That’s particularly true for the tenor variant. Traditionally, the Hawaiian tenor ukes are made with Koa. Best Tenor Ukulele Under 200 USD [6 Reviews + Verdict] Pin Tweet Share Reddit. Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele ; Conclusion; 1. If for some reasons you don’t like the latter, this one might suit you best! Other than that, the tuning consistency and intonation accuracy are on-point. Oscar Schmidt by Washburn ukuleles are known for spruce tops, especially on the deeper tenor and baritone models. Still, I do love the satin gig bag that Luna includes! 5. Catchy as it is, the fingerboard is made of Richlite, and so is the bridge. The Kala Koa Tenor Gloss ukulele (or Kala KA-KTG) is a gorgeous instrument. Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele Review Flawless Zebra wood body of this Caramel Tenor Uke. Now that you have a solid understanding of tenor ukes, the time has come to select the best tenor ukulele for you. The tenor size is the second largest, and the biggest with standard ukulele tuning, so it is popular among players of all sizes including those with larger hands. Wielding a tenor uke made me picture my virtuoso side, where I develop my technique. That’s the reason why the Luna Tattoo is an easy to play tenor ukulele. I feel it enhances the subdued sound that Koa and mahogany collaborate to show. Cordoba 20TM-CE – Best Electro-Acoustic Tenor Ukulele, 6. Enya EUT-M6 BK All Solid Mahogany Tenor Ukulele. My first pick for the best Tenor ukulele is the KA-KTG. At this price, I couldn’t wish for solid mahogany on top of that satin finish. All rights reserved. Although rosewood isn’t as smooth as walnut, I’m in favor of the rosewood fingerboard here since it’ll allow beginners to adapt to the string tension as they practice. Best Enya Tenor Ukulele Review; 10. The fret wires’ edges are well-sanded, and the action is optimal for beginners. Best Ranch Tenor Ukulele Review; 6. Noah Pineapple Soprano Review. Meanwhile, the mahogany contributes to producing the depressed, warm tone we’re all acquainted with in tenor ukuleles. Any of the tenor ukuleles on this list would be a fun addition to your ukulele collection, or a good first instrument. What’s impressive about this beginner tenor ukulele is the arched back, like that of the Donner. Now, let’s see whether the perfect intonation recipe applies to this tenor ukulele. As you can see it is a tenor size, so it is of 27.5 inches length. 6) Cordoba 20TM Tenor Ukulele. This one will take you from the beginner realm into musical maturity, thanks to the quality content that Lohanu invests in the lessons. Final Verdict: The Best Tenor Ukulele … Noah Campanella Review . Best Hricane Tenor Ukulele Review; 3. It has similar components and features with the first tenor ukulele I featured. Noah Classic Sunburst Tenor Review. In contrast, tenor ukes have a bigger form factor, suitable for more organized playing at home or on stage. From the makers of the Stratocaster and the Telecaster, we now have the Montecito Koa Tenor. Martin & Company’s 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele is their tribute to beloved Hawaiian musician Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole, and was designed in collaboration with his wife, Marlene Kamakawiwo’ole. Fender, Oscar Schmidt, martin also make tenors ukulele while Kala or Luna are usually the first considerations for most. 11 Best Tenor Ukulele Reviews: 1. However, authentic tonewoods are prone to be damaged by humidity and scratches, unlike laminate ukes that stand the test of time. Also made out of high-grade mahogany, the back and sides are connected with a seamless, rounded binding that doesn’t spoil the design uniformity. In fact, many musicians are now favoring the tenor for live performances. The tenor ukulele is gathering an increasing number of fans. The ivorioid binding offers a touch of pleasing contrast, and the abalone shell style rosette lends a bit of island-inspired style. The fingerboard’s deep brown finish suggests it’s molded out of rosewood, and so does the bridge, which holds the Aquila strings in place better than the composite ones found in cheap tenor ukuleles. Rated 4.84 out of 5. Top 5 Tenor Ukuleles: Our Picks. The tenor ukulele is known for its deeper tone and an increase in the number of frets than the smaller family members (15 to 25 frets for a tenor.) The tone profile exhibits a balanced, great sound. It’s generally better to strum a tenor uke for players who have larger hands that a concert or a soprano ukulele won’t accommodate. They’re what masters hold, beginners practice on, and where intermediate players see their technique developing! Built from a classical guitar builder’s perspective, the Cordoba 30T uses the “Spanish Heel.” Instead of joining the ukulele’s body and neck with a traditional dovetail joint, it has an integrated neck joint that creates a lighter ukulele with more stability. The tenor ukulele provides a distinct range of sound compared with the Soprano, Concert, and Baritone ukuleles, respectively. Hola Professional Tenor Uke. The Enya EUT-M6 isn’t just a clear-sounding tenor ukulele that offers an ear-filling warm tone, but it’s also a piece of art! Manufacturers shed light on their tenor ukuleles since they bear the top-of-the-line ukulele size, the crossroads where