I was slightly apprehensive about buying this instrument online, but I couldn't find an inexpensive concert-sized Uke anywhere in my city. As it turns out, this Uke is a good beginner instrument, so all is well. I used this 12-point checklist to inspect the Uke, and it ticks all the boxes:
- No rattles or squeaks when you shake it
- No splits or cracks in the wood
- Neck firmly joined to body with no gaps in between, and neck doesn't shift around
- Top, sides, and back joined without any gaps
- Top of body completely flat, no bulges or depressions, especially near the bridge
- Back of body evenly curved, no bulged spots or depressions
- Sight down neck from back of body shows neck is straight or SLIGHTLY bent up, but not bent down, and not twisted either way
- Interior of sound hole is neat and well finished
- Braces firm and not shifting around
- All strings at same height above fretboard (not more than 3mm above crown of 12th fret)
- Fret edges nice and smooth along the neck, nothing sharp or sticking out
- Gear tuners turn smoothly without grinding
Also, the instrument is pretty loud, it doesn't sound like a toy. The clip-on tuner that came with the Uke works well. New Ukes typically need frequent tuning until they get seasoned, but surprisingly, this Uke stayed in tune for 2-3 days before requiring a retune.
The only criticism I have is that on playing some chords, there's a slight buzzing noise from the strings towards the end of the sustain. It might be easily solved by upgrading to Aquila strings, but even otherwise, at this price, it's honestly nothing to complain about. Also, the strings need to be pressed down with more force than you might need with a very high end Uke, but it's probably better to learn with this and upgrade later, than the other way around. I haven't yet plugged in the Uke to an amp, so I don't know how well the built-in pickup works.
TL;DR - It's a good beginner Uke. Great value for money. Just make sure you inspect your piece against all the points mentioned in the checklist above.
| Brand | Kadence |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kadence |
| Model | UKCE |
| Product Dimensions | 65 x 22 x 8 cm; 500 g |
| Item model number | UKCE |
| Batteries Included | No |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Hand Orientation | right |
| Manufacturer | Kadence |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item Weight | 500 g |
