Are you looking forward and willing to spend a good amount of money for a premium made, high quality material and good sounding ukulele? Well if you do, you’ve come to the right place because we have organize a list here of some of the best available ukuleles to pick on the market today which falls under the five hundred dollar budget range.
This compilation of ukuleles we’ve prepared involves the four main size namely a soprano, concert, tenor, baritone, and even resonator uke’s in two sizes that are popularly played among country, blues and bluegrass musicians. So without keeping you any longer and enough now with the introduction, we’re happy to present to you fifteen of the best ukuleles under five hundred dollars.
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Ortega Guitars RU10 Soprano Ukulele
- Soprano ukulele
- Solid mahogany soudboard in satin finish
- Solid mahogany back and sides
- C-shape mahogany neck
- 17 frets walnut fingerboard with dot inlays
- Set of open-gear indirect tuners
- Walnut bridge with synthetic saddle and synthetic nut
The Ortega RU10 is a classic body soprano size ukulele made from all solid mahogany for its top, back and sides with a smooth satin finish, simply designed sound hole rosette as garnish, and has white ABS bindings on both the front and back corners for protection.
Neck up to the headstock of the RU10 soprano uke is also made out of the same solid mahogany wood, then it is top of by a 17 frets walnut fingerboard with small inlay dot markers as guide and for playability. Other main parts to achieve the best tones possible and tuning stability are the set of indirect chrome die-cast tuners, walnut bridge with ivory plastic saddle, and ivory plastic nut.
Martin OXK Soprano Ukulele
- Soprano ukulele
- Hawaiian koa-pattern high pressure laminate wood top
- Hawaiian koa-pattern high pressure laminate wood back and sides
- Comfortable stratabond neck
- 17 frets morado fingerboard that feels similar and looks like rosewood
- Set of Grover friction machineheads
- Morado bridge with compensated Tusq saddle and white Tusq nut
Part of Martin’s popular X-Series of guitars and ukuleles, the Martin OXK soprano ukulele is an attractive looking ukulele with a body made of Hawaiian koa-pattern high pressure laminate wood for the top, back and sides. The tapered neck on the other hand is crafted using stratabond which is a strong laminated wood used across the Martin range and is equipped with a 17 frets morado fingerboard that feels similar and looks like rosewood for flawless play throughout the whole length of the neck.
Adding to the nice sound and overall playability are the set of Grover friction machineheads to tune, white dot inlays as fret markers, morado bridge with compensated Tusq saddle, white Tusq nut and already includes a Martin padded ukulele gig bag to store safely the instrument especially during travels.
Makai MC-90 Concert Ukulele
- Concert ukulele
- Solid mango Soundboard
- Solid mango back and sides
- Comfortable mahogany neck
- 19 frets rosewood fingerboard
- Set of chrome open-gear tuners
- Rosewood bridge with synthetic saddle and synthetic nut
First on our list for an all solid wood concert size ukulele with a price tag that is way bellow the agreed budget of five hundred dollars is this all solid mango tonewood body Makai MC-90 concert ukulele. This uke also has a comfortable mahogany neck top of by a 19 frets rosewood fingerboard which makes it great to be played by players on any level at home or even on the center stage.
More to the features of this Makai MC-90 to get you excited and wanting to play is its beautiful shape, premium hardware and aesthetic value brought out by the matte finish, sound hole rosettes, tortoise side binding, set of chrome open-gear tuners, rosewood bridge with synthetic saddle, and synthetic nut.
Oscar Schmidt OU220SWK Concert Ukulele
- Concert ukulele
- Quartersawn solid mahogany top
- Solid mahogany back and sides in satin finish
- Tapered profile nyatoh neck
- 19 frets ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlays
- Set of Grover GH305 tuners with ebony buttons
- Ebony bridge with NuBone saddle and NuBone nut
- Hardcase included
Assembled by artisans using the finest tonewood for both the body and neck, the Oscar Schmidt brand is delighted to bring to the market their warm sounding OU220SWK solid mahogany concert model ukulele. This finely handmade instrument offers a satin finished quartersawn mahogany top, back and side body with a mozaic rope rosette sound hole and side bindings for protection and to add to its design.
