The Uma UK-30SCP Evo concert ukulele in a pineapple body equivalent of the company’s all solid acacia UK-30SC, from their Evo range. These instruments look very pretty, with a really neat, tidy build - with great specification at a reasonable price, that gives great value as well as good looks (and something a little quirky, to boot).

I don’t know why, but I remember picking up this Uma UK-30SCP for the first time with a touch of cynicism. ‘It’ll just sound exactly like the regular concert’, I thought to myself. And given I like that one a lot, I figured the different body shape might prove popular - so if that was the case, no harm done. But after playing it, there’s definitely a difference, with a slightly more rounded tone. Despite acacia sometimes being a little muted, Uma manage to conjure up plenty of sweet highs, and sparkly overtones with this model - with the added fullness that naturally followed on from having the bigger body. I am not sure why I was in a cynical mood… but I was wrong!

Fluorocarbon string, Uma’s own (very light and forgiving on the fingers) are fitted to this model. The UK-30SCP is very playable indeed - with Uma amongst the best ukuleles I’ve ever tried in terms of how low I can get the action at the nut (in particular). That troublesome Bb chord, which is often a bugbear of ukulele players is, while not simple, a lot easier I find with one of these. The geared tuners are good and smooth too, plus the uke comes with a nice gig bag. The nut width is 35mm, but the thin strings and generous string spacing make this, for me, perfectly nice to play.

And all of this is before we talk about how the UK-30SCP looks, with its lovely acacia grain, excellent gloss finish, black binding, abalone inlays and maple soundhole decoration.

If you’re curious about a pineapple shape uke, this is a very nice one to add to your collection, with great specification for the price, a lovely sound and looks that are well above average.

This one comes with a gig bag, but other common accessories are available to order at the bottom of the page, like a low G fitting or a strap button. Also, if you click additional info below you’ll find a video demo featuring the Uma UK-30SCP, alongside the regular concert and tenor versions in comparison.