Best Intermediate Ukulele: Top 10 Models and Reviews 2023!

Best Intermediate Ukulele

Introduction

In case you’ve spent a lot of time in any respect looking for an intermediate to advanced ukulele, then you realize that there are excessive differences when it comes to value.

Whereas nice newbie ukuleles can be had for under $100 or $200, intermediate instruments are inclined to cost as much as $500 or maybe a bit extra.

Whereas an advanced player may be happy with the way an intermediate uke sounds, she or he is prone to long for one thing fancier – curly koa, flamed maple, and different top tonewoods, plus showier inlays, bindings, and tuning machines.

Because they’re made with premium supplies and parts, the best ukulele brands for professional players typically are available at costs that start around $300 and finish well over the $1000 mark, notably if you go for a customized ukulele.

As an advanced participant, this can be acceptable because you’re investing in an instrument that you’ll be having fun with for years to come, and you could end up earning nice side earnings with your music.

With these and different elements in thought, we’ve curated an inventory of 10 of the most effective ukuleles for intermediate and advanced players with a stable review for every model.

In our guide, you will be able to find ukuleles in popular sizes starting from soprano to tenor, and some baritone, bass, and /or contrabass (aka u-bass or rumbler) variations, adding to the record of potential selections.

We just want to let you know that we’ll list these best intermediate ukulele reviews in no particular order. They’ll be randomized as we don’t wish to sort them from best to worst.

Listed below are our Top 10 Best Intermediate Ukulele for 2023:

1. Kai KTI-5000

This new Kai tenor is totally excellent. That is Kai’s high-quality ukulele. It’s made from strong acacia top back and sides and completed in an excessive-gloss finish.

It’s adorned with a very beautiful slotted headstock. It’s superbly accomplished and feels, looks, and seems like a uke twice the value

It additionally incorporates a bound fretboard for consolation and a side sound port so that you as the player will get to listen to the sound crystal clear.

We are satisfied this is without doubt one of the very best value tenors on this price range on the market, particularly when you factor in the free padded branded gig bag.

The tone is a combination of all things, tight trebles, and some rich depth in a melting pot of loveliness. It’s a nice all-rounder, with loads of volume and sustain. The D’addario Titanium strings do not feel too taught and are good for bending and vibrato too.

That says a lot about this ukulele is that the Kai-branded tenor ukulele gig bag that’s included within the package deal is the least exceptional factor in regards to the bundle – regardless of being outfitted with lots of padded, the Kai emblem and made to an excellent standard. Suitable instruments for every beginner!

2. Cascha Bass Ukulele Set

The Cascha Bass Ukulele Set ukulele is a benchmark that has very good options and an unbeatable worth of money.

We have in contrast the completely different costs at e-commerce websites for musical instruments and the most affordable is at our partner Thomann.

The beautiful ukulele is an instance of versatility. All of the experience that Cascha has acquired over all these years is mirrored on this ukulele.

This Cascha Bass Ukulele Set model advantages from extra consolation and speed. It’s not possible to be more ergonomic.

The very good ukulele has an exceptional degree of finish, and the back of the neck permits optimization of the pace of the game.

Cascha’s past could be seen on this Cascha Bass Ukulele Set. It combines plain belongings and premium supplies with all of the previous Cascha models to convey out of their workshop on the end of the chain a flexible and present ukulele.

If you are a bass ukulele player, you cannot go wrong with this model, because it provides everything that any bass ukulele should have.

It feels really empowering when you have it in your hands, and with the first played notes you will see that this is not a joke and actually we are talking about a serious and powerful instrument.

3. Thomann Tenor Ukulele CW/PU De Luxe

Well, our partner Thomann decided to try into developing an instrument that will be widely accepted and they came up with the idea to produce ukuleles. This ukulele is amazingly good and it will definitively suit your needs.

Made from mixed woods, like solid acacia (for top, bottom and sides) and Australian blackwood for the neck and fretboard, this ukulele gives a nice warm sound when played that will surely get you hooked even more to play. You will be able to enjoy ukulele tunes without tiring your hands because of its ergonomic design.

From a design point, it has nice binding around the soundhole and also has a cutaway in order for you not to have any difficulties playing on the frets close to the body.

Additionally features a pickup system that will help you connect it to an amp and take it away for any live concerts and acts. This onboard preamp will give a high-quality sound fit for the music industry, making this acoustic-electric uke a great choice to have!

Nice workmanship, and superb sound because of solid acacia wood (Koa is also a kind of acacia). Regardless of the tenor measurement and the extra-long neck, it sounds brilliant, sweet, and direct, which fits the specified sound of a normal ukulele (soprano). Even with massive hands, you’ll be able to play very comfortably.

4. Flight Victoria EQ-A Concert

Victoria is worthy of its royal title. The mix of the strong top spruce and resonant laminate acacia back and sides offers this instrument an energetic, wealthy tone that can make you feel regal.

With an armrest and distinctive spherical cutaway for prolonged fretboard access, advanced players will profit from a snug and pleasurable playing expertise, developing their ukulele skills.

