The convenient size, weight, and quietness of concert ukuleles are some of the many reasons why I love this ukulele type so much. They’re perfect for home practice and handy for small parties while being a perfect fit for both beginners and intermediate players.
Quick Look: Best Concert Ukuleles
★ #1 Best Concert Ukulele Overall: Kala MK-C Makala ★
- Best Cheap Concert Ukulele: Mulucky MUK-CB1 Concert Ukulele
- Best Concert Ukulele Under $1,000: Luna Guitars Vista Wolf
- Best Concert Ukulele Under $500: Oscar Schmidt OU7K Long Neck
However, it’s easier to fall in love with a concert ukulele than to find the right model. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the best concert ukuleles that the market in 2021 has to offer, so let’s take a look.
What Is a Concert Ukulele?
Concert ukuleles are essentially just a tad taller than soprano ukuleles and slightly shorter than tenors. The average length of a concert ukulele is 23 inches, while the average scale length is 15 inches.
Concert ukuleles share a lot of similarities with soprano and tenor ukuleles. For example, all of these ukulele types have the same standard tuning (G-C-E-A), and their sound and sustain are not drastically different.
Furthermore, concert ukuleles are fairly versatile in the sense that they’re great for small-venue gigs, band practice, playing in a room, and such. They boast a bright, mellow tone and a relatively quiet sound.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Concert Ukulele
In a nutshell, there are only a few things that you should keep in mind when searching for a concert ukulele, including its size, weight, and tone:
Size
A classic concert ukulele is 26 inches tall. Most models are of the same height, give or take a few inches, but you should keep an eye open for models that are drastically taller or shorter. While shorter models are generally easier to handle, taller models offer wider fret spacing, which in turn improves the overall playability.
Weight
The average weight of a concert ukulele is approximately 2 pounds. However, you’ll find quite a few super-light models that weigh less than a pound, while most models weigh above 3 pounds. It’s up to you to determine the weight that you’re comfortable with.
The Overall Tone & Sound
The sound of any ukulele is largely defined by the quality of tonewoods it is built from. If you’re into traditional Hawaiian music, koa-made ukuleles will fit you nicely. Mahogany is the staple tonewood for most mid-range ukuleles, while boutique models feature maple and ebony.
10 Best Concert Ukuleles
Most popular online marketplaces such as Amazon and Sweetwater feature hundreds, if not thousands, of different concert ukuleles. With such a diverse catalog of ukuleles, picking the right one may take a considerable amount of precious time.
In case you don’t want to spend weeks searching for a decent-sounding instrument, I’ve picked the 10 best concert ukuleles for you, so let’s start off with:
Kala MK-C Makala Concert Ukulele Bundle
- Size: 5 inches by 10 inches by 5 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
- What’s included: Gig bag, Austin Bazaar Play Ukulele Today DVD, Aquila Nylgut replacement strings, strap, clip-on tuner, polishing cloth
- Material & finish: Agathis body, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, satin finish
- Best for: Best concert ukulele overall
The Kala MK-C Makala was tailor-made for beginners, but the quality of the ukulele is the centerpiece of this package and the reason why I’m recommending it to you. It sports a body made of great-sounding Agathis, a fast mahogany neck, and a remarkably playable fingerboard made of rosewood.
✅ Great choice of accessories
✅ High-quality tonewoods
✅ Gig-ready bundle
✅ Perfect for beginners
❌ Potential issues with intonation
❌ Consider replacing the strings with provided Aquila Nylgut replacements
Why I Recommend It
The versatile Kala MK-C Makala Concert Ukulele Bundle is my warm recommendation to any up-and-coming uke player. The box is packed with excellent accessories, and the uke sounds and feels much better than you’d expect, considering how affordable it is.
Mulucky MUK-CB1 Concert Ukulele Beginner Kit
- Size: 6 inches by 11.2 inches by 4.2 inches
- Weight: 9 pounds
- What’s included: Gig bag, replacement strings, polishing cloth, capo, clip-on tuner, picks, strap
- Material & finish: Mahogany construction, natural finish
- Best for: Best cheap concert ukulele
To be fair, I’d never heard of Mulucky, let alone the Mulucky MUK-CB1, prior to actually trying it out. Even though it doesn’t look as refined as certain Cordoba, Kala, and Luna ukuleles, it sounds surprisingly great. It’s also one of the most affordable beginner packages that the current market has to offer.
