Intermediate Acoustic-Electric Concert uke wanted. CONFUSED!!! (2024)

Hello everyone! Been lurking here for a while and now a question arises….

After just shipping back the horrible-sounding concert Lava-U to Amazon, I realized that I want a GOOD quality concert uke primarily for doing open mic nights. By default, I am a guitarist/singer, but I do dabble in the ukulele as well. I’m no pro, but I’m not a novice regarding the sound or playing of stringed instruments.

I would like a quality intermediate instrument that will not go out of tune, distort, sound shrill or have basically no volume when plugged in- or even unplugged for that matter. I know the ukulele will never sound like my guitars coming out of an amp, but I would like my choice to have decent volume and sound pleasant.

There are apparently a gazillion ukulele manufacturers, but there are very few music stores where I live, and less still that carry ukuleles- so trying them is not much of an option. Listening to them through YouTube, etc, is not a true representation of what the instruments sound like in person, either. Online is just not the best way to judge an instrument, unless you really know the brand.

SO, what do you use/recommend? I don’t want to break the bank….maybe up to $350? I would like for it to look nice, but I’m more concerned with a good tone.

Thank you in advance.

In what part of the world do you live? Prices and availability vary with geography, and there may be a uke shop somewhere nearby where you can compare instruments directly.

For new electro-acoustic concert ukes in your price range, there isn't anything I can recommend that would meet your criteria. Electroacoustic instruments at that price point are almost always compromised either acoustically or electronically. Even a Magic Fluke Flea or Mainland concert with a decent pickup (the cheapest options I'd consider wholly viable) is a roughly $400+ proposition.

But I'm not expert at the lower price ranges, and things may have changed in recent years. For what it's worth, you may want to explore Ohana and Islander offerings from reputable ʻukulele dealers. Otherwise, keep an eye on the used listings in the Marketplace subforum.

bacchettadavid said:

In what part of the world do you live? Prices and availability vary with geography, and there may be a uke shop somewhere nearby where you can compare instruments directly.

… Otherwise, keep an eye on the used listings in the Marketplace subforum.

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That’s the problem. We only have big box music stores near us (NJ, USA), with usually a few entry level or slightly higher ukes. Nothing of interest or quality. I want whatever I end up with to be pluggable, and I don’t know the best way to make that happen. I am only just beginning to learn about the better brands. If I have to spend more I will. It can join my guitar collection.

I never tried this myself, but if the solid myrtle top on this sounds as good as on my MyaMoe... Ok, perhaps that is reaching. But I would be courious to try one of these if I got the chance.
The GotAUkulele review mainly seemed to deem it expensive for something with only a solid top, good ratings on other points. Check it out yourself. They used to sell them from the Breedlove website, but now I could only find this link.

So, I am courious, will you spend your money and tell me if it is good?

SarahStrummer said:

. . . We only have big box music stores near us (NJ, USA), with usually a few entry level or slightly higher ukes. Nothing of interest or quality.

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A drive might be in order if that would be possible. A few options I'm aware of:

• Funky Frets in Boyertown, PA
• Vintage Instruments, Inc. in Philly
• Bridgset Sound in Philly

At that price range, pretty much most acoustic-electric ukuleles are going to be somewhat similar with the same cheap pickup.

i.e. from reputable brands like Kala, Ohana, etc you'll get an ukulele, possibly with a solid top, and some generic pickup system.

In fact, not at all different from guitars of that price range.

And at the risk of being overly generalistic, I've always found ukuleles in that price range to all sound sort of the same.

And just because an ukulele is more expensive won't make it a better acoustic-electric if it has the same kind of pickup installed as a cheaper one.

Also, it depends on what kind of pickup you're looking for and what kind of gear you're running.

