Best Ukuleles for Intermediate and Advanced
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Ukuleles are beautiful musical instruments that usually come with four strings and are a delight to learn.
Advancing from being a Beginner to an intermediate player is proof that you have mastered the basics and are quite sure that you can try out and be great at a bigger ukulele size with higher quality.
Advancing from the intermediate level to the advanced level shows that you have developed a very good taste for sound quality and you want to hear yourself play something better.
Note that upgrading means you will have to spend more money on buying the best ukulele for your new level.
Quick Links: 5 Best Ukuleles for Intermediate and Advanced
- Best of the Best: Kala KA-ATP-CTG Tenor Ukulele
- Runner Up: Lanikai Kaena Solid Koa Concert Ukulele for Advanced Players
- Best Affordable: Luna Ukulele Concert Koa High Tide with Preamp
- Best for Intermediate-Beginners: Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele
- Best for Advanced Players:Magic Fluke Co Fluke Standard Walnut Tenor Ukulele
Factors to Consider before Upgrading to an Intermediate or Advanced Ukulele
If you feel you are quite ready to upgrade from a beginner to an intermediate ukulele player, or from an intermediate to an advanced ukulele player, you will need to get an ukulele that offers you better result or performance than the one you currently play with. Here are some factors to consider before upgrading.
- Cost – Cost is very important and increases as your skills improve. Save up if you must, but ensure that you invest in the best ukuleles for your upgrade so that you will enjoy playing it for a very long time.
- Materials – With each upgrade comes superior materials and, hence, superior quality. The ukulele you are upgrading to should be designed to improve your skills and give you excellent sound quality.
- Size – While upgrading, choose a size that has a sound that you find very appealing and a size that will fit comfortably into your hands. You will find it hard to play a sound you do not love.
Best Rated Ukuleles for Intermediate and Advanced Reviewed
Best of the Best  | Best of the Best | Kala KA-ATP-CTG Tenor Ukulele |
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Runner Up  | Runner Up | Lanikai Kaena Solid Koa Concert Ukulele |
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Best Affordable  | Best Affordable | Luna Ukulele Concert Koa High Tide with Preamp |
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Best for Intermediate-Beginners  | Best for Intermediate-Beginners | Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele |
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Best for Advanced Players  | Best for Advanced Players | Magic Fluke Co Fluke Standard Walnut Tenor Ukulele |
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It is time to step up your game and get a new ukulele. The pricing of ukuleles for beginners is very different from that of intermediates. While you may get ukuleles below $100 as a beginner, upgrading to an intermediate player may require a budget of about $300.
As an advanced player, you may have to spend about $1000 for a fancier, more durable, and may be customized ukulele that is made of first-rate materials.
However, you may get very affordable instruments for an upgrade to. Shopping for the best ukulele for your upgrade requires time and patience. Here are some of the best ukuleles for intermediate and advanced players to ease your upgrade.
Kala KA-ATP-CTG Tenor Ukulele
Pros:
- Has frets with smooth edges
- Sounds very nice even without changing the strings
- Very gorgeous-looking and durable
- Has spot-on intonation
- Very comfortable to play with
- Holds tune very well
Cons:
- The fret may buzz
- Quite pricey
This tenor ukulele is the best ukulele for intermediate and advanced players. Its body is made from acacia which gives it a very rich and warm tone.
At the top is solid cedar that improves the definition of each note and makes the ukulele hum. High quality padauk rosette and binding are used at the top, the back and the fingerboard of this beautiful ukulele.
Additionally, both the fingerboard and bridge are made of rosewood, while a gorgeous gloss finish perfects its awesome appearance.
Tuning and staying in tune will be made easy by the Grover tuning machines made available to this unique instrument.
This gorgeous tenor ukulele is topped up by very unique features and designs. It has features that are suitable for players who have upgraded from beginner level. It is beautiful, easy to play, durable, well-toned and sounds great.
Lanikai Kaena Solid Koa Concert Ukulele for Advanced Players
Pros:
- Produces very rich and full sound
- Looks exquisite
- Offers excellent intonation
- Has a perfect finish
- Very durable
- Very loud volume
Cons:
- Quite expensive
This concert ukulele is the best ukulele for advanced players. With its beautiful koa body and rosewood fingerboard fitted with 19 frets, this ukulele is clearly built to last.
