Fender CA Coast Ukes: Relaxed Style & Playability

Table of Contents

Introduction

Fender has been a leader in the guitar world for decades, known for iconic models like the Telecaster and Stratocaster. More recently, the brand has expanded into the ukulele market as the instrument’s popularity has grown. The new California Coast series represents Fender’s latest foray into ukulele offerings, combining classic Fender style with optimized designs for uke players.

The California Coast lineup gets its name from the laidback Southern California vibe that permeates Fender’s DNA. Drawing inspiration from the iconic beaches, coastlines, and surf culture of the region, these ukes aim to capture the relaxed, fun spirit of the California lifestyle. Fender applied their expertise in crafting high quality guitars to create thoughtfully designed ukuleles optimized for playability, comfort, and great tone.

The California Coast series features three models to suit players at different skill levels: the beginner-friendly Venice Soprano, the well-rounded Zuma Concert, and the premium Rincon Tenor. With fresh takes on classic uke shapes, unique finishes, and quality appointments, this lineup aims to deliver accessible, inspiring instruments for uke enthusiasts. Let’s take a closer look at what each model brings to the table.

The California Coast Series Lineup

Fender’s new California Coast ukulele series consists of three models aimed at different skill levels and playing styles: the Venice Soprano, Zuma Concert, and Rincon Tenor.

The Venice Soprano is the smallest model in the lineup with a soprano body size measuring 21 inches in total length. It has a mahogany top, back, and sides and comes in three classic finishes: natural, sunburst, and black. The Venice is ideal for beginner players, kids, or experienced players looking for a travel-friendly ukulele.

Moving up in size is the Zuma Concert, which has a concert body measuring 23 inches in total length. It features laminated mahogany back and sides with a spruce top. The Zuma comes in a wider variety of finishes including natural, sunburst, black, and a vibrant blue burst option. The concert size provides a nice balance of playability and tone, making the Zuma a great choice for students and intermediate players.

Finally, the Rincon Tenor represents the premium model of the series with an all-solid rosewood body measuring 26 inches in length. It has a solid spruce top and comes in natural and sunburst finishes. The Rincon is geared toward more advanced and professional players who want richer low end and volume that the tenor size provides. Upgraded appointments like abalone binding and mother-of-pearl inlays give the Rincon an elegant look and feel.

Fender Venice Soprano Ukulele Review

The Fender Venice Soprano ukulele is the smallest model in the California Coast series, with a classic soprano body size measuring 21 inches in total length. It features a maple top, back, and sides with a satin finish, mahogany neck, and walnut fingerboard and bridge.

Despite its compact size, the Venice Soprano punches above its weight in terms of build quality and attention to detail. The all-maple construction gives it a bright, focused tone with plenty of volume and projection for a small-bodied uke. The craftsmanship is superb, with multiple maple wood binding layers and mother-of-pearl acrylic rosette inlays adding to the visual appeal.

In terms of playability, the Venice feels fast and smooth right out of the box. The C-shaped mahogany neck has a comfortable 20-fret fingerboard, while the compensated walnut bridge and graphite nut provide excellent intonation. The action is set low for effortless chord changes and leads. It’s an extremely playable instrument all around.

The clear, balanced voice of the Venice makes it a great choice for fingerstyle playing. It records well both plugged in and acoustically. The focused maple tone provides enough punch to cut through a mix while retaining warmth and character. From delicate melodies to upbeat strumming, this uke is versatile enough for various styles.

Some downsides are the lack of onboard electronics, which may be limiting for live gigs. The small body size also means slightly less low-end presence compared to larger models. However, the Venice Soprano offers tremendous value as an attractive, great sounding uke perfect for students, beginners, and experienced players alike.

Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele Review

The Fender Zuma concert ukulele sits right in the middle of the California Coast lineup in terms of size and price. It has a rich, warm tone thanks to its all-mahogany body construction.

The Zuma concert measures 23 inches in length with a 15-inch scale. It has a classic concert body shape with a single-cutaway for easier upper fret access. The top, back, and sides are all made from solid mahogany which gives the Zuma a very balanced and resonant voice.

