What is the body size of the Flight Iris Tenor Calantas?

It is a tenor-sized ukulele, which is larger than soprano and concert models, providing a deeper sound and more space on the fretboard.

What type of wood is used for the top of this ukulele?

The ukulele features a solid Calantas top. Calantas is a member of the mahogany family known for its resonant and expressive tonal qualities.

What are the back and sides made of?

The back and sides are constructed from laminate mahogany, providing a warm tone and increased durability against environmental changes.

What is the scale length of the Flight Iris Tenor?

The instrument has a 430 mm scale length, offering a comfortable tension and enough room for melodic playing.

How many frets does the Flight Iris Tenor have?

It features a 19-fret design, which allows for greater range when playing leads or complex arrangements.

What kind of strings come standard on this model?

The instrument is equipped with Flight’s own clear fluorocarbon strings, which are known for their clarity and stability.

Does the Flight Iris Tenor have a slotted headstock?

Yes, it features a striking slotted headstock, which is a premium visual and functional design choice often found on higher-end models.

What material is used for the nut and saddle?

The nut and saddle are made of bone, a material preferred for its ability to transmit string energy efficiently to the wood.

What visual appointments does the Iris Tenor have?

It includes white body binding, a delicate rosette around the soundhole, and modern offset position markers on the fretboard.

How does Calantas wood affect the sound?

Calantas provides smooth mids and a deep response, contributing to a rich, balanced tone with significant projection.

Is this ukulele suitable for beginners?

While beginners can certainly use it, its solid top and tenor size make it especially suited for players who want more dynamic range and professional features.

What is the typical price range for the Flight Iris Tenor Calantas?

This specific model typically retails for approximately GBP 145, placing it in the mid-range category of performance ukuleles.

Gear article

Flight Iris Tenor Calantas Ukulele Natural

The Flight Iris Tenor Calantas is a tenor-sized ukulele featuring a solid Calantas top and laminate mahogany back and sides. It is designed to provide a rich, resonant voice with enhanced projection and dynamic range for intermediate and professional players.

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Overview

The Flight Iris Tenor Calantas occupies a distinctive space in the Flight catalogue, combining traditional tonewoods with modern aesthetic touches. As a tenor model, it offers a larger body than soprano or concert variants, resulting in a deeper resonance and a more expansive frequency response. The instrument is distinguished by its solid Calantas top, a wood belonging to the mahogany family known for its expressive qualities, paired with laminate mahogany back and sides for structural stability and warmth.

Construction and Key Features

The instrument is built with a 430 mm scale length and a 19-fret fingerboard, providing ample room for melodic exploration and complex chord voicings. It features a striking slotted headstock, which not only provides a bold visual character but also changes the break angle of the strings over the nut.

Hardware specifications include: - Bone Nut and Saddle: Enhances string vibration transfer to the soundboard. - Fluorocarbon Strings: Factory-fitted with Flight's clear fluorocarbon strings for a bright, clean tone. - Offset Position Markers: Provides a modern aesthetic on the fretboard. - Binding and Rosette: Features white binding and a delicate rosette for a refined finish.

Sound Profile

Due to the use of solid Calantas, the Iris Tenor produces smooth mid-range frequencies and a deep, expressive response. The combination of mahogany-family woods ensures a beautifully balanced tone that is neither overly bright nor excessively dark. The tenor body size further contributes to the instrument's bold projection and wide dynamic range, making it suitable for both fingerstyle and rhythmic strumming.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Flight range, the Iris Tenor offers a more traditional wooden construction compared to the TUS-65 Travel Soprano or the decorated NUS350DC Dreamcatcher. While concert models like the AUC33 Orchid provide a more compact feel, the Iris Tenor is preferred by players seeking the extra fret access and volume of a larger body. Compared to the zebrawood DUC325, the Calantas/Mahogany combination of the Iris generally offers a warmer, more focused midrange characteristic.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the body size of the Flight Iris Tenor Calantas?: It is a tenor-sized ukulele, which is larger than soprano and concert models, providing a deeper sound and more space on the fretboard.
What type of wood is used for the top of this ukulele?: The ukulele features a solid Calantas top. Calantas is a member of the mahogany family known for its resonant and expressive tonal qualities.
What are the back and sides made of?: The back and sides are constructed from laminate mahogany, providing a warm tone and increased durability against environmental changes.
What is the scale length of the Flight Iris Tenor?: The instrument has a 430 mm scale length, offering a comfortable tension and enough room for melodic playing.
How many frets does the Flight Iris Tenor have?: It features a 19-fret design, which allows for greater range when playing leads or complex arrangements.
What kind of strings come standard on this model?: The instrument is equipped with Flight’s own clear fluorocarbon strings, which are known for their clarity and stability.
Does the Flight Iris Tenor have a slotted headstock?: Yes, it features a striking slotted headstock, which is a premium visual and functional design choice often found on higher-end models.
What material is used for the nut and saddle?: The nut and saddle are made of bone, a material preferred for its ability to transmit string energy efficiently to the wood.
What visual appointments does the Iris Tenor have?: It includes white body binding, a delicate rosette around the soundhole, and modern offset position markers on the fretboard.
How does Calantas wood affect the sound?: Calantas provides smooth mids and a deep response, contributing to a rich, balanced tone with significant projection.
Is this ukulele suitable for beginners?: While beginners can certainly use it, its solid top and tenor size make it especially suited for players who want more dynamic range and professional features.
What is the typical price range for the Flight Iris Tenor Calantas?: This specific model typically retails for approximately GBP 145, placing it in the mid-range category of performance ukuleles.