The Best Baritone Ukulele in 2024
What Exactly Is A Baritone Ukulele?
A baritone ukulele is like the big sibling in the ukulele family. It’s larger than the other types of ukuleles—soprano, concert, and tenor—and it has a deeper, richer sound. To give you an idea, while other ukuleles sound bright and chirpy, the baritone has a warm and full-bodied tone, somewhat resembling the sound of a classical guitar.
Now, what makes it different aside from its size? Well, it’s the way it’s tuned. Unlike the common ukulele tuning, a baritone ukulele is tuned to D-G-B-E, which is exactly like the highest four strings of a guitar. This means that if you’re a guitarist, transitioning to a baritone ukulele will be a piece of cake!
The Size Factor
When it comes to the size specifics, a baritone ukulele generally measures between 29 to 30 inches in length, with a scale length of about 19 to 20 inches. That gives it more frets, making it a playground for those who have mastered the smaller ukuleles and want more space to showcase their skills.
The baritone ukulele is also a great option for people with larger hands, giving them the comfort they need to play effortlessly. It’s crafted from a variety of woods just like other ukuleles, but thanks to its size, it produces a sound that’s not just louder but also richer.
And even though it’s a bit different, at its core, it’s still a ukulele. It’s a fantastic choice for those looking to experiment with a sound that’s somewhere in between a guitar and a ukulele, bringing the best of both worlds. So, whether you’re a ukulele enthusiast wanting to try something new or a guitar player itching for the simplicity of a ukulele, giving the baritone ukulele a shot might just be your next best move!
Best Baritone Ukuleles (Quick Summary)
Kala MK-B Makala Baritone Ukulele Bundle
- Mahogany Body
- 18 Brass Frets
- Walnut Fingerboard and Bridge
- Mahogany Neck
- Geared Tuners
The Kala Makala baritone ukulele has a mahogany body with 18 brass frets. The fingerboard and bridge are made from walnut, while the neck is from mahogany.
The material choice is decent but is known to be more fragile than pricier Ukes. But that appears only to be an issue for small numbers of players.
The Kala MK-B is best suited for beginners. You can learn quickly with a reasonable, entry-level price and accessible instructional materials. Just don’t expect this ukulele to be suitable for professional use.
This particular bundle comes with these accessories :
- Kala ukulele
- Tuner
- Strap
- Gig bag
- Aquila strings
- Free online lessons
- An instructional DVD
- Polishing cloth.
The tuner is a digital chromatic, which is particularly good with accuracy. You won’t need to try hard to get an accurate note. You’ll also see it comes with premium strings. So don’t expect the need to replace them anytime soon. Overall, this package primarily wins for beginners seeking cheap ukuleles.
Pros
- It comes with everything you need
- Delightful sound
- Mahogany wood makes for a beautiful instrument
Cons
- Not a professional ukulele
- It tends to be more fragile than more expensive options
Kmise Baritone Ukulele with Strings, Strap, and Picks
- Gorgeous Looks: KMU30B baritone ukulele is part of Kmise’s mahogany series, providing you with stunning looks.One look at its beautiful figured mahogany top,back and sides,it really a special uke.
- Stable Tuning:This baritone ukulele come with a set of 18:1 high quality tuners, so you know this uke is working well to stay in tune.Pick up this amazing uke and enjoy a quality playing experience!
- Premium Strings:The high quality strings of this baritone ukulele produces is further proof of Kmise’s quality workmanship.It strung with premium metallic & nylon strings,offer you lush and warm sound
- Adjustable trussrod:Kmise baritone ukulele installed adjustable trussrod,player can adjust the action according their need.Rare ukuleles have such feature so this baritone uke really worthwhile to own
- Play Comfortably:Baritone ukulele are bigger than other size ukuleles,so we design the smooth fretboard and neat fretwire more carefully,also lower the action so you can play it safer without buzzing.
The Kmise Baritone Ukulele is the first option when you search on Amazon. You’ll find that most of this comes from customization options.
It is one of the few Baritone ukes that offers Mahogany, Spruce, or Okoume. The weird one, Okoume, is a bright, lightweight wood known for providing clear tones. So you can imagine how that benefits ukuleles, a clear and bright instrument.
The Kmise comes with a case, strings, strap, picks, and wrench. You get a complete accessory set, but you don’t get any free lessons.
