Introduction
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele is a signature model created in collaboration with singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal. This ukulele stands out with its unique navy blue finish and boho-inspired aesthetics, perfect for aspiring musicians looking to add some artistic flair.
As a young teen who rose to fame on America’s Got Talent, Grace VanderWaal quickly became known for her ukulele skills and indie folk sound. Her first full-length album Just the Beginning featured the ukulele prominently. Fender joined forces with VanderWaal to create a ukulele that reflects her creative spirit.
The Moonlight Soprano Ukulele has several beginner-friendly features, including its comfortable size and short scale length. The setup right out of the box has low, playable action, making it easy for new players to press down the strings. This uke provides a quality instrument for those just starting their musical journey. Between its distinctive look, smooth playability, and association with Grace VanderWaal, this soprano uke stands out as a unique option for ukulele enthusiasts.
Build Quality
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele features high-quality craftsmanship and materials. The ukulele is constructed from sapele wood, which provides a balanced tone with clear, bright highs and warm lows. Sapele is a popular wood choice for ukuleles thanks to its acoustic properties and attractive grain patterns.
The hardware on the Moonlight Ukulele is also very solid. It comes equipped with gold open-gear tuners, which not only complement the uke’s navy blue finish beautifully, but also hold the strings in tune reliably. The nut and saddle are crafted from NuBone, which simulates natural bone for smooth playability.
Overall, the attention to detail in the Moonlight Ukulele’s construction is evident. The fretwork is immaculate, with leveled frets and smooth fret ends. The binding along the top and back provides an elegant finish. It’s clear that skilled luthiers crafted this instrument with care. From its unique soundhole rosette to its comfortable neck profile, the Moonlight Ukulele demonstrates quality workmanship that belies its accessible price point.
Playability and Comfort
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele features the standard soprano size and scale length, making it a comfortable fit for players with smaller hands or those just starting out on the ukulele. The soprano size measures 21 inches in total length with a 13.5 inch scale length. This allows even young beginner players to easily fret chords and notes up and down the neck.
The C-shaped neck profile provides a smooth feel that contours nicely to the hand. The rosewood fretboard is nicely finished, allowing fingers to glide easily as you play. The action on this ukulele is set low and optimized right out of the box, so very little pressure is needed to fret notes. Intonation is accurate across the fretboard too, ensuring chords ring out true up and down the neck.
The beginner-friendly setup provides a very playable experience right away. The low string action allows new players to press strings down without excessive finger effort. Fretwork is nicely done as well, with smooth and rounded fret ends that won’t irritate fingers. Overall, the Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele offers stellar playability in a small, comfortable package perfect for new ukulele players.
Sound and Tone
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele produces a surprisingly full and rich sound for its small size. The solid sapele wood construction gives it a warm, mellow tone with pleasing overtones in the mids and highs.
When strummed acoustically, the ukulele projects well with decent volume that can fill a room. It’s impressive how loud this little uke can get thanks to its expert craftsmanship and design. The custom floral soundhole rosette appears to enhance resonance for added acoustic power.
The overall tonal profile has a smooth, balanced character perfect for playing pop, folk, and fingerstyle. It has enough brightness to bring out melodies but retains a sweet, Hawaiian-esque warmth. The tone is well-suited for chordal rhythms as well as single-note passages and soloing.
To get a sense of the Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Ukulele’s sound, have a listen to this brief demo:
The chiming soprano voice shines through with clarity and character. From delicate, muted strums to more aggressive flatpicking, this uke handles it all with ease. The tone remains balanced across the fretboard with no dead spots or muddiness.
Overall, the Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele punches above its weight with impressive volume and a signature tone perfect for aspiring players. Its acoustic voice provides versatility for various styles while retaining the ukulele’s quintessential charm and spirit.
Value for Money
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele provides excellent value for money given its quality construction and signature artist design. At around $200, it sits in the mid-range for soprano ukuleles, making it very accessible for beginners and intermediate players.