The build quality is excellent, with smooth frets, a slim mahogany neck, and a premium satin finish. The hardware includes chrome sealed tuning machines and a compensated synthetic bone nut and saddle for improved intonation. Overall the Zuma feels very solid and durable.

In terms of sound, the Zuma produces a sweet, mellow tone that fills a room easily. It has a balanced tonal profile, with warm lows and clear, ringing highs. The mahogany construction gives it a nice sustain and resonance. It has enough projection for playing live but also sounds great for fingerstyle and recording.

The Zuma plays very smoothly up and down the neck. The action is set medium-low from the factory. The neck has a comfortable C-shape that fits nicely in the hand. The satin finish allows for fast, slick runs and chords. Intonation and tuning stability are excellent thanks to the compensated nut and saddle.

Compared to other popular concert ukes like the Kala KA-C or the Cordoba 15CM, the Zuma holds its own very well. It matches their build quality and playability at this price point. The all-mahogany body gives it a slightly warmer, darker voice than spruce or cedar-topped rivals. Overall it’s an excellent concert uke option with Fender’s distinctive style and tone.

Fender Rincon Tenor Ukulele Review

As the premium tenor ukulele in the California Coast series, the Rincon commands the highest price tag but also brings the most refinement in construction and sound. This is a professional-grade instrument that justifies its cost with superior tonewoods, expert craftsmanship, and top-notch hardware.

The Rincon tenor features a solid koa top, back, and sides. Koa is a gorgeous Hawaiian tonewood prized for its beauty and bright, balanced sound profile. The all-koa construction gives the Rincon a rich, resonant voice with clear articulation across the tonal spectrum. The body binding and rosette are made of real abalone, an iridescent shell material that shimmers beautifully.

In terms of construction, the Rincon is impeccably built. The dovetail neck joint provides rock-solid stability, while the bone nut and saddle transmit vibrations efficiently. The gloss finish is smooth and flawless, and the attention to detail is evident throughout. This is a ukulele built to last for many years of playing enjoyment.

The playability of the Rincon also stands out. The C-shaped neck has a comfortable profile that fits nicely in the hand. The action is set low and fast for effortless fretting and chord changes. Intonation up the fretboard is accurate and uncompromised. Whether fingerpicking melodies or strumming chords, the Rincon feels fantastic to play. The longer scale length provides slightly higher string tension compared to smaller ukes, generating a rich, ringing voice.

At its higher price point, the Rincon tenor is best suited for serious players who appreciate premium tonewoods and top-tier construction. While it’s certainly not cheap, this Fender uke provides exceptional value given the quality of the instrument. For ukulele players seeking the ultimate playing experience, the Rincon is a winner.

Accessories & Extras

Fender includes some nice extras with each California Coast ukulele. The Venice and Zuma models come with a Fender branded gig bag, making it easy to safely transport your uke. The premium Rincon tenor comes with a hardshell case for maximum protection.

All three ukes also include an adjustable nylon strap, so you can play standing up without worrying about dropping your instrument! The straps feature an embossed Fender logo and seem very durable.

Some additional accessories that can enhance your playing experience include:

Ukulele tuner – Whether clip-on or pedal style, a tuner is essential for keeping your uke in tune. I recommend the Snark SN-8 clip-on tuner which is very affordable and easy to use.
Extra strings – Having an extra set or two of strings on hand lets you quickly restring and get playing again if you break a string. I’d recommend trying out Aquila Nylgut strings.
Ukulele capo – A capo is a must for quickly changing keys and expanding what you can play. The Kyser ukulele capo is reliable and won’t damage your fretboard.
Gig bag/case – For the Venice and Zuma, upgrading to a hardshell case adds more protection for travel and storage. The Rincon gig bag could also be upgraded.
Cleaning cloth – Keep your uke looking shiny and new with a microfiber polishing cloth designed for musical instruments.

Let me know if you’d like me to expand on any section or have additional recommendations for accessories and extras.

Who Are the California Coast Ukuleles For?

