Maestro UTKOCSBC Solid Western Red Cedar and Acacia Tenor Ukulele Cutaway w/Hard case

Maestro are a Ukulele brand that we have heard much about over the past 5 years. The reviews from friends of the shop and other music store colleagues were all the same; Unique, Contemporary looking instruments designed to sound good, feel good and with a nice smattering of bling throughout.
The bling might not be for everybody but the practical appointments like an offset side-port sound hole, Bevelled arm rest and a satin finished neck with high gloss bodies make this a worthy contender to join anyones prized Ukulele collection.

The UTKOCSBS name is a bit of a tongue twister but to summarise its meaning; this Ukulele is a Solid Western Red Cedar top, Solid Pacific Koa (Acacia) back and sides Tenor Ukulele with a Florentine Cutaway.

We can all agree the name needs some work but oh boy do these Ukes sound lovely and in my opinion, this may just be the pick of the bunch. If you want volume take a look at the sister UTIRSBC model but, If you play Tenor Ukuleles like a Classical guitar and you want something that can handle single note fingerpicking or you strum but with plenty of dynamics and like a slightly sweeter sustain on the more shrill sounding notes then look no further.

As every music shop since the dawn of time has probably explained to you - Cedar is a very transparent wood that picks up particularly bright notes very well and is the preffered choice of Classical Guitarists as it offers a huge dynamic range. Cedar is loud, Red Cedar is gorgeous too!

The Acacia back and sides take some of the boisterousness of the Western Red Cedar and reign it in slightly to give you a Ukulele that sings without needing to be the centre of attention if you don't want to be. This Ukulele could only be improved further by changing the Aquila strings for some Fluorocarbon but experimenting with the sound as you get to know your instrument is part of the fun.

I also want to mention the excellent choice of Maple on the bevelled armrest - it is the perfect colour of wood to blend between the orange of the Cedar and brown of the Acacia.. Great job Maestro!

SHAPE | Tenor
SOUNDBOARD | Western Red Cedar
BACK & SIDES | Solid Pacific Koa
FEATURES | Florentine Cutaway, Soundport, and Beveled Armrest
BRACING | Quarter Sawn Sitka Spruce
LINING | Solid Lining
BINDING | Mahogany with Abalone Purflings
NECK | Khaya Mahogany with Carbon Fiber Rods
FINGERBOARD | Ebony
BRIDGE | Ebony
MACHINE HEADS | Grover