✅ Remarkably cheap
✅ High-quality accessories
✅ Great sound
✅ Decently durable
❌ Bigger and heavier than most concert ukuleles
❌ Unappealing aesthetics
Why I Recommend It
If you’re on a budget and looking for a quality beginner uke pack, my warm recommendation is Mulucky’s MUK-CB1. It brings a great sound, sufficient sturdiness, and a neat selection of accessories to the table alongside an attractive price tag.
Luna Guitars Vista Wolf Concert Acoustic El
ectric Ukulele
- Size: 28 inches by 19 inches by 5 inches
- Weight: 29 pounds
- What’s included: Standalone ukulele
- Material & finish: Koa & flame maple top, black walnut fretboard & bridge
- Best for: Best concert ukulele under $1,000
So much effort was put into the details of the Luna Guitars Vista Wolf that even some of the most seasoned veterans would need a few hours to test its limits sound-wise. This is unequivocally the best-sounding uke Luna Guitars manufactures, and it’s one of the finest concert ukuleles I’ve had the honor of playing.
✅ Unparalleled sound quality
✅ Multi-tonewood construction
✅ Superb durability and reliability
✅ Perfect action and intonation
❌ No accessories
❌ Very expensive
Why I Recommend It
Most mid-range concert ukuleles sound relatively similar due to their quiet nature. If you’re looking for a game-changing uke that offers a unique tone while being road-worthy and as sturdy as they come, I warmly recommend the Luna Guitars Vista Wolf.
Oscar Schmidt OU7K Concert Ukulele
- Size: 23 inches by 7 inches by 4 inches
- Weight: 44 pounds
- What’s included: Gig bag
- Material & finish: Spalted mango construction, gloss finish
- Best for: Best concert ukulele under $500
The Oscar Schmidt OU7K is one of the few concert ukuleles that excels in almost all fields of performance. Its remarkable tone and durability are provided by the spalted mango construction, and the abalone binding makes it perfect for trips and tours.
✅ Unique sonic signature
✅ Exceptional level of durability
✅ Perfect for touring and live performances
✅ Ideal for intermediate and professional players
❌ Fairly heavy
❌ Pricey
Why I Recommend It
I recommend OU7K to experienced ukulele players, as its weighty body slightly hinders its playability while providing a much bigger, fuller sound. It’s also one of the most robust ukes on the list, even though it’s slightly pricier than average.
Caramel MC80 Concert Ukulele Kit
- Size: 75 inches by 11 inches by 4.5 inches
- Weight: 84 pounds
- What’s included: Gig bag, strap, three picks, replacement strings, clip-on tuner
- Material & finish: Solid mango construction, high gloss finish
- Best for: Best intermediate concert ukulele
Caramel MC80 is a smooth, great-sounding concert ukulele that’s equally suited for beginners and intermediate uke players.
On one hand, it’s an excellent choice for players who are just becoming familiar with the instrument, as it’s highly playable and outfitted with excellent-quality accessories. On another hand, its excellent sound should interest experienced players more than the benefits of convenience.
✅ Great sound quality
✅ Decently affordable
✅ High playability
✅ Excellent accessories
❌ Slightly heavier than average
❌ Stiff tuning pegs
Why I Recommend It
The MC80 is an all-rounder that boasts excellent versatility, playability, and sturdiness. Its sound quality is also phenomenal, and it comes in a box full of high-quality accessories. These benefits are greater and more relevant than what you’d bargain for in this price range.
Kala KA-BMB-C Solid Bamboo Concert Ukulele
- Size: 9 inches by 8 inches by 4.6 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- What’s included: Standalone ukulele
- Material & finish: Bamboo construction, natural finish
- Best for: Best beginner concert ukulele
In my experience, bamboo-made ukuleles are misses more often than hits. An exception is the Kala KA-BMB-C. Its responsiveness and tame, controllable sound are the main reasons why KA-BMB-C is an excellent choice for any beginner uke player.
✅ Perfect for home practice
✅ Versatile and controllable tone
✅ Exceptionally sturdy
✅ Lightweight
❌ Minimal sustain
❌ Slightly taller than average
Why I Recommend It
Kala’s KA-BMB-C is one of the better mid-range ukuleles in my arsenal. It’s definitely a starter uke, but it has a lot of potential, as bamboo gets better with age. I recommend it to beginner players who want a good-sounding, playable uke without paying an arm and a leg for it.
