Baritone ukuleles are the largest one among their counterparts. It is perfect for those who want to create deeper intonations. It has a hollow design unlike the other ukuleles, and they have a sound hole as well. These features ensure that the ukulele produces louder acoustic sounds at lower notes.
In reality, a good quality baritone ukulele is the one that strikes a balance between a ukulele and acoustic guitar. The baritone ukulele not only differs in size but also in terms of tuning. All four strings in a baritone ukulele are tuned similarly. But knowing this is not enough.
There are several things that one needs to keep in mind while buying one. It is difficult to find the best baritone ukulele among so many options to choose from. This article will not only find you the right pick for you but also guide you through every step of buying the best baritone ukulele.
Quick Overview: Top 8 Best Baritone Ukulele
Image | Product | Features | Price | Buy Now |
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Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele | Walnut fingerboard Easy to play Well-built | $$$ | ||
Kmise Baritone Ukulele | Polished outlook Comes in a complete starter pack 24-hour customer service | $$ | ||
Kala MK-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele | Professional grade baritone ukulele Vintage style Aquila Super Nylgut used for the strings | $$ | ||
Kala KA-BE Mahogany Baritone Ukulele | GHS black nylon used for the strings Create deep sounds White bodied top Satin finish | $$$ | ||
Cordoba 20BM Mahogany Baritone Ukulele | Satin finish Rosewood fingerboard Pearl inlays Aquila Nylgut used for the strings | $$$ | ||
Lanikai Ukulele (MAB) | Matte look The chrome straps are buttoned securely Produces warm tone The NuBone nuts ensure sustained tuning | $$$ | ||
Alvarez RU22B Regent Series Ukulele | The rosewood fingerboard is easy to work with It has chrome, closed back tuners It measures up to 30 inches in length Mahogany on both sides | $$ | ||
Caramel Rosewood Baritone Acoustic Ukulele | Rosewood body Adjustable trench rod inside the neck 6 strings Guitalele | $$$ |
Top 8 Best Baritone Ukulele (Review)
1. Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele – Best Overall
The first one among the best baritone ukuleles belongs to the Kala KA-B range. If you are a beginner and looking for a good quality baritone ukulele then you can go for this Kala KA-B series. Its body and neck are both made of mahogany wood. It has a nice satin finish.
It measures up to 30 inches in length and has 18 frets. The spacing between the strings is perfect for the guitar players to use it easily. It is one of the best baritone ukuleles if you consider the price and quality together. Though it does not look fancy, it has a great structure that is durable and easy to work with as well.
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2. Kmise Baritone Ukulele – Runner Up
This one from the Kmise brand has a slender body made with mahogany wood. It is perfect for beginners. This ukulele does not come alone. Rather it comes in a complete starter kit with straps, picks, tuner, etc. A guitar player can easily get the hang of it because of its design and ease of usage.
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3. Kala MK-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
Makala series from the Kala brand is an amazing baritone ukulele for beginners as well as professionals. Many artists use it for their performances. It is a vintage ukulele which makes it so special. It creates soft, clear sounds that are soothing to the body and the soul.
Any guitarist can start using this easily because of its tuning. It uses the four guitar strings D, G, B, E. This baritone ukulele is one of the largest, almost the size of the guitar.
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4. Kala KA-BE Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
This baritone ukulele is one of its kind. It has a satin finish and creates amazing high and low tones. It uses GHS black nylon for its strings. Nylon is known for making the deepest tones. That is why the Kala KA-BE range is one of the best baritone ukuleles and produces the best tones.
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5. Cordoba 20BM Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
The Cordoba baritone ukulele is the first baritone uke from this brand. And they have nailed it! The design and sound quality are top-notch. The whole body is made of mahogany wood.
Besides, it has a rosewood fingerboard and pearl inlays. It creates warm tones that will melt any heart. All in all, it is the best pick for someone who is looking for a baritone ukulele with a classy design.
