The ukulele you own is not a mere instrument made of strings that produce sounds. They may all look similar, but there is actually an abundance of concert ukuleles to select from.
Using my expertise, I’ve reviewed some of the best concert ukuleles based on their visual appeal, structure, sound quality, price, and ease when played. All these factors define the overall package and total worth of a ukulele.
So whether you are a complete beginner to the world of ukuleles or have been playing your whole life, this list will help you to decide which is the best concert ukulele for you!
Best Concert Ukuleles
Oh, and a heads up! There may be some products which I recommend for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase. All recommendations are genuine and/or verified by myself!
1. Luna Tattoo Concert Ukulele
At a glance: If you’re after beauty and functionality, then the Luna Tattoo concert ukulele would be very suitable for you. Not only does it sound incredible, but it appears impressive too. What else can you wish for? You get yourself a tribal design etched in its soundboard, sturdy neck and body made of mahogany, finished off with satin, and fingerboard made of rosewood, which is even made beautiful by the embellishment of the mother-of-pearl shark’s teeth inlays!
What’s better than an instrument with the right balance between craftsmanship and convenience? Topping the list of the best concert ukuleles for musicians is from the superb guitar and ukulele brand, Luna. It is adored because of its artistic charms (look at those tattoo arts), the comfort it brings to musicians and its affordability!
With the Luna Tattoo concert ukulele, you get yourself an instrument that pleases the eyes and delights the ears. So if your budget is tight, but you want a concert ukulele that can produce amazing tones and looks incredible, this is the one for you.
The Tattoo series will remind you of Hawaii’s traditional tattoos. Just one sight of the design, and you will feel the Hawaiin pride and heritage in your hands. The visually stunning design and its body-ornamentation-inspired look reflect the Pacific Islanders’ pride and glory and their communion with flora and fauna.
Think of the sun, the land and sea, and the living creatures. You are not only buying yourself a Luna Tattoo Concert Mahogany ukulele, but you have a glimpse of the environment, too. The instrument’s ornamentation embodies the beauty of nature and culture.
Notice how mahogany is featured in this concert ukulele from the top, back, and sides. The rosewood fingerboard lifts the aesthetics of this instrument by adding some contrast to the mahogany neck. The C-shaped neck profile makes this instrument comfortable to use. Nature is reflected in a wave design laser-etched on top with a sun-looking soundhole sported with triangular rays.
Adding some exquisiteness is the inlays made of mother-of-pearl, molded to look like the teeth of sharks, featured in the fingerboard. A natural satin finishes the look, making it stunning as ever!
Not only does this concert ukulele look good, but it sounds amazing also. The full mahogany body creates an extremely warm tone. A rather unique feature is this ukulele’s strings, which are constructed from nylon but plated with bronze. This heightens the midrange sound, the livelihood of a concert ukulele.
On top of this, a walnut fingerboard means that this concert ukulele is exceptionally playable.
Overall, this is hands down the best concert ukulele I’ve had the pleasure to lay my hands on. The combination of the mahogany body creates a lovely sound and playing experience, and let’s not forget its good looks!
2. Oscar Schmidt OU5 Koa Concert Ukulele
At a glance: If you are a beginner and are eyeing an exceptional instrument, you should definitely consider the Oscar Schmidt OU5 Koa concert ukulele. You will fall in love with both the appearance and the sound. This ukulele’s construction is undeniably impressive too. Its neck is made from nyatoh, an abalone binding and rosette, and a Hawaiian Koa body.
The unique Hawaiian Koa sides, back, and top and this uke’s abalone purfling, cream binding, and gloss finish are some reasons why ukulele players so desire this classical-appearing concert ukulele.
The ukulele’s neck has been assembled using a particular hardwood, which is cultivated in Asia’s rainforests, nyatoh. On the neck is a rosewood fingerboard. The structure and material make Oscar Schmidt’s neck firm and sturdy. The laminated body yields durability.
The ukulele is also coupled with Grover chrome tuners, which hold the tuning after stabilizing its strings. With the ABS saddle and the bridge finished out of rosewood, you are assured your strings are stable.
The tone the Oscar Schmidt OU5 concert ukulele produces is upbeat, crisp, and balanced. What would you anticipate from a uke with a body made of Koa? Not to mention, it comes with a hard case, tuner, instructional DVD, and polishing cloth.
If you can afford to spend a bit more, this is the next best concert ukulele I would highly recommend!
3. Kala KA-C Mahogany Concert Ukulele
![7 Best Concert Ukuleles [With Videos] 12 Kala KA-C Mahogany Concert Ukulele](https://middermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kala-KA-C-Mahogany-Concert-Ukulele-rotated.jpg)
At a glance: Spotless and classic – two words to describe the Kala KA-C concert ukulele. Its sturdy construction makes it friendly for all levels of ukulele players. The concert ukulele is sporting a neck and body out of mahogany, including a cream body binding, a bridge and fingerboard made of rosewood, and a polished satin finish. It’s a great deal too, with its very reasonable price.
