Top 15 Best Baritone Ukulele (Reviews & Buyers Guide)

Top 15 Best Baritone Ukulele

Introduction

We come to the largest of the ukulele sizes – the baritone uke. It’s actually not for everybody when it comes to sound, tunings, or playability. Nevertheless, for individuals who like a ukulele with a bit of extra oomph, a baritone could be what you’re searching for.

In comparison with the smaller-sized ukuleles, the baritone is the newest uke measurement. It was created sometime within the 1940s, though the precise origins are unknown.

It’s mentioned that two men specifically – tv star Arthur Godfrey and luthier Hercules ‘Herk’ Favilla – performed a significant part in the baritone’s growth, though no precise details may be verified.

When shopping for a baritone ukulele, there are many models crying in your attention. So, to assist make your choice a little simpler, we’ve compiled a brief chart highlighting a handful of the top baritone ukuleles presently available on the market.

There are a bunch more to this chart, but we will give insight into the hottest, most playable, and greatest value – somewhere in the range between 100 and 500$. The best baritone ukulele depends on your requirements and we hope that we will deliver with the list below. Here we also have ukuleles that are a good fit for beginners as well.

Disclaimer: The ukuleles will not be listed from best to worst. The order is randomized and we consider all of them good picks for a baritone-sized ukulele.

Below you will be able to find our review on the Top 15 best baritone ukuleles that you can get

1. Caramel CB103

An acoustic-electric baritone model gives the nice and cozy tones of an acoustic ukulele mixed with the projection capabilities of an electrical instrument. The Caramel CB103 baritone ukulele provides you with an incredible sound plugged in or unplugged, so it may be used for nearly any event.

This instrument has a zebrawood body, which has been mirror polished by hand to present you with a clean, shiny end. The fretboard and the bridge are each fabricated from walnut, which is sturdy and provides a pleasant coloration contrast with the ukulele’s body.

The nut and the saddle are buffalo bone, with chrome tuners added for a bit of favor. Altogether, this ukulele appears to be classic with a couple of trendy twists thrown in.

The body is the standard 30 inches, with a 20-inch fingerboard that holds 18 frets. This model comes with Aquila strings, however, these are a bit delicate, so be sure you stretch them a bit before tuning the ukulele for the first time, or you could be changing some damaged ones.

Different useful options are the closed geared tuners and the truss rod, which is embedded right into the neck. This makes it simpler to straighten it out whether it is bowed up or down.

2. Oscar Schmidt OU52E

The OU52 is a low-budget ukulele so if you’re anticipating strong tonewood with real bone nut and all the standard business that includes costly ukes, you’ll be disappointed. However when you have your expectations fairly well adjusted and you might be in search of a first uke, not one of the best uke, then this could be a very good choice for you.

Oscar Schmidt used a laminated mahogany body with a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. Whereas the laminated wooden may not be one of the best it positively doesn’t underperform in this case. The fretboard might be the largest concern. The frets edges are fairly sharp making it hard for the participant to slip a hand up and down the board.

This drawback might be fixed by simply sanding the fret edges down or you’ll be able to take the uke to a store and they’ll do it for you. In fact, that means additional expenses however with cheaper instruments, you must always have a budget for upkeep and stuff like that. In the long run, you’ll still have spent much less on this uke, together with the sanding and different issues you might need, than in case you got an over $100 uke.

3. Oscar Schmidt OU55CE Baritone Ukulele

Product of laminated koa with a large nyatoh neck, the OU55CE is solidly in-built Indonesia. It includes a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Easy turning Grover tuners hold the strings in check.

The body is bound with abalone and white materials that additionally stretch up the edges of the fretboard. An energetic Belcat UK-2000 UST pickup offers amplification with volume, bass, and treble controls (the 9v battery that powers the preamp sits within the management field and pops out for simple changing).

The frets are great and rounded off cleanly. Running a hand up and down the neck will discover no sharp edges till you reach the nut. It’s sharp sufficient to make us want for a bit of additional fine work on it till it’s smooth.