It is handmade and finished with hand-rubbed oil and wax to give it a luxuriant look. It has perfectly placed Aquila strings and Sitka spruce binding to add uniqueness to its look.
It also comes with an abalone Makau inlay and a plush case with a hard shell.
Lanikai Kaena is a superb ukulele with an amazing construction that can stand the test of time. It offers a rich and full sound with loud volume and excellent intonation to satisfy both intermediate and advanced players. The finish of this instrument is simply stunning and complements its outstanding qualities.
Luna Ukulele Concert Koa High Tide with Preamp
Pros:
- Has a fantastic sound when amped
- Has beautiful frets
- Solidly built
- High quality electronic features
- Has very functional abalone inlay
- The nylon strings are easy on the fingers
Cons:
- Intonation is not good enough
- The nylon bag it comes in offers no protection
This concert ukulele is inspired by the full moon. Luna high tide ukulele measures 23 inches and has a body and top made from koa, which enables it to produce a full and deep sound.
The bridge and fret board, featuring 20 frets, are made of walnut and ensure you enjoy long sustain as well as clarity while playing.
They are joined by a well-set mahogany neck, an on-board preamp to ease as well as quicken amplification of sound, and open style tuners.
A natural satin finish, harmonizes with rosewood binding to give this electric Ukulele its unique beauty.
This gorgeous and very functional Luna Ukelele will thrill you and your friends. With this musical instrument, you will have a hard time deciding whether to play it or just stare at it in admiration.
Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele
Pros:
- Resonates pretty well
- Offers low action
- Very solid construction
- Very pretty, comfortable and well balanced instrument
- Accurate intonation across the frets
- Features a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Frets are too low for smaller and narrower fingers
- The sound may be quite dull for some users
This concert ukulele has a Hawaiian koa top and body connected by a beautiful Nyatoh neck featuring 16 frets to ensure a full, rich sound and durability. Rosewood is used for the fingerboard and bridge, and abalone is used for the binding and rosette. The closed-back Grover chrome tuners will ensure easy tuning. Having a large body and a scale length of 15 inches, this ukulele will give you louder volume, deeper tone, and a resonant sound quality. The gloss finish on this beautiful piece gives it a natural look. As is typical of Oscar Schmidt ukuleles, OU5 Concert is covered by a lifetime warranty which is an assurance of quality and performance.
Enjoy standards that are unequalled with Oscar Schmidt’s very beautiful and comfortable OU5 Concert Ukulele.
This instrument comes to you well inspected so you get more than your money’s worth. Be rest assured that as an intermediate or advanced player, you will enjoy this ukulele’s superior look, tone, and low action for a very long time.
Magic Fluke Co Fluke Designer Floral Mango Tenor Ukulele
Pros:
- Sounds great
- Very attractive
- Can stand upright on its end
- Has a very rich tone
- Very comfortable to hold
Cons:
- Has molded black plastic frets that may be hard to see
- Quite expensive
This tenor ukulele, created by Dale Webb, was constructed untraditionally with a soundboard made from wood and a thermoplastic body that resonates acoustically.
This construction results in a unique ukulele with excellent toning that is very comfortable, durable, and can stand upright. Featuring an overall length of 24.5 inches and a scale of 17 inches, this well-loved ukulele accommodates both GCEA and DGBE tuning.
It also features Nyltech strings and a beautifully patterned mango design, which makes this instrument a beauty to behold.
There are few musical instruments that will earn you a lot of compliments and this is one of them. Preferred by intermediate and advanced ukulele players, this untraditional work of art has a sound that matches its gorgeous appearance. You will be delighted to own and display this tenor ukulele any where you go.
Lanikai Ukulele (QMNACET)
Pros:
- Has well-spaced frets
- Great sound
- Excellent finish
- Very good playability
- Great sound and resonance
- Very nice tone
Cons:
- Quite pricey
This tenor ukulele is made with colorful quilted maple material stained with gloss and suitable for recording and playing on stage. Safety and comfort are guaranteed from the chrome strap buttons and wide neck construction.
Player’s comfort, headstock light and tuning accuracy are provided by the superior open-back Grover chrome tuners. The nut and saddle are made from NuBone XB to provide optimum tone and sustain.
