Ukulele is the most trending instrument on the internet today. Many people still call it “that small guitar”! Well, they aren’t totally wrong.An ukulele belongs to the lute family and features 4 strings that are made of nylon.
It was first introduced in Hawaii and has been popular ever since throughout the world. The tone produced by it or the volume that it is capable to produce depends upon the size of the instrument. On the basis of their sizes, ukuleles are available as baritone, tenor, concert, soprano.
Out of these, baritone ukuleles are the most widely used and the most common ukulele that is used by people today. It is about 30 inches in size, which makes it a very convenient and the best ukulele for beginners.
If you too are curious to know what is so special about this instrument that every other person is trying it out, then we would love to help you out. We have reviewed the 7 Best Baritone Ukuleles 2020, along with a Buyer’s Guide that will help you in selecting the best product for you to try out!
Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele Black
Yamaha instruments will always be our first choice and we are sure you think the same! It is an extremely trusted brand that never fails to surprise with high quality and moderate pricing.
This ukulele plays exactly like standard guitar. It is a guitalele, i.e, a half guitar and a half ukulele. It is a fun instrument, that features 6 mini nylon strings, resembling a baritone ukulele. It comes with a gig bag which makes its storage extremely easy and convenient.
It uses different materials for its entire body. Like, its top is made of spruce, back and sides are made of Meranti, neck is Nato and fingerboard is Sonokeling.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- Half ukulele, half guitar.
- Sounds like an ukulele.
- Plays like a guitar.
- 6 mini nylon strings.
- Appearance resembles a baritone ukulele.
- Includes a gig bag.
- Easy to store and carry.
- Top: spruce.
- Back and sides: Meranti.
- Neck: Nato.
- Fingerboard: Sonokeling.
- Tuning can be pitches up to A at A/D/G/C/E/A.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Uses high quality materials in construction.
- Plays like a standard guitar.
Cons
- Some users felt it was toy-like.
Overall Ratings- 4.4/5 stars.
Oscar Schmidt OU52 All Mahogany Baritone Size Ukulele
This baritone ukulele by Oscar Schmidt is a reasonably priced one and is an attractive one as well. It is constructed with Mahogany wood and features a nice satin finish, which gives it a glossy look.
The sound quality is resonant and it provides the user with versatile highs and lows. Basically, it is the best ukulele to start your journey with. It is 30 inches in length, and is your best travel partner! It features GHS strings along with geared chrome tuners.
It has smooth fret ends and gives a precise low action. It includes many accessories with itself, like, a gig bag with a strap for easy storage and portability, clip-on tuner, polishing cloth for cleaning purposes, and two ukulele picks. It also comes with a Lifetime Warranty, which makes it a reliable purchase.
Features
- Reasonable price.
- Constructed with Mahogany wood.
- Satin finish.
- Attractive looking.
- Resonant sound quality.
- Provides amazing highs and lows, as required by the user.
- 30″ length.
- GHS strings.
- Chrome tuners.
- Smooth fret ends.
- Precision low action.
- Includes gig bag with a strap for easy storage and portability, clip-on tuner, polishing cloth for cleaning purposes, and two ukulele picks.
- It comes with a Lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Provides rich tones.
- Easy to play.
- Comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
Cons
- Has a few sharp edges that require sanding.
Overall Ratings- 5.0/5 stars.
Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
Kala is a known brand for ukuleles and is trusted by all. This is a moderately prices ukulele by Kala that is lightweight, and is comfortable to play.
It has a Mahogany top, which gives it a dark and classy look. It offers beautiful and mellow tones to the user along with high sustain. The fingerboard is made of rosewood and it features 18 brass frets that provides the user with pitch control. It also has a satin finish on it which makes it an extremely attractive instrument, giving it a glossy and rich look.
It also features geared tuners so that the strings are made to remain in tune. The back, sides and neck are also made of Mahogany, which makes it overall durable and high quality instrument.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- Reasonable price.
- Lightweight.
- Comfortable and easy to play.
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck.
- Dark and classy look.
- Offers rich tones.
- Fingerboard is constructed with rosewood.
- High sustain.