If you’re looking for a traditional yet minimalist uke, the Kala KA-C concert ukulele is made just for you. It is not adorned with inlays and engravings; it is straightforwardly traditional. It is a part of the roster of satin mahogany ukuleles under Kala’s flagship.
A Kala KA-C Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele prides itself on the sides, back, and top made of mahogany wood. The neck has been customized with a fingerboard made out of rosewood. It contains eighteen frets and some tiny dot markers on the fretboard. The body features soft curves and a smooth surface highlighted by the cream binding and satin finish. Indeed, this velvet-like uke brings excitement to your delicate fingers.
Simplicity might be this uke’s mantra, but the sound it produces is tantalizing to the ears. Thanks to its mahogany body, this uke has woody and warm midrange tones – the definition of perfection!
Its total length is measuring 24.125 inches, and the length of its scale is 14.875 inches. Its size is commended for beginners’ use. It’s not too small compared to a soprano ukulele but is much much louder.
Not to mention, the Kala KA-C concert ukulele includes a beginner kit featuring an instrumental DVD, a tuner that you can clip-on, a cloth for polishing the instrument, and a gig bag. The whole kit is worth it!
4. Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele
At a glance: Who would have thought that a ukulele could capture the culture, ideals, and beauty of its place of origin? A Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele, named after the Malibu beach in Southern California, looks as good as it sounds.
More than just its alluring beauty, its sound will magically sweep you off your feet. Its distinguishable features include a no-tie bridge, a Telecaster headstock, abalone rosette, Sapele construction, and walnut fingerboard.
Now here is a ukulele for beach lovers! It will remind you of the breathtaking views of Malibu. The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele is part-and-parcel of the whole series that features California’s coasts and beaches.
A Zuma concert ukulele boasts amazing sound and durability. The aesthetic includes an open-pore look like the Gretsch 9110, however, designed with satin. It features a laminated Sapele top, back, and sides. Adding more beauty to the uke’s back, top, and fingerboard is the cream binding and an abalone rosette made of acrylic.
If you take a closer look at the Zuma concert uke, you will notice its headstock designed using the Telecaster style, giving it an edgy Fender look. Its neck is nato-made and finished up with satin. It also sports the fretboard out of walnut, which has sixteen frets and inlays in dot position.
You might ask how the Fender Zuma stands out from the rest of the other concert ukuleles. Well, the bridge, which is no-tie, is a must-see! It makes playing the ukulele more comfortable and convenient as the player changes strings. Fender’s slotted bridge is very easy to use.
There is no elaborate knotting required when restringing (unlike traditional bridges). All you have to do is to make small knots on the ends of its strings. Viola! You are good to go. You can pull strings through its bridge, very hassle-free!
Overall, if you have a lightly bigger budget, the Fender Zuma concert ukulele not only looks amazing, but sounds amazing too!
5. Gretsch G9110 Concert Standard Ukulele
At a glance: One look at this concert ukulele will leave you astonished. There is something about its visual appeal that could stir your curiosity and make you wonder all through the day about the sound it produces. The Gretsch G9110 Concert Ukulele will never disappoint. Its classic old-fashioned mahogany stain is enticing, and the open pore polish not only preserves the mahogany’s natural sound properties but adds to the ukulele’s aesthetics.
No list of the best concert ukuleles would be complete without the Gretsch G9110. You can never go wrong with its standard appearance. Its mahogany sides, back and top are laminated and give it a vintage feeling and look.
What makes this uke distinct from others is its semi-gloss, open-pore surface covering its body. The pores which let the wood “breathe” showcase artistry and functionality. Not only do they add to the uke’s aesthetics, but they also preserve the tonewood’s natural audio properties. That is why you are confident that this concert ukulele will deliver the finest mahogany tone at the maximum volume it can offer.
The concentric circle design of the uke’s rosette is a delight to see. Indeed, simplicity is beauty with this musical instrument.
Apart from the body, the Gretsch G9110’s exquisite neck is also finished off with an open-pore look. You feel transported to the 1920s with the classic headstock design. It’s also U-shaped to provide comfort to the players. The neck is made of mahogany, fingerboard out of rosewood with abalone dot position inlays on top with sixteen frets.
Other features include a genuine bone nut and saddle, giving resonance and tonal support, friction tuners, and chrome hardware. Friction tuning pegs being adjustable and can hold the tuning properly.
6. Flea Concert Ukulele
At a glance: You may be a flea-hater, but you will never get enough of this FLEA ukulele, a flea that will fill your household with satisfying tones. Its top is created out of birch wood, whereas the sides and back are created with a thermoplastic that is injection-molded.
Do you know that ukulele is translated in Hawaiian as “jumping flea,” which refers to ukulele players’ finger movements?
Magic Fluke’s Flea Ukulele has a firm structure with an aesthetic appeal that is undeniable. It has distinctive features such as a fusion of construction, a thermoplastic that is injection-molded combined with wood. The soundboard is outstanding as well as it is constructed from birch wood. Meanwhile, the back and sides are molded with a resonant thermoplastic.
