Tenor ukulele with concert neck?

D

dr. Clover

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2020
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Does anybody know if there is such a thing as tenor ukulele with concert neck?
I know that there are concerts/sopranos with longer necks, but never seen it the other way around.
I love tenors for their richer and louder sound, and they are more comfortable to hold. But I have tiny baby fingers and concert scale is much easier to play.
What I want is a bigger body with smaller scale, but I'm not sure if that's even possible.
 
I don't think these are that easy to find since they don't have a defined name. What you need to look for is just a big bodied concert scale uke. As suggested, Romero Creations have the ST concert which has the same body as the Tiny Tenor model. They also do their "regular" concert which is a really bulky bodied concert uke: https://www.romerocreations.com/romero-concert
The aNueNue AMM2 is fairly similar with a larger lower bout than typically on a concert but I'm guessing the Romero would be more to your liking.

You could also check out some concert pineapple ukes since the pineapple shape often results in a deeper and fuller sound. At least Pono have some concert pineapple models.
 
Ukecaster said:
I believe that Romero makes one: tenor body size, concert scale neck, and overall length of a soprano!

https://www.romerocreations.com/st-concert
Click to expand...

badhabits said:
Romero ST....kinda
Click to expand...

Wow, I've never seen this model before, thank you! Looks great, sounds amazing too. But that's not what I had in mind, soprano length is too short. I wanted a tenor-size with slightly shorter neck, it still should be longer than regular concert. Not sure if such a thing exists, haha:)

Dohle said:
I don't think these are that easy to find since they don't have a defined name. What you need to look for is just a big bodied concert scale uke. As suggested, Romero Creations have the ST concert which has the same body as the Tiny Tenor model. They also do their "regular" concert which is a really bulky bodied concert uke: https://www.romerocreations.com/romero-concert
The aNueNue AMM2 is fairly similar with a larger lower bout than typically on a concert but I'm guessing the Romero would be more to your liking.

You could also check out some concert pineapple ukes since the pineapple shape often results in a deeper and fuller sound. At least Pono have some concert pineapple models.
Click to expand...

You're right Dohle, I tried googling "tenor with concert neck" and got nothing.
Thank you for advice, I'll check out both models.

Also your suggestion to try some pineapples is great, I've never considered one, and that could be exactly what I'm looking for. Also I can get one for much cheaper than Romero Creations, that's a bonus too:)
 
The term I've seen used is "jumbo concert", with models occasionally appearing from various manufacturers. You might also find that the pear-shaped body, similar to the Vita Uke, is an option with the sort of sound you want.
 
A few years back I owned a Gary Gill short scale tenor. I had the same issue with short chubby fingers, more suited to concert scale, but the desire for the deeper tenor sound. That ukulele had a great sound and was comfortable to play. However, once I got my aNueNue Moonbird, it had much the same sound, so I sold the Gary Gill. Unfortunately Gary no longer builds ukes, and that was one of his last ones. I got it from Mim. She still carries the MP (Mike Pereira) ukuleles on her website, and he builds a short scale tenor. Mim has one on her website right now. It's a tenor body with a 16 inch concert scale. Most concerts are a 15 inch scale, and tenors are 17 inch. This would be in between. For reference, my Cocobolo concert is a 16 inch scale and I have no issues with it.
 
I have a Romero mahogany concert that sounds more like a tenor than a concert. I love it! It's the one that Corey at HMS finished playing and said "That's cheating" because it sounds more like a tenor. He plays it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIRv3Z2Qm-E
 
dr. Clover said:
Wow, I've never seen this model before, thank you! Looks great, sounds amazing too. But that's not what I had in mind, soprano length is too short. I wanted a tenor-size with slightly shorter neck, it still should be longer than regular concert. Not sure if such a thing exists, haha:)
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, the overall length is shortened by the shape of the headstock and the shape of the body. The body still aims to be tenor sized and the neck is a concert neck. But if you find this too small, the next size up is the Tiny Tenor.

