This is a US made instrument, a LoPrinzi Model A concert ukulele, constructed from all solid curly maple. It has been built by Donna LoPrinzi in Clearwater, Florida, by hand. These instruments have a great tactile feel, a sweet tone and are, for a luthier-made instrument, very good value. When you consider how much a Kala Elite would cost, made in America, these are striking for their relatively low cost.

The Model A has a 35mm nut width, a very neat slotted bridge made from ebony, and an ebony fingerboard. It is fitted with LoPrinzi fluorcarbon strings and has traditional, but effective, friction pegs. The neck is also made from maple, which I always find to feel particularly nice on account of the smoothness of the wood, with an ebony ‘skunk stripe’ stretching down its length.

Maple has a distinct sound which is hard to describe, with a sweet brightness that seems to grow from the initial strike of the strings. I liken it to that initial softness you’d get when you press a piano key - it rings out but the felt on the hammer means that it feels initially reserved before the string rings and brings forth that volume. Certainly, it’s a very pretty sound indeed!

For common extras like gig bags, strap buttons or low G fitting, scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find them ready to add to your basket alongside this LoPrinzi concert ukulele.