A few of the “fancy” add-ons that Oscar Schmidt added to make the OU55CE look extra engaging fell a bit short. The dots inlayed within the bridge are cockeyed and either stick out too much or are not enough. It will have been better to only leave them out. And the headstock sticker that appears like inlayed abalone is well, a sticker. However, it’s concealed very effectively.

4. Kmise KMU30B

Not solely does this baritone ukulele have a fantastic low value that matches even the tightest price range, but it consists of loads of extras that you’d usually have to buy individually from different models.

This consists of a useful gig bag, a strap, some picks, a tuner, and a few alternative strings, so you may have every part you need to play your new instrument right out of the field.

The gig bag has a decent match, however, that is to make sure it won’t be rattling round contained in the bag whilst you carry it. The bag additionally has an outer pocket for storing the other included equipment for added comfort.

The body of the ukulele is mahogany, with a satin finish that brings out the pure grain of the wood. The fretboard is clean walnut with a neat fret wire design for added consolation and lower motion, which helps cut back fret buzzing once you play.

The KMU30B has 18:1 quality tuners that maintain their tune whilst you play, so that you don’t have to continuously cease and regulate the tension of the strings. The strings themselves are additionally high quality, with each premium steel and nylon string used at the same time for an incredibly warm sound.

5. Kala MK-B

Kala has given a pleasant bundle for anybody wishing to purchase a ukulele both for themselves or as a gift for somebody. It features a clip-on tuner, educating DVD, a fabric to clean your instrument, and best of all, a hard case. A good suggestion Kala with a superb price tag.

It has a really conventional construct with mahogany back and sides and a mahogany top — all good woods for warm and resonant sound. And naturally, for creating a pleasant look. No cutaway retains the normal feel.

There is no such thing as binding on the edges, nevertheless, it doesn’t appear to be missed. The wood is a pleasant shade, with a lovely grain, and is all fitted collectively very well, so that you hardly discover it isn’t there. The mahogany wood is given a satin finish that highlights the grain.

The neck is mahogany with a walnut fingerboard and dot markers. Nothing elaborate in model and design however simply very conventional. Generally, you simply need that.

Featuring the usual 18 frets with 14 simply reachable. It additionally has chrome-plated open gear tuners with white plastic keys. Whereas the bridge is walnut and it has a plastic nut and saddle.

6. Luna VMB RDS

Luna uke is one other ukulele model with loads to love, and whereas this won’t be the most affordable baritone ukulele, we’ve named it one of the best in terms of value. You get a terrible lot to your cash, making this one of the best baritone ukuleles below $200.

The Luna makes use of an all-mahogany building, which offers a fantastic stage of projection to go along with the good ukulele tone. It additionally has a walnut bridge, which the model claims helps with the tone because, in fact, it enhances the vibration switch of the sound.

The comfy neck is one more reason we’re so comfortable to advocate the Luna, it has a C-shaped neck, and this, mixed with the fact it’s a larger ukulele, implies that it’s very best for those with bigger arms or who discover some ukes uncomfortable. Luna guitars outdid themselves on this one.

Another excuse this ukulele is so standard is the fact that it’s simple to play. Whether or not you’re choosing it up for the first time or have been playing the baritone ukulele for years, you’ll haven’t a hassle getting began with this model. It is usually gentle enough so you’ll be able to take it with you anyplace you go, without straining yourself.

7. Caramel CB904

Apart from the nut and saddle that are a product of buffalo bone, the remainder of the ukulele – top, back, sides, and fretboard – is decked out in rosewood below a satin finish. Rosewood is thought to create an extra pronounced sound. The size of 30 inches creates more room for your fingers, making it a dream to play with this model.

The adjustable truss rod is held in place by a buffalo bone nut to offer you full management over string pressure to stop bending of the neck. Pressure may also be adjusted with the saddle. The Caramel ukulele’s neck contains 18 frets.

An electrical pickup and preamp are included for sound amplification, a bonus when performing in live concerts and stadiums. You too can play it unplugged, making it the perfect value baritone ukulele.