I don't love these shapes myself, but most Romero ukuleles seem to follow a design philosophy of bigger body paired with a shorter neck. Other than the ST/Tiny Tenor models, I would recommend looking at their regular Concerts, which have an enlarged body. Basically, the scale length is concert, but the body is more tenor-like than other concerts.

Their Signature/Replica has a shorter twelve frets to the body, but it's still a tenor scale, and the fretboard is wide.
 
You can't just stick a standard concert neck on a standard tenor body. The scale is too short and the bridge placement on the body would be next to the sound hole, too weird. The body shape and the bracing inside would have to accommodate the scale length. It can be done but since there is no call for it, it isn't done.
 
RafterGirl said:
A few years back I owned a Gary Gill short scale tenor. I had the same issue with short chubby fingers, more suited to concert scale, but the desire for the deeper tenor sound. That ukulele had a great sound and was comfortable to play. However, once I got my aNueNue Moonbird, it had much the same sound, so I sold the Gary Gill. Unfortunately Gary no longer builds ukes, and that was one of his last ones. I got it from Mim. She still carries the MP (Mike Pereira) ukuleles on her website, and he builds a short scale tenor. Mim has one on her website right now. It's a tenor body with a 16 inch concert scale. Most concerts are a 15 inch scale, and tenors are 17 inch. This would be in between. For reference, my Cocobolo concert is a 16 inch scale and I have no issues with it.
Click to expand...

Another "in between" option, depending on what someone is willing/able to spend, is the Kamaka Ohta San:
https://www.theukulelesite.com/kamaka-concert-bell-shaped-deluxe-ohta-san.html
 
BigJackBrass said:
The term I've seen used is "jumbo concert", with models occasionally appearing from various manufacturers. You might also find that the pear-shaped body, similar to the Vita Uke, is an option with the sort of sound you want.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I'll try looking for "jumbo concert" and pear-shaped body, that's definitely something to consider.

RafterGirl said:
A few years back I owned a Gary Gill short scale tenor. I had the same issue with short chubby fingers, more suited to concert scale, but the desire for the deeper tenor sound. That ukulele had a great sound and was comfortable to play. However, once I got my aNueNue Moonbird, it had much the same sound, so I sold the Gary Gill. Unfortunately Gary no longer builds ukes, and that was one of his last ones. I got it from Mim. She still carries the MP (Mike Pereira) ukuleles on her website, and he builds a short scale tenor. Mim has one on her website right now. It's a tenor body with a 16 inch concert scale. Most concerts are a 15 inch scale, and tenors are 17 inch. This would be in between. For reference, my Cocobolo concert is a 16 inch scale and I have no issues with it.
Click to expand...
I have short fingers with tiny fingertips, sometimes I manage to put them BETWEEN strings when playing, haha XD
Maybe 16 inch scale would be fine for me, but I'd have to try it. When I play chords like B or F# on tenor, my fingers take place somewhere in the middle between frets instead of right behind. I have no such problem with concert, it's a perfect size.

Ed1 said:
I have a Romero mahogany concert that sounds more like a tenor than a concert. I love it! It's the one that Corey at HMS finished playing and said "That's cheating" because it sounds more like a tenor. He plays it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIRv3Z2Qm-E
Click to expand...
It does sound beautiful. I'm amazed how they managed to get such a rich sound from a tiny instrument.

snowdenn said:
Just to be clear, the overall length is shortened by the shape of the headstock and the shape of the body. The body still aims to be tenor sized and the neck is a concert neck. But if you find this too small, the next size up is the Tiny Tenor.
Thanks... So it must be impossible to get a tenor-concert as I imagined it. I'll have to try tiny tenor.

I don't love these shapes myself, but most Romero ukuleles seem to follow a design philosophy of bigger body paired with a shorter neck. Other than the ST/Tiny Tenor models, I would recommend looking at their regular Concerts, which have an enlarged body. Basically, the scale length is concert, but the body is more tenor-like than other concerts.
Checked it out already, it's a fantastic uke. Expensive too, but I guess you have to be willing to spend a lot for a great instrument.

