Tenor ukuleles are known for their classic and lively tone, which makes them ideal playing experience for advanced or professional ukulele players. Tenor ukuleles are larger than other ukuleles, making them more handy and comfortable for people who have larger hands.
We understand how easy it is to be fooled by ukuleles’ toy-like appearance, yet they are amazing musical instruments with incredible sound. While there are many different types of ukuleles, the tenor ukulele is the most popular currently due to its broader and deeper sound. If the soprano and concert ukuleles are too tiny for you, you might want to consider the best tenor ukulele buying guide, which is favoured by many musicians for live performances due to its superior sound.
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Cordoba 20TM Mahogany Tenor Ukulele
- Solid mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood bridge and fingerboard
In the music industry, Cordoba instruments are among the most highly respected. The Cordoba 20TM ukulele exemplifies the company’s commitment to producing great guitars utilizing time-tested techniques and high-quality materials. A solid mahogany top, laminate mahogany back and sides, and a natural satin polyurethane finish distinguish this tenor ukulele.
The Cordoba 20TM has a robust and powerful tone thanks to the sturdy top. This tenor ukulele emphasizes the bass and treble more than smaller ukes, yet it still boasts an excellent high-end response. This tenor uke’s sound is something you’ll want to hear over and over again.
A rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays, a rosewood bridge, and a rosette with a dual herringbone design complete the Cordoba 20TM. Aquila Nylgut Tenor strings and Cordoba nickel tuning devices with pearl buttons are included. The overall length of this mid range tenor ukulele is 26 inches. For ukulele players of all ability skill level, the Cordoba 20TM is a wise investment made of solid wood. The longer it’s played, the better tenor ukes sounds, thanks to its firm top. Bottom line, it has a nice playing feel to it, is well-made, and sounds fantastic. This is Best Tenor Ukulele in 2023.
Kala KA-T Mahogany Tenor Ukulele Bundle with Hard Case
- Mahogany body
- 18 silver nickel frets
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
Kala’s Satin Mahogany line includes this tenor ukulele. The Kala KA-T, like its siblings, has a satin-finished laminate mahogany top, back, and sides, as well as a satin-finished mahogany neck. The KA-T has a bold, dramatic, and traditional style thanks to the mahogany grain pattern, while the cream binding provides a classic touch.
The Kala KA-laminate T’s mahogany construction makes it more resistant to temperature and humidity changes. Despite its laminate body, the ukulele produces a rich tenor tone with just the perfect amount of punch and woodiness.
The Satin Mahogany Tenor has a walnut fingerboard with 18 frets. The walnut is lighter in tone than the mahogany on the body, creating a beautiful contrast while staying true to the traditional style. For the optimum intonation, this tenor ukulele also has a GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle, as well as Aquila Super Nylgut strings. The tenor ukulele, the KA-T, has a scale length of 17 inches and an overall length of 26.125 inches. This tenor ukulele may be a more comfortable option for musicians who find soprano and concert ukuleles too tiny for their hands at this price range. This is Best Tenor Ukuleles in 2023.
Cordoba Guitars 15TM Tenor Ukulele
- ROOMY FRETBOARD: This uke's larger tenor-sized body exhibits an impressive...
- DYNAMIC RANGE: Featuring all-mahogany construction, the 15TM produces a...
- TOP QUALITY WOODS: This handmade tenor ukulele features mahogany top, back,...
The Cordoba 15TM could be a perfect alternative for you if you’re seeking tenor ukulele models that’s suitable for both beginners and advanced players at a fair price. Cordoba is a wonderful brand with a lot of Spanish guitar influences. The 15TM is a good size for larger hands, and it’s ideal if you’re switching from guitar to keyboard.
It has a comfortable feel, good projection, and a particularly rich and complex tone thanks to the mahogany design. This ukulele plays like a lot of the more expensive versions. All of the components are good, and the ivoroid body and fingerboard binding demonstrate that the uke’s binding and construction are of high quality. It also features stunning Aquila strings.
Though it may not be the ukulele of choice for every professional musician, it is an excellent choice if you want a low-cost instrument that sounds and feels like the genuine thing with a satin finish. It’s comfortable and simple to play, and at under $100, it’s difficult to argue with the value on offer.
