1) Eddy Finn Travel Ukulele: Best Overall Travel Ukulele With a slim, 1.75-inch body made of sturdy spruce, the Eddy Finn concert ukulele is at the top of the list for a reason. If you do get this uke, be aware that it can take a bit of time to reach the right equilibrium. This ukulele comes with a top made of solid spruce, a bridge, and fingerboard made of rosewood, and a back, sides, and neck that are made of mahogany. Things get a little spottier as you go up the fretboard, but it’s well-suited to what most people will be buying it for. But I’ve played multiple Waterman ukes that had spotty intonation or action problems. The BugsGear Aqualele is certainly eye-popping in its design. When comparing various travel ukes, there are things that need to be considered if you want the best one for your needs. Overall, it’s a little quieter than your average wooden concert. It would be nice, though, to just get it right the first time, and I’ve had issues with the Waterman more than any of the other ukuleles on this list. If you’re more of a shark person, they’ve got a “Shark” ukulele as well, which is exactly the same, just with a different sea creature. This gives it an edge sound-wise over the others on this list. It actually comes in many different price ranges, so you are all but guaranteed to find the one that is right for you but doesn’t let the low price fool you. In our opinion, the best plastic ukulele is the Kala MK-SWT because it has an exceptional value for the cash. Eddy Finn also offers a generous three-year warranty with every ukulele they sell so you can count on the instrument lasting for a very long time. The biggest issue I’ve had with Makala Waterman ukuleles, though, is quality control. While Makala has expanded their Waterman line to include a concert version, for a while the Vorson was the only one on the market. The ukulele has mahogany sides and backs and comes in a comfortable concert size, which is what many musicians prefer anyway. If you’re not sure you want to go full plastic ukulele, the Makala Dolphin is the one for you. The actual shape of the body of the ukulele is very traditional. And at this price, you can afford to purchase two of these well-made ukuleles - one for home and one to take on the road with you. Because they’re entirely made of molded plastic, it’s hard to adjust much after the fact. The Eddy Finn travel ukulele also has an arched back, a beautiful satin finish, and top-notch Aquila strings. Ukuleles made for travel usually have a thinner body, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches in width instead of the usual 3.5 to 4 inches for standard ukes. But the front will warp if submerged. Naturally, the price is a big consideration, but travel ukuleles come in price ranges that can accommodate nearly everyone so this doesn’t have to be your biggest concern. Hello, well, pretty much whatever you want! With a slim, 1.75-inch body made of sturdy spruce, the Eddy Finn concert ukulele is at the top of the list for a reason. And it sounds pretty good for a plastic ukulele! If you’d like a little more space on the fretboard, the Vorson ABS ukulele is concert-sized and a great value. Banjolele vs Ukulele: What’s the Difference? It has a curved back that allows for the best sound from such a small space and Kala also makes a concert and tenor ukulele if that’s what you prefer. A splash of water, especially on its plastic back and sides, won’t hurt it. TAC About Us External links Disclaimer policy Address: 2731 Cerullo Road, 40202 Email: [email protected]. Some of them are too over-the-top for my tastes, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Required fields are marked *, Bugs Gear RPNS-RD Portable Outdoor Kid Friendly 18 Fret Soprano Aqulele Water Resistant Ukulele with Case, Red/Black (Electronics), Vorson AUG24 ABS Concert Ukulele, Red (Electronics), KA MK SD LBLBURST Makala MK-SD/LBL Light Blue Burst Dolphin Bridge Soprano Ukulele (Electronics), The Waterman Soprano Ukulele by Kala in Seafoam Green (KA-SWB-GN) (Electronics). Rather than opting for the traditional ukulele look, BugsGear has given its plastic ukulele bold colors, an offset soundhole, and a cutaway. The ukulele has mahogany sides and backs and comes in a comfortable concert size, … But, all of this is cosmetic, and only really visible if you’re taking a very close look. Makala customer service is very good, and if you get a lemon they’ll make it right. These colors include purple, pink, green, and orange, among others, or you can stick with a natural wood look if you prefer. Not bad for something you can dunk in the water. But, of course, looking good doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t sound good. Whether you’re out on the beach, on a hike, in a boat, or even in the pool, you can take them anywhere! Playability and intonation are very good, and easier to adjust than on molded plastic ukuleles. […] the Enya Nova doesn’t sound at all like a “plastic ukulele.” The carbon fiber content really helps reduce/eliminate the dull, boxy tone that most […], Your email address will not be published. It has a wonderful look to it, blending the traditional with a fun set of colors and patterns. I’ve found that the BugsGear really sings in this tuning. The Woodi won’t win any competitions against a solid wood ukulele anytime soon, but it’s actually fairly respectable. The Makala Waterman has become one of their most popular products, and for good reason. This uke punches above its price range, and has a remarkably traditional ukulele sound even with its plastic body. It’s got some punch, and it’s not completely devoid of resonance. If you’re concerned about your ukulele getting destroyed during your travels, this might be the best one for you to purchase, but it is definitely not a toy. If a regular ukulele’s high action is pushing things sharp, the nut and/or saddle can be brought down. Be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight, hot cars, etc., and you should be OK. I’ve heard of people re-straightening a warped plastic neck with a hairdryer, but I think it’s better to not have to try in the first place! So long, boring wood grain! Although the company isn’t as well known as many other ukulele companies, it is gaining in popularity because the instruments are very detailed and made to last. ), Mi-Si Acoustic Trio Ukulele Pickup Review. In addition, travel ukes usually have geared tuners, which tend to keep the instrument tuned much longer than other types and therefore make traveling with the best uke a lot easier. Speaking of that name, Makala calls it a Dolphin because of the fun dolphin-shaped bridge. The Makala Waterman is based at least in part on the classic Maccaferri plastic ukuleles, and doesn’t necessarily strive to sound like a traditional uke. Like a lot of the plastic ukuleles on this list, the tone is a bit hollow, without a ton of sustain. I found it frustrating to tune the ukulele for the first week or so that i had it.