Introduction
Grace VanderWaal is a young singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 2016 at just 12 years old after winning the 11th season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Her audition, where she performed an original song on the ukulele, instantly went viral and showcased her unique indie-folk style.
After winning AGT, VanderWaal released her first EP Perfectly Imperfect, which included her hit single "I Don’t Know My Name." She then went on to release her debut album Just the Beginning later that year, which debuted at #9 on the Billboard 200.
In the following years, VanderWaal continued to grow her music career, releasing additional EPs and singles while also embarking on sold-out headlining tours. She also began acting, starring in the Disney+ film Stargirl in 2020.
VanderWaal’s musical influences include Twenty One Pilots, The Lumineers and Bob Dylan. In late 2021, she partnered with Fender to create her own signature ukulele line, wanting to capture her distinctive "boho chic" sense of style.
Fender Grace VanderWaal Signature Ukulele Overview
The Fender Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele is a concert-sized model featuring a sapele top, back, and sides. It has a classic 4-in-line Tele headstock design inspired by Fender’s iconic electric guitars.
Some key features and specifications include:
- Concert body size
- Sapele laminate top, back, and sides
- Walnut fingerboard and bridge
- 15" scale length
- C-shaped neck profile
- 4-in-line Tele headstock
- Chrome hardware
- Built-in Fishman Kula preamp system
- Volume, tone, and phase controls
- Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
- Nubone nut and saddle
- Includes padded gig bag
The sapele laminate wood construction gives the ukulele a balanced and articulate tone, with plenty of warmth and resonance. The concert body size provides a comfortable playing experience. And the built-in Fishman preamp allows you to plug into an amplifier or PA system while retaining the uke’s natural acoustic sound.
Overall, the spec list reads like a high-quality instrument despite its very reasonable price tag. Fender did not cut corners when collaborating with Grace on this signature model.
Sound and Tone
The Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele produces a beautifully warm, balanced tone that enhances the richness of Grace’s vocals and songwriting. When strummed acoustically, the all-sapele wood construction provides a full and resonant sound. There is a pleasing brightness to the tone that cuts through without being overly sharp or harsh. The notes ring out with clarity and definition.
When plugged into an amplifier or PA system via the built-in Fishman Kula preamp, the ukulele retains its natural acoustic character. The amplified tone remains organic and does not sound artificially processed or colored. The preamp reproduces the nuances of the acoustic sound faithfully. The tone controls on the preamp allow easy shaping of the EQ and volume without degrading the core ukulele tone. There is enough range on the controls to dial in anything from a bright, shimmery sound for solos to a smoother, rounded tone for chordal playing. Overall, the impressive acoustic resonance combined with the flexible amplified tones make this a very versatile ukulele for gigs, practice and recording.
Playability
The Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele is designed with playability in mind, making it easy and comfortable to play for extended periods. It has a concert body size, which is not too big or too small at 15 inches scale length. The slim C-shaped neck profile allows smooth transitions up and down the fingerboard. Combined with the smooth finish on the walnut fingerboard, it feels very fast and comfortable to fret notes and chords.
The light gauge strings that come installed from the factory are gentle on fingers, especially for younger players and beginners. The strings have a nice tension that enhances playability further without feeling too slinky. The lightweight construction and compact concert body is easy to hold in playing position without fatigue. Overall, the playability and ergonomic design allows you to play the Grace VanderWaal ukulele for hours effortlessly.
Build Quality and Materials
Fender is known for its excellent build quality and craftsmanship, and the Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele is no exception. It features a solid sapele wood top, back, and sides. Sapele is a tonewood that provides a balanced and well-rounded sound.
The ukulele has a beautiful dark walnut stain finish. The walnut not only looks great, but also contributes to the instrument’s warm, resonant tone. It is smoothly finished with no rough spots.
Hardware wise, the tuners, bridge, and other appointments are gold, which matches Grace’s style perfectly. The gold hardware is durable and rust-resistant.
Overall the ukulele exhibits outstanding fit and finish. All joints are tight with no gaps, and the fretwork is immaculate with smoothly finished frets.
From the premium tonewoods to the flawless finish, this uke is built to the same excellent standards that Fender is renowned for. It’s clear that no shortcuts were taken – this is a professional grade instrument constructed from quality materials.
Style and Looks
The Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele oozes boho chic style that beautifully captures her artistic vibe. The dark walnut stain finish has an earthy, vintage look while the gold hardware adds some brightness and flair. It’s an eye-catching instrument that looks just as good on stage as it does hanging on your wall.
The sapele wood construction and 4-in-line headstock tele shape give a nod to classic Fender guitar designs. But the graceful, curvy body shape and decorative soundhole rosette have their own unique aesthetic. Small details like the laser-engraved signature on the back elevate the premium fit and finish.