A built-in tuner and treble, middle, and bass controls present a flexible tonal palette. Sound and resonance are maximized by the soundhole.

The Chromatic tuner detects and shows the chosen notes and low battery warning on the LCD coloration display. Dual performance, digital elements, and light-weight weight make this model the perfect worth baritone ukulele.

8. Kala KA-BE

One other baritone ukulele from Kala however this one with a slight distinction in development. As is frequent with these instruments the back and sides are comprised of mahogany, delivering that warm, balanced tone we’re used to, however as a substitute for making use of a mahogany top, they’ve completed it off with a spruce top.

That is fascinating because the mahogany top instruments that Kala and others produce give off a really warm sound, with their all-mahogany development. Having a Spruce top alters the sound considerably.

Abruptly you might have a ukulele with a little bit of top-end that’s fairly pronounced to our ears. Sure, it nonetheless has the ‘mahogany warmth,’ however, over the top, there may be now a vivid tone. It’s fairly ear-catching and possibly not what you may anticipate, however it actually provides this instrument a special sound.

Having the Spruce top, which provides you just a little bit of treble, additionally appears to extend the quantity of the instrument. And, will definitely allow you to be heard in a group format.

The body is completed with a pleasant white binding covering the body edges. The precise completed product could be very engaging, and the gloss finish accentuates the grain within the mahogany. The Neck is comprised of mahogany with a walnut fingerboard with inlay dots.

It’s a comfy ‘C’ form for ease of playing. On the hardware side, there’s a walnut bridge and a few good high-quality die-cast sealed tuners and nickel silver frets. The Kala Ka BE is an easy-to-play ukulele and the sound quality is great on this one.

9. Lanikai FM-CEB

One other acoustic-electric choice, this time from the Lanikai brand. We wished to incorporate an option on the record that’s nice for individuals who like to solo and play nearer to the body of the ukulele, and the FM-CEB enables you to get higher up the fretboard for some attention-grabbing melodies, due to the truth that it has a clever cutaway design much like that you may see on acoustic guitars.

The FM-CEB acoustic-electric ukulele design features a Fishman Kula preamp which does an excellent job of amplifying your ukulele tone. The sound you find yourself with might have a type of acoustic guitar tone to it, however, this isn’t essentially a destructive factor.

It has comfy playability too, the neck is designed to be thicker than most and lets you take pleasure in playing chords or transferring further up to jam with some melodies or advanced solos. The Nubone nut and saddle assist the vibrational response, and the maple body gives a shiny tone.

10. Ohana BK-70

Great looks and the beautiful sound come collectively on this lovely baritone ukulele from Ohana. With a stable spruce top that lends loads of brightness and a sunny tone, it’s crafted with rosewood sides and rosewood back that contribute simply the correct quantity of warmth. The sweet, wealthy sound of this ukulele will transport you to the islands.

This baritone ukulele options an abalone inlaid rosette surrounding the sound gap. Black and white purfling and cream binding present extra distinction, as do the actual bone nut and saddle. Open geared tuners, a basic slatted headstock, and 14 frets with Pearloid dot markers make this very particular instrument full.

It is a very elegant look, very conventional however with enough about it to keep away from being plain. And that’s assisted by edge binding in cream on the place the top and again meets the edges, with further black/white/black striping on the top edge.

We even have inlaid abalone purfling across the soundhole. The entire thing is paying homage to a really elegant acoustic guitar and we really reasonably prefer it for that.

11. Kanile K1 B

If you’re at all times needed to play a solid koa wood baritone ukulele, this may be the proper instrument to add to your assortment. This beautiful ukulele is handmade, and it shows! The top, back, and sides are all made with solid koa, and you’ll really feel good realizing that Kanile’a plants a brand-new koa tree for each koa wooden ukulele they construct.

This ukulele exhibits unbelievable graining and flame characteristics. Lighter white sapwood streaks up the center of the instrument, lending a beautiful distinction that’s all-natural. Anyway, this instrument has a rich sound.

