Finding the best baritone ukulele for you is not easy. From deciding on which brand, to the type of wood, to make, it can be overwhelming.
So we’ve selected and reviewed 5 of the top baritone ukes available in the market to help with your decision.
5 Best Baritone Ukuleles
To make things even easier we’ve categorized each uke according to best usage.
Cordoba 20BM Baritone Ukulele – Best Overall
Suitable for both beginners and advanced players, the uke is made of mahogany for the front, back, sides and neck.
This 19-fret model has a rosewood fingerboard with die-cast tuners, and pearl keys, making it sound great and also pleasant to look at.
- Solid mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood bridge and fingerboard
Pros
- Suits both beginners and experts
- Good quality material
- Great sound quality
- Durable
- Stylish
Cons
- Sometimes the strings make a buzzing sound
Kala Ka-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele – Best for Beginners
If this is your first uke then this is your go-to. It’s made of good quality laminated mahogany with a nice satin finish, and the walnut fingerboard, allows it to create a good sound when played.
The string spacing is proportioned, also making it easier to play.
- Kala Ukulele, known for high-quality instruments, is the most recognized and sought after ukulele brand in the world. Kala ukuleles are the instrument of choice for schools - more people learn to play on a Kala than any other ukulele brand
- Country of origin: CN
- Model: KA-B
Pros
- Good material
- Good sound
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Inconsistent tuner stability
Kala KA-ASAC-B Solid Acacia Baritone Ukulele – Best for Experts
This beauty is made entirely of Acacia wood for the back, front and sides, with a rosewood fingerboard. This 18-fret instrument is made to be shown off with its ebony nut and saddle detailing and satin finish.
Don’t think that this is just a pretty little thing. The sound it makes is a beauty in itself, as the materials used are of the highest quality making the sound smooth.
- Solid Acacia Top, Solid Acacia Back and Sides
- Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
- Rosewood Binding with Herringbone Purfling
Pros
- Highest quality material
- Excellent design
Cons
- High price
Caramel CB500 All Rosewood Baritone Acoustic-Electric Ukulele – Best for Concerts
If you are looking to play your uke at a concert or a gathering, the Caramel CB500 is designed with just that in mind.
Made mainly of rosewood, it also features real bone nut and saddle, which isn’t usually the case for affordable ukes such as the Caramel.
This model comes with a 3 band equalizer, and the pièce de résistance is a built-in digital tuner; a savior when tuning.
Bonus: A version is available for left-handed players, Caramel CB500L.
- ♪ All rosewood body
- ♪ 3 bands EQ built in tuner with LCD color display
- ♪ Adjustable Truss Rod inside the neck - wrench included
Pros
- Left-handed version available
- Acoustic and electric
- Built-in EQ and tuner
Cons
- Sounds different when played acoustically
- Non-standard battery for built-in EQ and tuner
- Possible structure weakness due to non-traditional soundhole
Alvarez RU22B Regent Series Ukulele – Best for Budget
If you are on a budget, the Alvarez RU22B model is one of the top options that will allow you not to compromise on quality.
Made of laminate mahogany, a rosewood fretboard and closed gear tuners, this model makes a good tune, while remaining affordable.
- Mahogany Top / Gloss Finish
- Mahogany Back & Sides / Gloss Finish
- Fan Bracing
Pros
- Good for beginners
- Affordable
Cons
- Average sound quality
What Do I Need to Know About the Baritone Ukulele?
Well, the information is endless, however, these are some important aspects to consider when buying a ukulele, baritone or otherwise.
Is a Baritone Ukulele Right for Me?
Generally, if you are a beginner or know your way around a string instrument then the baritone uke is the way to go. Its larger size, in comparison to other ukes, allows for easier handling.
It also comes in handy if your hands are on the larger size, as it has 18+ frets.
What Does the Baritone Ukulele Sound Like?
With a lower, warmer pitch, the baritone ukulele sounds more akin to a classic guitar than a traditional ukulele. The sound is deeper than the traditional ukulele that you are used to.
How to Pick the Best Baritone Ukulele for Me?
There are 4 major aspects to consider when buying your uke: size, material, tuning, and strings. Now let’s break it down to know the importance of each.
Size
There are 4 types of ukuleles, 5 if you count the pocket ukulele, categorized by size and consequently the sounds they produce. The baritone ukulele is the largest, at 30”, and produces the deepest and lowest pitch.
Material
A uke is made of either, in order of quality, solid wood, solid wood/laminate combo, laminate or plastic, but you should never go for plastic.
If you are serious about your uke playing then solid wood is the way to go to produce the purest sound. That’s not to say a good solid wood/laminate combo wouldn’t do the trick.
The type of wood is also important to consider. The best readily available uke wood is mahogany. And if you can get your hands on a Hawaiian Koa wood uke then that would be the dream!
Tuning
Quality tuners are very important for your uke. They play a big role in how your uke sounds. If you are a beginner, or just don’t want a hassle, it is better to buy a ukulele with geared tuners vs. friction tuners. They are easier to use, as friction tuners are tougher to handle as they sometimes break.
You should know that the baritone ukulele is tuned DGBE, like a guitar, differently than the GCEA tuning of other ukes.
Strings
Quality strings are another important aspect of how your uke will sound. The Aquila Nylgut strings are one of the top-rated and luckily most of our reviewed uke's come with that type.
FAQs
How Do I Tune My Ukulele?
If you are experienced with ukuleles or guitars, then tuning shouldn’t be a problem.
However, if you are not familiar or prefer to make sure, then getting an electronic guitar tuner is a good idea. This is a good option for beginners, or when tuning your ukulele in a noisy room or outdoors.
How Many Strings Does a Ukulele Have?
Although the traditional uke has 4 strings there are a few manufacturers, such as Luna, who offer 6 or 8 string ukuleles.
The Brands
There are many quality Ukulele brands available in the market; Kala, Cordoba, Caramel, and others. Worth to mention there are some Ukulele brands that did not make it to our top ukuleles list, however, they are still worth checking out, specifically Oscar Schmidt, Luna, and the more affordable Hilo.
Let’s Wrap it Up
Whether you are a beginner or more experienced player there is definitely a uke out there for you. The ukulele is a fun instrument that you can use to entertain, such as the Caramel CB500 or just have fun and enjoy yourself strumming away on you Kala KA-B.
Now that you are armed with all the information you need, it’s time to start plucking those strings!
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