- 18 brass frets.
- Provides high pitch control.
- Satin finish.
- Glossy look.
- Geared tuners.
- Stays in tune.
- Durable.
- High quality materials used.
Pros
- Features geared tuners.
- Lightweight and highly portable.
- Uses Agathis wood for construction.
Cons
- Does not come with a case.
Overall Ratings- 4.6/5 stars.
Luna UKE BASS TAT Uke Baritone Etched Tattoo with Preamp
This ukulele by Luna Guitars can be played electrically or acoustically and is a fun little 21 inch instrument that you can take with yourself to your holidays, and play it whenever you like.
It includes a preamp and features flat wound strings, which have a variety of sounds to offer. It uses mahogany wood for its construction and has a spruce top. The most attractive part of this ukulele is its Hawaiian tattoo that is present beautifully on its body, which differentiates it from all other ukuleles in the market. The fingerboard and the bridge are made of rosewood, which give the instrument a long life.
The frets have a shark tooth design which makes this instrument even more unique. It can be used without any amplification and still provides a robust sound.
Features
- Can be played electrically or acoustically.
- 21 inches in length.
- Highly portable.
- Includes preamp.
- Flat wound strings.
- Variety of sounds.
- Mahogany wood is used for construction.
- Spruce top.
- Features a Hawaiian tattoo for added attractiveness.
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge.
- Durable.
- Shark tooth design fret.
- A very unique product, overall.
- Does not need amplification.
- Robust sound.
- Black hardware.
Pros
- Extremely stylish.
- Can be played electrically and acoustically.
- You will not find such a unique product anywhere else!
Cons
- Few users find this instrument a bit uncomfortable to play.
Overall Ratings– 3.3/5 stars.
Caramel CB500 30 Inch All Rosewood Baritone Acoustic Electric Ukulele
This ukulele by Caramel is constructed with rosewood which makes it a durable and high quality instrument, and also gives it an attractive look. It features an adjustable truss rod and has a pattered binding.
This product provides the user with a very appealing sound, and allows the user to play it electrically or acoustically. It features a buffalo bone nut along with a saddle, which is the reason for its amazing sound. It has a built-in tuner with 3 bands EQ and an LCD display that is colored. It also features 18 frets which help in providing the user with the best intonation.
It has a special sound hole and it can be tuned as D-G-B-E. It features closed gear tuners, which make it one of the best ukuleles available at this affordable price.
Features
- Made with rosewood.
- Durable.
- High quality.
- Attractive.
- Adjustable truss rod.
- Includes wrench.
- Pattered binding.
- Appealing sound.
- Can be played acoustically and electrically.
- Buffalo bone nut.
- Saddle.
- Built-in tuner.
- 3 Bands EQ.
- Colored LCD display.
- 18 frets.
- Perfect intonation.
- Special hole.
- Can be tuned as D-G-B-E.
- Closed gear tuners.
- Affordable price.
Pros
- In-built tuner.
- Attractive appearance.
- Can be played electrically and acoustically.
Cons
- It does not come with batteries.
Overall Ratings- 4.5/5 stars.
Makala Baritone Mahogany Ukulele
This is yet another ukulele by Kala, which is one of the most trusted brands in this market, as mentioned earlier. This one here is the best ukulele for beginners and is known as the perfect first-time instrument to make an entry into the world of music!
It comes at an extremely affordable price, but does not compromise with its quality. It is made with mahogany, like all other traditional ukuleles and provides the user with a tone that is balanced, soft and full-bodied. Like all other Kala instruments, the Makala series is also manufactured with utmost care and the quality of the products are maintained. The fingerboard and bridge are Walnut based and the frets are made of brass. It also features Aquila Super Nylgut strings which come all the way from Italy.
This series of ukuleles have been used by many renowned players and bands. The size of this instrument is not very small, in fact, it is the largest one of its type. It tunes the strings D-G-B-E. The sound produced by it is very similar to the one produced by an acoustic guitar.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- Best for beginners.
- Affordable.
- Mahogany made.
- Balanced, soft and full-bodied tone.
- Quality of constituents is maintained.