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7. Alvarez RU22B Regent Series Ukulele
The Alvarez baritone ukulele comes with a glossy top and mahogany body. It has a rosewood fingerboard which is very easy to work with. It looks like a very expensive ukulele, but it is quite affordable. It is comfortable on the neck, thanks to the design. Its design speaks of the craftsmanship that worked behind it. If you want to start your ukulele journey, then this is the best baritone ukulele for you.
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Buying Guide for The Best Baritone Ukulele
So, far we have discussed all the best products in the market. You know the features, pros, and cons of each of them. But still, it might feel a little confusing to figure out the perfect choice for yourself.
You need to weigh different factors and features of a baritone ukulele against your needs to figure out the best baritone ukulele for you. That is exactly what we are going to discuss here. You will get a clear picture of what an ideal baritone ukulele should look like for you.
1. Material
Different materials will produce different kinds of sound. That is a no brainer. But you need to know which one is your preferred sound. There are a few common kinds of wood that are used in making the baritone ukulele. Among these, mahogany is the most common. It is cheap and produces deep tones.
Another wood worth mentioning is Koa wood. It is available in the Hawaii region. As you might already know, the ukulele originated in Hawaii. That is why the Koa wood is popularly used in making the instrument. However, it is a very expensive wood.
Spruce wood is also used in making baritone ukuleles. It is softer compared to the previously mentioned two kinds of wood. It produces vibrant, crisp sounds. Cedarwood is softer than wood and is good at producing more bass. It can create some complex overtones.
Redwood is also used in many cases. Though it is similar to cedar, it produces louder sounds. Rosewood is another kind of material used mostly in the back and fingerboard of the ukulele.
While investigating the material, also make sure if the wood you're getting is laminated or solid. The laminated wood is cheaper and looks better. It uses cheaper quality wood on the inside and high-quality wood on the outside. That is why it is more affordable. On the other hand, solid wood is very expensive because it uses entirely high-quality wood.
2. Difference between acoustic and acoustic-electric
Ukuleles are usually acoustic. It is the most common type of ukulele. That is why, while mentioning a ukulele, everyone thinks of it as an acoustic one. An acoustic ukulele is the same as a guitar. It has a sound hole that captures the sound produced by the strings and projects it outside.
The acoustic-electric ukulele is also similar. But it has additional electronic features. It helps you to connect with external speakers aka amplifiers. By connecting it to the amplifier you can regulate the treble, volume, and bass of the sound. This dual nature helps you to use it as an acoustic guitar as well. And when you want to play for a large crowd, you can switch to electric mode just by plugging it in.
3. Neck and Fretboard
It is important to ensure that you are comfortable using the instrument. Otherwise, you will not be comfortable playing it for a long time. Usually, ukuleles with light-weight necks are more comfortable for obvious reasons. Besides, you should also look at the quality of the fretboard and the material used for it.
The fretboard is the elongated part of the ukulele behind the strings. It is important because if the material is not comfortable enough for you, then it will be difficult for you to press on the strings while playing the ukulele. Walnut is the most popular material for a ukulele because it looks good and also easy to play on.
4. The finish of the ukulele body
There are two most common finishes found in the body of the baritone ukulele. One is the satin finish and another is the glossy one. The satin finish is an older style. It is also cheaper. It enhances the natural look of the wood while giving it an elegant shine.
On the other hand, the glossy look is brighter and shinier. The material almost looks like a mirror after the glossy finish. It is comparatively newer and makes the ukulele very expensive. It is also pricier to get a baritone ukulele with a glossy finish.
5. Weight of the ukulele
The weight of the instrument you are playing is very important. Since you will be playing it holding it by your hands the whole time, it is better to look for ukuleles that are lighter. Usually, the baritone ukuleles are the largest among all kinds of ukuleles. But these are very lightweight as well.
Final Words
In this article, we showed you the numerous options that are at your disposal if you are planning to buy a baritone ukulele. We have listed some of the best baritone ukuleles available. Baritone ukuleles are the largest size of ukuleles.
And these are suited for someone with bigger hands or someone used to playing guitars and intends to learn playing the ukulele. If you are just starting, then you should go ahead and buy any one of the ukuleles discussed in this article without wasting any more time.