The ukulele comes with a padded gig bag, allowing you to safely transport it. The included clip-on tuner is also handy for keeping the ukulele in tune. These accessories add further value given that similar models may require you to purchase them separately.
When comparing to other soprano ukuleles in this price range, the Grace VanderWaal signature model stands out. It has a unique and stylish look that you won’t find with most beginner ukuleles. The solid sapele build gives it a rich, warm sound that belies its affordable price point. Overall, this ukulele punches above its weight, giving you professional sound and quality that rivals more expensive options.
For new players or parents looking for a good beginner ukulele, the Grace VanderWaal Moonlight model is easy to recommend. The value is outstanding, giving any aspiring ukulelist a stylish, great-sounding ukulele to learn and grow with. More advanced players will also appreciate the quality and unique flair of this signature uke.
Alternatives and Comparisons
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele has some strong competitors from other brands as well as within Fender’s own California Coast series. Here’s how it stacks up against other models:
Other Fender California Coast Ukuleles
Fender’s California Coast series contains several soprano ukulele models that could be considered alternatives to the Moonlight edition.
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The Fender Zuma Soprano Ukulele has a traditional all-mahogany body that produces slightly warmer tones compared to the Moonlight’s sapele top. The Zuma lacks the custom aesthetics but costs less.
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The Fender Redondo Soprano Ukulele has a similar price point but opts for a concert-shaped body and all-laminate construction. The Redondo offers great value but may lack some resonance.
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The Fender Malibu Soprano Ukulele provides an electro-acoustic option with a built-in preamp and tuner. It’s great for amplified play but is more expensive.
Ukuleles from Other Brands
Here are some other soprano ukuleles that could be comparable alternatives:
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Kala’s KA-S soprano ukulele has a classic design with mahogany construction. It provides great quality for the price but lacks premium appointments.
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Luna’s Tattoo soprano ukulele has a bold tattoo graphic finish. It’s very eye-catching but may not appeal to some more traditional players.
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The Epiphone Les Paul Electric Ukulele offers an iconic rock look in a compact soprano size. It excels when plugged in but is less ideal for acoustic playing.
Pros and Cons Compared to Alternatives
The Grace VanderWaal signature model provides beautiful, boho-inspired aesthetics that many alternatives can’t match. It also produces full, nuanced tone thanks to its solid sapele top. The price is very competitive for a signature model carrying the Fender name. However, those seeking maximum acoustic volume may prefer an all-wood ukulele. The Moonlight is also quite distinctive visually, which may not appeal universally.
Who is the Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele Ideal For?
The Fender Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele is well-suited for both beginner and intermediate ukulele players looking for a quality instrument to learn and progress on.
For beginners, the soprano size and comfortable neck profile create an accessible playing experience. The low action and beginner-friendly setup facilitate easy chord formation and strumming. This makes the VanderWaal Moonlight an ideal first ukulele for aspiring players.
More advanced players will appreciate the solid sapele build and impressive tonal characteristics. The acoustic projection provides enough volume for jam sessions, while the warmth and articulation allow for nuanced fingerpicking. The intonation stays true across the fretboard too.
Those interested in pop, indie folk, singer-songwriter styles will enjoy the Grace VanderWaal ukulele. The bright, focused soprano voice pairs nicely with vocal melodies in these genres. It also works well for Hawaiian music or ukulele covers of popular songs.
Considering the solid woods and handcrafted construction, the Grace VanderWaal signature model provides good value. The price tag makes it accessible for beginners, while still offering the tone and playability features intermediate players need. For ukulele enthusiasts on a budget, it’s a stylish option with professional quality.
Overall, the unique design, rich sound, and playability of the Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele make it a versatile choice. It caters well to developing players looking to upgrade from an entry-level instrument, while still being suitable for those just starting their musical journey.
