Concert vs Tenor Ukuleles

It's the question we get asked more than almost any other when someone walks into the shop looking at ukuleles: should I get a concert or a tenor?

The internet is full of comparison charts and spec sheets that answer this question with numbers. And the numbers are useful — we'll get to those. But the real answer depends on you: your hands, your ears, what you want to play, and honestly, what feels right when you pick it up.

We stock both sizes at Studio 1, and we've watched hundreds of people go through the process of choosing between them. Here's what we've learned.

First, the basics

There are four main ukulele sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Soprano is the smallest and most "traditional" sounding — it's the one most people picture when they think of a ukulele. Baritone is the largest, tuned differently (like the bottom four strings of a guitar), and really its own instrument.

Concert and tenor sit in the middle, and they're where most players end up. They're both tuned the same way (GCEA), they're both versatile enough for any genre, and they're both comfortable for adults to play. That's exactly why the choice between them trips people up.

The actual differences

Size. A concert ukulele is roughly 58cm (23 inches) overall. A tenor is about 66cm (26 inches). That extra length is mostly in the body and the scale length — the distance between the nut and the saddle where the strings vibrate. On a concert, the scale length is around 38cm. On a tenor, it's closer to 43cm.

What does that mean in practice? More frets. A concert typically gives you 15–18 frets, while a tenor offers 17–20. If you're playing above the 12th fret regularly, a tenor gives you more room to move. If most of your playing sits in the first position — strumming open chords, playing singalong songs — you won't notice the difference.

Sound. This is where it gets subjective, but here's the general rule: concert ukuleles sound brighter, punchier, and more "ukulele-like." Tenors sound fuller, warmer, and project more volume. The larger body on a tenor moves more air, which gives you more bass response and more sustain.

Neither is better. A bright, chimey concert sounds incredible for traditional Hawaiian music and strumming. A warm, resonant tenor suits fingerpicking, jazz voicings, and solo performance. If you're playing with a group, the tenor's projection helps you cut through. If you're playing on the couch, either works perfectly.

Feel. This is the one that matters most, and the one no spec sheet can tell you. The tenor's fretboard is wider — about 38mm at the nut versus roughly 35mm on a concert. For people with larger hands, or anyone coming from guitar, that extra width feels more natural. Your fingers have room to land cleanly between the frets without muting adjacent strings.

For people with smaller hands, or anyone who values portability and lightness, the concert feels more proportionate. It tucks under your arm more easily, it's less of a reach across the fretboard, and it's noticeably lighter to hold for long sessions.

String tension. Here's one most comparison articles skip: tenor ukuleles have significantly higher string tension than concerts — roughly 35 to 50 percent more. Higher tension means the strings feel firmer under your fingers. Some players find this gives them more control and precision. Others find it tiring, especially when they're starting out. If you've ever played a guitar with heavy gauge strings versus light gauge, it's a similar difference in feel.

What we actually recommend

When someone comes into the shop undecided, we don't steer them toward one size. We put both in their hands.

Choose concert if: you want the classic ukulele sound, you have smaller hands or prefer a compact instrument, you're buying your first ukulele and want something approachable, or you play mostly strumming and open chords.

Choose tenor if: you're coming from guitar and want a familiar neck width, you play fingerstyle or want to explore the upper frets, you want more volume and a fuller tone, or you plan to perform or play with other musicians.

A word about soprano

We often get people who walk in asking about concert vs tenor, and after trying both, they pick up a soprano and fall in love with it. Don't rule it out just because it's smaller — some incredible music has been made on soprano ukuleles. The size chart is a starting point, not a verdict.

What about the wood?

The size of the ukulele determines the broad character of the sound. The wood determines the nuance. A mahogany concert will sound warm and mellow. A spruce-topped tenor will sound bright and articulate — almost swapping the tonal expectations of their sizes.

If you're choosing between a laminate concert and a solid-wood tenor at a similar price, the solid-wood instrument will almost always sound better regardless of size. Wood quality matters more than size when it comes to tone.

The bottom line

There's no wrong answer here. Concert and tenor ukuleles are both brilliant instruments, and the best one for you is the one that feels right in your hands and sounds right to your ears.

If you can, come in and try both. That's the fastest way to settle the debate. We keep Kala concerts and tenors in stock at Studio 1, and you're welcome to sit down, play a few, and take your time deciding. No pressure, no judgement — just good ukuleles and honest advice.

Studio 1 stocks a curated range of Kala and Martin ukuleles at our showroom in Victoria Park Market, Auckland. Browse our ukulele collection online or visit us in store.