Introduction
Billie Eilish has quickly risen to fame over the past few years with her unique dark pop sound and ethereal vocals. Though known primarily as a singer, Eilish also plays several instruments, including the ukulele. The uke has become one of her signature instruments and is often featured on social media and during live performances.
Eilish first started gaining attention in 2015 when she uploaded the song "Ocean Eyes" to SoundCloud at just 13 years old. The track went viral and has now amassed over 200 million streams. Her debut EP Don’t Smile at Me soon followed in 2017 along with her first national tour. However, it was the release of her smash hit album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? in 2019 that truly catapulted Eilish into global stardom. At just 17, she became the youngest artist ever to win all four major Grammy categories in the same year.
Throughout her rapid rise to fame, the ukulele has remained one of Eilish’s go-to instruments. She often posts candid videos of herself singing and playing uke on Instagram and TikTok. During live shows, Eilish performs stripped-down ukulele versions of songs, showing her versatility as a musician. She even played uke during her emotional performance at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Her signature tiny four-string instrument perfectly complements Eilish’s hushed vocals and minimalist dark pop sound. Given her close creative relationship with the uke, it’s no surprise that Eilish eventually collaborated with Fender to create her own signature ukulele model.
Billie Eilish Ukulele Specs & Features
The Billie Eilish signature ukulele from Fender features a compact concert body shape that measures 23 inches in length, with a nut width of 1.375 inches and a total depth of 3.875 inches. This gives it a balanced and comfortable feel.
The ukulele is constructed from solid sapele which provides a rich, warm tone. Sapele is an attractive tropical hardwood that shares many similarities with mahogany. The wood has a satin finish that enhances resonance.
The fingerboard and bridge are made from beautiful dark walnut, which pairs nicely with the sapele body. The 16-fret fingerboard has a 12 inch radius and pearloid dot inlays.
It comes equipped with the Fishman Kula preamp system, giving you the ability to plug in for amplification. The Kula system uses an undersaddle piezo pickup to accurately capture the ukulele’s natural acoustic tone.
The headstock design is based on Fender’s iconic 4-in-line Telecaster shape. It has sealed, nickel Fender-branded tuning machines designed for smooth and reliable tuning stability.
Signature Design Elements
The Billie Eilish signature ukulele stands out with its unique matte black finish and custom design details. The top of the uke features Billie’s signature "blohsh" symbol, her take on the bloody handprint logo she uses in her branding. It provides a cool personal touch.
The hardware on the uke also gets the blacked-out treatment. The tuners, bridge pins, strap buttons and other appointments all come in a matching black nickel color that complements the dark finish nicely. Even the usually silver Fishman Kula preamp system that powers the acoustic-electric capabilities has been customized with an all-black label around the soundhole.
Adding to the signature vibe is a special neck plate engraved with the Fender and Billie Eilish logos, commemorating the collaboration between the artist and instrument brand. It’s a subtle but meaningful detail for fans and collectors.
Overall the aesthetic design choices make this signature ukulele instantly recognizable as a Billie Eilish model. The satin black finish and custom appointments will appeal to her fans and anyone looking for a sleek, stylish concert ukulele.
Playability & Sound
The Billie Eilish signature ukulele features a compact concert body size that is comfortable to hold and easy to play. The sapele wood construction provides a balanced, full-bodied acoustic tone with good projection that fills a room when unplugged.
When amplified via the Fishman Kula preamp system, the ukulele produces a natural acoustic sound without excessive electronic effects coloring the tone. The onboard EQ and volume controls allow you to shape the plugged-in sound to your liking with bass, mid, and treble adjustments. Dialing in just the right amount of reverb or chorus effects is also possible with the Kula preamp.
Overall, the playability is fantastic on this signature model uke. The slim neck and smooth satin finish make it a joy to play for extended periods. And being able to easily amplify the acoustic tone via the Fishman pickup is a huge plus for live performances or recording scenarios. The Billie Eilish ukulele sounds great both unplugged and plugged in.
Who Is the Billie Eilish Signature Uke Right For?
The Billie Eilish signature ukulele from Fender is ideal for several types of players:
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Billie Eilish fans – This uke is a must-have for diehard Billie fans who want to own an official signature model bearing her unique "blohsh" symbol. It’s a meaningful collectible for Eilish devotees.
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Beginners – With its quality construction and comfortable concert body size, this uke makes for a great starter instrument. The cool signature aesthetics give new players an extra-fun ukulele to learn on.
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Players wanting an acoustic-electric – The built-in Fishman Kula preamp system makes this uke easy to plug in and amplify. The EQ controls allow shaping your ideal amplified tone. It’s ideal for gigging musicians.
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Fans of the blacked-out aesthetic – Between the matte black finish, matching black hardware, and sleek overall look, this uke will appeal to anyone drawn to its stylish blacked-out design. It’s just a very cool-looking ukulele.