Enya EUC-MS Concert Ukulele Bundle
- Size: 9 inches by 10 inches by 6.4 inches
- Weight: 99 pounds
- What’s included: Gig bag, clip-on tuner, capo, strap, picks, polishing cloth, truss rod
- Material & finish: Mahogany construction, gloss finish
- Best for: Best concert ukulele for fingerpicking
I brought over my fingerstyle playing habits as I transitioned from guitar and bass to ukulele, and I struggled to find an adequate model that would cater to my playing idiosyncrasies. Little did I know that what I was looking for was in the budget section of the concert ukulele market.
Enya EUC-MS is a decently affordable, good-sounding concert ukulele equipped with fluorocarbon strings, a tuner, truss rod, a uke strap, and a handful of picks.
✅ Excellent choice of accessories
✅ Perfect for fingerstyle ukulele playing
✅ Sturdy mahogany construction
✅ Warm tone
❌ Firm, stiff tuners
❌ A bit heavier than average
Why I Recommend It
Enya’s EUC-MS is a classic mahogany ukulele that doesn’t particularly excel in certain fields of performance, but it’s more dependable and reliable than most mid-range models. Its consistent, controllable tone combined with sturdy FC strings creates a perfect combination for fingerstyle players.
Hricane Professional Concert Ukulele Kit
- Size: 28 inches by 10.8 inches by 4.8 inches
- Weight: 89 pounds
- What’s included: Gig bag, clip-on tuner, strap, replacement strings, polishing cloth
- Material & finish: Koa construction, gloss finish
- Best for: Best concert ukulele for live performances
Not all professional ukuleles cost a small fortune, and Hricane Professional Concert Ukulele Kit is an excellent example of this exception. This particular model looks beautiful, offers a remarkable sustain, and packs a mellow, bright tone.
✅ Bright tone with excellent sustain
✅ Sturdy koa construction
✅ Available in several color styles
✅ Decently affordable
❌ Flimsy replacement strings
❌ Taller than average
Why I Recommend It
Even if you don’t need some of the accessories included in this bundle, Hricane’s Koa Concert Ukulele is one of the most dependable ukes for live gigs and performances. The airy sustain and exquisite tone are the main reason why I recommend it to musicians who play in bands or perform solo.
Kmise Electro-Acoustic Spruce Concert Ukulele
- Size: 41 inches by 9.84 inches by 3.94 inches
- Weight: 9 pounds
- What’s included: Standalone ukulele
- Material & finish: Spruce construction, gloss finish
- Best for: Best semi-acoustic concert ukulele
Whether you’re a touring musician or simply prefer playing a bit louder, I’m sure you’ll love Kmise Electro-Acoustic Spruce. This model is outfitted with a built-in 3-band EQ that works wonders in synergy with its spruce tonewoods.
✅ High-quality electronics
✅ Very cheap
✅ Great for band rehearsals and live gigs
✅ Excellent playability
❌ Flimsy
❌ No accessories
Why I Recommend It
Kmise’s model is one of the cheapest semi-acoustic ukuleles on the market. Aside from affordability, it sounds pretty great and holds its tuning for a decent amount of time. It’s slightly flimsier than average, but with proper maintenance it should last you for years, if not longer.
Hola! Music HM-124TT Concert Ukulele Bundle
- Size: 24 inches by 18 inches by 7 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- What’s included: Gig bag, strap, three picks
- Material & finish: Mahogany construction, natural finish
- Best for: Best value concert ukulele pack
Hola! Music HM-124TT is cheap, decently versatile, and absolutely perfect for beginners. It features three picks, a traditional ukulele strap, a padded gig bag, and a great-sounding concert ukulele made of high-quality mahogany.
✅ Sturdy gig bag
✅ A good tone for the buck
✅ Pre-strung with Aquila Nylgut strings
✅ High playability
❌ Poor intonation
❌ No binding
Why I Recommend It
I recommend Hola Music’s HM-124TT Ukulele Bundle to beginners who already have a tuner and a polishing cloth handy, since you don’t need to double up on these accessories. This is an excellent starter bundle regardless of whether you’ve played a ukulele before or not. The HM-124TT Ukulele is highly playable and it sounds pretty great, although you may experience minor intonation problems during the first couple of weeks.
What’s in the Concert Ukulele Box?
Concert ukulele boxes are typically packed with a handful of quite useful accessories. The contents vary from bundle to bundle, so let’s break down some of the most typical ones.
