Introduction
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele is one of Fender’s newest additions to their lineup of high-quality ukuleles. As a respected brand known for their iconic electric guitars and basses, Fender entered the ukulele market in 2011 and has been producing beautiful instruments ever since. In this in-depth review, we’ll be taking a close look at the specs, sound quality, playability, and overall value of the Fender Zuma Concert uke.
The goal is to provide detailed insights to help you determine if this stylish, great-sounding uke is the right fit for your musical needs and budget. We’ll examine everything from the tonewoods used, to the onboard preamp system, to how it feels in your hands. By the end, you’ll have all the details needed to decide if the Zuma Concert will be your next ukulele upgrade.
Body Shape and Size
The Fender Zuma Concert ukulele features the standard concert body size. At 23 inches in length, it’s a bit smaller than a soprano ukulele, but larger than a tenor. The concert body produces a balanced tone that works well for both strumming chords and fingerpicking melodies.
The compact concert size makes the Zuma comfortable to hold and easy to play. Its dimensions are ideal for younger players or those with smaller hands. The smaller concert body also makes the uke very portable – easy to transport and handle on the go.
Compared to larger ukuleles like tenors and baritones, the concert size has a brighter, punchier tone. The smaller body accentuates the midrange frequencies, cutting through a mix well. The concert’s smaller scale length also means slightly reduced string tension, which can make intricate fingerpicking patterns a bit easier to play.
However, the concert uke’s smaller size does mean it projects less volume acoustically than larger ukuleles. The Zuma Concert is best suited for more intimate performances rather than loud jam sessions. The tradeoff for portability and playability is some limitations on acoustic output.
Overall, the Fender Zuma’s concert body strikes a great balance for many players. It’s easy to handle and transport, while still capable of rich, complex tones. The compact concert size makes the Zuma a versatile ukulele for various playing scenarios.
Tonewoods Used
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele utilizes premium tonewoods to shape its acoustic voice and character. The top, back, and sides are made from sapele, which imparts a balanced and well-rounded tonality. Sapele is known for having great clarity across the tonal spectrum, with articulate and focused bass, nicely scooped midrange, and crisp treble notes. This allows the Zuma to produce rich low-end, clear mids, and bright, ringing highs when strummed or picked.
The fretboard is constructed from walnut, which complements the sapele body by adding definition and note separation. Walnut has a tight, focused grain structure which produces a very bright, articulate tone. This allows the notes to ring out clearly during chord changes and leads. Walnut is also a durable and stable fretboard wood that can withstand the rigors of regular playing. It has a smooth feel, providing comfort during long practice or jam sessions. The combination of sapele and walnut gives the Zuma Concert Ukulele a balanced, responsive voice.
Fender-Designed Preamp System
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele comes equipped with Fender’s own preamp system, giving you enhanced plugged-in performance capabilities. The preamp allows you to shape your tone with simple EQ controls for bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. This lets you dial in just the right amplified sound, whether you want a bright and crisp tone or something deeper and warmer.
There’s also an onboard tuner, so you can easily tune up on the fly before plugging into an amp or PA system. The tuner conveniently mutes the output when engaged, preventing unwanted noise through the system. Fender’s preamp design also incorporates anti-feedback controls, reducing unwanted feedback issues that can occur when playing amplified. This results in a smooth, balanced tone even at higher volumes.
Overall, the Fender preamp gives the Zuma Concert Ukulele a very natural amplified tone that accurately captures the uke’s acoustic voice. The tonal shaping and anti-feedback controls take the guesswork out of plugging in, making it stage- and studio-ready right out of the box. It’s a great feature for players who want to amplify their sound with consistent results.
Finish Options
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele comes in several beautiful finish options that showcase the premium look and feel of this instrument.
One standout is the Lake Placid Blue finish, with its deep blue hue reminiscent of Fender’s famous electric guitars. There’s also an eye-catching Aztec Gold option, featuring a vibrant metallic gold color.
For a more muted look, the Fender Zuma comes in a Natural satin finish that highlights the wood grain. The Surf Green finish offers a cool, almost seafoam green color.
In terms of the actual finish, customers can choose between a smooth, high-gloss finish or a more textured open-pore finish. The high-gloss polyurethane gives a very polished, shiny look that enhances the colors. The open-pore finish has a matte look that allows the natural wood grain to show through. This finish feels a bit more natural in the hand.
No matter which finish you prefer, the Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele has options to satisfy different tastes and aesthetics. The colors really allow the instrument to stand out, especially on stage, while the finish types let you choose the look and feel you like best.
