Most people don’t have any idea that there are several types of ukulele out there: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. Each of these ukulele produces a different sound and different size.
As a first-time buyer, you may have searched for recommendations online and already started your search for the perfect ukulele to play; however, you need to keep in mind that choosing a ukulele is a case-to-case basis relying on your personal preference and budget.
Factors to Consider
Palm trees, sun dress, beach waves, and a tropical tone – those are what you would associate ukulele with, an escape of a buzzing city life. And so, people would acquire for a ukulele in an instant without considering some features and aspects that would fit them.
To find an idyllic ukulele for you, it relies on numerous factors: Is it the right size for me? What type of wood is better? Does it fit into my budget? What brand to buy? Is it too high maintenance for you?
Ukulele Type
The smallest size of a ukulele is called Soprano that is 20 inches long, it is also the most common ukulele seen around. Soprano ukulele produces a classic high pitched ukulele sound, composed of 12-15 frets thus, having a tight fret spacing perfect for those with small hands and/or fingers.
With a short ukulele neck, the player would not have a hard time reaching the frets and playing the chords; consequently, even a beginner would be able to perfectly play some simple songs in no time.
If you are of small stature, then a soprano ukulele is the best for you of it is the most portable and lightest ukulele out of the four types and would require less of your effort to carry the instrument around.
Even though ukulele sizes are not intended to match of a person’s body physique, but for a range of tones and application, however, we cannot deny that an instrument’s size would significantly matter with regards to a person’s size most importantly if you are still learning.
Being as the “standard” size ukulele, soprano is also the cheapest ukuleles becoming the most popular and in demand in the market.
Next on the list is the Concert ukulele, talking about the size, it’s in the middle of soprano and a tenor, with a length of 22-23 inches long and has 15-20 frets.
With a larger body, evidently it creates more volume and fuller sound than a soprano; along with its longer neck, giving more space for the placing of the frets.
If the soprano is too small for your liking, then might as well try looking at a concert ukulele at your local stores but remember that they produce a different sound from one another.
To further know about concert ukulele, you first need to know Soprano and Tenor ukulele seeing as the Concert ukulele in the middle; since you are already introduced to soprano then get yourself acquainted with tenor.
Tenor ukulele is the second largest ukulele with a length of 26 inches, even with just a tad bit difference in size compared to concert, it’s still heavier than concert.
Moreover, tenor ukulele is also more preferred by most musicians since they find its neck and frame more agreeable to their hands and fingers mainly for fingerpicking – a technique stringed instrument musicians perform with no pick but only the use of their fingers.
Tenor has a deeper tone than the two mentioned previous ukuleles, and with a greater size comes with greater volume thus, delivers a fuller sound. Going back to concert ukulele, you may now have an idea of its features – the middle range of a soprano and tenor. Not too pitched or too deep and not too brimming sound nor lacking.
The last type of ukulele is Baritone. It is the largest type of ukulele with 30 inches long and consists of at least 19 frets. This is the ukulele that is closely alike to an acoustic guitar in manners of its size and sound.
Baritone stands out among all the ukulele with its distinctive tone and the method of its tuning. Soprano, concert, and tenor are all tuned using C tuning or GCEA whereas baritone is tuned with G tuning or DGBE – impersonating the first four strings of a guitar.
Baritone drifts from the pitched standard sound of a ukulele whereby generates the deepest, fullest, and warmest sound of all ukulele. With its larger size, baritone may not be suitable for those with smaller figure and might have a difficulty of reaching the frets.
Wood type
The most common used woods used are: Koa, Mahogany, and Spruce would be your option. For a better propagation of sound, a light and resistant soundboard wood is preferred while a resistant wood for the neck to hold the tension of the strings but also hard and dense bottom and side wood for a clearer sound reflection. Wood density of a ukulele constitutes to its tonality.
Koa is an acacia tree that grows exclusively on Hawaii island and so the traditional wood used in ukulele; it has the sound well paired for strumming and a balanced mid-range. When it comes to appearance, Koa is at an advantage in appearance with its admirable wood grain pattern.
Mahogany, although not commonly used in musical instrument industry, however, it’s a well-known wood in ukuleles. With this wood for the bottom and sides it would create a focused sound avoiding any dispersion of the vibration however, if you were to pick this for your soundboard then expect a less bright tone.
Appearance wise, mahogany offers an elegant red color. Spruce has a strong and crisp wood; it makes a vibrant and bright tone compared to the previous woods and would also be good for strumming.
Solid or Laminated?
Laminated woods implies that the ukulele is composed of various woods pieced together. It may be that some parts of the ukulele are made from cheaper wood and other parts are of better quality like the outside of it. With blended woods, obviously laminated would cost much cheaper than the solid one.
It’s also more durable and resistant to harsh environment. The drawback of a laminated is that it limits the volume of the ukulele and has less resonant.
While Solid wood may offer better volume and richer tone, however, it is substantially expensive than laminated and is more susceptible for damage with sensitivity to weather.
Additionally, solid wood solidifies over time thus creates a greater dynamic tone.
Ukulele Brand
Kala, Mahalo, and Lanikai are the most popular ukulele brand. Kala labeled as the number one brand for ukulele offers a variety of quality range ukulele. May it be professional or a beginner, Kala is familiar with the needs of a musician. There are still so many brands you can explore, no need to limit yourself with the top brands but just be sure that it is of quality.
Budget Wise
For your first ever ukulele, you need to establish how much are you willing to spend for it? If you are just on it for the experience, then it’s better not to spend too much for your ukulele, $100 ukuleles out there are already of good quality.
However, if you are for the long haul, then still don’t go for expensive ones impulsively, start with those that are $100-$300 and when you’re confident with your skills then you can try looking for better ones.
However, expensive does not always equate to good quality so always be wise with your purchase. It would also be rational not to go for the cheapest one, buying those that are below $50 would be a misspend.
Instead of being excited you might regret it for its low quality, weak tone, poor pitch, etc. You’ll end up dismayed.
Quality Strings
Not a lot would pay attention to the strings of a ukulele, thinking that all of it are the same. A good quality ukulele string should be sturdy yet stable when strummed.
If the string looks and feels too plastic, then don’t go for it or change it. Nylon ukulele strings like Aquila and D’Addario has some good strings for you.
Conclusion
Your first ukulele may be memorable for you. Hence, searching for reviews of various brands and type would be your first step.
And even if ukulele’s various sizes are not designed to match a person’s figure but for tones and purposes, no doubt that choosing a size fit to your hands and fingers is sensible.
Ukulele being an instrument suited for any age, you would have no problem learning the instrument in just a matter of days, you can even learn it just by watching some tutorial videos online or with a guidebook.
Buying a ukulele may be confusing and overwhelming at first, but when you start out applying and remembering what you’ve learned here and your previous research, then you are on the right track.