Introduction
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele carries on the legacy of Fender’s acclaimed line of ukuleles. First introduced in 2009, Fender ukes brought the iconic style and craftsmanship of Fender guitars into the world of ukuleles. The Rincon series in particular combines traditional ukulele aesthetics with modern appointments, aimed at players looking for the perfect blend of vintage vibe and contemporary features.
As a tenor model, the Rincon Tenor offers the rich, resonant voice that makes tenor ukes a favorite for many players. With a 17" scale length and a body size slightly larger than a soprano or concert, tenor ukes like the Rincon provide ample volume and comfortable playability. The Rincon Tenor also comes equipped with top-notch ovangkol tonewoods and Fishman electronics, giving it a full-bodied acoustic voice and amplified versatility.
In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the Rincon Tenor’s specifications, sound quality, playability, construction, and overall value. We’ll summarize the instrument’s key strengths and weaknesses, suggest ideal players for this uke, and also recommend some comparable alternatives on the market. If you’re considering the Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele, read on for an in-depth look at everything this impressive uke has to offer.
Specs & Features
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele has a traditional tenor ukulele size and shape, with a concert-style double bout body that measures 23 inches in total length. It features an all-solid ovangkol top, back, and sides which give it a rich, warm tone.
The neck has a comfortable "C"-shaped profile that transitions smoothly along its 17" scale length into the ovangkol or walnut fingerboard. This fingerboard material provides smooth playability across the tenor scale.
Electronics are handled by the Fishman Kula preamp system, which utilizes an undersaddle piezo pickup to accurately capture the uke’s natural acoustic tone when plugged in.
Other notable appointments include open-back nickel tuners, an ovangkol bridge, bone nut and saddle, and an elegant rosette around the soundhole.
The Rincon Tenor comes in two finish options – a natural satin finish that showcases the ovangkol wood grain, and an aged cognac burst finish with a vintage-inspired sunburst pattern.
Sound & Tone
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele produces a rich, warm, and balanced tone that belies its accessible price point. The all-ovangkol construction gives it a pleasing midrange focus and strong fundamental notes. There’s enough high-end sparkle and chime to bring out melodies and riffs without sounding too bright or harsh.
The solid ovangkol top adds volume and projection, allowing the uke’s voice to cut through a mix or fill a room. There’s a pleasing sustain, with notes that seem to hang in the air just a touch longer. Strummed rhythm parts sound full and robust.
Plugging in to an amplifier or PA system reveals the Rincon’s versatility. The onboard Fishman Kula preamp and undersaddle pickup accurately convey the uke’s natural tone. The amplified sound is clear and balanced, with excellent note separation. You can easily dial in sparkling treble, a scooped midrange, or enhanced low-end thump with the Kula’s onboard EQ controls.
Overall, the Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele succeeds in capturing a warm, vintage uke tone while still offering modern amplified performance. The ovangkol woods provide a rich, resonant voice that sounds great on its own or plugged in on stage.
Playability
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele features a comfortable and playable C-shaped neck profile that provides a smooth feel during fretting and chord changes. The nut width of 1.375" gives your fingers ample room to maneuver without feeling too crowded on the fretboard.
The string action on the Rincon Tenor comes set up nicely from the factory, providing just the right amount of space between the strings and frets for easy pressing without buzzing. Intonation along the 17" scale length is precise and accurate, with the ovangkol or walnut fingerboard allowing notes to ring true up and down the neck.
The fretwork from Fender is exemplary, with smoothly finished medium-sized fretwire that does not have any sharp ends to irritate your hands during long practice or playing sessions. The frets are expertly leveled and crowned for consistent playability.
The open-gear tuners do an excellent job of holding the strings in tune, even during vigorous strumming. Tuning stability is aided by the ovangkol bridge and quality nut and saddle cut from bone.
Overall, the feel while playing the Rincon Tenor is smooth and comfortable. The neck shape and string action allow for easy fretting, while the body size and shape make it pleasing to hold against your body for long periods of time. Strumming is a joy thanks to the comfortable setup and ringing tone.
Build Quality
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele exhibits excellent build quality and attention to detail that you would expect from the Fender brand. The solid ovangkol top is beautifully bookmatched with no unsightly flaws in the wood grain. The back and sides also showcase the rich coloration and stripe pattern found in ovangkol.
The neck joint and heel are smoothly cut for seamless playability into the upper frets. The fretwork itself is very well done, with each fret cleanly seated and crowned for buzz-free playing. The bone nut and compensated saddle are precisely cut and set for proper intonation.
The open-gear tuners function smoothly and keep the ukulele in tune nicely. The electronics are tucked away discretely inside the ukulele, with easy-to-use volume and tone controls mounted in the soundhole. Overall the hardware is high-quality and built to last.
Inspecting closely, you may find some minor cosmetic imperfections in the satin finish, but nothing that affects playability or longevity. The fret ends are nicely finished with no sharp sprout. The only potential flaws to look out for are high frets, uneven frets, or electronic issues, but these are rare in properly set up models.
Value for Money
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele offers excellent value for money given its high-quality construction and appointments. The street price for the natural finish model is typically around $349, while the aged cognac burst finish version sells for approximately $399. This pricing puts it squarely in the mid-range bracket for tenor ukuleles.