The decor is supplied in a number of departments. We’ve got darkish wood (probably ebony) binding strips across the top and back edges which works properly in opposition to the pale spruce. And all of this for an affordable price resulting in high-quality sound!

Additionally, they add a consolation edge on the top lower bout to take away that sharp edge feel on the forearm. We are able to discover a couple of comfortable edges and a few will be scruffy or stark looking.

That is properly completed and works properly with the remainder of the instrument. On the higher shoulder, we have got a bowl cutaway shaped into the acacia.

The Victoria is outfitted with an ebony fretboard and Japanese carbon nylon strings and is topped with a surprising slotted headstock. This gives some next-level aesthetic appeal that separates this one from the rest of the ukulele market.

On top of that, the Victoria consists of an active pickup so that you’re able to perform on stage. With all of its attributes and put features, the Flight Princess Victoria has all the things an advanced player might need.

5. Fender Montecito Tenor Ukulele

This uke is adorned with abalone binding across the perimeter of the top and across the soundhole, in addition to the back, and strikes a shocking distinction to the caramel color within the body’s end.

It is a tenor ukulele, so the sounds emanating from its sound gap are wealthy and full, and with 15 frets, higher notes may be reached to enhance the sounds you make. The strong top lets you hear the notes clearly resonating with sustain.

Given the weeny scale of the instrument, and the mass of the neck versus the stress of the strings, action height has all the time been a failing in uke-land; nevertheless, the Fender Montecito has no intonation issues that we are able to detect. Great for intermediate ukulele players!

On top of that, the string rigidity is friendly, with vibrato simple to attain and a full response from each of the ukulele strings. That is a feature that some of the best ukulele brands have.

Strumming chords is all the time the best way to disclose the total character of uke, and though there’s no scratchplate and heavier picks could nicely score that pretty koa top, we recommend that big chords delivered with gusto are the territory where this instrument is most snug.

The tone range is fairly reasonable for a ukulele, starting from the boxy sound achieved by picking close to the bridge to a lot hotter tone for those who pick over the soundhole or certainly over the fingerboard itself.

6. Islander by Kanilea SAS-4 Sopran Acacia

As we already covered this ukulele, here is our review of the full article we have on the Islander series:

The SAS-4 Soprano Uke model features all solid Asian acacia top, back, and sides. Like koa, acacia has a really nice balanced tonal response, accented towards the brighter side.

For that authentic Hawaiian sound on a budget, it must be acacia! The walnut bridge just adds to the durability of the instrument and the nu-bone nut is one other aspect of the great build of this ukulele.

One of the attractive things about this model is the slightly wider than regular fretboard, which at 1.5 inches or 38mm at the nut (made for big hands) makes getting your fingers into the suitable shapes an absolute doddle. Mix that width with a really slinky neck profile and you have an easy-to-play instrument.

SAS-4 Soprano Acacia neck is made of Okoume and has a Walnut fretboard and bridge and comes with fabric added Aquila strings easier and more quality play. These strings provide clear sound and are great ukulele accessories even if you already have a good set on.

7. Kala KA-SCAC-T8 Tenor Ukulele

Attractive looking and sounding eight-string tenor right here from the oldsters at Kala. This one contains a solid cedar top with an acacia back and sides.

Rosewood binding and an abalone rosette add a pleasant touch of class. Graph tech ratio tuners will hold it in tune properly without adding any weight.

The Solid Cedar Top with Acacia back and sides in a shiny, gloss end, trimmed out in Rosewood binding is a modern mixture. Kala added an Abalone rosette, a Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and Traditional Chrome Inline Tuners.

Cedar has a smooth, lush tone that lends effectively to finger-style playing. It has a pure, loud projection and is usually really helpful as the very best ukulele for playing on stage.

Equipped with Aquila strings (Super Nylgut) for extra efficiency of playing, this ukulele is a joy to have and play it. Comes with graph nut and saddle and its own tenor gig bag. A cute little bundle.

8. Lanikai Mahogany Tenor Ukulele Solid

Lanikai Ukuleles bridge the hole between Hawaiian ukulele custom and the wants of the discerning trendy player.

They promote the joy of constructing music with progressive design and detailed craftsmanship created from a confluence of tradition, time, and place.

They are also devoted to the serious hobbyist, skilled performer, and ukulele player that calls for extra from their instrument. The mahogany body will guarantee some warm but also bright sound!

The brand challenged themselves to craft ukuleles that play, perform, and sound like no different, permitting players to uniquely specific themselves through their instruments and discover their very own sound with Lanikai.

This is a great option from Lanikai when it comes to all solid woods ukuleles. It has graph tech NuBone saddle and nut, which shows their concern about having great elements in their instruments.

The ukulele comes with D’Addario J88 strings which are perfect for it. In the little bundle of joy you will have a soft gig bag included.

9. Cordoba 28C Concert Koa

Cordoba is an organization renowned for their Spanish guitars who in addition have developed a lovely range of ukuleles. Cordoba’s 28 sequence in superbly figured Hawaiian Koa is good for players trying to go to the following level.