Sound Quality
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele delivers impressive sound quality that enhances its versatility as both an acoustic and plugged-in instrument.
The all-sapele construction produces a balanced, warm acoustic tone. The concert body shape allows the Zuma to project well and resonate with a pleasing sustain. It has enough volume to hold its own for solo acoustic playing or jamming with others. The sapele tonewoods add a richness to the unplugged sound.
When plugging in, the Fender-designed preamp really shines. It has a built-in tuner and simple EQ controls to shape your amplified tone. The Zuma comes alive plugged in, with the preamp adding clarity and focus. Strummed chords have a crisp attack, while fingerpicked lines remain clear and defined. The preamp also helps minimize feedback at higher volumes.
The Zuma maintains its balanced voice whether unplugged or using the preamp. It has enough acoustic output for casual playing, but truly excels when amplified. The preamp takes its already great tone to the next level, giving you stage-ready sound in a portable package. Between the resonant sapele wood and Fender electronics, the Zuma delivers exceptional plugged-in and unplugged sound.
Playability
The Fender Zuma concert ukulele features a slim C-shaped neck profile that provides a comfortable and familiar feel for both beginners and experienced players. The neck is crafted from mahogany which contributes to its smooth, inviting profile.
The string action on the Zuma is set low and optimized for playability right out of the box. It’s easy to fret chords and notes up and down the neck without excessive pressure required. The action can be further adjusted to suit personal preferences using the bridge saddle height adjustments.
The fretwork on the Zuma concert uke is very well done, with smoothly finished frets along the walnut fingerboard. The frets feel polished and there are no sharp edges to cause discomfort. Overall the fretwork contributes to the Zuma’s reputation as an easy to play ukulele, with clear notes and no buzzing across all frets.
Design and Hardware
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele has several design elements that give it a stylish, premium look. It features Fender’s iconic six-in-line Tele headstock shape, providing a distinctive Fender aesthetic. The headstock is finished with a high-gloss layer that perfectly matches the body.
A decorative abalone rosette surrounds the soundhole, adding an elegant touch. Its multi-layered rings gleam as the light catches them. This kind of intricate rosette work is usually found on more expensive ukuleles, so it’s impressive to see it on the Zuma.
The Zuma also has clean binding along the body, neck, and headstock. The crisp white binding provides nice delineation between the different sections. It gives the uke a polished, finished look.
The Zuma comes equipped with strap buttons, allowing you to stand and perform with the uke using a strap. This is a great feature for guitarists who are used to playing on a strap and want that experience when playing uke. The strap buttons are discreetly installed and don’t detract from the instrument’s aesthetics.
Overall, the design elements and hardware on the Zuma give it a refined, high-end appearance belying its accessible price point. Between the ornate rosette, classic Fender headstock, and polished binding, the Zuma looks fantastic.
Included Accessories
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele comes with a few handy accessories right out of the box.
Gig Bag
The uke includes a padded gig bag to protect it during transport and storage. The bag features backpack straps for easy carrying. It’s made from durable canvas material with soft interior lining to prevent scratches. The gig bag provides basic protection, though serious players may want to upgrade to a hardshell case.
Extra Strings
Fender includes an extra set of their 92/8 phosphor bronze strings. Having a backup set is useful in case a string breaks or goes dead. The strings are smooth and bright sounding.
Other Accessories
Depending on where you purchase the uke, other accessories may be included like a tuner, polishing cloth, or instructional DVD. Some retailers offer bundles with a strap, capo, picks, and more. While not mandatory, a few useful add-ons can enhance your playing experience.
Pros & Cons
The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele has many attractive qualities but also some potential drawbacks to consider. Here’s an objective look at the pros and cons:
Pros
- Great build quality with solid exotic tonewoods
- Iconic Fender style and design
- Quality hardware including sealed tuners
- Onboard preamp adds versatility
- Clear, balanced acoustic tone
- Easy playability for all skill levels
- Gig bag included for protection
Cons
- Only available in a few color options
- Higher price than some other concert ukes
- Preamp may feel unnecessary for some players
- Lacks electronics of higher-end Fender ukes
- Not made in America like some Fenders
Overall, the Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele punches above its weight class in terms of looks, tone, and playability. The onboard preamp makes it flexible for playing live or recording. While the price sits on the higher end, the quality components and Fender branding help justify the cost. It may not have all the bells and whistles of Fender’s top-tier ukes, but still represents a solid value at this tier.