When I learned that Flight were bringing out further models in their Rock Series (of steel-string electro ukes), I wondered why spread the range over even more models - after the successful launch of their Pathfinder and Centurion ukes. However, when I set eyes on this trans purple gloss finish Vanguard model, I forgot about those reservations and just thought, ‘well, that’s a beauty!’.

These ukuleles have steel strings and are tuned GCEA, with a low G. Acoustically they’ll give you enough volume to play quietly and not disturb the neighbours. But, you’ll need an amp to get the most from it (well, it’s essential to get your money’s worth!). Do so and you can use the tone and volume controls (with their lovely recessed knobs) and the pickup selector switch to experiment with a range of tones, from brash, rocky styles to laid back, jazzy sounds.

The Flight Vanguard is supplied with a decent branded gig bag, and a jack to jack lead. While it doesn’t hit the heights of the European-made Risa models of similar specification in terms of finish, it plays well and sounds good without reaching the heights of their price tags either! And while there is a good amount of set up required to get these playing their best, I’ll do that here included with the price. That does mean I can’t discount it, like companies who drop ship (i.e. send ukes unseen straight to customers from the distributor), but it’s worth the extra to get an instrument that’s as good as it can be.

Below, with additional info, you can check out a video demo of the Flight Vanguard ukulele..