professionals, intermediate, and beginner players meet. Noah Mahogany Soprano Ukulele Review. That’s why you need to pay attention to two factors that collaborate to mold the best tenor ukulele for you. 5) Luna Tattoo Mahogany Tenor Ukulele . The wood type of tenor ukuleles directly impacts the tonal quality, and that’s why people call them tonewoods. Maybe the NuBone saddle and nuts are the heroes of the day when it comes to intonation here. Made of an unspecified grade of mahogany, you may question the authenticity of this hardwood. Kala KA-SMHT Tenor Ukulele. Cordoba 20TM Tenor Ukulele; 4. Very happy to see this ukulele review in your site. I found out that the Aquila strings had to adapt to the plastic nut and saddle—if it weren’t for them, this tenor ukulele would’ve been a masterpiece of craftsmanship. However, a defective tenor uke will negate the point of getting one; a neck that twists after some time or a blatantly off-sounding intonation will ruin your playing experience. I owe too much to this walnut fingerboard for helping me conduct chord progressions like a breeze. Not anymore, though, thanks to the quality mahogany that Donner employs in every inch of the body! In a world where ukuleles are downplayed as unserious instruments, tenor ukuleles come to prominence in the hands of professionals. The Koa incorporated in the Kala KA-KTG produces a sound that leans toward the mid-range while maintaining the upper-midrange timbre that we’re all familiar with in tenor ukuleles. Fortunately, we also have a walnut bridge. The body is a rich mahogany with an elegant natural wood pattern rosette and done with a satin finish. Instead of satin, we’ve got an eye-pleasing gloss finish that brings this tonewood’s charm to life. Kala KA-SMHT Tenor Ukulele. Scores in 7s - reasonable, but some bigger issues you may need to be mindful of. Even though I am a beginner, I simply love my Pono Tenor Ukulele and learning more each day. Although the bridge isn’t made of a genuine tonewood, it poses no threats to the D’Addario strings’ stability of this tenor ukulele, thanks to the in-line geared tuning machines being completely closed to avoid corrosion. Speaking of frets, let’s lay our hands on this MIND-BLOWINGLY beautiful fingerboard, finished with a mesmerizing connected abalone inlay that spans all the frets. Generally speaking, soprano ukes are well-suited for casual playing; most players who bring their ukes to the beach hold a soprano size for their portability. The headplate itself is adorned with a hibiscus flower done in pink awabi pearl and an “IZ” in Hawaiian koa. Beyond the cadre of folks who have been itching for a pineapple in a tenor size, people who want to hear a rounder, slightly darker tone from a tenor might want to line up to try the Ohana PKT-25G. Which Is Better: Soprano or Tenor Ukulele? The mahogany gives it a very warm and rich tone that has a lot of personality. 4.8. The intonation is also on-point all the way to the 12th fret—I’m amazed at how Enya keeps this tenor ukulele with a composite bridge and fretboard! The tuning machines are silver with pearl buttons, and premium Aquila strings are included. I know—the fingerboard is unbearably mesmerizing, but let’s lift our eyes off that and investigate the soundboard of this tenor ukulele. review of the pono mtd-e tenor ukulele. Bridges made of real tonewood are bound to keep the tuning intact. First off, the tuning machines have open gears, leaving the pegs prone to corrosion. You provided great phone support with my questions before placing my order. Moreover, the tenor ukulele is considered as the best ukulele to perform with, but in the end, the tenor ukulele has its distinct tone. This Donner tenor ukulele bundle comprises the best tenor ukulele you can get for the money. The Ukulele Review Podcast. In this article, we review the top tenor ukuleles to help you pick the best one for you. As the name suggests, the Montecito Koa Tenor has a lovely and warm sound quality, with good intonation and great sustain. This hinders any movement that may occur as your ukulele ages, so your ukulele will keep its great sound for years and years. Some folks … The tenor ukulele can also have greater sound diversity. Fender Montecito Koa Tenor Ukulele; 3. Made with Hawaiian Koa coming from the Big Island itself, each tonewood is hand-selected to ensure only the best quality. James P Engfer (verified owner) – November 28, 2020. Best Kmise Tenor Ukulele Review; 4. The Fender Montecito tenor ukulele is sure to please, from its shapely telecaster-style headstock complete with vintage-style tuners to its genuine bone nut and saddle. Cordoba is a amazing great quality Ukulele and sounds really good. The dimension of the Cordoba 15TM Tenor Ukulele is 27.5 x 10.5 x 4 inches. After being inspired to play a tenor uke, I realized that their sound quality is in the sweet spot compared to the treble-heavy concert and the bass-heavy baritone ukuleles. It is so beautiful and the sound is amazing. One look at the fingerboard and the matte black surface will give you a hint of walnut, and it’s true! 3) Ibanez UEWT5E Cutaway Style Mahogany Tenor Ukulele. Best Donner Tenor Ukulele Review Yet, the tone produced by laminate tops isn’t as nuanced and sophisticated. You can condone that high action by opting for such a challenge! However, when