Martin T1K Tenor Ukulele
- Sides Sipo Fingerboard - H-rubbed Satin
- Ten Ukulele with Solid Koa Top
- Back
If you’re shopping for a ukulele or an acoustic guitar, the name Martin is almost certainly going to come up. The 1T IZ is a terrific example of what this high-end maker can give. They’ve been creating ukuleles and guitars for over a century, and the 1T IZ is a great example of what they can offer. This is the type of instrument aimed at true professionals, as evidenced by the construction quality and components.
It’s worth noting that the 1T IZ is a tribute to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, a legendary Hawaiian musician and ukulele player. Hawaiian koa wood, East Indian rosewood, and a ‘IZ’ inlay are among the materials used. Only the highest-quality materials are employed, and the koa provides a traditional Hawaiian tone and feel for soprano ukuleles.
The rosewood fingerboard makes it comfortable to play, but it relies on the mahogany for its richness and tonal projection, as do many other models on the market. This could be the alternative for you if you desire a clean tone, loud projection, and silky smooth playability, plus the ‘Martin’ insignia is sure to wow musicians worldwide. In our opinion, this is the best tenor ukulele for professionals.
Fender Dhani Harrison Tenor Ukulele
- Tenor size with ¾ body depth
- Custom fretboard inlays and back engravings
- Painted tops with matching 4-in-line Strat headstocks
Available in two unique finishes, each uke features personalized fretboard inlays and engraved back designs reflecting Harrison’s influences. Designed for live performance, these tenor-sized ukes boast solid ovangkol tops, backs, and sides plus 3⁄4 depth bodies. Upgraded Fender electronics provide amplified sound. With their distinctive build and eye-catching looks.
Donner DUT-1 Tenor Ukulele
- 🎅[Well Made Durable Mahogany Craftsmanship] Donner tenor ukulele with a...
- 🎅[Warm Rich Sound] Donner Ukulele Mahogany top body and neck bring you a...
- 🎅[Become a Better Player, Faster] Tenor ukulele bundle pack includes a...
The Donner DUT-1 Tenor Ukulele has four advanced carbon nylon strings and is a typical concert ukulele. It also has a mahogany body and neck, which produces a warm and lively sound. Rosewood is used for the fingerboard and bridge, providing consumers a nice feel while playing the ukulele. Its chrome-plated guitar-style tuners are precise and smooth, keeping your ukulele in tune at all times. This ukulele has 18 brass frets on the neck and top of the fingerboard, with fret position markers at the fifth, seventh, tenth, and twelfth frets. There’s also a bag and a strap included.
The Donner DUT-1 isn’t particularly attractive, with its basic, bright mahogany body and black rosewood fretboard. And that’s not a negative thing: the instrument’s simplicity suggests that it can withstand a lot of abuse. So, if you’re looking for a ukulele that doesn’t take a lot of attention and care —- one that can withstand harsh, inexperienced hands —- this is the uke for you.
You’ll notice that instead of Aquila Nylguts, this ukulele employs carbon nylon strings (like most others on the list). The strings are smooth and gentle to the touch, with a clear, sweet sound, according to users (thanks to the mahogany body). The chrome-plated guitar-style tuners will aid in keeping the strings in tune.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tenor ukulele?
A tenor ukulele is a member of the ukulele family that is larger than the soprano and concert sizes but smaller than the baritone. Tenor ukuleles are typically around 26 inches in total length and have a scale length (the length of the string from the nut to the bridge) of around 17 inches. They are tuned to GCEA, the same as soprano and concert ukes.
What are some good brands for tenor ukuleles?
Some popular tenor ukulele brands include Kala, Lanikai, Cordoba, Luna, Martin, Fender, and Ibanez. Quality entry-level models can be found for around $100-200. Intermediate players may want to spend $200-500 for solid wood construction from reputable brands. High-end professional models can range from $500 and beyond.
What is the standard tuning for a tenor ukulele?
The most common tuning for a tenor ukulele is GCEA, which is the same as soprano and concert ukes. The G is the string closest to the ground, followed by C, E, and A as the highest pitch string. Some players may opt for a low-G tuning instead, with the G string tuned down to a lower G pitch.
Are there left-handed tenor ukuleles available?
Left-handed tenor uke options are more limited, but some manufacturers do offer them. The most common type has the strings reversed so the lowest string is on the bottom when held in the left hand. It’s also possible to just string a right-handed tenor uke left-handed, though the controls on the body may end up on the wrong side.