Given that many ukulele players like to play with fingers, this might not suit you. Ask yourself how you would like to play a uke before making this purchase.
It is an excellent alternative to our number one beginner-friendly option, given its customization. So if you want good quality without professional requirements, Kmise has you covered.
Pros:
- Multiple customization options
- It includes a lot of accessories
- It is pretty inexpensive
Cons:
- No free lessons
- The Ukulele pick might not be suitable for everyone
Cordoba 20BM Mahogany Baritone Ukulele
- Solid mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood bridge and fingerboard
- Natural satin finish
- Aquila Nylgut Baritone strings (DGBE)
This is Cordoba’s first baritone-sized ukulele. Despite being the first, I hope this isn’t the last. Much of this comes from the thoughtful construction of this piece.
It is made from mahogany and features a rosette and satiny finish. The appearance isn’t ultimately unique but does show off the classic ukulele look. You’ll also find this model in use with some public schools, so you know it’s durable.
The Cordoba 20BM has a lovely tone. Its complete reliance on mahogany wood contributes to this tone. Experienced players admire the quality that this ukulele is made from.
The uke has four nylon strings, matching the DGBE element of a guitar. So those familiar with guitars and ukuleles will find some familiarity here. So it is pretty easy to play.
The only problem with this is it does not include any accessories. So if you are looking for a cheap ukulele, you’ll want to find something else.
Pros:
- Made from quality materials
- It has an incredibly beautiful tone
- Easy to play
Cons:
- No accessories
- More expensive than our number one option
Caramel Ebony Wood Baritone Ukulele
The Caramel Ebony Ukulele stands out on this list with a striking design. The fish-shaped soundhole might not appeal to everyone, but this ukulele is a conversation starter. The ebony-wood body is striped, so some might think this design is too far.
You can also expect these accessories:
- An extra set of strings
- A gig bag
- Guitar picks
- Cleaning cloth
- Wall hanging tools
- Two bridge pins
- A metal nail drawer
- An EQ cable
- Instruction manual.
Despite having so many accessories, it manages to keep costs low. Many people describe the price as “insane” for what you get. You can be the judge of that.
Despite its incredible value, this bundle and company are not well-known. So if you want to show a small business some love, shout out to Caramel. This awesome Ukulele encourages competitors to think outside the box.
Pros:
- Incredible quality at a reasonable price
- Unique design that is very eye-catching
- It comes with a boatload of accessories
Cons:
- It is an electric acoustic that uses batteries
- The design won’t appeal to all
Ranch 30-Inch Baritone Ukulele
- ★ Amazing Sound – The Baritone ukulele Arched Back to give longer sustain, fuller, warmer and a bit deeper woody tones sound that are a pleasure to listen to! Having soft and smooth to touch Aquila premium metallic & nylon strings definitely helps to make the sound that comes out of it resonate pretty clear and sweet which also holds tune through multiple plays very nicely
- ★ A Crafted Artwork – Ranch Baritone ukelele combines the elegant Sapele wood for the smooth and polished body & mahogany neck. An acoustic instrument body fashioned from Sapele exhibits a pleasingly warmer and deeper tone than laminate wood. The lightweight & well built features allow you to create warm and pitch-perfect Hawaiian ukes harmonies
- ★ Easy to Play – Baritone ukuleles has a 38mm Nut, 20 frets, plus the longer frets spacing, allows the player to play more freely. Make your fingers more comfortable. No more crowded and squeezed in narrow frets. With better sound range and wider spaced frets which are better for intermediate player or professionals who start to practice on. This uke pack is your best choice!
- ★ Easy to Tune – Chrome die cast tuning pegs & Adjustable Truss Rod (Not all Baritone ukulele will install it) keep ukeleles in tune! This structure effectively prevents the fingerboard from deforming under the high-strength tension of the strings. We use the most demanding methods to make Ukulele according to the standard of making guitars. The features make ukeles stay in tune longer than normal one and offer a bright & distinctive tone whether you solo, play along, or jam with friends
- ★ All in One Set – Everything you need for a Baritone ukele kit is here: Installed with Aquila strings+ well padded gig bag+ digital tuner+ microfiber polishing cloth + an extra Set of D G B E Aquila premium metallic & nylon strings + strap!