This top-of-the-line instrument is definitely among the finest baritone ukuleles we’ve seen in fairly a while. It’s fitted with a stable mahogany neck, an ebony fingerboard, an ebony bridge, ebony bridge pins, and an ebony head plate.

White mother-of-pearl place markers and emblem, a normal Kanile’a crown headstock, and chrome Kanile’a open geared tuners make this beautiful baritone ukulele full. The UV-cured finish gives safety.

12. Ohana BKT-250G

This stunning baritone ukulele from Ohana bridges the hole between high quality and affordability. Finely crafted of stable spruce and acacia woods, this instrument gives a warm vibrant sound. The spruce top imparts brightness to the tone and ensures good quantity with loads of crisp distinction.

The ukulele’s back and sides are made with stable acacia wood, which imparts heat that brings steadiness and fullness to the sound.

There’s one thing else that makes this among the finest baritone ukuleles we’ve seen shortly. It incorporates a tenor scale neck that retains the general design as transportable as possible. Primarily, you get the very best of both worlds in a great-sounding instrument.

This ukulele incorporates a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The nut and saddle are made with actual bone, and a gloss finish offers safety from inevitable bumps. Aquila strings are normal, and a set of Grover open tuners completes the design.

13. Cordoba 20BM

Regardless of its very Spanish-sounding title, Cordoba is nowadays a US firm. Some instruments, the higher-end guitars, are made in Valencia, Spain, however, the majority of others and all of the ukuleles are made in China.

It features which is sort of commonplace with ukuleles – a mahogany top, back, and sides. And, has a trendy rosette characteristic in pure woods fitted expertly across the soundhole whereas it has been given a satin finish, that brings out the best within the grain of the wood.

The neck is also mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard with 19 frets, and 14 to the body. Pearl inlay dot markers are added. That includes a rosewood bridge with a composite saddle and likewise, the nut can be composite. There are die-cast tuners with engaging pearl keys.

This, we consider, is Cordoba’s first try at a baritone ukulele, and we have now to say they’ve made an excellent job of it. They’ve used high-quality woods, and therefore, the sound is warm and sweet, and it has a stunning sustain.

14. Alvarez Ru22BE

Alvarez has produced this ukulele as a part of the Regent collection of instruments, very a lot designed for the newbie at a price range value. That’s not to say it’s a low-cost instrument.

The body is made out of laminated mahogany with a pleasant satin end. Nothing fancy, very conventional form with no cutaway, only a good decor across the soundhole.

They’ve even opted to exclude any edge binding, but it surely doesn’t appear to matter; it nonetheless seems to be good enough. At a size of thirty inches, it’s all fairly standard stuff.

The neck is also mahogany with 18 frets of which 14 may be performed easily. It has a rosewood fretboard, which is a pleasant addition with dot markers. And, the neck is joined to the body.

Once more, nothing fancy in its make-up, however, we have now to say it is vitally playable with a comfortable feel on the neck. The usual workmanship is sweet, and there looks like no development or assembly issues.

There are a number of surprises, although, for a price range instrument. We’ve already seen the inclusion of a rosewood fingerboard, and right here comes one other. It has an actual bone saddle and nut, which actually is a good addition. The saddle sits on a rosewood bridge.

15. Flight NUB 310

The Flight NUB 310 Baritone Ukulele is pretty new to the U.S. market, however, don’t let that cease you from including it on your shortlist! This beautiful uke is made with reddish-brown Sapele wood, which is intently associated with mahogany.  Hand-drawn, laser-engraved rosettes add a contact of suave interest.

This ukulele encompasses a rosewood bridge, and Okoume neck, and a walnut fingerboard for steady intonation and an unbelievable feel.

The bone nut and saddle are produced from actual bone as an alternative to plastic. It gives pretty low motion right out of the field, and the geared tuners add much more worth. A padded gig bag is included.

