Cheap Baritone Buying Suggestions

[Matthewrt]

Hey All,

I just starting playing ukulele a couple months ago. I have a Mainland Mahogany tenor, and Cordoba 25CK concert, and a Kala KA-Cem concert. Now, I'd like to get a baritone. Mainly I just want to check out how one sounds and maybe to have something with guitar-like tuning that my guitarist friends can play when when come over.

At this point I don't have the budget to buy something nice like a Mainland Red Cedar, so I'm debating going with a mid-range laminate like a Kala KA-B, or just getting something dirt cheap like a Savannah, Mahalo, or even a Makala which is quite a bit less than a Kala.

Any suggestions? I'd like recommendations on a cheapo, or warnings not to bother. Whatever you think, I want to hear.

Thanks!

 

[PhilUSAFRet]

I'd consider the Cordoba BM 20 bari. You can get them on ebay from time to time for about $125 give or take a few bucks..........and it has a solid mahogany top!!!!!! $179 from HMS, properly set up

Here's a sound clip on it http://www.theukulelesite.com/cordoba-20bm-solid-mahogany-baritone-package.html

 

[Jim Hanks]

You really need to trust your setup "man" especially in this price range. I'm gonna suggest that your baseline be this Lanikai laminate from Butler Music: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lanikai-LU-...339?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b13f7a79b

This was my first baritone and it was perfectly adequate to get started - decent sound and setup (though I would have liked a tad lower action). I have seen reports of folks happy with a Rogue or similar straight from a online warehouse, but I just don't believe them. Now if you spring for a little more $$, the usual suspects like HMS, Mim, or Uke Republic should be able to get you into a noticeably better instrument for $150-200 as Phil suggests.

 

[johnson430]

I think this is a steal at $130us: a Cordoba 22B.
This wouldn't be available if my wife would let me spend the money on it right now.

FYI, it has the rope binding like a Mainland and it has a cedar top. (Sounds like what you want)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252059170888?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[PhilUSAFRet]

I think this is a steal at $130us: a Cordoba 22B.
This wouldn't be available if my wife would let me spend the money on it right now.

FYI, it has the rope binding like a Mainland and it has a cedar top. (Sounds like what you want)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252059170888?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It has a solid spruce top

 

[Pirate Jim]

I got one of these to tune GDAE like an Irish Tenor Banjo:

http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/538_282/products_id/6618

Been very pleased with it, although it was about £15 cheaper when I got it. Great sound for the price!

 

[Matthewrt]

So, what I am hearing is avoid the very bottom end and spend a bit more money to get something decent. I think that is probably sound advice. That Cordoba 22B looks nice. They also have a 20B for a few buck less. Is the extra $14 worth getting the spruce top over the mahogany?

 

[#4horse]

Check out the Kala solid cedar top slot head baritone. The tone, appearance and playability are better than its $295 price (at HMS) would suggest.

 

[PhilUSAFRet]

So, what I am hearing is avoid the very bottom end and spend a bit more money to get something decent. I think that is probably sound advice. That Cordoba 22B looks nice. They also have a 20B for a few buck less. Is the extra $14 worth getting the spruce top over the mahogany?

Absolutely!.......... Have a listen: http://www.theukulelesite.com/cordoba-22b-solid-spruce-top-baritone.html

 

[johnson430]

It has a solid spruce top

Oops, thanks for catching my mistake Phil. It was getting late in the evening when I posted that.
=)

 

[johnson430]

Absolutely!.......... Have a listen: http://www.theukulelesite.com/cordoba-22b-solid-spruce-top-baritone.html

+1. Sounds great for the money.

 

[Uke182]

Here are a couple of my recommendations from Mim:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Lanika-...up-w-Lava-Aquias-Ukulele-x21B-B-/171886804136

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-B...Setup-w-Aquilas-Ukulele-Uke-226-/171688651506

 

[WCBarnes]

Sent you a PM. I have an Ohana BK-20 ukulele that might interest you. It has a solid mahogany top with laminate back and sides. It was set up by Elderly music and comes with an Ohana gig bag.

 

[kypfer]

The Brunswick BU5B http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brunswick-BU5B-Maple-Baritone-Ukulele/dp/B008G1NIMC (or BU4B in dark wood) is excellent value for money. As another poster commented, I have mine set up GDAE, like an Irish tenor banjo.

 

[Matthewrt]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. There are so many options and factors to consider. I'm going to have to give this some more thought.