For the neck, the Oscar Schmidt OU220SWK concert ukulele has a tapered profile nyatoh neck overlaid with a 19 frets ebony fingerboard, ivory snowflakes inlays and ebony veneer on the headstock with the Oscar Schmidt logo. Then to take care of tuning, and string action, the Aquila Super Nylgut strings is placed on a ebony bridge with NuBone saddle, NuBone nut and tuned by a set of Grover GH305 tuners.
Alvarez AU70WCCE Acoustic Electric Concert Ukulele
- Acoustic electric concert ukulele with cutaway
- Solid sitka spruce top
- Walnut back and sides
- C-shape neck made of solid mahogany
- 18 frets engineered rosewood fingerboard marked by white dot inlays
- Set of closed-gear tuners
- Engineered rosewood fingerboard with real bone saddle and bone nut
- AUE-20 preamp system controlled by a master volume and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble
Alvarez offering of a very affordable and good sounding concert size acoustic electric ukulele for beginners and veteran players alike out there is their Artist Series AU70WCCE concert ukulele. This acoustic electric uke features a combination of sweet sounding solid sitka spruce soundboard, laminated walnut wood for the back and sides that gives this ukulele the kind of sought after robust quality against temperature change and humidity.
To keep the ukulele in perfect pitch and for a non-stop play, this concert ukulele has a mahogany neck with 18 frets engineered rosewood fingerboard, set of close-geared tuners to tune, original Aquila Nylgut strings, slotted style engineered rosewood bridge with bone saddle, and real bone nut. Now to plug on an amplifier, the ukulele comes built with an AUE-20 pick-up and preamp system controlled by a master volume, and 3-band EQ bass-middle-treble.
Luna UKE S EGT Acoustic Electric Concert Ukulele
- Acoustic electric concert ukulele
- Solid mahogany soundboard in satin finish
- Solid mahogany back and sides
- C-profile mahogany neck
- 20 frets walnut fingerboard complete with a pearl moon phase inlays
- Set of Grover open-geared tuners
- Walnut bridge with graphite saddle and graphite nut
- Preamp system controlled by volume and 2-band EQ bass-treble
Here is a brand not to miss when on a hunt for an affordable but awesome sounding string instruments like acoustic guitars, basses, banjos, and ukuleles is Luna Guitars. So on that note, just one of the many to choose from and highly recommend for a uke coming in their long line of uke’s a budding and long time players will surely enjoy playing with is this all solid mahogany body Luna Uke Coral acoustic electric concert size ukulele.
This concert ukulele has a satin finish all solid mahogany body that the sound it brings to the table will only get better as the tonewood ages. The set mahogany neck and headstock is solidly constructed of the the same mahogany wood with a comfortable C-profile, and then top of by a 20 frets walnut fingerboard complete with a pearl moon phase inlays. Other appointments on the uke coral to rave about are set of Grover open-geared tuners to keep the instrument in tune, Aquila Super Nylgut strings, walnut bridge with graphite saddle, graphite nut and a preamp system to plug on an amplifier controlled by volume and 2-band EQ bass-treble.
Lanikai MAS-CEC Acoustic Electric Concert Ukulele
- Acoustic electric concert cutaway ukulele
- Solid mahogany top in gloss finish
- Solid mahogany back and sides
- C-profile mahogany neck
- 18 frets walnut fingerboard
- Set of deluxe Grover chrome open-geared tuners
- 8-hole no-tie walnut bridge with NuBone saddle and NuBone nut
- Kula Fishman preamp system plus tuner to plug on an amplifier
- Includes a case
With the abundance of choice for a ukulele in the market today, the Lanikai MAS-CEC model acoustic electric concert ukulele still standout and is a gem of a find above the rest for its all solid cutaway designed mahogany body, Fishman Kula preamp to plug on an amplifier and has a mahogany neck with an 18 frets walnut fingerboard that provides comfortable and incredible playability.
For other all important parts, this acoustic electric concert ukulele is equipped with a set of Deluxe Grover chrome open-back tuners for tuning accuracy, walnut bridge with NuBone saddle, NuBone nut, on-board tuner on the preamp, D’Addario EJ88 nylon strings, and strap buttons to play standing and in sitting position.
