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Pros:
- Good over construction
- Great, basic bundle
- Sweet sound
Cons:
- Nyatoh/Nato neck is not as durable
- ABS nut is not the more durable
If you want to learn one of the many string instruments but have no idea where to start or how much money you need to save up, I feel you. That was me many, many years ago. Somehow, in spite of my award-worthy ability to procrastinate, I managed to research enough and ended up with a pretty decent ukulele. That is definitely not where my problems ended. There is so much more to ukuleles than just ukuleles. That is why looking into bundle offers might be a good idea. For instance, Oscar Schmidt OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele is one of our favorite ukuleles under $150 on its own. BUT add on top of that the bundle offer, it is a no-miss for any beginner.
Build
Yes, this is a bundle deal but let’s be honest, if the ukulele is no good there is no point in buying the bundle (I mean, are those strings really worth it for you?). The OU5 Koa is a concert ukulele which is a little bit bigger than soprano ukuleles which are more popular nowadays. The 23 inches, 16-fret concert ukulele has a Hawaiian Koa top which is one of my favorite ones used in ukuleles.
It produces a mesmerizing, sweet sound that every ukulele lover is searching for. The back and sides are also Koa while the neck is made from nyatoh (a.k.a Nato). While Nato is not the most beloved product for high-end guitars that seek only top-notch, high priced tonewood, it is actually pretty good. Nyatoh or nato is usually chosen to mimic the sound of mahogany and that is why is it often called “commercial-grade mahogany”.
Hardware
The OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele features Grover chrome tuners, rosewood fingerboard, and bridge. The headstock is a little bit on the heavy side but I doubt that will deter any player. The nut and saddle are ABS which is basically dense plastic that produces quite a nice, balanced tone. That being said, ABS is not the most durable material so you need to be careful with it. Now as for the exciting part for beginners – bundle. You get Gearlux Case, Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, Clip-On Tuner, and Austin Bazaar Polishing Cloth. While some bundles contain up even ten accessories this bundle offers less in quantity but more in quality. The Gearlux Case has polyfoam construction with felt interior and pockets for accessories. It does an extremely good job of protecting the guitar and the shoulder strap along with the carrying handle will be a big asset for a traveling musician.
Oscar Schmidt OU5 Sound
This model is an amazing starter ukulele. While the build and hardware are pretty nice, it probably would not matter unless the sound was good. Fortunately, the OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele has a nice sweet and rich sound. Just like with most ukuleles, no matter the price range, there is a “break-in” period for the strings but once you have to spend a couple of weeks with this guitar you will start loving the sound more and more with every day.
Conclusion
Great playability and comfort with a minimalist but sturdy build are just a few things that are wonderful about the Oscar Schmidt OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele Bundle. While there are some minor issues like nut material and headstock that might be a bit heavy, the overall quality of this uke offers quite a lot more than what the regular bundle deals do.
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