The combination of wood and thermoplastic is seamless; that’s why rich, crisp, and upbeat sounds are produced. These concert ukuleles create very lively tones.
The many features of this flea-shaped concert uke attract all uke lovers. The flat bottom allows the musicians to keep the uke in place by positioning the instrument using its base. The headstock is distinguishable with its slotted design. Although the nature of this uke may seem unusual, it gives players comfort and convenience.
It has a scale measuring 15.5 inches long from its saddle to the nut. Its maple neck is stiff, and to top it all off, it has a fingerboard made of polycarbonate fingerboard, structured with frets that are non-metal. So this ukulele is a luxury to those fingers of yours!
7. Cordoba 20CM Concert Ukulele
![7 Best Concert Ukuleles [With Videos] 16 Cordoba 20CM Mahogany Concert Ukulele.](https://middermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Cordoba-20CM-Mahogany-Concert-Ukulele-rotated.jpg)
Are you looking for a reputable ukulele? Well, look no further. The Cordoba 20CM concert ukulele is sure charming and bewildering. Just look at those patterned rosettes and bridge, and the smooth, natural satin finish!
You won’t regret the sound this ukulele produces too, brought about by its sturdy mahogany body, sides and back. The bridge and fingerboard are made of rosewood. What a perfect combination of beauty and durability!
How To Choose The Best Concert Ukulele For You
A concert ukuleles’ overall quality is judged based on its build, sound, tone, and price. Although I would love to give you an infinite list of ukuleles, I considered all of the above factors. These ukuleles are the cream-of-the-crop, the best-of-the-best, and are noteworthy discoveries. They will all last a long time and will be worth every penny, effort, and time you give them.
The price of the ukulele does not necessarily equate to quality. Your ukulele may be the cheapest or the most pricey in the market, but it may or may not be the best for you. That is why I featured models at various price ranges.
Finding the best concert ukulele that spells perfection is challenging. It has to be a complete package; quality sound, good build, and an affordable price.
Starting Out
When you start your venture as a ukulele player, you may not want to invest too much in the instrument. You will feel fulfilled just by owning a uke with a typical but satisfying build and appealing sound. That is the typical mindset of beginners. That is why a simple ukulele construction will do you wonders. They are not too pricey, typically made out of laminate wood, but a great starting point.
The ukulele bodies are meant to create a warm and lively tone, even if their designs are plain and simple.
After making a purchase, take the time to inspect every detail of its construction because the decent build of a ukulele is essential. It can affect not only the sound the uke produces but also the manner by which they are played. Check the tuners, neck, and frets. Look closely for wood cracks. Ensure that everything is in place: that tuners are tight, frets are even, the neck is stable, and the body is flawless (without cracks).
All these will have an impact on the tone produced and to your satisfaction as well. So to ensure your happiness through the uke, be a wise buyer and examine it thoroughly.
Moving Forward With Your Playing
The beginnings of learning any instrument are always the hardest. But your doubts and confusion will not linger for too long. As you venture forth on your musical journey with your uke, you will eventually face a crossroads. A lot of new ukulele models will excite you and make you want to upgrade. The more ukuleles you encounter, the sharper your keen hearing abilities will be.
You shall then find out your favorites, your likings, and your preferences for a particular sound produced by a specific ukulele model. It will be normal to admire or even envy the quality of other ukulele models. Your emotions will overflow along the way, and you will know for sure when is the right time for you to upgrade your instrument to make it suitable to your level and your aesthetic taste.
If, as a beginner, you choose a plain-looking ukulele, now is the time to add some embellishments. You may not need to buy a new uke but simply make improvements in its looks and, eventually, how it sounds. You can make some changes and modifications in your uke’s body-binding, rosette design, tonewood, wood top, etchings, and fretboard inlays made of abalone.
On your way towards becoming an intermediate ukulele player, expect that you will discover a lot about your personal preferences along the way, and you would want your uke to mirror them. Intermediate uke players usually play a uke that reflects their sound, and artistic taste, and style in playing. A uke will become an embodiment of the player’s uniqueness and personality, making the uke even better. And that is good news because a better ukulele is powerful enough to be able to ensure the following:
– Improved sound due to its higher quality materials
– Boosts your confidence
– Encourages you to practive even more
– Makes you confident when performing in front of a crowd
– Grabs people’s attention and interest in music
– Inspires others to pick up a ukulele or another musical instrument
By choosing from my list of the best concert ukuleles, you won’t make the mistake of having to upgrade in the near future, and the benefits you reap will be worth the added price tag in the long run. It will not only heighten your interest to play but will give you positive vibes all over!
Ukuleles are more than just an investment or a hobby. It is something that will paint you with joy. So if you are still indecisive as to what factor to consider when choosing the best concert ukulele, whether construction or looks, follow your heart, choose the uke that attracts you, a uke that you will value and will keep forever. Happy playing!