Soprano vs Concert Ukulele – Which One Is The Best?

Deciding which ukulele (soprano vs concert) is better is not that simple. The following article features types of Ukuleles, Top 10 Ukulele Recommendations and detailed overview of the best and the most affordable models.

Buying your first ukulele can be a really challenging task. There are just so many different models and types of ukuleles! It’s really easy to get confused. On top of that, every review online says something different. Everyone’s is recommending different brands. Well, don’t worry. As an intermediate guitar player with over thirteen years of experience, I know exactly what instrument will be right for you. In today’s article we’re going to have a look on soprano and concert ukuleles. Let’s start with a short description of each ukulele type. You’ll see that they’re slightly different. Next, we’ll move on to the most affordable ukuleles on the market right now. Ready? Let’s rock!

Types of Ukuleles

Firstly, here’s a great video that explains the various types of ukes. I highly encourage you to sit down and listen to it. It’s a perfect source of knowledge for anyone who’s considering a purchase of a ukulele. What’s more, the video the video also focuses on tenor and baritone instruments. Check it out and hear which ukulele sounds better – concert vs soprano?

As you can see, it’s not difficult to get confused. So many shapes, sounds and colors! I totally understand how tricky it can be to choose the best uke for you. Nevertheless, I hope that you took some time to watch that video. Let’s move on to a detailed description of soprano instruments.

Soprano Ukulele

This is the smallest available ukulele, often called as ‘standard’. Most importantly, this is the most popular uke. This instrument will be ideal for beginners who’d like to learn basic chords. It will also be great for children. Moreover, it is recognized for its bright and jangly sound. The standard tuning of soprano ukulele is GCEA. Personally, I think that it’s the perfect travel companion. If you’re going on a trip, I highly recommend taking a soprano ukulele with you. Undoubtedly, starting your musical journey with this thing will be awesome.

Here’s a few great soprano ukuleles that are great for both beginner and advanced players:

Kala KA-15S	See on Amazon
Vangoa Soprano Ukulele	See on Amazon
Cordoba 15SM	See on Amazon
Ranch Soprano Ukulele	See on Amazon
Soprano Enya Ukulele	See on Amazon

Kala KA-15S

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Really great and cheap mahogany ukulele. If you’re not aware of it, Kala is the leader in the ukelele game. The producer offers a large variety of instruments and most importantly, top quality. This model may not be the chepeast, but it’s awesome. Sounds really bright and warm. Certainly, its sound is a result of the mahogany wood. What I also like about KA-15S is that it’s available in a few different colors. Personally, I really like the ‘Hawaiian Tatoo’ model. What about you?

Vangoa Soprano Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Great model for amateurs. What’s more, it comes with a bundle. At this pricing, you won’t find a better gear to start your musical adventure. The ukulele features smooth fret edges and low string action. It will be a perfect gift or a starter instrument for kids. Although this ukelele may not be as unique as the previous one, it’s still a great choice. I highly recommend it!

Cordoba 15SM

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Something for more demanding players. This Cordoba model will be best for players who already played the ukulele in the past. It features mahogany top, back and sides. In addition, it has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Undoubtedly, Cordoba is one of the leaders in the guitar industry. They create absolutely amazing classical and acoustic guitars. But as you can see, the quality of their ukuleles follows the same route. This model looks really vintage. If you’re into this old-school look, go for it. Absolutely amazing instrument, ideal for advanced players!

Ranch Soprano Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Again, this ukulele is available with a whole bundle. Hence, this set will be great for people who are just starting. Actually, it will be great for any agr group. On top of that, this easy to play ukulele offers stunning quality at affordable pricing. What I also like about this offer is that there are 12 free online lessons included. Kids are going to love it! But remember – this ukulele is not a toy. This is a legit, top-quality and cheap instrument. That’s why I really recommend it!

Soprano Enya Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Exceptional ukulele available in a few different color versions. This instrument features mahogany wood and a matte finish. Look at this blue color on the picture above. Looks great, huh? What’s more, the mahogany wood offers a really warm and bright sound. You will definitely be able to play a lot of beautiful melodies on it. It’s a truly amazing ukulele. In addition, it’s really cheap!

Concert Ukulele

Most importantly, concert ukulele is slightly bigger vs the soprano. Hence, it’s highly recommended to adult beginners. Sometimes the soprano ukulele can be too small for you, especially if you have large hands and long fingers. That’s why this type of instruments was created in late 1920s. It was designed to offer a louder, melodic and deeper tone suitable for concert playing. Undoubtedly, concert ukuleles are great for both amateur and intermediate players. Nevertheless, if you’re an adult, I think that you should focus on concert ukuleles rather than soprano models.

Here’s a few affordable concert ukuleles that are great for literally everyone:

Ranch Concert Ukulele	See on Amazon
ADM Concert Ukulele	See on Amazon
Caramel Concert Ukulele	See on Amazon
Paisen Concert Ukulele	See on Amazon
Cordoba 15CM	See on Amazon

Ranch Concert Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

One of the most popular models among beginner ukulele players. This model features sapele wood and Aquila strings. In addition, the Ranch ukulele features nickel silver frets. Hence, this lightweight instrument offers a really smooth and enjoyable playing experience. What’s more, it comes with a few important accessories. Nice job, Ranch!

ADM Concert Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Amazing quality, low string action and great price. Who needs more? This is a great starter uke. Made of mahogany, it offers a truly unique warm and rich sound. Indeed, this ukulele is a pleasure to listen to. I highly recommend it to both beginner and advanced players. Also, it’s available in a few different color versions. In my opinion, the black one looks absolutely killer! Great choice.

Caramel Concert Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Looks special, right? The mix of mahogany and rosewood in this model offers a cool and warm sound. What I like about Caramel is their attention to detail. Their quality is on point. It’s not a big producer. In fact, their team has only 30 people. Hence, all of their ukuleles is stunningly well-crafted. No doubt, it’s one of the best and affordable ukes on the market!

Paisen Concert Ukulele

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

A great and affordable uke. It’s a top-quality instrument made for demanding players. If you’re a finger style player, this ukulele is great for you. What’s more, the rosewood used in this model is actually more expensive than mahogany. Hence, this instrument will be ideal for anyone who’s looking for something special. On top of that, it comes with a few important accessories. Amazing stuff!

Cordoba 15CM

>> Check Pricing on Amazon <<

Just like 15SM, the 15CM model offers stunning quality. Is this concert model better vs the soprano ukulele model? Tough question. It’s a truly exceptional ukulele. As I mentioned before, instruments crafted by Cordoba offer a really special playing experience. The sound of this uke is warm and clear. The quality mahogany construction definitely improves this ukuleles sound. It looks great too! I highly recommend it for both beginner and intermediate players.

Soprano vs Concert Ukulele – Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of great ukes on the market. Both soprano and concert ukuleles are great for beginner and more advanced players. On the other hand, if you’re an adult player, you should most likely go with the concert size shape. It’s slightly larger, hence it should be a little bit easier for you to play. Nevertheless, both of these ukulele types offer superb playing experience. I guarantee that if you pick any of these ten models, you will be satisfied. Good luck! I also recommend checking out my article called guitar vs ukulele. Why not buy a guitar too and learn both things at the same time?

______

Dave, the author of this blog, is an intermediate musician with years of relevant experience within the music industry. The aim of this blog is to educate beginner guitarists and promote the most effective ways to learn guitar playing. Feel free to leave a comment or share it if you find it useful. In that way, we’ll be able to grow. Thanks for checking out this blog!