Oscar Schmidt OU270TSK Tenor Ukulele
- Tenor ukulele
- Solid koa soundboard
- Koa back and sides
- Comfortable C-shape neck
- 19 frets ebony fingerboard
- Set of gold Grover mini-rotomatic deluxe GH305 tuners
- Ebony bridge with NuBone saddle and NuBone nut
Another reasonably priced ukulele coming from Oscar Schmidt to join the list, but this time for those looking for a tenor size model is the Oscar Schmidt OU270TSK ukulele. The OU270TSK is crafted using solid koa for the top harvested on the island of Hawaii and has laminated koa for the back and sides to add more sustain when played strumming or picking style.
This gloss finished instruments also features a C-profile tapered solid neck, 19 frets ebony fingerboard garnished in dramatic abalone vine inlays, and the headstock is covered with a koa veneer to match the wood grain pattern of the solid koa top. Gold Grover mini-rotomatic deluxe GH305 tuners for stable tuning and compliments the beautiful tonewood of the ukulele, NuBone nut and ebony bridge with NuBone saddle to hold the Aquila Nylgut strings.
Kala KA-SA-T Tenor Ukulele
- Tenor ukulele
- Solid acacia top
- Solid acacia back and sides
- C-shape mahogany neck
- 18 frets walnut fingerboard with dot inlays
- Set of classical style chrome-plated open-geared machineheads
- Walnut bridge with GrapTech NuBone saddle and GrapTech NuBone nut
Right out of the box, the Kala KA-SA-T tenor ukulele is stunning looking instrument and with a little adjustment on the tuning, it is ready to play. The quality of tones this ukulele can deliver is fuller sounding and has crisper volume when compared to other all solid wood body ukulele because it is crafted using solid acacia for the top, back and sides.
For the neck and slotted designed headstock, it is made of solid mahogany with 18 frets inlay marked walnut fingerboard for excellent playability and sound. Other particulars to look forward into on having this for your uke are the set of classical style chrome-plated open-geared machineheads, walnut bridge with GrapTech NuBone saddle, GrapTech NuBone nut, Aquila Super Nylgut strings, maple side bindings, and abalone rosette sound hole design.
Cordoba 20TM-CE Acoustic Electric Tenor Ukulele
- Acoustic electric tenor cutaway ukulele
- Solid mahogany top board
- Mahogany back and sides
- C-shape mahogany neck
- 18 frets composite fingerboard marked by inlay dot
- Set of open-geared tuners with pearl button
- Rosewood bridge with composite saddle and composite nut
- Equipped with an active piezo pick-up controlled by a volume and 2-band EQ bass-treble
For just two hundred dollars and if you’re really on a tight budget for a ukulele, the Cordoba 20TM-CE ukulele offers you a solid top tenor size ukulele with electronics on-board to plug on an amplifier. This tenor ukulele has a warm sounding solid mahogany top soundboard, and followed by a laminated mahogany wood for its back and sides.
The Cordoba 20TM-CE tenor size body is built with a cutaway to reach the high frets of the C-profile mahogany neck and top of by an 18 frets composite material fingerboard. Taking care of tuning and to hold the Aquila Nylgut strings in place are the set of Cordoba designed nickel pearl button tuning machines, rosewood bridge with composite saddle, and composite nut. To plug on an amp, the Cordoba 20TM-CE comes ready with an active piezo pick-up controlled by a volume and 2-band EQ bass-treble to blend-in tones.
Caramel CB204 Acoustic Electric Baritone Ukulele Pack
- Acoustic electric baritone ukulele
- Solid acacia top
- solid acacia back and sides
- C-profile neck with adjustable truss-rod
- 18 frets walnut fingerboard complete with white dot inlays
- Set of closed-geared tuners
- Walnut bridge with buffalo bone saddle and buffalo bone nut
- Built in tuner and a preamp system controlled by a master volume, and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble
- Included are additional set nylon strings, padded gig bag, picks, cleaning cloth, ukulele wall hanger, ukulele strap, extra bridge pins, metal nail drawer, cable and instructional booklet
The Caramel models of ukulele is available in the four main size that players can choose from namely in concert, tenor and the one featured on this post, the Caramel CB204 acoustic electric baritone ukulele. Every model of this ukulele has a body made from solid acacia wood for its top, back and sides in satin finish, and with a beautiful rosette design on the sound hole.