Gig Bag
Most concert ukuleles are supplied with this feature, even standalone models. It’s not only the most practical concert ukulele accessory, but it’s also the most useful one because it allows you to properly store your ukulele when you’re not using it.
Replacement Strings
Factory strings that most ukuleles are supplied with are generally quite flimsy. Even if they’re high-tier ones, strings that sit on ukuleles for more than a few weeks lose a bit of their tonal characteristics. That’s why replacement strings are provided in most concert ukulele bundles.
See also: Best Concert Ukulele Strings Buyer’s Guide
Ukulele Strap
Concert ukuleles are a bit heavier than soprano and tenor models, so having a strap greatly helps. Straps are a common feature of ukulele bundles, although the design, sturdiness, and quality of particular models vary. Personally, I prefer leather ukulele straps, but I have no qualms with nylon-made ones either.
Tuner
Tuning your concert ukulele without a tuner may be a bit challenging for beginners, which is why most starter kits include this accessory. It’s handy to have even if you’re an experienced player too.
Extras
Beginner kits are sometimes also supplied with a polishing cloth, a capo, and a couple of picks. These concert ukulele accessories aren’t as typical as the ones I’ve just mentioned, but they can be quite useful for certain playing styles, especially if you’re into classical music.
See More: Best Soprano Ukuleles For Beginners Buyer’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you still have a few questions about concert ukuleles, I’d be more than glad to answer them for you. Let’s have a quick look at the most frequently asked questions:
How Much Do Concert Ukuleles Cost?
An average concert ukulele costs approximately $100, give or take a few bucks. However, the reason for this average is that most concert ukuleles on the market are below $60, while there are quite a few models that cost well above $1,000.
What Are the Best Concert Ukuleles?
My top three picks are Kala’s MK-C, Luna Guitars’ Vista Wolf, and Mulucky’s MUK-CB1. Let’s have a quick recap:
Kala MK-C: Best Concert Ukulele Overall
It’s versatile and well balanced, and on top of that, affordable. Kala MK-C is a great all-rounder that’s perfect for both experienced and beginner ukulele players.
Luna Guitars Vista Wolf: Best Concert Ukulele under $1,000
The Luna Guitars Vista Wolf is hands-down the finest high-end concert ukulele on the market. It sports a multi-tonewood construction, a unique sound, and tremendous playability.
Mulucky MUK-CB1: Best Cheap Concert Ukulele
Apart from being affordable, the Mulucky MUK-CB1 bundle is actually pretty versatile. The ukulele in this bundle sounds much better than I expected, and it’s much sturdier than most low-end ukuleles.
Where Are the Best Concert Ukuleles Made?
If you’re looking for the best-sounding, most durable and most playable ukuleles, you should start your search in America. Europe also has quite a few top-tier manufacturers.
What Is the Best Sounding Concert Ukulele?
Vista Wolf made by Luna is the best-sounding concert ukulele in my opinion. It’s unlike any ukulele I’ve played so far, although it’s fairly pricey.
Where to Buy Concert Ukuleles
The most obvious choices are your local shops and Amazon, which is the biggest online marketplace for pretty much everything. I’d also like to add that checking online music retailers could benefit you too.
Amazon
Amazon boasts a versatile catalog, their prices are phenomenal, and you can always check what other people had to say about any ukulele that catches your eye. It’s a great place to start.
Online Music Retailers
Certain models, especially bestselling ones, are sometimes unavailable on Amazon. In that case I suggest checking Sweetwater and Guitar Center.
Your Local Music Store
If you’ve made up your mind and want a particular concert ukulele but it’s unavailable on all online marketplaces, you should check your local music shops.
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In Conclusion
I want to give you a few words of parting advice before we finish up this review of the best tenor ukuleles. First and foremost, avoid super-cheap bundles. Investing in a good-sounding instrument is much smarter than wasting $50 on an entry-level bundle that has a poor-quality ukulele.
Secondly, don’t neglect the importance of durability. A flimsy instrument, no matter how great it looks and sounds, becomes useless if it breaks. Additionally, concert ukuleles that don’t particularly excel in durability will end up costing more through repair expenses.
Finally, try to memorize different specs of ukuleles you like and compare them. For example, Vista Wolf is 28 inches tall and it weighs 3.29 pounds, while Kala’s MK-C is 26 inches tall and weighs 2.18 pounds. Add in the price tag and tonewoods and you’ll be able to make a comparison evaluation on your own pretty soon.