Accessories
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele has a lot of great accessories available to help you get the most out of this fun little instrument. Here are some of the top recommended accessories to consider:
Gig Bag
A ukulele gig bag is essential for protecting your uke and keeping it safe during transport and storage. The Fender Ukulele/Guitar Gig Bag is an excellent choice, featuring 10mm padding, interior storage for small items, and a comfortable carrying strap. It’s available in a range of stylish colors and patterns that complement the Moonlight ukulele’s design.
Tuner
A tuner is a must-have for any ukulele player. The Fender FT-004 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner conveniently attaches to your ukulele’s headstock and uses advanced technology to accurately tune all four strings. It’s small, lightweight, and turns on automatically when you clip it on.
Strings
While the Moonlight ukulele comes strung with quality Fender strings, you may eventually need replacements. Fender Concert Ukulele Strings provide a bright, lively tone perfect for this soprano uke. They come in multiple material options like nylon, fluorocarbon, and wound metal.
Instructional Materials
Supplement your learning with instructional books, DVDs, or online lessons. The Hal Leonard Ukulele Method book is a great starter option covering basics like tuning, chords, strumming, and reading notation. Andy Eastwood’s Beginner Ukulele Lessons DVD provides clear video lessons for rank beginners.
Other Accessories
Some other handy accessories include a ukulele stand for safe display, a capo for changing pitch, string winder for easier restringing, humidifier for maintaining the uke, and fun decorative items like straps and stickers to customize the look. Building up your accessories toolkit helps maximize enjoyment of this signature ukulele.
Pros
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele has several notable pros that make it an enticing option for ukulele players.
Visual Aesthetics and Design
The ukulele’s navy blue finish and floral soundhole rosette give it a unique boho-chic look that stands out from other ukuleles. The gold hardware and tuning machines add a touch of elegance, while the overall craftsmanship and attention to detail make this a visually stunning instrument. Fans of Grace VanderWaal will appreciate the signature touches incorporated into the design.
Playability and Comfort
The soprano size and scale length make this ukulele very comfortable and easy to play, even for those with smaller hands or less experience. The smooth neck profile and slim fretboard allow for fast, fluid playing across the strings. The string action and intonation facilitate accurate tuning and a buzz-free experience. Beginners will find this ukulele easy to learn on.
Sound Quality and Tone
The solid sapele wood construction gives this soprano ukulele a full, rich tone with great projection and volume – especially impressive for its smaller body size. It has a pleasing warmth and resonance well-suited to a variety of musical genres. The ukulele sounds fantastic both strummed and picked.
Value for Money
Given the high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and signature artist design, the Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele offers excellent value. The pricing is quite reasonable for a solid wood ukulele of this caliber from an iconic brand like Fender. It’s a great option for new players and a worthwhile investment for more experienced musicians.
Cons
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Moonlight Soprano Ukulele does have some potential drawbacks to consider before purchasing. As with any musical instrument, there are always tradeoffs to be aware of.
One limitation of the soprano size is its reduced tonal range compared to larger ukuleles like the concert or tenor. The smaller body produces a brighter, more delicate sound that may not suit all playing styles or genres. For those seeking a fuller, richer tone, the lack of low end and projection could be an issue.
Additionally, while great for beginners, the Moonlight Ukulele may not satisfy more advanced players looking for premium features and appointments. The hardware, electronics, and overall specifications are designed with the casual hobbyist in mind rather than the professional musician.
There is also the matter of signature model availability. As a unique collaboration with Grace VanderWaal, the supply of these ukuleles could be limited or sporadic depending on demand. Once sold out, the Moonlight Ukulele may be hard to find from resellers or require being placed on a waiting list. This makes the uke harder to purchase compared to mass-produced models.
While none of these cons are necessarily dealbreakers, they are important factors for buyers to weigh when considering the Grace VanderWaal signature model. Understanding both the pros and cons will lead to making an informed purchasing decision. For the right player, the charm and quality of this soprano ukulele outweighs any minor shortcomings.