Finest Modern Baritone Ukuleles

Baskervils · Jul 13, 2011

I realize that this is incredibly subjective, but I'd love to know what people think are the finest contemporary / modern baritone ukueles? This can include larger companies and hand makers / luthiers.

Generally, I'm referring to ukes that are $700 to the sky's the limit...

WhenDogsSing · Jul 13, 2011

I have a Kala spalted maple limited edition baritone with the Tree of Life inlay up the neck. It smokes every other baritone I've ever played or owned, including a 60s vintage Martin. The tone is angelic and it projects loud and clear. The body is laminated and the top is solid spruce. The cost was under $500., it was a great deal.

I'm sure there are custom builders out there who make absolutely wonderful baritones but I expect the cost will be higher than $700.

Baskervils · Jul 13, 2011

WhenDogsSing said:
I have a Kala spalted maple limited edition baritone with the Tree of Life inlay up the neck. It smokes every other baritone I've ever played or owned, including a 60s vintage Martin. The tone is angelic and it projects loud and clear. The body is laminated and the top is solid spruce. The cost was under $500., it was a great deal.

I'm sure there are custom builders out there who make absolutely wonderful baritones but I expect the cost will be higher than $700.

I've got a cheaper Makala Baritone that is my beater, and it is shockingly good for the $70 I paid.

PhilUSAFRet · Jul 14, 2011

There was an incredible custom baritone on UU recently built by ????? Wish I could remember who. I'm not a big baritone fan, but it blew me away. Maybe someone else will remember.

olgoat52 · Jul 14, 2011

PhilUSAFRet said:
There was an incredible custom baritone on UU recently built by ????? Wish I could remember who. I'm not a big baritone fan, but it blew me away. Maybe someone else will remember.

There was a boatpaddle just recently. I know I was tempted after heard David's bari with the FleaBitten dawgs. Really sounded wonderful.

I don't think it sold. It was the M series.

This is the one I was thinking of. http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?48678-Boat-paddle-M-style-Baritone-Walnut-and-Spruce&highlight=boat+paddle

70sSanO · Jul 14, 2011

Here you go...

I was tracking the seller down on this one, but then we found out my wife's job may not be around much longer so I can't pull the trigger. It was still available today.

Boat Paddle ukuleles are considered great baritone ukes. I believe this one can be strung with either steel acoustic guitar strings or ukulele baritone strings. Good luck!

http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?48678-Boat-paddle-M-style-Baritone-Walnut-and-Spruce

John

WhenDogsSing · Jul 14, 2011

I also have a Boat Paddle tenor that is one of the best sounding tenors I've played so I can easily imagine their baritones sound just as wonderful. They truly do make a fine instrument at Boat Paddle Ukuleles.

Uke Republic · Jul 14, 2011

I like a lot of em but the LoPrinzi Nova is a really cool design and comes in mahogany and koa flavor. Plenty of goods ones out .

ukulelecowboy · Jul 14, 2011

Eric Devine's baritone ukuleles are incredible...

marymac · Jul 14, 2011

PhilUSAFRet said:
There was an incredible custom baritone on UU recently built by ????? Wish I could remember who. I'm not a big baritone fan, but it blew me away. Maybe someone else will remember.

Maybe you're thinking about the one I posted about a couple weeks ago, built by Luke Heaton? http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?49469-New-uke-day!-Luke-Heaton-Baritone

One of the nicest ukes I've seen and fantastic sound.

I also agree with Ukulele Cowboy about Devine ukes. If I had unlimited money - that's where (some of) it would go.

Pippin · Jul 14, 2011

Martin says that if the uke remains as popular as it is at the moment for a while longer, they are contemplating releasing a new baritone uke.

ichadwick · Jul 14, 2011

Interesting. I love baritones and play mine more often than I play my tenors these days. I have three (plus a bari banjolele): A Pono solid mahogany, which I love. It has a great, warm sound. A vintage Lyra from 65 that is loud and brash and sounds almost guitar-like. It's incredibly light, too, and just rings with sound, although with none of the depth and low tones of the Pono. Then I have a handmade soild-mahogany bari by Aaron Keim (Beansprout) which has none of the attributes of either and sits unplayed unless I plug it into an amp, when it has more character. I plan to restring it as a piccolo bass, but got busy and forgot about it. Or sell it. My friend has two Ohanas and they're rich and full, too, louder than but not quite as sweet to my ears as the Pono.

I'd recommend a Pono any time, and am looking for an upscale bari like Boat Paddle.

Baskervils · Jul 14, 2011

Pippin said:
Martin says that if the uke remains as popular as it is at the moment for a while longer, they are contemplating releasing a new baritone uke.

Wow, that's cool. Where did you hear this?

70sSanO · Jul 14, 2011

ichadwick said:
I'd recommend a Pono any time, and am looking for an upscale bari like Boat Paddle.

Well if things settle down on the employment side, I hope the Boat Paddle in the marketplace is still available. I really like what kissing did with his Guadalupe strings. The thought of being able to tune to G2-C3-E3-A3 and use phosphor bronze strings on a ukulele is really appealing to me.

John

Huna · Jul 14, 2011

Martin OXK Baritone?

I have the Martin OXK soprano and love it. I imagine they could make a concert, tenor and baritone out of formica and these do sound good.

PhilUSAFRet · Jul 14, 2011

marymac said:
Maybe you're thinking about the one I posted about a couple weeks ago, built by Luke Heaton? http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?49469-New-uke-day!-Luke-Heaton-Baritone

One of the nicest ukes I've seen and fantastic sound.

I also agree with Ukulele Cowboy about Devine ukes. If I had unlimited money - that's where (some of) it would go.

Yepper! This is the one. I listened to sound clip. Awesome instrument.

PhilUSAFRet · Jul 14, 2011

Of course most if not all the K uke manufacturers make a baritone. Kanilea sounds amazing.

strumsilly · Jul 14, 2011

I love the sound of my Gibson baritone, but I think they are kind of scarce and can be pricey. I bought a 2 '50s Harmony baris off ebay , one needs work and the other hasn't arrived yet, but they are really light and I bet will be great. There is a nice Favilla for sale here in the marketplace. I'll bet that is a player. I think these old USA made mahogany baritones are awsome, and since baritones are not a popular as other sizes they sometimes go pretty cheap. Good luck in your search.

mds725 · Jul 14, 2011

PhilUSAFRet said:
Of course most if not all the K uke manufacturers make a baritone. Kanilea sounds amazing.

KoAloha doesn't make a baritone ukulele, but I've played a Kamaka baritone and it sounded exquisite.

saltytri · Jul 14, 2011

mds725 said:
KoAloha doesn't make a baritone ukulele, but I've played a Kamaka baritone and it sounded exquisite.

I second that emotion: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?49471-New-Uke-Day!-(Kamaka-HF-4-Baritone)

Deep, rich sound just pours out of this thing.

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