The California Coast ukuleles are well-suited for players across various skill levels and playing styles. Here’s a breakdown of which models pair best with different needs:

Fender Venice Soprano

The diminutive Venice soprano is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate players, as well as children and travelers. Its compact size produces a sweet, focused tone perfect for simpler chord strumming. The smaller fretboard is ideal for kids and those with smaller hands. The Venice works well for quiet practice sessions at home or on the go.

Fender Zuma Concert

With its slightly larger size, the Zuma concert offers enhanced volume, projection, and low-end compared to the soprano. Its versatility makes it a great fit for casual players, students progressing in their lessons, and those who play in small groups. The Zuma concert provides a balanced tone for various strumming and fingerpicking styles.

Fender Rincon Tenor

The premium Rincon tenor truly shines in the hands of more advanced and experienced players. Its full-bodied voice and rich low-end give it the presence to hold its own in group jams or solo performances. The Rincon’s larger fretboard allows greater freedom of movement for intricate fingerwork. Its expanded range empowers players to incorporate more complex chord voicings and melodic runs.

Alternatives to Consider

The California Coast series competes in a crowded ukulele market with many other reputable brands producing quality instruments. Let’s take a brief look at some popular alternatives and how Fender’s offerings compare.

Kala Ukuleles

One of the biggest ukulele manufacturers, Kala produces a wide range of models at affordable price points. Their entry-level soprano, concert, and tenor ukes are comparable to Fender’s lineup. Kala is known for decent build quality with laminate wood constructions. The tone of Kala ukes tends to be bright and punchy, well-suited for strumming rhythms. Fender’s models offer a slightly warmer, richer voice in comparison.

Cordoba Ukuleles

At the higher end, Cordoba specializes in all-solid wood ukuleles with excellent craftsmanship. Their concert and tenor models around $200-500 provide an attractive alternative to Fender’s mid-range offerings. Cordoba ukes excel at clean, balanced tone perfect for fingerpicking. Fender aims for a more robust voice focused on chords and rhythmic strumming.

Luna Ukuleles

Luna is known for their eye-catching designs, using laser-etched artwork on the soundboard. Their unique island-inspired soprano, concert and tenor models appeal to players who want a cool look. In terms of sound, Luna ukes offer decent quality at lower price points around $100-200. Fender brings classic styling with no frills, and higher-end appointments on pricier models.

Reasons to Choose Fender

Given the number of competing brands, why should you consider the California Coast series? Here are some of the key advantages Fender brings to the table:

Trusted brand reputation for high quality instruments and sound
Classic, timeless aesthetics without gimmicks
Available widely in chain/online music gear retailers
Models specifically designed for ukulele (not repurposed guitar shapes)
Electronics and built-in tuners on higher end models
Durable gig bags included for protection and transport
Comprehensive warranty and customer service

Fender has leveraged decades of experience crafting iconic guitars and basses to develop compelling ukuleles. Players who value traditional styling, electronics, and the Fender pedigree will find a lot to love in the California Coast series.

Final Verdict

The Fender California Coast ukulele series offers players quality instruments with great tone and playability at reasonable price points. After reviewing all three models, here is my final verdict:

Venice Soprano

Strengths: Easy playability, bright tone, very portable
Weaknesses: Limited volume and projection due to small size
Score: 8/10 – Excellent beginner ukulele with classic soprano sound

Zuma Concert

Strengths: Louder and fuller than soprano, comfortable neck, looks great
Weaknesses: Not as portable, slightly less defined tone than soprano
Score: 9/10 – Versatile concert size with excellent build quality

Rincon Tenor

Strengths: Rich low end, premium woods and appointments, impressive volume and sustain
Weaknesses: Higher price tag, wider neck less ideal for smaller hands
Score: 9.5/10 – Top-notch tenor uke perfect for intermediate/advanced players

Overall, Fender hit a home run with the California Coast series. From the diminutive Venice to the impressive Rincon, these ukes offer fantastic value across various skill levels. The concert and tenor models stand out to me as great choices for players looking to upgrade from a beginner instrument. With sleek designs inspired by the California coast, these ukes look as good as they sound.