The OU5 Oscar Schmidt ukulele is a fantastic Concert uke that will serve both beginners and intermediate players well, albeit at a more boutique price.
Written by Jay Searle / Published January 15, 2024
Last updated: February 23, 2024
Oscar Schmidt is a long-running boutique guitar brand that is also known for making some really fine ukuleles. Their OU5 is a premium concert ukulele that contains a number of superb features and has a distinct, traditional tone.
But is it any good? In short, it’s among the best mid-range ukes in the contemporary market, but it might be a bit pricey for beginners.
We’ve prepared a comprehensive OU5 concert ukulele review in which we’ll dissect its main features, attributes, benefits, and disadvantages to help you decide if this is the uke for you.
OU5 Oscar Schmidt Ukulele – REVIEW Summary
An incredible mid-range ukulele that may be a bit expensive for beginners.
Oscar Schmidt OU5 Concert Ukulele Review
Specs
| TYPE: | Concert |
| TOP: | Koa |
| BACK & SIDES: | Koa |
| NECK: | Koa |
| FRETBOARD: | Eastern Mahogany |
| SCALE LENGTH: | 15″ |
| FRETS: | 16 |
Build Quality – Premium Ukulele Tonewoods
Oscar Schmidt designed and built its flagship concert uke with traditional ukulele tonewoods. With a top, back, sides, and neck made of premium Koa wood (laminated, not solid) and eastern mahogany (Nato) in the fretboard, the OU5 is made of predominantly warm-sounding tonewoods.
This particular combination of wooden pieces is much different from the all-mahogany ukes that litter lower price point categories. Koa is more balanced than “basic” mahogany and rosewood while eastern mahogany or Nato wood is sonically more detailed and defined.
Since both Koa and Nato wood are very difficult to refine, the uke gets a perfect rating as a nod to the brand that did a phenomenal job blending their unique characteristics (without overpricing the instrument).
Sound – A Mellow Sounding Concert Uke
Experienced players probably already know that Koa trees are native to Hawaii, so if you’re looking for a ukulele with a sound that mirrors more traditional instruments, you should look no further than the OU5.
However, you definitely won’t get the same volume as you might in a more premium, solid Koa wood ukulele. The laminate construction tends to soften the sound somewhat, resulting in a very mellow sounding concert uke.
This is not really an issue if you plan on playing by yourself at home, but if you prefer to play in an ensemble or with another ukulele you may find the OU5 sounds a little muddied. That said, the Nato wood in the fretboard adds a touch more color to the natural warmth derived from the Koa-made top.
Playability – The OU5 Feels Great In The Hands
The ukulele is remarkably easy to play overall. However, its fret sizing is slightly different compared to an average concert uke. This can mean that more experienced players who are already accustomed to more “squared” fret designs may need to invest some extra time in re-learning how to play a concert ukulele.
Everything beyond is overwhelmingly positive. The OU5’s smooth C-shaped neck profile is the golden standard for most players, as it strikes a good balance between a comfortable grip and flexible finger positioning. The stock strings play well, but if you don’t feel they’re comfortable for you, simply restring the uke.
Most importantly, the Nato fretboard of this instrument is one of the reasons why it’s so popular among seasoned ukulele players. Firm on the sides and soft along the fret lines, this uke makes techniques like tapping, sliding, and popping a breeze.
We deducted a single point from the perfect 5 out of 5 in this field mainly because OU5 is rarely the first uke any player will buy. It’s a bit pricier than average, and assuming that you’ve already played at least one other concert uke, having to adjust your playstyle to OU5’s frets is almost a certainty.
Intonation – As Good As Can Be
A textbook example of ukulele design, the Oscar Schmidt OU5 concert ukulele comes equipped with top-end hardware that ensures it can retain its pristine tuning capabilities for long periods.
Stringing, tuning, and re-tuning is a walk in the park since the pegs are firm but remarkably responsive. The default action is good, but since this is largely a subjective category feel free to experiment with the string height. Some customers have noted a slight buzz around the 2nd fret which may mean you need to raise the action slightly. Try it out and see what you like.
The intonation of the uke is just about as good as you could expect, so no issues there.
Our Overall Ukulele Rating
The price tag of the OU5 was our focal point when reviewing its individual aspects of performance. All things considered, the Oscar Schmidt OU5 concert uke is among the upper echelons of mid-range ukuleles and exceeds nearly all industry standards. To really up the performance, simply whack on a set of good quality strings and let the instrument sing.
Pros and Cons of Buying an Oscar Schmidt Ukulele
Why would you buy the OU5? Firstly, it’s a textbook example of an all-rounder uke that prioritizes performance over flair. It might not be the most aesthetically compelling instrument ever built, but it sounds, plays, and feels better than most ukuleles with a similar or even higher price tag.
Many concert ukuleles could be described as “versatile” or “flexible”. However, the OU5 goes a step above the norm with exotic tonewoods that largely define its superb tone, intonation, and beginner-friendly playability.
Are there any reasons against buying this concert uke? The first and most obvious one would be its hefty price. It’s nearly twice as expensive compared to popular alternatives from Kala, Lanikai, and Cordoba, which somewhat lowers its beginner-friendly rating. At this price, you could pick yourself up a pretty solid Kala ukulele that would likely out play the OU5.
Similar Concert Ukuleles
If the OU5 is too expensive or you aren’t particularly fond of the way it feels or looks, we’d like to recommend a few alternatives:
- Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele – Whilst it doesn’t boast the same ukulele tonewoods as the OU5, the Cordoba 15CM is a much more affordable uke and perfect for beginners.
- Kala KA-SCG Concert Ukulele – This solid spruce top ukulele retails for roughly around the same price as the OU5 and boasts a lovely, warm tone with a simpler look.
- aNueNue UC10 Concert Ukulele – aNueNue make some fantastic high end ukuleles, but also have some great instruments priced more at beginners (although still a bit pricey). Check out their UC10 Color Series for some great looking (and sounding) ukes.
Conclusion
We can safely conclude that the OU5 is an extremely playable, well-made instrument for the beginner market. If you can look past its somewhat hefty price tag, you’ll get a great-sounding and aesthetically pleasing Oscar Schmidt ukulele that is bound to last you for years.
Jay Searle
Website Founder & WriterJay is a self-professed music nerd and ukulele lover. When not working on the website you’ll find him strumming along to his favorite tunes, spending time with his family, or learning to play the piano.