Compared to other all-solid wood tenor ukes with similar electronics like the Kala KA-TG or the Cordoba 25TK, the Rincon is very competitively priced. Most ukuleles with an all-ovangkol body and Fishman pickup system sell for $400 and above. The Rincon manages to include these desirable features while keeping the cost reasonable.
In addition to the ukulele itself, the Rincon comes packaged with Fender’s deluxe padded gig bag. The gig bag has ample storage space and pockets, providing safe transport and easy carrying. Some other brands sell their ukuleles without a gig bag, charging extra for this useful accessory.
Given the quality materials, Fishman electronics, and included deluxe gig bag, the Rincon Tenor represents excellent overall value for players looking for a great sounding and stage-ready acoustic-electric tenor ukulele. The combination of features and thoughtful pricing make it a smart buy.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Warm, rich tone from the all-ovangkol wood construction
- Quality build and craftsmanship for the price
- Smooth playability right out of the box
- Clear amplified tone thanks to the Fishman Kula electronics
- Comes with a padded gig bag for protection
Cons:
- Limited color options compared to other models
- No cutaway for easy upper fret access
- Electronics may add feedback at higher volumes
Who is this Ukulele For?
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele is an excellent choice for a wide variety of players, from beginners to more advanced musicians. Its combination of playability, full tone and modern appointments make it versatile enough for many different playing styles and applications.
Beginner Players
This is a great entry-level instrument for those just learning the ukulele. The comfortable neck profile and accessible tenor scale length allow beginners to easily fret chords and start strumming songs right away. The solid ovangkol top provides warmth and projection to keep new players inspired as they practice and improve. The onboard electronics give beginners the option to plug in for amplified playing down the road.
Intermediate Players
Beyond beginners, the Rincon Tenor provides everything an intermediate player needs to take their skills to the next level. The smooth playability allows focusing on technique, while the Fishman pickup makes it easy to gig or record with amplified tone. The all-wood construction and ovangkol tonewoods give it a rich, nuanced voice to handle more complex fingerstyle arrangements.
Advanced Players
Experienced ukulele players will appreciate the Rincon’s quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. The solid ovangkol top and open gear tuners provide excellent tuning stability for advanced playing techniques. The Fishman electronics faithfully reproduce the uke’s natural tone when plugged in. While it lacks a cutaway for upper fret access, the Rincon has professional features at an accessible price point.
Playing Styles
This tenor ukulele is well suited for a variety of playing styles and genres. It has the warmth and balance for Hawaiian and island-inspired music. The punchy mids and chime work well for strumming pop, rock and folk songs. The clarity enables complex fingerstyle arrangements. The Rincon is a versatile uke ready for the stage, studio or practice room.
Alternatives to Consider
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele competes in a crowded market of tenor ukuleles in the $300-400 price range. Here are a few alternatives to consider that offer different features and appointments:
Kala KA-TG
The Kala KA-TG is one of the most popular tenor ukuleles under $300. It has an all-mahogany body and neck which gives it a slightly warmer, darker tone compared to the brighter ovangkol of the Rincon. The satin finish and binding help give it an attractive look. While it doesn’t include electronics, the KA-TG is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players.
Cordoba 25TK
Cordoba’s 25TK steps things up with an all-solid abalone rosette and ivory body binding. It has a hand-rubbed polyurethane finish over mahogany back and sides. The 25TK produces a balanced tone with good volume and sustain. The wider nut width provides a nice playing feel. It comes in around the same $350-400 price point as the Rincon.
Oscar Schmidt OU318
For those looking for an all-solid tenor uke, the Oscar Schmidt OU318 fits the bill with solid mahogany top, back and sides. It has a nice vintage vibe with aged binding and rosette. The tone is focused in the mids and treble. While it doesn’t include electronics, the OU318 provides great value for players wanting an all-solid tenor uke under $400.
Final Verdict
The Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele punches above its weight class, offering rich ovangkol tonewoods, quality Fishman electronics, and excellent playability at an affordable price point. This ukulele excels at providing a warm, full-bodied sound with great projection and clarity. The build quality and attention to detail are impressive for the price, with smooth fretwork, precision intonation, and rock-solid tuning stability.
Overall, the Rincon Tenor gets a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. It’s an extremely well-rounded instrument that will satisfy the needs of everyone from students to gigging musicians. The blend of traditional looks and modern appointments make it a great choice for players who want a professional-grade ukulele without breaking the bank.
The Rincon Tenor is highly recommended for beginner and intermediate players looking to upgrade from a cheap starter uke. The comfortable neck profile and accessible tenor scale length allow for easy fretting and transitioning from guitar. The onboard Fishman electronics provide stage-ready amplified tones at the flip of a switch. This ukulele can capably handle any genre from pop and rock to blues and jazz.
More advanced players may want to consider a solid wood option with an all ovangkol or mahogany build. The lack of a cutaway also limits access to the upper frets. However, the Rincon Tenor punches far above its price point, offering build quality and features typically found on models costing much more. For most players, this uke will provide everything needed in an exceptional tenor ukulele.