The C-profile neck is wonderful to play with a truss-rod to adjust if needed, before topping it of by an 18 frets walnut fingerboard marked by white dot inlays. Taking care of tuning and holding the strings are a set of closed geared tuners paired with a walnut bridge with buffalo bone saddle, and buffalo bone nut. To plug on an amplifier, the CB204 has a preamp system with a built-in tuner controlled by a master volume and 3-band EQ bass-middle-treble.
Gretsch G9112 Concert Resonator Ukulele
- Concert resonator ukulele
- Mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- U-shape neck mahogany neck
- 16 frets ovangkol fingerboard
- Set of Grover 9NB Sta-Tite Geared tuners
- Ovangkol biscuit bridge puck with maple saddle, and bone nut
- Aquila Nylgut strings
Resonator type ukuleles like this Gretsch G9112 model is arguably as popular as regular ukuleles because it offers players a different take on tones due to its much louder, brighter, and more twangy sound than standard uke. This Gretsch resonator ukulele has a wooden concert size body made from mahogany and been placed with a 6” biscuit resonator cone to produce a warmer and mellower overall sound when compared to a metal body resophonic ukulele.
Now for the neck, fingerboard, and other essential parts completing the ukulele, it has a medium- U shape mahogany neck with 16 frets ovangkol fingerboard, set of Grover 9NB Sta-Tite Geared tuners, Aquila Nylgut strings, ovangkol biscuit bridge puck with maple saddle, and bone nut.
Gold Tone Concert Resouke
- Concert resonator ukulele
- Concert scale brass body
- C-shape basswood neck
- 19 frets walnut fingerboard
- Set 14:1 geared Kluson-style tuning machineheads
- Bone nut, hard rock maple bridge saddle
- Aquila Nylgut strings
The Gold Tone concert scale Resouke will wow any ukulele player for the resonant sound its reverse cone with biscuit bridge and brass body can deliver. It is very comfortable to play and features a removable palm rest, so there’s no need to detach the strings and remove the entire coverplate in order to adjust string action, break angle, string spacing or to replace the bridge saddle.
The other important parts worth mentioning and adding more to its value are the set 14:1 geared Kluson-style tuning machine heads, basswood neck with a 19 frets walnut fingerboard, bone nut, hard rock maple bridge saddle, custom-gauged nylon strings for the best possible tones, and includes a gig bag to travel the instrument.
Sound Smith SSU-RM Tenor Resonator Ukulele
- Tenor resonator ukulele
- Spruce soundboard
- Mahogany back and sides
- C-shape mahogany neck
- 18 frets walnut fingerboard
- Set of closed chrome plated machineheads
- Solid walnut biscuit bridge with maple saddle and bone nut
- Aquila Nylgut strings
The Sound Smith SSU-RM resonator ukulele is a little bigger, but almost at the same price as the resophonic ukulele by Gretsch shown just earlier. This tenor size resonator uke has a laminated spruce soundboard to hold the resonator cone and has laminated mahogany wood for its arched back and sides.
The neck, acoustic guitar style headstock and fretboard of the Sound Smith tenor resonator ukulele is crafted using a combination mahogany and walnut wood with 18 nickel frets marked by pearl dot inlays. Moving on to the other parts, this reso ukulele is equipped with a set of closed chrome plated machineheads to tune the instrument, original Aquila strings, front and back cream side bindings on the body, cream neck bindings, solid walnut biscuit bridge with maple saddle and bone nut.
Kala KA-RES-BRS Tenor Resonator Ukulele
- Tenor resonator ukulele
- Mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- C-profile mahogany neck
- 18 frets laurel fingerboard
- Set of close-geared tuners
- GraphTech NuBone nut and maple saddle
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings
Even though Kala also makes good quality and sounding affordable guitars, their primary musical instrument product is still the ukulele which includes this reso uke model called the Kala KA-RES-BRS resonator ukulele. This tenor size resophonic uke has a mahogany body with a custom aluminum spun cone and a stylish brass resonator cover to provide a loud and distinctive tones.
The comfortable to play neck of this resonator ukulele is crafted in mahogany with an 18 frets walnut fingerboard marked by dot inlays. Other functioning parts that gives this ukulele a stage ready sound are the set of close-geared tuners, GraphTech NuBone nut, Aquila Super Nylgut strings and maple saddle.
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