
Oscar Schmidt makes ukuleles in all sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Rosewood back and sides and abalone rosette with gloss finishĪbalone binding and rosette with a gloss finish Laminated mahogany pineapple shaped concert If you want the best Oscar Schmidt ukulele out there, then save up more for a better budget. As usual if you want better quality it will cost more. Washburn is the same as every single other ukulele company in that they produce low end laminate models and higher end solid wood ukes. They use spruce a lot in their soundboard, especially on the deeper sounding models like the baritone. If you are a new customer, why not buy from an established company? The woods used in their ukes are basswood, spruce, mahogany, koa, spalted mango, spalted maple, and of course composite materials when necessary (remember composites are materials made of multiple items like carbon fibers or space age plastics). Which you see on the headstocks these days and is kind of clunky.ĭespite the large name on the ukulele they still have a large customer base due to brand recognition and making a great product. If you do buy from this company, it will be an Oscar Schmidt by Washburn ukulele.

It is another easy to play and bright sounding instrument, and while that may seem like odd advice out of nowhere, we promise you will like it as much as the uke! Over the years Oscar Schmidt has changed hands a few times and they technically are now known as Washburn International. In fact, if you already own and enjoy the ukulele, give the autoharp a try. Besides ukuleles they make banjos, mandolins, acoustic and electric guitars, and of course they are well known for their zithers and autoharps. Oscar Schmidt is by far the oldest instrument manufacturer we have discussed so far, starting way back in 1871.
