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Pros:
- Great tonewood
- Rich, full sound
- Beginner price for an intermediate level ukulele
Cons:
- The bundle includes few accessories
- Needs tuning
While you are sifting through dozens and dozens of ukuleles and ukulele bundles that scream “affordable” and “entry-level” you might stumble upon a few gems that somehow ended up in the same category. Hola! Music HM-427SSR Limited Edition Professional Tenor Ukulele Bundle is one of those gems. Let’s talk a bit about why this model with its bundle is one of the best bargains on the market today.
Build
The HM-427SSR+ is a tenor ukulele. Naturally, if you know a bit about the instrument, you realize that this is between concert and baritone. While it might not be as bulky and have the volume of a baritone, it still has a good punch that any beginner and intermediate would appreciate. This tenor ukulele features a solid spruce top with an ebony back and sides. It is pretty surprising that a bundle guitar comes with such a high-quality tonewood. Both solid spruce and ebony are some of the best sound, durable materials. The mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard is really comfortable and playable. So, all in all, I am kind of shocked how this model sells for under $120 in a bundle deal.
Hardware & Bundle
When it comes to the hardware, Hola! does not disappoint here either. The classical guitar headstock with high precision golden machine heads are not only well-tested and good quality but also beginner-friendly. The nut and saddle are made of bone which is a rare thing even for the more expensive models. While certain plastic or bone-alternative materials do a pretty decent job of emulating the sound of the real bone, nothing will be the same as the bone.
It is a perfect combination of dentistry and lightness to create a crisp and durable nut. Apart from that, you get a set including a strap, picks, and a gig bag. While most gig bags that come in a bundle are thin and flimsy, the padded gig bag shipped with this ukulele is sturdy and durable. It is a perfect medium between lightweight and flimsy and protective and heavy. And of course, let’s not forget about the Aquila Nylgut Strings which are pretty much one of the most popular sets on the market for beginners.
Sound
Without even playing this ukulele you can place a very safe bet after reading the tonewood and specifications, that this instrument is not a flimsy, mediocre sounding one. The deep tenor sound with a well-balanced tone is close to perfect. The frets are spaced well so that even a beginner will be able to play easily and accurately. The only thing that I think I should mention is the tuning. For the first couple of days or maybe weeks, you will need to do a bit more tuning. That is a temporary issue with a lot of ukuleles and it will go away after using the ukulele for a while. Overall, the sound on this model is not a beginner or entry-level. It is nuanced enough to be in the hands of an intermediate or professional player.
Conclusion
All in all, I would say this is one of the best ukuleles for beginners but that would sort of be a lie because I can see an intermediate player enjoying the HM-427SSR+. The under $120 price, I believe, is due to fewer accessories that are included in the bundle which might be a problem for a beginner who is looking for a full package.
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