Best Baritone Ukuleles
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If you are looking for a deep and mellow sound from a compact stringed instrument, then baritone ukuleles are the best option for you. This type of ukulele is also one of the largest in terms of size.
You will learn more about the baritone and the key considerations when buying this instrument as you go along. Some of the things to discuss are the advantages and disadvantages of the instrument and its difference from the rest.
Quick Links: 5 Best Baritone Ukuleles
- Best of the Best: Kala MK-B Baritone Ukulele
- Best Under $200: Caramel CB103
- Best Affordable: Kala KA-B
- Best for Beginners: Kmise Baritone Ukulele
- Best Acoustic Electric Baritone Ukulele: Caramel CB500
Best of the Best  | Best of the Best | Kala MK-B Baritone Ukulele |
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Best Under $200  | Best Under $200 | Caramel CB103 30 Inch High Gloss Zebra Wood Baritone |
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Best Affordable  | Best Affordable | Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele |
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Best for Beginners  | Best for Beginners | Kmise Baritone Ukulele 30 Inch Mahogany Ukulele |
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Best Acoustic Electric  | Best Acoustic Electric | Caramel CB500 30 Inch All Rosewood Baritone Acoustic Electric Ukulele |
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Key Considerations When Buying a Baritone Ukulele
Guitar players will often recommend a baritone ukulele if they plan to transition to ukuleles. This is because the two instruments have some similarities. If you are a guitarist or a ukulele player who wants to transition from one instrument to another, you should know these things first. This way, you will be able to pick a baritone that will be the most compatible for you.
- Sound – One of the main reasons you should ask yourself if you are buying this instrument is the sound it gives. Unlike other types of ukuleles, this sounds very low and boomy. This ukulele is not for the happy-go-lucky songs that other types usually play. You will still be able to play other kinds of chords with this instrument. However, it will require a different approach.
- The difference from Other Ukuleles – Aside from sound, there are many differences that set apart baritones from ukuleles such as the soprano. For one, the soprano ukulele is strung at GCEA notes, and as such it has a higher sound range. If you are starting out playing guitars and want to transition, you will find that the notes of the baritone will be more familiar. This is because their strings are strung at DGBE.
- Size – If you want a ukulele because of its small compact size, you should probably stay away from this one. The reason is that it needs more resonance and it determines the length of the strings to vibrate to produce low sounds. Furthermore, baritones usually run up to 30 inches in length, and this is not the kind of instrument size that most people know as a ukulele. If you are fine with this size and are looking for an instrument with a larger fretboard, then this is the right one for you.
- Advantages – Even if you do not use a capo on this instrument, you can get most guitar notes that this instrument can play. The baritone may be missing the E and A notes, but it is still more versatile than other types of ukuleles. If you decide to play this on a higher note, you can just put a capo 5 on it and play it like a soprano. Another advantage is that it is cheaper than ¾ guitars and has more space in between the strings.
- Disadvantages – This is one of the rarer ukuleles, so finding this instrument can be rather tricky to do should you decide to buy one. Just like most ukuleles, you don’t usually plug a baritone to an amplifier. Transitioning between guitars to ukuleles can still take some time getting used to despite its similarities. This is because it has a different spacing of strings from guitars. Thus, it may be confusing to some guitarists.
Best Rated Baritone Ukuleles Reviewed
Despite being generally hard to find, knowing where to find the best can be an easier task to do. This is because most of the time, the best ones are the most often offered in stores. This is due to the high demand of the customers who wish to own the best baritone ukuleles. We list some of them down below to give you some better idea.
Kala MK-B Baritone Ukulele
Pros:
- Looks great
- Very well made
- Has a nice finish
Cons:
- Original strings do not last long
- Does not come with a case
- Edges of the bridge are a little sharp
Kala MK-B Baritone Ukulele delivers a warm mellow tone that you will find from a good agathis material. It has geared tuners which holds the strings in its place for a long time. Furthermore, it has a dark brown color with a satin finish that makes the wood pop and gives it a standard classic look. Despite being 32 inches in length, it only weighs one pound. This is very lightweight for such a large ukulele.