Their Signature/Replica has a shorter twelve frets to the body, but it's still a tenor scale, and the fretboard is wide.
Click to expand...
Oh no, wide fretboard is definitely not what I need:) I can barely bar the regular one. Actually I wouldn't mind a thinner fretboard, but I'm probably asking for too much for one uke.

BlackBearUkes said:
You can't just stick a standard concert neck on a standard tenor body. The scale is too short and the bridge placement on the body would be next to the sound hole, too weird. The body shape and the bracing inside would have to accommodate the scale length. It can be done but since there is no call for it, it isn't done.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I thought... But that would be perfect :D
 
Bonanza does it
 
I think your best bet is to seek a custom build. There are a number of small custom builders out there ( not as many as there used be) that could undertake such a project at a cost that may be much less than you may imagine. As Black Bear points out, you can’t just stick a concert neck on a tenor body, but you could preserve the bridge position by making a neck designed to attach to the body at the 10th fret. If you need access to the higher frets, you could add a cutaway. Not something a major manufacturer is going to do, but not a major issue for a custom builder.
Brad
 
I hate that this was bumped with a spam post, but since it was, is a Fluke with a concert neck sort of what the OP is looking for? I always wondered if a Fluke had more of a tenor or a concert body size, or was something in between?
 
David Hanson is creating one for me. Here is his first rough design. He had to squash the upper bout some to allow 12 frets to the body and also have the bridge placed properly. I also asked him to add a cutaway for a few more frets.

DSCF0004.jpg

The final dimensions remind me somewhat of a Romero Creations ST Concert which has a Tiny Tenor Body and looks quite different from David's.
 
BlackBearUkes said:
You can't just stick a standard concert neck on a standard tenor body. The scale is too short and the bridge placement on the body would be next to the sound hole, too weird. The body shape and the bracing inside would have to accommodate the scale length. It can be done but since there is no call for it, it isn't done.
Click to expand...
There is a call for it though or some of us wouldn't be here
 
Ed1 said:
David Hanson is creating one for me. Here is his first rough design. He had to squash the upper bout some to allow 12 frets to the body and also have the bridge placed properly. I also asked him to add a cutaway for a few more frets.

View attachment 134665

The final dimensions remind me somewhat of a Romero Creations ST Concert which has a Tiny Tenor Body and looks quite different from David's.
Click to expand...
How's the build going? Would love to see the finished uke!
 
necessaryrooster said:
How's the build going? Would love to see the finished uke!
Click to expand...
It was the second of my three from David. This is only of the three I didn't have enough pictures of to create a web page at http://ed1.cc/Ukulele/ . It's made of Cuban Mahogany with the usual great work that he does. It sounds almost the same as my first concert boat paddle custom he made for me. The zero fret on this one helped with the low setup I like/need. Since it's not the only uke I play, every time I play it, I forget there are only 12 frets to the body on the G, upper side, because of its larger body and usually miss when moving up the neck the first or second time (slow to learn :) )

It's another keeper for me. Although I may sell many others I have, I expect to pass down Davids' to my daughter and son-in-law some day. The man seems to be able to build anything one wants.

DSCF0003 (Small).JPGDSCF0004 (2) (Small).JPG
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Nickie
Concert/tenor hybrid ukulele
Replies
18
Views
781
keenonuke
K
Captain Simian
No longer available Silvertone baritone uke, green Outdoor Ukulele Tenor, Flea concert PRICE DROP
Replies
0
Views
640
Captain Simian
Captain Simian
C
WTB: Akai Concert/Tenor Ukulele
Replies
0
Views
194
C.W. Dean
C
S
WTT - Martin Tenor Guitar for Soprano or Concert Ukulele
Replies
0
Views
299
Squeezebox99
S
W
  • Locked
FS:Kala Archtop Tenor Ukulele and Koaloha Opio Concert Ukulele
Replies
13
Views
2K
pix.fairydust
pix.fairydust
Top Bottom