Ranch has been making ukuleles since the early 90s. While they don’t have the same legend as Fender, Ranch has a smaller legend. However, within its field, Ranch makes an exceptional package.
First, you get a solid collection of accessories:
- An electric tuner
- A gig bag
- An adjustable tool set (for tuning
- High-quality strings
- A nylon strap
The design of this ukulele is simple and high-quality. There is a surprising amount of value behind this relatively inexpensive guitar. However, there are more visually engaging ukes in the field.
This ukulele is also best for those who want a small instrument for large fingers. The extra spacing between frets makes it ideal for those who struggle with normal ukes. Of course, larger hands could only benefit from the larger size that comes with baritone ukuleles.
Pros:
- Excellent sound
- Great price point
- Strings are suitable for larger fingers
- Comes with numerous accessories
Cons:
- Some inconsistency among different ukes
- No striking design
Buyers Guide to Baritone Ukuleles
Before investing in your new instrument, you’ll need to understand what your ukulele should be able to achieve for you. Below is a list of things to consider.
How Does a baritone ukulele compare to other styles?
Baritone ukuleles are unique in that they are tuned to the guitar strings. So the tones are D, G, B, and E. As a result, you get deeper tones compared to other ukulele styles.
Different styles of ukulele include the following:
- Concert Ukulele – Concert ukuleles produce more noise than most ukes. However, the tones are lighter and not tuned to match baritone ukuleles.
- Tenor Ukuleles – Baritone ukes are a size up front tenor ukes. Tenors are closer to concert ukes than other styles.
- Soprano Ukuleles – these are the smallest size ukuleles, only going up to 21 inches. The result is a smaller number of frets and a lighter sound.
When deciding the best ukulele for you, it depends on your desired tone. Baritone Ukuleles are suitable for those looking for deep, guitar-like tones.
Acoustic vs. Electric – What’s the best for baritone ukulele players?
Some experts believe that a ukulele, by nature, should only be acoustic. But if you want to play in front of a live audience, acoustic-only ukuleles aren’t ideal.
While you’ll never get the shredding that comes with guitars, electric ukuleles can enhance existing acoustic sounds. Mostly these enhancements come in the form of noise, but creative players have used electronic methods to find unique takes on a classic instrument.
If you aren’t needing a unique sound and only want to learn for your benefit, standard acoustic models are fine. Otherwise, invest in an electric model like the Caramel from above.
What are the best body materials for baritone ukuleles?
Ukuleles use different kinds of wood to produce unique sounds. Some have patterns that add a character and uniqueness to the ukulele.
Here are your options with ukulele materials:
- Mahogany wood is a classic material choice for ukuleles. It produces a pretty balanced sound, making them ideal for all ukulele sizes.
- Koa wood is used for traditional Hawaiin ukuleles. You won’t find this wood in cheaper models because of its cultural value. Overall, it is excellent if you want an authentic uke experience.
- Spruce wood is usually limited to inexpensive models. Because baritone ukuleles are considered more of a luxury, you won’t find them here. Typically, you see Spruce wood as a good alternative for beginner uke players who stick with tenor options.
- Plastic is an inexpensive alternative to wood for those who like cheap products. While plastic can be much stronger (depending on construction), you don’t see them in many baritone ukes due to lack of desire and demand.
Most ukuleles have a glossy finish with wood that resembles plywood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Tune A Baritone Ukulele?
Baritone ukulele tune like any other ukulele. By spinning one of the four pegs on top, you can ensure each note matches your needs. You can learn to tune by ear or choose a tuning clip.
Remember that baritone uke tuning follows the same rule as the guitar’s top four strings. So tune to D-G-B-E from the upper left nub in a clockwise circle ( assuming you tilt the uke right). Here’s a video to help:
Does A Baritone Ukulele Sound Like A Guitar?
Ukuleles are acoustic guitars, but their size of them gives them more of a plucky sound. Even baritone ukuleles (which follow similar notes) produce brighter and lighter sounds.
Is A Baritone Ukulele Suitable for Beginners?
Absolutely! While its larger size and different tuning might present a slight learning curve, it can be a great instrument for beginners, especially those who have some experience with guitars.
Are Baritone Ukuleles Easier to Play?
Their smaller size makes them easier to play with, even though they’re harder to hold. However, the smaller number of strings makes them simpler as well. So compared to other instruments, ukes are easy (regardless of their size variance).