- Walnut fingerboard and bridge.
- Brass frets.
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings.
- Used by renowned players.
- Largest sized ukulele.
- Tunes D-G-B-E.
- Easy transition is provided to guitarists.
- Produces a sound that is very similar to an acoustic guitar.
Pros
- Trusted brand.
- Amazing tone.
- Simple and easy to use as a first timer.
Cons
- Some users have complained about the strings not staying in tune.
Overall Ratings- 4.5/5 stars.
Alvarez RU22C Regent Series Ukulele
This is an ukulele by another amazing brand, Alvarez. It is best suited for students and is designed keeping in mind the same. It is the best entry-level item.
It is made with mahogany, which is the most common wood used for the making of ukuleles, since it gives them a long life and also enhances the appearance or the look of the instrument. It also has a natural satin finish which gives it a gloss that makes it look new even after years of use. The fingerboard and the bridge uses rosewood for their construction. Its tuners are chrome and closed back.
It also features a bone nut and a saddle. It produces a sound that is quite commendable and can also be called better than some ukuleles that priced at the same range.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- Best for students.
- Perfect entry-level instrument.
- Mahogany.
- Durable.
- Stylish look.
- Natural satin finish.
- Glossy look.
- Fingerboard and bridge are made of rosewood.
- Chrome closed back tuners.
- Bone nut and saddle.
- Amazing sound.
- Fan bracing.
Pros
- Produces a better sound than many ukuleles.
- Gives a wonderfully warm sound.
- Great finish.
Cons
- Easily goes out of tune, according to a customer feedback.
Overall Ratings- 4.2/5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is baritone ukulele good for beginners?
Yes, it is quite well known and researched that baritone ukuleles are indeed the best choice for students or beginners. They are easier to handle, and provides large space between the frets, which makes it convenient for a beginner to learn. Thus, if you are a beginner, then the best ukulele you can get for yourself is the baritone shaped.
Should I get a baritone or tenor ukulele?
If you are a starter, then you should definitely go for baritone ones. But otherwise, both of these types come with their own set of pros and cons. A baritone ukulele produces a louder and fuller sound, thus, sounds more like guitar. The tenor ones produce a brighter sound, thus it can be said that they produce a typical ukulele sound.
What’s the easiest song to play on ukulele?
Some of the easiest songs that can be played on an ukulele are Upside Down by Jack Johnson, Hey Soul Sister by Train, Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz.
Is it easier to play ukulele or guitar?
An ukulele is much easier to play than a guitar, or rather any other stringed instrument. It has nylon strings that are soft in touch and hence are very convenient for quick learning.
Should I use a pick for ukulele?
Yes, you can use a pick for playing your ukulele. Some even come with picks in their packages. It depends on the style of playing or the song that you are playing and accordingly you can use a pick.
Buyer’s Guide
Buying an instrument can be a tricky job. You need to keep many things in mind while making the purchase. Similarly, buying an ukulele requires certain points to be considered as well.
First of all, like always, the first thing to check before buying is the quality of the materials used for construction. The most common woods used for the construction of ukuleles are mahogany, spruce and rosewood. These are high quality materials and ensure the durability of the product. So, do not compromise on the quality of the materials used for your instrument.
Next, always go for ukuleles produced by known brands The most trusted brand here is Kala. Other brands mentioned in this article are also well known and recommended brands that can be trusted on quality.
Avoid buying extremely cheap ukuleles since the issue of quality and after sales services may come up. Hence, go for the moderately priced ones if you are not ready for a very expensive ukulele yet.
Keep these points in mind and you are good to go!
Summary
So, we hope you have understood what all that hype about ukuleles is for! It is the most trending instrument today, and even though it has been used for years, quite recently it got even more popular, with every house having one and everybody trying their hand at it! And there’s nothing wrong in it, since it can be called one of the easiest instruments to learn, along with high portability and affordable prices.
Now, select your favorite baritone ukulele from the reviews above and be a part of the trend!
Thanks for reading this article! Please leave your comments below.
Also, check out our article on the 10 Best Pianos and Keyboards for Starters in 2020.
Leave a Reply