I restrung this tenor ukulele with Aquila Nylgut strings, I noticed how it gradually slips out of tune in prolonged sessions. It can be used for learning purposes, but bigger models can be used by intermediate and professional level … Top 8 Best Professional Ukulele Reviews for advanced players. Table of Contents. Being an alternative to rosewood, Richlite is inferior to real solid wood in terms of both sound resonance and durability. Although master ukulele players resort to concert ukuleles for casual playing, you’ll always hear the sound of their tenor ukes on stage. I’ve said this time and again: no list will be complete without mention of a Kala ukulele. Ohana BKT-70G Baritone Body Tenor Ukulele. In this video, I review the Aklot acoustic-electric, solid mahogany top, tenor ukulele. The best craftsmanship-related touch in this Donner tenor ukulele is the arched back. Ep 20.3 New Ukes w/ Brittni, Corey, & Kalei; 20.2 Hapa Ukulele; 19.52 Mika Kane, Neal Chin, Brittni Paiva, Kalei Gamiao, Corey Fujimoto; 19.51 Schertler Acoustic Amps w Aaron, Kalei, & Corey! Along with this ukulele, Lohanu’s generosity comprises an extra string set of Aquila Super Nylgut, a clip-on tuner, a strap (with strap pins installed), and a gig bag. Let’s look at that Cordoba EQ preamp, powering the undersaddle piezo pickup that sends the raw string frequencies to the ukulele amplifier. The aNueNue Moonbird UT200 Tenor Ukulele, retailing at around USD$1,500, is a Tenor ukulele constructed of Spalted Maple and Indian Rosewood with an ebony fretboard and Moon Spruce top. Hardwood is a top priority for professional musicians who want the best tenor ukuleles for their career, whereas laminate is for everyone since it’s much cheaper. This Oscar Schmidt tenor ukulele is made from mahogany, rosewood back and sides, and a select spruce top. It’s a pretty good product. While a tenor can be set up the same as a soprano or concert with a high-G string, you also have the option of using a low-G string which can add a different sound. However, the Kala KA-KTG is one of those ukes that you have to get used to, owing to the high action. I’d personally recommend the Kala KA-KTG for its full, resonant Koa body that produces unprecedented warmth with every note you strike. The instruments are fun and cheery, and they are fairly easy to learn as well. In the hands the polycarbonate feels pretty good, there’s a texture to it that stops your hands slipping around when playing and it’s got a nice weight to it too. Unlike the Kala KA-KTG, the action took less time to get used to when I was practicing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis! Noah Guitalele Review. The 30T also features a deeper, wider body and a wider fingerboard, which makes it easier to play for people with larger hands. The size of the tenor ukulele may also be a better fit for some. Maybe that’s why you’re here—you want to step up your game of sound and technique! Plus, The Koa of this Kala is like wine—it betters with age! If you want a great-sounding tenor ukulele that will stand out in a crowd, the Fender Montectio is the one for you. So there’s no way the tenor uke with such a big name will be of low quality. He’ll be featured on the next podcast. We always earn the rite of passage where we are destined to embark on a stage, plug our ukuleles, and show off the peak of our technical abilities. The Kala KA-KTG is the pearl I have in my tenor ukulele arsenal for a reason: it has that tone profile where the bass and treble reach an equilibrium for a glorious mid-range timbre, just like how an indigenously-made ukulele from Hawaii would sound like. The people who are tall finds this ukulele very comfortable with their body, they feel comfortable with the size and makes them use this ukulele for practicing purpose with rough use. I have this Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele the finger board is very smooth and very comfortable to play. For that, I recommend that the first thing you do after buying your tenor uke is to turn on a tuner and compare the accuracy of a given note all across the fingerboard. The tuner that came with the product didn’t work. But what about playability? Did we say koa? Enya EUT-MAD All Solid Mahogany Wide Neck Blue Tenor Ukulele. 5 star: 87%: 4 star: 9%: 3 star: 3%: 2 star: 0%: 1 star: 0%: Search. Looking for a great tone? It’s not as widely-known as its long distance cousin (the guitar), but the ukulele’s still a lovely, cheerful instrument. Cordoba 30T Tenor Ukulele; 5. By body, I’m referring to the soundboard, made entirely from Koa tonewood. With its great sound and quality construction, the Cordoba 20TM is definitely one of the best tenor ukuleles. On the contrary, I was happy with how the chords I strummed resonated with no buzzing. However, the sound quality resembles a premium uke with more bias toward the mid-range warmth, thanks to the neck also being made of solid mahogany. The back adds to the volume level since the sound has a roomier space to rebound, which is exceptional at this ukulele’s price point. The Cordoba 15TM Tenor Ukulele features a mahogany top, back, and sides, which contribute to its rich, eloquent sound. Scores in 6s - as per 7s, but even bigger issues leading me towards suggesting you avoid unless it floats your boat and you can deal with issues.