This is a custom model concert ukulele made in Clearwater, Florida, by Donna LoPrinzi. This example is one of the higher end models she produces, a one-of-a-kind concert uke with a pale, tightly grained cedar top, with a high grade solid koa back and sides.

This LoPrinzi ukulele has a gloss finish, and the interesting signature headstock shape common across the brand, but a graceful looking side soundport, plus a comfort edge and attractive rosewood binding and soundhole rosette. It is fitted with LoPrinzi clear fluorocarbon strings, which have a pleasing finger-feel and not too much tension, plus Gotoh UPT rear facing tuners. The fingerboard is ebony, as is the compact bridge, which looks really cute. I’m not sure ‘looking cute’ is a particular selling point, but the compact nature takes up less of the top, allowing more of the top to vibrate and resonate. So that small size gives an (equally small!) advantage.

While I will always do any work required with any ukulele, Donna’s set up is really really good, with a nice easy playing action. I recall recently selling a LoPrinzi ukulele at my trade stand at the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain, and while that was a nice looking uke with a good sound, the customer told me the reason he liked it was because it was so easy to play.

The sound is light and breezy, with a hint of a warm edge from the cedar top initially, giving way to some sweet fullness. When you write as much about ukuleles as I do, sometimes a phrase pops into your head and it did with this one. Brace yourself… ‘Warm Rain’. Yep. I know that sounds pretentious, but it’s what keeps coming to mind! The background warmth punctuated with a pleasing sparkle of brightness.

In the past I’ve concentrated on Donna LoPrinzi’s ‘entry’ level builds, simply as I wanted to test the water before committing to something a bit more expensive like this. But then, they’ve gone down so well that I felt the need to push deeper into her catalogue (and my pockets!) Now, I realise that is a lot of money, and yes, you can make an argument that the precision of a factory made uke like the aNueNue MoonBird might arguably be more sensible a choice (at a bit less money). But there’s something about the fact this has been handmade by a very talented woman that makes it a little extra special.

If you scroll to the bottom of the page you’ll find a series of easy to add extras, like strap buttons or bags and cases. If you click additional info, you'll find a video demo of this LoPrinzi custom concert uke.