Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: May-7-2019
Only one model was deemed unsuitable for our chart in our most recent refresh - the Cordoba 32T, which had fallen out of production. However, we filled the gap with the popular Luna Tattoo Tenor, with its cool traditional Hawaiian tattoo artwork.
While there’s still some way to go before they reach the same status as a
soprano or
concert ukulele, the tenor uke is certainly growing in popularity.
Its reputation has flourished as a performance ukulele, and is often seen on stage with legendary ukulelists such as Jake Shimabukuro, Brittni Paiva, and James Hill.
With such increased popularity, there are now more tenors on the market than ever before, all showing off different styles, woods and prices.
But which is the right one for you? To help you figure this out, we’ve created a chart of the top six tenor ukes that offer great style, sound and value in their respective price brackets. While the chart is not comprehensive, it certainly offers you a good snapshot of what’s hot at the moment.
You’ll find some acoustic varieties and some with electronics; some under $100, with others pushing $500. However, all share that beautiful tenor sound. Let’s check them out.
Top 5 Tenor Ukuleles:
What Makes a Tenor Ukulele?
While the exact measurements may differ among manufacturers, the typical tenor ukulele length is 26”. This is considerably bigger than a soprano uke. A tenor ukulele will also usually have anywhere between 17 and 19 frets, although you will find some with extra frets. Just like a soprano and concert uke, the tenor is typically tuned G-C-E-A.
While the standard tenor ukulele will have four strings, you can encounter six-string varieties too. On these, you’ll find the regular four strings (G-C-E-A), along with two additional octave strings paired with the C and A strings.
So, on a six-string tenor, your tuning would be G-C(high)-C-E-A(low)-A, with the additional strings tuned an octave higher on the C, and an octave lower on the A. It can be confusing, especially for beginners. For the record, none of the ukuleles in our chart are six-stringed.
What Does a Tenor Uke Sound Like?
A typical four-string tenor ukulele has a lovely sound, and one which is slightly deeper and warmer than the tone you’d find on a concert uke. This is because the ukulele’s body is bigger, meaning you’ll also find a better projection from a tenor – perfect for acoustic performances.
Naturally, the woods that make up the body – whether laminated or solid – will contribute to a different tone. So, an all-mahogany tenor uke will sound a lot warmer than one built entirely from maple.
Advantages and Disadvantages
There are two main advantages to playing a tenor ukulele – sound and playability.
When it comes to sound, as mentioned earlier in the article, a tenor offers players a deeper, warmer, more rounded sound with a lot more volume, when compared to a smaller sized uke, like a soprano. However, bear in mind that with a tenor you do lose some of the brightness – the traditional tinkly ukulele sound – that’s found in soprano and concert ukes.
A tenor is very playable thanks to the longer scale length and wider neck. While complete beginners and children would probably be better off with a soprano or concert, beginners with bigger hands – and players moving to the ukulele from the guitar – would probably enjoy the more maneuverable experience of playing a tenor. For this reason, a tenor is also the best size for finger-pickers as there’s more space between the strings.
Finally, it’s worth noting that a tenor is typically more expensive to purchase than a soprano or concert uke, with less choice in the
under $100 price range compared to the smaller sizes. On the flip side, it’s usually cheaper than a baritone model to buy.
What are the Alternatives?
We’ve highlighted some of the alternatives throughout this article, and the concert ukulele – with a length of around 23” – is the closest to a tenor in size and sound, and would suit you more if you prefer a slightly brighter sound.
However, if you prefer an even deeper, louder sound, check out our page on
baritone ukuleles, which highlights some of the best baritone models around. Be warned though – a baritone uke is not particularly suitable for beginners.
We suggest checking out this useful video guide to the size and tonal differences between soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22u4gauHJ6U
The Final Word
When buying a new ukulele, there’s no right or wrong size – it all boils down to your preferred sound and how easy you find a certain size to play.
As you’ve read, a tenor is a very good size for beginners or guitarists trying out the ukulele for the first time, as well as players with bigger hands due to the increased space on the fretboard.
If you do opt for a tenor, the best way to decide which model suits you is to create a shortlist of models that meet your budget, then read reviews, watch videos, listen to audio samples, and try them out, if possible. You’ll eventually settle on one you love.
Good luck with the search for your ideal ukulele!