Sorry if this is long, but I wanted to share the information I look for when I buy...
Craftsmanship and finish are very nice. The binding on the body and the fretboard are done very well. The binding on the neck makes the edges nice and smooth, plus the fret work is fantastic. The frets are all finished beautifully and the ends are smooth and rounded. A microfiber cloth slides up and down both sides without a single snag. Tuners work great, and after re-tuning a few times to break in the strings, it is holding tune nicely while I play.
The description on Amazon did not give a measurement for the nut, so I went to the Cordoba site to check. I noted that on the Cordoba site, they claim the nut is 38 mm or 1-1/2 inches, which is what I really wanted. The instrument received has a 35mm or 1-3/8 inch nut. It does say on the Cordoba site that specifications are subject to change without notice. Perhaps this is one of the changes. I really wanted the wider nut for my larger hands, but the longer scale provides more space between the frets, so I think this will be OK. I am still a little disappointed.
I did not expect too much from the pick-up at this price point. I I do not have an acoustic amp, so I plugged it into my Electric guitar amp. I cranked the volume on the preamp as high as it would go and set the amplifier to about the halfway point. It actually sounded great. Pulled the treble and the bass down to a little over half and the middle to about 80% and it sounded nice. Just used a clean signal, boosting or distorting would probably create too much feedback with the piezo pickup and an electric guitar amp.
I do not know why they make a big deal about this having "Premium Italian Aquila Strings" since most people I know change the strings within a few days of getting an instrument shipped. That being said... I no not like like the strings that came on it. The are really stiff, gritty and sound more "plinky" than the D'Addario strings I have on my concert Uke. Maybe it is the tone wood, Rosewood body on the Concert, Mahogany on this one, but I will be changing the strings out in a few days, once I get the D'Addarrios I ordered. Then I will know for sure.
Other than the nut width disappointment, I have no real complaints about the Uke itself. It would have been nice if it came with a gig bag, but at this price I can afford to buy a decent, padded gig bag or an inexpensive hard case.
As for the shipping. It was delayed and I assume that was due to the horrible weather the whole country is experiencing currently. It had to come to the Rockies all the way from New Jersey, so I am not complaining about having to wait a few extra days to get it. I was very disappointed by the packing for shipment and the packaging of the Uke itself. The Ukulele box, measuring 28 by 11 by 4 inches, was tossed in a box that was about 19 x 12 by 39 with NO additional padding or packing material. By the time it got to me, the tape on the outer box was coming undone, and the top flap was coming open (not enough for packing materials like paper or those air filled packing pillows to come out), there was a 5 inch gash in the bottom by a corner and the box had been squashed a little. Inside, the Uke box had come open, not taped shut at all, the lid had completely separated from the lower portion of the box and the is was torn in 3 different places. It had bounced around inside the larger box for almost a week, as it traveled to me. The Ukulele was wrapped in a .5mm thick, white foam bag, and had either stayed in the lower part of the box, or had returned to that place by the time I got it (seems unlikely it would go back into the bottom, so I assume it stayed) . I inspected the Uke carefully before I even turned a Tuning Key to make sure there was no damage. As far as I can tell the instrument is unscathed. Dare I say this is a statement of a well built instrument despite the crappy packaging and shipping prep.
In a nutshell, based upon my first hours with the 15TM-CE, I would be pleased buy another Cordoba Ukulele, but I might just get it from a shop rather than risk the shipping issues.
Cordoba, 4 15CB Concert Ukulele-Hand Made with Exotic Bocote Wood With A Well-Rounded Rich Tone & Premium Italian Aquila Stri
4.6 | 1,446 ratings
Price: 119
Last update: 06-15-2024
About this item
WARM, RICH TONE: The Cordoba 15CB Bocote exudes a warm, rich tone with great unplugged projection that easily fills a small room — great for living room performances or warm evenings at the beach with friends.
ONE-OF-A-KIND LOOK: Built with exotic Bocote woods from Central and South America for a unique look and sound. Dramatic dark browns, black striping, and gorgeous knotted eyes are the cherry on top to a tonal signature unlike any other.
COMFORTABLE PLAYING: Features a comfortable C-shaped mahogany neck with composite wood fingerboard, great for learning on as well as for advanced chording or lead playing.
ELEGANT SATIN FINISH: Gorgeous satin finish enhances the beauty of the bocote and mahogany, allowing it to age and darken over time.
PREMIUM APPOINTMENTS: An abalone rosette sound hole, a set of silver tuners with pearl buttons, and premium Italian Aquila strings are additional fine appointments that make the 15CB Bocote concert ukulele a great buy.
ONE-OF-A-KIND LOOK: Built with exotic Bocote woods from Central and South America for a unique look and sound. Dramatic dark browns, black striping, and gorgeous knotted eyes are the cherry on top to a tonal signature unlike any other.
COMFORTABLE PLAYING: Features a comfortable C-shaped mahogany neck with composite wood fingerboard, great for learning on as well as for advanced chording or lead playing.
ELEGANT SATIN FINISH: Gorgeous satin finish enhances the beauty of the bocote and mahogany, allowing it to age and darken over time.
PREMIUM APPOINTMENTS: An abalone rosette sound hole, a set of silver tuners with pearl buttons, and premium Italian Aquila strings are additional fine appointments that make the 15CB Bocote concert ukulele a great buy.
Product information
| Item Weight | 1 pounds |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 24 x 8.25 x 3.1 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| ASIN | B0752G4VH7 |
| Item model number | 99-761-0120 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars
1,446 ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #5,382 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #32 in Ukuleles (Musical Instruments) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | October 1, 2017 |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Body Material | Bocote |
| Color Name | Bocote |
| Fretboard Material | Pau Ferro |
| Scale Length | 14.75 |
| String Material | Nylon |
| Top Material | Bocote |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Size | Concert |
Top reviews from the United States
Rocky Mountain Man
15TM-CE is a really nice Tenor Ukulele
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024Kyla C Corbett
Love it
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024PPortillo
Great instrument
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024duojet
Sturdy but not fancy
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024Jude
Can't beat it for the price
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2023