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While yes, laminates will in no way produce the same sounds of a solid wood ukulele, that doesn’t make them bad-sounding. It’s just a way to make affordable ukuleles a lot more available to encourage more ukulele players to practice. And at the same time, they’re actually pretty durable –– more so than solid wood ukuleles in many cases! Koa is usually found in top-notch ukuleles and it’s one of the tonal woods that is greatly desired by ukulele lovers. Koa offers high-end articulation and blends midrange focus. Laminate ukuleles refer to ukuleles consisting of several thin layers of wood merged together on the ukulele. Laminates are widely spread among entry-level ukuleles, and that makes sense. At this point, you’re still trying yourself out, and you certainly won’t go for the most expensive ukulele; it’s great to find a budget-friendly option that also offers decent quality! The tone begins with the soundboard on the ukulele’s top. The wood used for the top and the soundboard bracing play the most significant role in the ukulele’s tone, as with most acoustic instruments.Thus, the best wood for ukulele tops is solid wood, since this has a great affect on tone. Arguably the most sought after ukulele around, Martin ukuleles are some of the finest ukuleles in the world. Considered a top acoustic guitar maker, C.F. Martin & Co. was established in 1833, however, it was in 1917 that the company published their first ukulele pamphlet announcing its newest instrument. They developed five series categorized as style 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 (there is no style 4, and there’s no confirmation of what might have happened). Ukulele from this era are considered vintage and can fetch a very high price with collectors.
What really makes Luna instruments stand out is their fascinating designs. Luna’s signature designs feature unique colors, tattoos, henna designs, exotic woods, symbolic elements, and landscapes from wood patterns to name a few. Reflective of their name, many fretboard inlays feature moon phases, a signature of Luna ukes. The Uku Owl concert ukulele is a popular choice, and the Uku Tattoo Mahogany Concert ukulele is claimed to be the world’s best selling ukulele. Luna offers highly aesthetic, quality instruments for reasonable prices, which has built them an avid fanbase. The “Luna Tribe” is collectively anyone who owns a Luna instrument, and is an active community on social media platforms. Usually found only in fretboards and finishing because of its rarity and price, finding an ebony ukulele should feel like winning the lottery. Lanikai: Lanikai is another excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality solid wood ukulele. Their instruments are known for their clear tone and easy playability. Lanikai ukuleles are also very affordable, making them a great option for budget-minded players. As a brand, Ko’olau is known for their refusal to compromise standards of craftsmanship, so their instruments are of high quality which is reflected in their prices. So they created a separate, more affordable line, called Pono, to be made on the island of Java in Indonesia, which has a history of great woodworking. Pono uses the same professional construction methods and includes a variety of solid woods, bone nuts and saddles, and features high quality tuners. In general, Ko’olau has become the custom line while Pono is their manufactured duplicates at a more affordable price. Pono is made under the direct supervision of Ko’olau and is highly regarded. Not all woods can transmit sound waves with a frequency matching the ukulele’s strings. However, woods like spruce, koa, mahogany, cedar, maple, and several others do the job well, albeit with slight differences.A walnut ukulele is sure to catch your eye with its gorgeous, deep brown shade with beige graining. They sound quite balanced with a warm but clear tone. Note: On top of the tonewoods affecting how the ukulele sounds, it’s also about how you strum your uke—i.e., whether you go easy on the strings or hit them too hard. Solid vs laminated Wood: What’s the difference? Mango wood isn’t as common today as it once was, but it’s excellent wood either way! Originating in India, mango was among the common woods used for the ukulele. Despite the more or less neutral tone, cedar does serve complex overtones owing to the density of the wood, so playing a cedar ukulele is always guaranteed to be a treat. You’ll find cedar topwood with laminated bodies in several budget ukuleles as well. Rosewood
