4 Best Resonator Ukuleles Review

Beside adding a more cool look and distinct appearance to the ukulele, the resonator ukulele is really aimed to produce a much louder sound and offers a kind of metallic tone with a bit of warm twangy quality to it that makes it unique and is probably the main reason why it is a popularly used instrument in playing blues, country and bluegrass music.

Another thing to point out on a resonator ukulele is its tuning G-C-E-A which happen to be the same tuning that can be applied on a soprano, concert and a tenor ukulele will likely use. So if you’re already playing these types of ukuleles before having a resonator uke, tuning won’t be an issue, how chords are shape will be the same and your play will be smooth like nothing has change, except of course on the characteristic quality of tones each ukulele will deliver even on same exact tuning.

Then lastly, let us head now on the resonator ukuleles we like to recommend. These resophonic uke models coming from renowned brands like Kala, Gretsch, Sound Smith and Gold Tone is at top of their class and are well made using the finest materials to surely fill up the void and be a great new addition on your growing ukulele arsenal. Let’s go take a look!


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Gretsch G9112 Concert Resonator Ukulele

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

This resophonic uke from Gretsch called the G9112 model offer players on all levels a different take on tones using its 6” biscuit resonator cone. The Gretsch resonator ukulele also has a wooden concert size body made out of mahogany in open-pore semi-gloss urethane finish that adds an extra layer of warmth to the overall sound, especially when it is compared to a metal body resonator ukulele.

The comfortable U-shape neck placed on the G9112 is crafted using 1-piece mahogany with 16 frets ovangkol fingerboard marked by abalone snowflake inlays. Other appointments on the ukulele are a 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

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 concert scale brass body Resouke by Gold Tone is a kind of resonator ukulele that would delight any ukulele player for the impressive resonant sound its reverse cone, biscuit bridge and the brass body can overall delivers. The Gold Tone Concert Resouke also features a removable palm rest that allows adjustment of string action, break angle, string spacing or to replace the bridge saddle without the need of detaching the strings and removing the entire coverplate.

Neck attached on this metal body resonator ukulele is made of basswood with a 19 frets walnut fingerboard, ABS bindings and has white dot inlays for playability. Added to that are the set 14:1 geared Kluson-style tuning machineheads, bone nut, hard rock maple bridge saddle and custom-gauged nylon strings to achieve best possible tones.


Sound Smith SSU-RM Tenor Resonator Ukulele

Best Resonator Ukuleles
  • 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

Next on the list for a reasonably price and good sounding resonator uke is the Sound Smith SSU-RM resonator ukulele. This tenor size ukulele is a gem of a find made with a laminated spruce soundboard to be even more brighter sounding and has laminated mahogany wood for its arched back and sides.

Neck up to the acoustic guitar style headstock is crafted using solid mahogany and uses walnut wood with 18 nickel frets for fingerboard marked by pearl dot inlays. For the other parts to take care of tuning, intonation and string action this reso ukulele is equipped with a set of closed chrome plated machineheads, Aquila Nylgut strings, solid walnut biscuit bridge with maple saddle and bone nut.


Kala KA-RES-BRS Tenor Resonator Ukulele

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

The Kala KA-RES-BRS resonator is a beautifully constructed tenor size ukulele out of mahogany for the top back and sides in sunburst satin finish with a custom aluminum spun cone and a stylish brass resonator cover that provides a loud and the sought after crispy tones.

Neck of this tenor scale resonator ukulele has a nice profile crafted in mahogany with an 18 frets laurel fingerboard marked by dot inlays. Then to complete the major parts and keeps the instrument in perfect pitch are a set of close-geared tuners to tune the instrument, GraphTech NuBone nut, a maple saddle and Aquila Super Nylgut strings.

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