The only weak point of this instrument is the strings that it comes with break easier than other kinds. Other than that, it is a very good instrument to play with. It also delivers a good sound while looking smart.
Caramel CB103 30 Inch High Gloss Zebra Wood Baritone Acoustic Electric Ukulele with Truss Rod
Pros:
- Has an excellent tone
- Electric-acoustic feature works perfectly
- Well set up
Cons:
- Battery tray can be difficult to open
- For beginner baritone players only
- Sometimes buzzes
Caramel CB103 is unique because unlike most kinds of baritones, this is an electric-acoustic ukulele. The high gloss finish is mirror polished by hand and something you will find very cool to look at. Moreover, this also has a 3 band EQ and a built-in tuner. This can help you maintain its beautiful sound. Furthermore, there is a truss rod in its neck which you can use for neck adjustments.
This is a very good electric-acoustic baritone ukulele for beginners because its advertised features work perfectly. However, if you are looking for a more professional tone, then this may not suit your tastes. This is because it has some buzzing issues.
Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
Pros:
- Uses Aquila Nylgut strings
- Has a low action
- Strings are pre-stretched
Cons:
- Does not come with electronics
- Requires a little tuning
- Frets are sharply finished
Kala KA-B Mahogany Baritone Ukulele has 18 silver nickel frets that are very sturdy and will not rust. Just like its other models, Kala uses a mahogany material to ensure that it will resonate and give off a rich sound. Moreover, it only weighs 2.2 pounds, making it one of the more lightweight baritone ukuleles out in the market today. However, it is rather large as it has a length of 32.3 inches from end to end.
Unless you are planning to plug your instrument into an amplifier and hate angular frets, these should be of no issue to you. Furthermore, you will surely enjoy playing this ukulele because it requires little to no effort in preparing the product to play it.
Kmise Baritone Ukulele 30 Inch Mahogany Ukulele 4 String Hawaii Guitar Uke G-C-E-A from Kmise
Pros:
- Appears exactly as advertised
- Mahogany body is substantial
- Neck is aligned properly on the body
Cons:
- Looks overdesigned
- Has incorrect intonation
- Some joints were not sealed properly
Kmise Baritone Ukulele has a durable quality because it has a bone nut and saddle, which also makes for a perfect vibration transfer. Furthermore, you will be able to play this instrument comfortably because its rosewood fingerboard is very smooth. It also uses Aquila strings to make sure that you get the best sound possible. Its finish is clear gloss, which makes for a classic look that you will find appealing and easy to maintain.
If you are looking for an instrument that looks exactly as it appears on the label, then you should buy this instrument right away. Furthermore, there are only a few minor design adjustments that need improvement on this product.
Caramel CB500 30 Inch All Rosewood Baritone Acoustic Electric Ukulele with Truss Rod
Pros:
- Just as loud compared to normal-holed baritone ukuleles
- Has great sustain and depth
- Strings have low action
Cons:
- Bridge and fretboard needs to be conditioned
- Hardware looks cheap
- Hole design looks bad
Caramel CB500 is a unique-looking ukulele because its soundhole does not appear near the bridge. This is another rare product because you can use it for both acoustic and electronic purposes. You only need two 3V batteries to use the chromatic tuner, which has a LCD color display. Unlike other products, this is mostly made out of rosewood including the body and the bridge.
Caramel CB500 may have a cheap-looking hardware, but its sound is still worth every penny you spend it on. Furthermore, you will certainly not regret buying this product if you know how to take care of it properly. This is because it has rosewood material.
Final Thoughts
In summary, there are some advantages and disadvantages when it comes to finding such a rare instrument like the baritone ukulele. One advantage of this is that you will have more opportunity to find a quality product that you will enjoy playing. The main disadvantage is that the demand for such a product is high, so you might have to fight for it. However, such a unique product should not be passed up if you want a good instrument in your arsenal.