For a lot of musicians, spruce instruments are synonymous with bass response. Usually seen in acoustic guitars, spruce makes for a robust ukulele too, with its wide availability and moldable form. Its tone is vibrant, crisp, and resonant. Another hardwood that’s perfect as a tonewood, maple is mainly used to balance the lower range frequencies. This just means that it is ideal for anyone who wants to highlight and clarify the natural high frequencies of their ukulele. What also sets cedar apart is that it has no striking grains—it features a plain finish, brightness is less, and bass is optimized. Another important factor to consider is the size of the ukulele. Ukuleles come in four different sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The size of the ukulele will affect how easy it is to play and the overall tone of the instrument. Soprano ukuleles are the smallest and easiest to play, while baritone ukuleles have the deepest sound. A family-based company located on the island of O’ahu, Kanile’a is our second of the “Four K’s” brands from Hawaii. Kanile’a means “joyful sound” in Hawaiian. The company is led by Master Luthier Joe Souza and his wife Kristen, who is head of sales and accounting for the brand. Their handcrafted ukuleles are the standard, and the company is engaged in every step of the process. From the planting or acquiring of responsibly sourced wood, inspecting and choosing the most beautiful cuts of wood during milling, and the drying and seasoning of the wood in house, Kanile’a oversees the instrument’s creation from start to finish.Kala: Kala is one of the leading manufacturers of solid wood ukuleles. Their instruments are known for their quality craftsmanship and beautiful sound. Kala ukuleles are available in a variety of styles and sizes, making them a great choice for any player. If you’ve ever done any research on ukuleles, you’ve probably come across terms like ‘solid koa’ and ‘Sitka spruce top’. It’s only natural to wonder what these terms mean – the wood you use for your ukulele can dramatically influence how your ukulele sounds. A small, family-owned brand, Leolani means “voice of heaven” and was launched in 2002 in Hawaii by Jenny Liu. Pioneers of the “best imported ukuleles in Hawaii”, they are known for providing quality instruments at affordable prices. While they were previously associated with cheap, highly decorated tourist ukuleles, they have moved on to create more legitimate ukuleles, offering “real” instruments at a budget.
That’s why a tonewood makes a huge difference when selecting one of the best ukuleles. Different Ukulele Wood Types
A stylish wooden finish
Rosewood offers well-balanced bright sounds. It offers accentuated highs and deep lows. So, if you’re a fan of such tones, it’s definitely worth considering when shopping for the uke of your type.
The less emphasized mid-frequencies appeal to beginner ukulele players, making them their favorite soundboards. Before I wrap up this article, I’d like to emphasize that the ukulele world is super flexible. You’re not bound by a specific wood that your uke has to incorporate to get a high-quality sound that resonates. Because they are made from natural materials, solid wood ukes are eco-friendly and sustainable. What to Look for When Buying a Solid Wood Uke? Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Ohana has aimed to deliver quality, playability, and value since 2006. They consider themselves a small, community-oriented ukulele company with a commitment to quality. Their use of rich tonewoods combined with thoughtful constructions yield a lovely sound.Yvonne de Villiers is the visionary designer for Luna, and co-founder. Partnered with Alex Morgan, a freelance designer from the U.K., they design the instruments that are sent to be manufactured in China or Korea, which are then inspected and set up when they return to headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Their instruments are designed with great tonewoods and sound fantastic. Luna launched in 2005 as an acoustic guitar brand that became popular for its artistic qualities with unique looks and delightful sounds. Luna’s mission statement is “to create authentic instruments designed to inspire the creative spirit. We support musicians of all ages, as well as the songwriting community, by selling quality instruments at an affordable price.” They offer a broad selection of ukuleles at a good value, including handcrafted models and various koa and mahogany options. You can find ukuleles in solid wood as well as laminate. While known for their cheaper prices, Oscar Schmidt has a good reputation for producing quality instruments. Their brand boasts good action and intonation along with superior tone and volume. The density is neither high nor low, it’s just perfect and tones are focused on mid frequencies. It’s also one of the strongest woods out there and, therefore, used in the budget and high-end ukuleles.
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