Personally these days I've been installing my own passive undersaddle pickups on ukes that didn't come as acoustic-electric as I tend to dislike most, if not all, active pickup systems that come on acoustic-electrics. Artec and Shadow make really good undersaddle units that are installable with some tools and parts.
Passive pickups work fine connected directly to instrument amplifiers. If you're plugging into a PA system, then just use an external preamp/DI box, which would do a better job than most internal preamps anyway.

rumdood said:

I highly recommend the Flight Nighthawk Concert. I have the tenor and it's a wonderful instrument. Zero volume problems, good electronics that are out of the way, and just a heck of a looker to boot.

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Soooo….I did order a Flight….from Amazon. I know, I know!!! It won’t be set up of course, but I will deal with that if I decide to keep it, if a setup is even necessary. At least I can return it if I decide it’s not for me.

I appreciated your recommendation because someone I know from England who is in a popular uke group and who is an unbelievable player and pretty well known, recommended a lower level Flight concert to me. I ended up upgrading to a Flight Spirit EQ, after accepting that maybe I would have to spend more to have a better shot at a good instrument.

It is solid acacia wood and it is an absolutely beautiful (and it would appear) quality instrument. I will receive it tomorrow and hopefully it will be in one piece lol.

To all…..

Thank you for all of your input!

As I had told one other member, I ended up ordering a Fight Spirit EQ from Amazon of all places, but at least I can return it if it’s not for me. I ended up spending more than I originally anticipated, but I think that might have been a better thing to do. I will find out soon enough. If it sounds the same as my $83 Mitchell (that has electronics), back it goes! Lol

If I need a setup, then so be it. I’m just not close enough to any brick and mortar stores to go chasing one down in person.

Flights have very good reviews, and was also recommended by someone on the forum as well as by someone from England who is in the Uke-playing circuit and who is pretty well known in his area …and probably beyond.

I will be receiving it tomorrow

SarahStrummer said:

Soooo….I did order a Flight….from Amazon. I know, I know!!! It won’t be set up of course, but I will deal with that if I decide to keep it, if a setup is even necessary. At least I can return it if I decide it’s not for me.

I appreciated your recommendation because someone I know from England who is in a popular uke group and who is an unbelievable player and pretty well known, recommended a lower level Flight concert to me. I ended up upgrading to a Flight Spirit EQ, after accepting that maybe I would have to spend more to have a better shot at a good instrument.

It is solid acacia wood and it is an absolutely beautiful (and it would appear) quality instrument. I will receive it tomorrow and hopefully it will be in one piece lol.

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That's awesome! The Spirit is such a beautiful looking and sounding instrument. I honestly debated getting one instead of the Nighthawk, but I had fallen in love with the looks of the NH.

So very excited for you!

rumdood said:

That's awesome! The Spirit is such a beautiful looking and sounding instrument. I honestly debated getting one instead of the Nighthawk, but I had fallen in love with the looks of the NH.

So very excited for you!

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Thank you!

I am just the opposite. I chose the more traditional-looking Spirit after looking at both. The look of the Nighthawk is not as much my taste, even though I have two RainSong carbon fiber guitars which are anything but typical in terms of looks!

@SarahStrummer Spending more than you originally intended to acquire a Flight Spirit was a wise choice on your part. I have not yet had the opportunity to play many Flight instruments, but that model has earned a good reputation among trustworthy sources.

Did you select a Flight Spirit EQ with the passive Artec pickup or the EQ-A with the active system from Double? Like @kissing , I've installed the passive Artec pickup element in a few ukes over the years and been generally pleased.

This one looks to be a good deal for anyone in the market

bacchettadavid said:

@SarahStrummer Spending more than you originally intended to acquire a Flight Spirit was a wise choice on your part. I have not yet had the opportunity to play many Flight instruments, but that model has earned a good reputation among trustworthy sources.

Did you select a Flight Spirit EQ with the passive Artec pickup or the EQ-A with the active system from Double? Like @kissing , I've installed the passive Artec pickup element in a few ukes over the years and been generally pleased.