Other features include 4 D’Addario strings, foam case, multi-ply ABS binding, cutaway electric with a Fishman kula preamp. All these are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
This ukulele has some of the best features possible. Covered by a lifetime warranty, this beautiful musical instrument is guaranteed to serve you for a very long time.
Kala KA-SMHT Solid Mahogany Tenor Ukulele
Pros:
- Acoustic-electric ukulele
- Great quality
- Beautiful sound
- Comes with extra bundle
- Has a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Sharp fret
This tenor ukulele has a mahogany neck and back, with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and a sapele side. At the top is solid Spruce integrated with shell inlay, while the binding is done by tortoise 3 ply.
Other features include a set of Italian Aquila strings, 15/18 cupronickel frets, ox-bone nut, a die-cast machine head, and 3 band EQ controls.
Accessories included are: a shoulder belt, a gig bag that is well padded and branded, a spare set of Italian Aquila strings, a polishing cloth, and a 3m audio cable.
This well constructed ukulele has a chromatic tuner, an LCD backlight screen, does not consume much battery, and has a lifetime warranty.
This ukulele will surpass your expectations with its awesome features. Along with a bundle pack, this instrument offers great value for the money.
Hadean Acoustic Electric Bass Ukulele UKB-23
Pros:
- Gives warmer tone than a bass guitar
- Sounds terrific
- Plays well
- Good quality
- The rubber strings are easy on the hands
- Great body and finish
Cons:
- The tuning machines make the neck quite heavy
- Buzzes
This bass ukulele has a walnut body and is designed to play same notes that the bass guitar plays.
The strings, made of quality Aquila Nylgut and having different densities, help in absorbing moisture, stabilizing the tune and increasing the fret-intonation accuracy.
This instrument also features a preamp with volume, bass, mid, and treble controls. The body and top are held together by a Trus-Rod neck that is adjustable and helps to make tuning easier and faster.
This great sounding bass ukulele has a lot to offer intermediate ukulele players at a very good price. Mostly loved by bass guitarists, it has a size that is nice and convenient.
Cordoba 24B Baritone Ukulele
Pros:
- Volume is loud
- Looks and feels great
- Tunes and holds tune well
- Has perfect intonation
- Beautiful sound
- Offers good comfort
Cons:
- Not very durable
- No fine tuning for treble and bass
This baritone ukulele features a solid cedar top supported by spalted maple headplate, sides and back, mahogany neck, and rosewood bridge and fingerboard. These features are neatly integrated to produce an ukulele that looks extraordinary and sounds great. 4 Aquila Nylgut baritone strings (GCEA), with varying densities, produce and retain tune. This instrument’s construction is perfected by a beautiful satin finish.
This fabulous ukulele meets the needs of both intermediate and advanced players. At this price range, it is the best baritone ukulele and offers features that will match those offered by expensive ukuleles. This highly recommended musical instrument nicely combines looks, sound and comfort to give you outstanding performance wherever you play.
Sojing Ukll-ax2 Concert Silent Electric Ukulele
Pros:
- Very easy to play
- Crowd pleaser
- Can be played discreetly and at any time without disturbing anyone.
- Sounds great when plugged
- Looks good
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- Hard to find a case for it
- The strings do not hold well and should be replaced
This concert ukulele has a body frame made with solid black sandal wood, and a fingerboard and bridge made with rosewood. Its body and top are connected by a hardwood maple neck, while the finish is a natural gloss. It is a patented and silent electric ukulele that eliminates disturbance and encourages you to have fun playing your favourite instrument no matter how noisy the environment is. When connected to an amplifier, this beautiful ukulele features excellent tone and sound that make it great for performing on stage. It comes with a free Male-Male jack guitar cable measuring about ¼ inches. It utilizes 9V alkaline batteries, chrome tuning machines, volume control switches, and 20 frets for accurate tuning.
Complete with innovative features that make it a favorite, this ukulele has no resonator and will therefore require an amplifier to listen to it. Known as a fun instrument, there is no undermining the sound quality and tone you will enjoy.
Final Thoughts
All ukuleles are not created equal. They come in different sizes and are meant for different levels. The higher your level, the more developed your talents will be. To intermediate and advanced players, playing the ukulele goes beyond focusing on easy chords. Every part of the ukulele counts when you are choosing the best ukulele for your new level.
