So, the OU2E has an all-mahogany body and thin, comfortable neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It is easy to play and makes even the most inexperienced player feel “at home”. There is a slight problem with how well-built the fretboard is, because some of the frets are a little bit sharp. That is probably the biggest issues with the build. The satin finish gives the instrument an elegant and authentic look while also allowing it to resonate.
Hardware & Bundle
When it comes to hardware, with this model you get chrome tuners and a rosewood bridge. Both are decent quality, nothing that will blow your mind. There are some issues with tuning but they are not due to low quality of tuners. If you give it some time, the problem will slowly go away after the break-in time. Okay, now as for the bundle part of this deal (I know, that’s the exciting one). You get a gig bag, Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, clip-on tuner, and polishing cloth. To be absolutely honest, the gig bag is kind of disappointing, it functions more as a transportation “device” than a protection device. Overall, the bundle is pretty decent and it, of course, allows you to save up quite a bit of money and time.
Oscar Schmidt OU2E Sound
The OU2E, soundwise, is a step up from the entry-level, beginner ukuleles that often sound small (that is especially true with sopranos). While a soprano uke will not have the same big sound and larger models, it definitely delivers on the overall tone. When it comes to the amplified sound, the pickups do a pretty decent job of reproducing the sweet and mellow sound of the uke.
Electronics
Oscar Schmidt equipped this model with a UK2000 Active EQ Pickup system. While this is not a professional-level pickup system (I mean, you cannot really expect that level with a bundle deal under $100). What really matters with this system is that it is pretty intuitive and gives you control of your sound.
Conclusion
Oscar Schmidt OU2E Mahogany Concert Acoustic-Electric Ukulele Bundle is one of our favorite acoustic-electric ukuleles because it incorporated quality tonewood with durable hardware and intuitive electronics. Not all of it is going to be top-notch in quality but for under $100 it is pretty damn good. Most importantly, the sound and playability of the OU2E are good enough for you to go from an absolute novice to a professional player.