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Here is what the description says:

“Most of serious ukulele brands use passive piezo pickup, which is why for their higher-end models Flight decided to shift from using EQ system to passive piezo. It makes the ukulele lighter and more balanced, eliminates the unwanted string rattle and provides as a strap button.”

So I guess it’s the passive. Does that also mean it needs to go into a direct input box (preamp) before hitting the acoustic amp? I’m used to just plugging my guitars in and done.

SarahStrummer said:

Here is what the description says:

“Most of serious ukulele brands use passive piezo pickup, which is why for their higher-end models Flight decided to shift from using EQ system to passive piezo. It makes the ukulele lighter and more balanced, eliminates the unwanted string rattle and provides as a strap button.”

So I guess it’s the passive. Does that also mean it needs to go into a direct input box (preamp) before hitting the acoustic amp? I’m used to just plugging my guitars in and done.

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Assuming the listing is accurate, you appear to have purchased the variant with the passive pickup installed. Nice!

I believe that uke originally came standard with the Artec PP404U element and an endpin jack installed until Flight switched to the Double C1U active pickup. A few of us (myself included) would prefer the former passive option to minimize points of failure and pair it with an external preamp of our own choosing (an onboard preamp is often the weakest link in amplified ʻukulele signal chains).

Whether you will need an external preamp to plug an Artec PP404U into an acoustic combo is somewhat subjective. The pickup provides a relatively strong signal, and your combo almost certainly has its own preamp. I'd try plugging straight in, boosting the gain to just below distortion when strumming hard, and applying EQ to taste. If you find the resulting sound unmusically brittle, a preamp may be needed. There are many ways to skin this particular cat, so if you end up on that path, feel free to create a thread.

If you were to plug into a PA or mixer, however, you’d be at a disadvantage until you installed a preamp in your signal chain; if your acoustic combo provides a balanced output, that would likely be the path of least resistance.

Keep us posted on how it turns out!

SarahStrummer said:

So I guess it’s the passive. Does that also mean it needs to go into a direct input box (preamp) before hitting the acoustic amp? I’m used to just plugging my guitars in and done.

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Broadly speaking

-To instrument amps (acoustic amps, guitar amps, etc) - no.

-To PA systems - yes.

kissing said:

Broadly speaking

-To instrument amps (acoustic amps, guitar amps, etc) - no.

-To PA systems - yes.

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Thank you!

Well then hopefully the open mic night venue that we’ve been going to and having no problem with our guitars being plugged into the PA, is equipped for passive pickup instruments.

SarahStrummer said:

Thank you!

Well then hopefully the open mic night venue that we’ve been going to and having no problem with our guitars being plugged into the PA, is equipped for passive pickup instruments.

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Sometimes venues have a DI box in-house, and just run everything through it regardless of whether you have an active or passive.
I find that even active pickup ukuleles and guitars benefit from an external preamp anyway.

Nonetheless, if in doubt, you could get one of these:
https://www.joyoaudio.com/product/78.html

It can run on a 9v battery, or plugged into power like a guitar pedal.

SarahStrummer said:

Soooo….I did order a Flight….from Amazon. I know, I know!!! It won’t be set up of course, but I will deal with that if I decide to keep it, if a setup is even necessary. At least I can return it if I decide it’s not for me.

I appreciated your recommendation because someone I know from England who is in a popular uke group and who is an unbelievable player and pretty well known, recommended a lower level Flight concert to me. I ended up upgrading to a Flight Spirit EQ, after accepting that maybe I would have to spend more to have a better shot at a good instrument.

It is solid acacia wood and it is an absolutely beautiful (and it would appear) quality instrument. I will receive it tomorrow and hopefully it will be in one piece lol.

Click to expand...

If for some reason, the flight that you receive from Amazon is unacceptable (set up problem or other flaw ) I suggest you contact Aloha City Ukes, in Chicago. He carries a wide range of the brand and does full set ups before shipping them out. He’s a really excellent dealership to work with.