Blackbird
Blackbird guitars are a San Francisco company who make their instruments from carbon fiber (and a bit of kevlar if your uke playing is so bad getting shot is a serious danger). That means they’re waterproof, tough and loud. They have one ukulele, a tenor. But the technology doesn’t come cheap. Their website lists it at $1,180.
On Video
Jake Shimabukuro tests out the Blackbird tenor ukulele.
4 Comments
This has to be the most amazing uke I’ve ever played. It’s loud, and well balanced. Doesn’t sound like a plastic uke. The neck is smooth and fast. The best thing about it is, weather can’t hurt it. It’s the uke that gets played the most since it doesn’t need to live in a case with a humidifier.
It was even in a thunderstorm/rainstorm last summer while camping.
Good people, responsive and pleasant. Worth it IMO
I’m considering purchasing a blackbird uke. However I also play mandolin; therefore when might blackbird start producing mandolins? I know other companies produce them…but the costs are between $3500.00-$6500.00. I’m retired and that’s a bit out of my comfort zone. Your thoughts? Respectfully, Barry
I just bought a BTU – the famed carbon fiber tenor ukulele… I am but a public school teacher, but I saved up for this instrument and I am absolutely satisfied. Joe at Blackbird was great in the process – answered all of my questions quickly and honestly. I haven’t too much time on the ukulele just yet, but my initial observations were: it is beautiful (in a Batman-ish carbon fiber way), it has a good balance when you hold it, it is very in tune – chords that are out-of-tune on my wood ukulele near or above the 7th fret are spot on… what finally sold me on this instrument were the comments of how the notes would sustain – this is true. Specifically, the bass notes (mine is a low G) are so pleasingly long and chords will ring out as long as you want them to… it is pricey, but there are instruments nowadays that could easily be twice as much too… this one sounds great and will be great no matter the temperature or humidity situation…. a unique instrument for sure!
I have a new tenor blackbird ukulele and one of the strings has broken…the strings are thin and clear and I love them…so you sell them??? I would like to buy 2-3 sets if possible….would love to hear from you…Jodie hunt and thanks
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