Overall, the ukulele has a very boutique, custom look and feel despite its reasonable price point. Fans of Grace’s music will instantly recognize her creative spirit in the instrument’s design. It’s the perfect ukulele for someone who wants great sound and playability wrapped up in a stylish bohemian-inspired package.
Pros and Cons
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Signature Ukulele has many strengths that make it an excellent option to consider. Here are some of the main pros:
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Beautiful, premium aesthetics – The dark walnut finish and vintage-inspired design give it a very attractive look and feel. The gold hardware adds nice visual flair as well.
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Rich, balanced tone – The all-sapele wood construction produces a warm, full-bodied tone. It sounds great both unplugged and when using the built-in preamp.
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Smooth playability – The concert body size, slim neck profile, and light strings make this uke very comfortable and easy to play.
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Quality materials and construction – Being made by Fender, you can expect superb attention to detail. It’s very sturdily built.
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Versatile for many styles – The uke’s warm tone works nicely for pop, indie, folk, singer-songwriter genres that Grace plays.
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Reasonable price – Considering the signature model status, build quality, and included gig bag, it’s competitively priced.
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Inspiring for fans – An official Grace VanderWaal uke is perfect for aspiring musicians inspired by her.
In terms of potential limitations, here are a couple to note:
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Only available in one color – Some players may want alternate finish options besides the dark walnut stain.
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Concert size may be too large for younger kids – The smaller soprano size could be easier for some younger beginners.
Overall though, the pros far outweigh any minor drawbacks. The Grace VanderWaal signature model is an excellent ukulele that successfully captures her unique musical spirit and style.
Who Is the Grace VanderWaal Uke Right For?
The Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele is perfect for fans of Grace’s music who want to learn to play her songs on the uke. Her unique indie pop style translates beautifully on the concert-sized uke. Fans will appreciate the details inspired by Grace’s own "boho chic" style.
It’s also a great option for beginner and intermediate ukulele players looking to upgrade from a budget starter instrument. The smooth playability from the slim neck, light strings and compact concert body size make it very accessible even for younger players first learning the uke.
Despite being designed with Grace VanderWaal’s style in mind, the uke is versatile enough for a wide range of musical genres. It works well for pop, rock, folk, singer-songwriter styles and more. The balanced tone production allows you to strum chords or pick melodies with equal ease.
The Fender name also brings a level of quality and reliability that’s ideal for someone looking to really develop their skills on the ukulele. It will keep up with you as progress beyond the beginner level.
Overall, it hits a sweet spot between affordability and premium quality that makes it appealing for everyone from devoted Grace fans to casual players looking for a well-made concert uke.
Pricing
The Fender Grace VanderWaal signature ukulele has a typical retail price of $199 USD. This positions it as an upper entry-level/lower mid-range instrument, making it accessible for beginner and intermediate players.
The uke can be purchased from most major music equipment retailers that carry Fender products, both online and in physical stores. Some of the best places to buy include:
- Musician’s Friend
- Guitar Center
- Sam Ash
- Sweetwater
- Amazon
Though the list price is already quite reasonable, it’s worth keeping an eye out for sales or limited-time discounts from retailers. Fender often runs promotions that may drop the price $20-30 lower at certain times of the year.
Bundles that include useful extras like a tuner, gig bag, strings, picks, etc. are a great way to get more value. Amazon frequently offers bundles that add a tuner, bag, and other accessories for just $20-30 more than the standalone ukulele price. This can be a big savings compared to buying those items separately.
The bottom line is that the Grace VanderWaal signature model provides an impressive blend of quality and affordability. Between the typical $199 MSRP and periodic sales, most interested players should find the pricing very fair and competitive.
Conclusion
The Fender Grace VanderWaal Signature Ukulele is highly recommended for players of all levels looking for a high-quality instrument. Grace’s signature model perfectly captures her unique musical spirit and bohemian style.
From its premium sapele wood construction to the custom "boho chic" aesthetics, this concert ukulele was designed with Grace’s artistic vision in mind. The warm, balanced tone allows players to recreate her songs with the same lush acoustic sound.
While ideal for Grace’s fans, this uke is also versatile enough for a wide range of musical genres. The smooth playability makes it great for beginners, while more advanced players will appreciate the clear articulation and Fishman preamp.
For those seeking more than just a beginner instrument, the Grace VanderWaal ukulele represents an inspiring step up. It’s an accessible way to own a thoughtfully crafted, professional-grade uke backed by Fender’s trusted reputation.
At its core, this signature ukulele embodies the creativity and individuality of Grace VanderWaal. It’s a testament to her meteoric rise at such a young age. For any aspiring musician, this uke can be the perfect tool to explore their own musical identity.