The signature model’s broad appeal makes it a versatile ukulele suitable for Eilish fans, beginners, amplifying players, and those wanting a fashionable black uke. It checks a lot of boxes for a variety of players.
Billie Eilish Ukulele Review & Demo Video
Check out this excellent video review and demo of the Fender Billie Eilish signature ukulele from Ukulele Underground:
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The reviewer provides a hands-on look at the build quality, playability, and sound of the uke. Key pros highlighted include the sleek matte black finish, smooth and comfortable neck profile, and balanced acoustic tone. The Fishman Kula preamp is shown to accurately capture the uke’s natural sound when plugged in.
Minor downsides mentioned are the relatively high cost and niche appeal compared to other entry-level concert ukes. However, it’s noted that the signature model is targeted more for die-hard Billie fans and players who love the stylish blacked-out aesthetic.
Overall, the reviewer came away very impressed after extensive playing time, noting that the Billie Eilish ukulele is a quality instrument that looks, sounds, and feels fantastic. It’s given a strong recommendation, especially for those seeking a concert-sized electro-acoustic uke with unique signature touches.
Comparable Ukulele Models
The Fender Billie Eilish signature ukulele has a few comparable models worth considering from other brands:
Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele
- Also a concert-size uke with all-mahogany construction
- Similar price range around $200
- Produces warm, balanced tone with good projection
- Doesn’t have electronics for plugging in
Kala KA-CET-E Concert Acoustic-Electric
- All-mahogany concert uke with cutaway for upper fret access
- Slightly more affordable around $180
- Comes equipped with Shadow NanoFlex pickup system
- Not a signature model but quality build and sound
Luna Guitars Vintage Mahogany Concert
- Vintage-inspired design with mahogany body
- Fishman Presys preamp system like the Billie uke
- Lower price point around $150
- Not a true acoustic-electric but can be plugged in
Lanikai ACST-B Acacia Concert Ukulele
- Concert uke made of acacia wood with nice mid-range tone
- Also comes with Fishman Kula preamp system
- Slightly higher price around $220
- Doesn’t have the signature model appeal
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Billie Eilish ukulele come with a case?
The Billie Eilish signature ukulele comes with a custom padded gig bag, not a hard case. The included black nylon gig bag provides basic protection for storage and transportation. For more heavy-duty protection, you may want to purchase a hardshell case separately.
Is this ukulele good for beginners?
Yes, the Billie Eilish signature model is a great beginner ukulele option. The concert body size is comfortable and easy to hold, with a shorter scale length that makes chord shapes very playable. The satin finish helps avoid finger squeaks, and the Fishman preamp gives you the option to plug in without getting an amp. Overall, it’s a high quality starter uke with some nice upgrades over basic models.
What type of strings come installed on the Billie Eilish uke?
The Billie Eilish signature ukulele comes strung with Fender Sonoran fluorocarbon strings. These strings have a smooth feel and balanced tone, with good intonation up the fretboard. They are comparable to other major ukulele string brands like Aquila and Worth.
Can you plug this ukulele into an amp?
Yes, the Fishman Kula preamp system allows you to plug the Billie Eilish uke directly into an amplifier, PA system, or audio interface. It comes equipped with a 1/4" output jack for this purpose. The preamp lets you shape your tone and amplify the ukulele without the need for external pickups or microphones.
How much does the Billie Eilish signature ukulele cost?
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Billie Eilish signature concert ukulele is $329.99 USD. However, actual prices may vary depending on the retailer. Some stores may offer sales or discounts below the MSRP. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of $300-350 for this ukulele model.
Final Verdict
The Fender Billie Eilish Signature Ukulele offers a really unique take on the classic concert ukulele. Its signature matte black finish and Blohsh logo make it immediately recognizable as Billie’s own model. The sapele build and walnut fingerboard deliver balanced, warm acoustic tones that both new players and experienced musicians will appreciate. Plugging in via the Fishman Kula system provides quality amplified sounds for live performances or recording.
While the niche design and relatively high price point may limit the appeal for some, this is a high-quality ukulele that will satisfy Billie Eilish fans seeking an authentic signature model. It’s also a good option for beginners who want something stylish and cool looking to learn on. The acoustic-electric capability also makes it versatile for a variety of playing scenarios.
Overall, I’d rate the Billie Eilish Signature Uke a solid 8/10. It likely won’t replace a traditional mahogany or koa concert ukulele as a go-to instrument for most players. But it fills its role nicely as a unique collectible for Billie fans and a functional tool for amplifying the bright ukulele sound. This signature uke is best suited for devoted Eilish followers who will treasure the custom touches. It can also serve as a quality starter instrument for new players drawn in by the distinctive aesthetic.
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