Excellently completed, with a clean satin finish, the 28 series have loads of traditional, cheerful Hawaiian characters.

Hawaiian Koa wood has long been revered by ukulele players for it is wealthy, resonant tones, brightness, and clarity.

This conventional ukulele tonewood has attractive striped patterns of light and darkish brown and a vibrant tone to match it is visible beauty.

The 28C sequence look is classic with a nod to the vintage ukuleles of yesteryear. Cordoba’s signature abalone sound hole rosette is properly inlaid, including a distinctive but understated ornamental touch to an instrument with an already distinctive stage of finish.

In line with nearly all of Cordoba’s offerings, this exceptionally fulfilling ukulele includes a wider nut width compared to different brands.

The Cordoba range has turned into a favorite with players preferring extra room on the fretboard and a barely wider feeling neck.

For players who discover spacing a problem, Cordoba ukuleles are an extremely beneficial choice. Great concert ukulele bundle for every player!

10. Flight Diana Soundwave Tenor Ukulele

This can be a neat little package deal with tons going for it, the Flight Diana Soundwave electro tenor ukulele. It has a gloss finish, solid wood (cedar) top, and laminate walnut back and sides – the latter a fascinating visible selection with its dusky gray tones, and underused materials.

The Flight Diana Soundwave Tenor combines the unimaginable Flight Diana Tenor with the Flight Soundwave Pickup System.

The superb Flight Soundwave Pickup System provides acoustic or amplified effects, with or without plugging in–full control of the effects is located on the ukulele itself. Effects include Chorus, Reverb, Delay, and Mix with Volume Management.

It takes slightly getting used to in order to get the best stability – dialing down a bit from the top degree settings offers the very best mix for us – but it surely’s a pleasurable and fun process to search out what works for you.

If you happen to do plug into an amp, you possibly can nonetheless use the effects, that is adjusted via the compact panel on the side of the uke, by your amplifier.

Lastly, each Flight Diana comes with a bone nut and saddle, Worth Brown fluorocarbon strings, and the Flight Deluxe Gig Bag. For advanced players looking for intermediate ukuleles, this is a really great choice!

What to look for when picking your ukulele?

Size

Size is the thing that separates completely different ukulele varieties. Smaller ukuleles are usually lighter, characterized by a chirpy tone and a comparatively low quantity output.

Larger ukulele models are usually a lot louder, but additionally comparatively unwieldy and a bit harder to use.

The smallest ukulele measurement of the standard sizes is a soprano (as much as 20 inches), adopted by super soprano (between 21 and 22 inches), tenor (between 24 and 26 inches), and baritone (30 inches lengthy and beyond).

Wood and Sound Quality

Tonewoods outline how completely different ukuleles sound and play a giant function in their durability. Historically, koa wood is used for many intermediate ukuleles.

It’s very crisp and warm, however, its tone additionally incorporates glorious presence and treble.

Mahogany and rosewood are wonderful decisions for fretboards. They supply excellent responsiveness and an abundance of overtones. Also, rosewood bridge options are good for many ukuleles.

Ebony is often reserved for boutique and professional ukuleles, though a handful of intermediate models are constructed with it.

Try your best to keep away from ukuleles made from hardwood and have a solid hardwood neck. Although they feel and appear sturdy, they provide next to nothing by way of sonic sound quality.

Finish

A ukulele’s finish is principally the ultimate refinement process. Some ukulele finishes are supposed to make the instrument a bit better-looking, though it’s simple that certain varieties of finishes additionally contribute to the ukulele’s sound as well. Low-cost ukuleles are both unfinished or spray-painted with a gloss finish.

Gloss provides a slick, shiny surface on top of the wood, offering minimal safety while leaving the instrument weak to scratches.

Satin finish contributes little in terms of defending the wood from scratches or dings, however, they appear extra natural and pure than gloss finishes.

A high-quality paint finish is what we personally look for. Robust layers of top-tier paint provide extra safety while leaving the sonic aspect of the instrument intact.

Then again, it is best to know that heavier coatings scale back the ukulele’s top vibration. Gloss finishes (since they’re slimmer in a way) considerably diminish this effect.

Now we will continue and provide you reviews on the best ukuleles for intermediate players, but advanced players can benefit from them as well.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of playing the ukulele, then you will not save money on this musical instrument. There are various ukulele brands that produce ukuleles for intermediate and advanced players that are of reasonable price and great sound quality.

Some features that separate the intermediate ukulele from the beginner ones are the built materials and techniques used.

Many famous materials used are koa wood which produces deep sound with a warm tone, and yet does not compromise the high tones.

From Aquila Nylgut strings and chrome tuners that stay in tune to solid acacia wood body and handmade deluxe bindings materials – these stringed instruments are synonyms for premium quality ukulele.

The intermediate ukulele, no matter if your choice will be a concert ukulele or soprano ukulele will need to produce a sweet and deep sound and has precise tuning and premium components.

If you are having any questions in regards to this topic, do not hesitate to hit us up in the comment section, and we will try to answer in due time!