The Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele takes its name from a famous surfing hotspot: Southern California's Zuma Beach. No small wonder then that many musicians will have images of beaches and campfires in their minds before they even play a note. The Zuma Ukulele features the classic combination of woods - back, sides, and top are made from laminated mahogany, while the neck is made from nato and the fingerboard from sturdy hardwood - and its 15" scale length places it squarely in the concert ukulele category. The instrument is protected by its open-pore finish, which at the same times gives it a balanced, earthy tone, and a distinctive yet unusual feature is the headstock, which Fender has borrowed from its legendary Telecaster guitars.
Size-wise, the Fender Zuma Concert Ukulele sits between the smaller soprano ukulele, which delivers the "classic" sound associated with ukes, and the larger tenor ukulele with its more guitar-like sound, and thus offers a good compromise between the two by combining the brightness of the one with the warmth of the other. The Zuma is tuned in "reentrant" or "high-G" tuning (G-C-E-A), though "low-G" tuning is also possible if desired, and it features a set of sealed nickel machine heads of the kind also found on Fender's electric and acoustic guitars, which it to be easily and precisely tuned and ensure reliable tuning stability at all times.
The scale length of the Zuma Concert Ukulele is around 3cm longer than the 350mm of a standard soprano ukulele, which means that the fret spacing is also slightly wider and the instrument thus more comfortable to play - without losing the typical "twang" for which ukuleles are known and loved, of course. This will make it easier for beginners in particular to play chords cleanly, as well as being a blessing for musicians who have to switch between ukulele and guitar in a live setting. The Zuma also features a convenient "no-tie" bridge that eliminates the special knotting required by traditional ukulele bridges and thus makes re-stringing a breeze, while its slim neck profile and well-balanced design make it equally comfortable to play both standing up and sitting down.
Fender is without doubt one of the most legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturers of all time. The company was founded in 1946 by its namesake Leo Fender († 1991), whose innovative ideas brought a breath of fresh air into the musical world. His Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass are not only classics – they also continue to shape the styles of musicians in countless genres to this day. Timeless Fender amplifier models such as the Bassman, Twin, Deluxe, and Princeton also enjoy a stellar reputation. Besides maintaining its classic product portfolio, however, the company is also constantly developing new products that make Fender a driving force in today’s music industry.
It's certainly an appealing scene: As the setting sun casts its last rays over the ocean, everyone gets comfy around the campfire, the Zuma Concert Ukulele comes out, and those lilting notes provide the perfect soundtrack to the evening. But the Zuma can do a lot more: It can easily be fitted with a pickup like the Ziegenspeck Uke-Up (article no. 429216) or the MI-SI Acoustic Trio UKE (article no. 335098) and, in the right hands, will then cut a fine figure on stage. Newcomers to the instrument and those making the transition from the acoustic guitar will certainly appreciate the enhanced playing comfort offered by the Zuma's slim neck profile, concert scale length, and wider fret spacing. Speaking of guitars: Players who are looking for a fuller and more guitar-like sound from the Zuma can easily substitute the octave G string for a low G string. In any case, a suitable gig bag to allow the Zuma to be transported safely is recommended.