Soprano ukuleles are becoming increasingly popular in the US, with sales increasing by over 200% since 2015 alone! With the popularity of these instruments growing, there is fierce competitive pricing among manufactures.
With that said, soprano ukuleles are still relatively affordable compared to other stringed instruments. Even though they may not be as expensive as a full-size guitar or violin, they can still be pricey for many budgets.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
Tonewood:
Usually laminate mahogany or spruce. This is the material used to make the top, back, and sides of the ukulele. Laminate means that the wood has been glued together. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
It just means that less expensive materials were used to cut costs, which can negatively affect how an instrument sounds and feels in your hands when compared to solid wood.. Solid woods are usually much more expensive.
Size:
Most soprano ukuleles have a scale length of 15 inches. Scale length is the distance from the nut to the bridge, which determines how long your strings are. Because of their size, most sopranos can be played by people between 4 ft 8 in and 5 ft 3 in (1.4 m and 1.60 m) tall.
Unless you’re very small, you probably won’t be playing a soprano as your first instrument as they’re quite difficult to play for beginners.
Action:
This is the space between the strings and the fretboard. Having a low action means that you can play closer to the frets without touching them. This is good because it will give you better playability, allowing your fingers to get closer to each fret so they don’t have to stretch as far.
Higher action gives more space between your fingers and the strings, making it easier for beginners to press down on them. It will also give more room for mistakes when playing chords, so you won’t hit wrong notes.
5 Best Soprano Ukuleles Reviewed
No products found.
1. Tuscan Sun Cedar Soprano Ukulele (15-FREE-Bonuses) Compression Sponge Case, Aquila Strings, Felt Picks, Tuner, Chord Stamp, Chord Chart, Leather Strap, Live Lesson & More (Limited Time)
No products found.
This is the ultimate soprano ukulele package. It comes with everything. You can give it as a gift, whether it’s for yourself or someone you know. Since it’s geared toward beginners, it’s affordably priced.
Pros:
- Made from mahogany and spruce, the body is very sturdy and well-constructed.
- It comes with a free downloadable app that guides you through playing songs step by step.
- Has a unique look due to the addition of eucalyptus wood inlays, which add flair to its overall design. The fretboard of the ukulele has laser engraved floral designs on it, which extends all the way up to the bridge.
Cons:
- The eucalyptus wood being used for the inlays is soft. This can potentially weaken the neck which could have been made from a harder wood.
2. Martin Guitar S1 Acoustic Ukulele with Soft Case, Genuine Mahogany Construction, Hand-Rubbed Finish, Soprano Ukulele Neck Shape with Standard Taper
No products found.
This is a soprano ukulele that is made of quality materials. It comes with a soft case, which is really nice because you don’t have to worry about it getting banged up during transport.
Pros:
- Its fingerboard & bridge are made from genuine mahogany, giving it great sustain and richness in tone.
- It has a glossy finish, which means it will look brand new after you’ve played it for awhile.
- It’s versatile in that in many different musical genres, it can be used to play covers, folk, and all different types of songs.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, the humidifier is not included. You might want to add one of your own so the instrument doesn’t become too dry over time.
3. Luna High Tide Koa Acoustic/Electric Soprano Ukulele with Preamp & Gig Bag, Satin Natural
No products found.
This is a soprano ukulele that can also be used to play electric. Its body is made from koa, which has a beautiful grain pattern and sounds great.
Pros:
- It’s able to be plugged into an amp or PA system and played live. Sing-a-longs and jam sessions will sound great with this instrument.
- It comes with a gig bag which makes for easy transport between gigs.
- Comes with a padded strap which makes it easier to hold when playing.
Cons:
- Some users have commented that the gig bag has a strong chemical smell. This can be eliminated by running it through the wash.
4. Kala KA-EBY-S Ebony Soprano Ukulele Natural
No products found.
This is a soprano ukulele that is crafted from ebony. Ebony is very expensive and hard to come by, making it a unique and lovely addition to this ukulele. This makes it among the pricier soprano ukuleles available on the market, but its high quality will still make up for the extra expense.
Pros:
- The fretboard has an attractive stained finish which gives it a good look and feel. It also resists sweat, so you won’t have to worry about it staining or getting dirty.
- The ukulele has a nice tone and the volume isn’t too high. It’s not overpowering, which is great when you just want to casually strum away in the evenings.
- The frets are very smooth and easy to play with. This means that it will be easier for beginners to get the hang of this instrument compared to their other ones.
Cons:
- It’s a bit heavier than most soprano ukuleles. This can be a huge weight difference for some people, especially those who have a smaller frame.
5. Hola! Music HM-121MG+ Deluxe Mahogany Soprano Ukulele Bundle with Aquila Strings, Padded Gig Bag, Strap and Picks, Natural
No products found.
We’re all about helping you find the perfect instruments for your future musical endeavors. Whether it’s a guitar, drum kit, or ukulele, we have everything you need to start learning an instrument. We offer the best brands in every musical genre and at affordable prices!
Pros :
- The sound of an ukulele is surprisingly rich and full
- Handcrafted mahogany body with a durable satin finish
- Comes with padded gig bag, strap, picks, stanard tuning key and circle of fifths guide
- Aquila strings are quality strings that are responsive to the touch without being irritating or harsh
Cons :
- Slightly expensive
- Does not come with a case
- Padded Gig Bag would be better than hard case
Conclusion :
Chances are, if you’re in the market for a new ukulele then you are probably not really learning the instrument. You might be joining an online ukulele forum or watching YouTube videos to try and learn how to play this unique stringed instrument. If that’s the case, then this article will hopefully provide you with some insight into what instruments are worth spending your money on.