New Uke for Beginner: 12 v. 14 Fret and Playability?

I finally made it past the UU registration and the pass the "Random Question" test.

First time beginner purchase and I am considering a Kala, Cort or Cordoba in Concert size and prepared to pay a little extra for something I can grow into.

Is there any considerations with 12 vs 14 fret in terms of playability for a beginner?

Looking at the video below it seems spacing/scale length is exactly the same, just that the neck/ has been shifted by the two frets....

Video: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?86753-12-fret-vs-14-fret-concerts

14fret:
https://guitargallery.com.au/product/kala-ka-asac-solid-acacia-concert-uke/

http://www.guitarfactory.com.au/Guitars/Ukuleles/Cordoba/All/Cordoba-20CM-Concert

12fret:
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?121542-Cort-ukuleles

https://www.bettermusic.com.au/cort...LwLRA6uolRXSkv80XnK5xe5FfDL810pUaAkAhEALw_wcB

At this stage, I'm leaning towards the Cort or Kala.

Q

Just to be clear. we are talking about the fret position where the neck meets the body, not the actual number of frets? If so then in terms of playability there is no difference. The scale length and fret spacing would be exactly the same regardless of where the neck meets the body. Although, I suppose if the neck is higher (joined at the 14th fret vs. 12th) you would have easier access to some of the higher frets, provided the instrument doesn't have a cutaway (and your examples do not). I can't think of anything else that would affect the actual playability. What the neck position does affect is the sound of the instrument because if the neck is joined at the 12th fret then the bridge would have to be lower down the body. If joined at the 14th fret the bridge would be higher. How this affects the sound, I can't say. I would think the overall construction of the instrument affects the sound much more, and it doesn't make much sense to compare the neck position anyway unless you have the exact same model and build of a uke with differing neck positions.

So, I would suggest you don't think about the neck position too much, or at all really. Instead, you should compare how a uke sounds and feels vs. the other alternatives, and if you're concerned about playability then something like nut/neck width is more important in my opinion, i.e., are you more comfortable with a wider or narrower neck or string spacing. I believe all of your example ukes are Chinese-made and have a nut width of around 34-35 mm. I think the Kala and Cort are fairly safe options, and the Cort specifically is made in a very traditional manner which is something I like very much. I would personally avoid the Cordoba as their ukes are not regarded well generally. It would be best if you can test the ukes before you buy but I know that's not always an option for everyone (certainly isn't for me). I was actually going to suggest you check out some music shops that specialize in ukuleles but it seems you're located in Australia so I have no idea what to suggest. Good luck on your choice.

I've been playing for five years, and five frets would be enough for me.

As instructors always say, "You paid for all those frets, so you might was well use them." Most players, don't, though.

Where you buy the uke is more important. If it's sent from a large retailer, there will be no setup, and that can make the uke less pleasant to play. I would recommend contacting Mim at Mim's Ukes. Explain your situation, and she can offer not only advice, but the appropriate uke with a good setup. Don't rule out Ohana.

quanster said:

I finally made it past the UU registration and the pass the "Random Question" test.

First time beginner purchase and I am considering a Kala, Cort or Cordoba in Concert size and prepared to pay a little extra for something I can grow into.

Is there any considerations with 12 vs 14 fret in terms of playability for a beginner?

Looking at the video below it seems spacing/scale length is exactly the same, just that the neck/ has been shifted by the two frets....

Video: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?86753-12-fret-vs-14-fret-concerts

14fret:
https://guitargallery.com.au/product/kala-ka-asac-solid-acacia-concert-uke/

http://www.guitarfactory.com.au/Guitars/Ukuleles/Cordoba/All/Cordoba-20CM-Concert

12fret:
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?121542-Cort-ukuleles

https://www.bettermusic.com.au/cort...LwLRA6uolRXSkv80XnK5xe5FfDL810pUaAkAhEALw_wcB

At this stage, I'm leaning towards the Cort or Kala.

Q

Click to expand...

I think the issue is centered around what do you want to do with the ukulele. Personally, my favorite place to play is the 11th fret because there are a lot of musical elements there (the B Phrygian dominant, the dominant shape of the E minor pentatonic, etc.). However other people never go beyond the fifth fret. There is no right or wrong, it is merely a matter of what you hope to do musically.

quanster said:

I finally made it past the UU registration and the pass the "Random Question" test.

First time beginner purchase and I am considering a Kala, Cort or Cordoba in Concert size and prepared to pay a little extra for something I can grow into.

Is there any considerations with 12 vs 14 fret in terms of playability for a beginner?

Looking at the video below it seems spacing/scale length is exactly the same, just that the neck/ has been shifted by the two frets....

Video: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?86753-12-fret-vs-14-fret-concerts

14fret:
https://guitargallery.com.au/product/kala-ka-asac-solid-acacia-concert-uke/

http://www.guitarfactory.com.au/Guitars/Ukuleles/Cordoba/All/Cordoba-20CM-Concert

12fret:
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?121542-Cort-ukuleles

https://www.bettermusic.com.au/cort...LwLRA6uolRXSkv80XnK5xe5FfDL810pUaAkAhEALw_wcB

At this stage, I'm leaning towards the Cort or Kala.

Q

Click to expand...

14 fret does make it a tiny bit easier to fret up the neck. The number of songs where one has to go that high up are few and they certainly are not something one encounters during the initial days. By the time your repertoire has those songs you will be competent enough to play them on both ukes.
What really matters is the shape of the neck, how wide the fretboard is, the setup and sound. Those will have a real impact from day zero. You can search Kala neck profile in this forum and find the details for it. Looks like you are buying online and I would recommend reaching out to theukulelesite or mims to discuss your choices.

Do not buy it online from big box retailers, if the uke is problematics it will be hard to fix as a beginner.

The relevant measure is the distance from the bottom uke to where the fretboard meets the soundhole. This is the preferred position for many finger pickers. This distance determines where your right hand ends up when you hold the uke. Someone with a long forearm and/or large hands may prefer the 14 fret connection where the bridge and neck are shifted further away from the body. You should try both sizes and see which one gives you a better natural right hand position.

I have the Cort, I tried Kala and Cordoba in a guitar store.
I didnt notice any difference in playability.

I see the arguments for why the Kala and Cordoba might have better playability, however, if you use a strap it means less.

I know which one I think looks the best, that is the one I have
I am not sure I would get one again though, the volume on my Ohana impresses me more. It has a beautiful warm tone, but not much punch and clarity in my opinion.