The Flight NUB 310 has 19 frets, and it measures only contact over 1.49 inches on the nut. We’re impressed by the variety of place markers on this uke: You’ll discover them on the 5^th, 7^th, 10^th, 12^th, 15^th, and 17^th frets. An arched back lends much more fullness to this ukulele’s lovely, wealthy tone.

Sound

For the reason that sound of the baritone goes to be good and deep, it’s unlikely that it would be best to use a baritone uke for strumming. You are able to do that, however, it isn’t going to sound that sensible.

As a substitute, this can be a ukulele that’s reserved for blues-style music where you are able to do some fingerpicking. The sound that it produces in this regard is completely stunning.

Mainly, in case you are into fingerpicking songs, then that is the way to go. It’s probably worth mentioning that many individuals don’t see the baritone ukulele as an excellent introduction to the world of ukulele.

That is primarily because of the general public who get started wishing to learn to strum to allow them to play rhythm together with their singing. As a second or third instrument so as to add to your assortment, nonetheless, it’s unbelievable!

Acoustic vs. acoustic-electric

Baritone ukuleles may be acoustic or acoustic-electric. Acoustic ukuleles don’t require digital parts to generate sound. They work by reverberating string vibrations within the soundhole and body. Projection is especially achieved by the scale and form of the body, although amplification can be done utilizing an exterior microphone.

Then again, acoustic-electric baritone ukulele models characteristic a built-in pick-up that detects sound vibrations and then converts them into electrical impulses which can be amplified into audibility by an easy plug-and-play process.

Whereas acoustic ukuleles generate sound that has an extra pure resonance but decreases volume, acoustic-electric produces a brighter tone at an increased volume. The benefit of acoustic-electric models is that they will work both when unplugged and when plugged into power.

Their excessive volume makes them appropriate for live performances. In addition, they enable the addition of effects like reverb, delay, and distortion.

Supplies used for Body

Ukuleles incorporate varied types of wood and their variations in body development. Wood is used both sonically and decoratively. Owing to their individual composition, several types of wood have totally different results on tone. Some have pure patterns and hues that add character and uniqueness to the ukulele.

Ukuleles might have just one kind of wood in the complete body or several types of wood in various components. Caramel CB500 has the complete body and fretboard manufactured from rosewood whereas the Kala MK-B Baritone ukulele options an Agathis top, resin back and sides, and rosewood fretboard.

The favored varieties of wood utilized in body development are koa, mahogany, spruce, cedar, rosewood, and maple.

Strong wood yields richer, mellower, and extra resonant tones. The sides might have characteristic laminates, that are extra reasonably priced and proof against harsh climate elements. Nevertheless, laminates can suppress the tonal properties of the wood beneath.

Koa is a dense Hawaiian tropical wood with a unique grain look. It’s iconic in ukulele heritage. Koa initially generates shiny and crisp tones, then richer and extra resonant tones as it ages. Because of its excessive price, it’s primarily utilized in customized ukuleles.

Mahogany is fashionable for its stability and emphasized midrange which produces darker and hotter tones. It is usually mild in weight, and surprisingly loud.

Spruce is mild and stiff, leading to vibrant, articulate, and constant tones. It includes a dynamic range that may pack an enormous punch and is regularly used for ukulele tops.

Cedar is usually used with metal strings. It’s significantly aware of mild touches which it amplifies to warmer and extra managed volume, making it a dream tonal wood for strummers and finger stylists.

Conclusion

Best Baritone Ukulele? I think we have you covered. The baritone ukulele is a good fit for people that want to play the ukulele and have bigger hands. We listed some Kala Ka B models, Luna uke, Oscar Schmidt, and many more.

The important thing is that if you are here, you are ready to purchase one that will be easy to play, have great sound quality, scale length, maybe koa or mahogany body, bone fingerboard and bridge, and whatnot. There are baritone ukes that are having natural satin on them, and that is in the mid-range price or at a very affordable price value.

Also, they need to be comfortable to play with and have some great body and neck as well as hard chrome tuners. All these features you will be able to find under the review of these baritone ukuleles.

Thanks for being here with us on this great guide! Please let us know what you think which is the best baritone ukulele out there.