What wood is used for the Flight Spirit body?

The Flight Spirit features solid acacia for the top, back, and sides. This all-solid construction provides a warmer and more complex tone than laminate wood.

Is the Flight Spirit an acoustic or electric ukulele?

It is an electro-acoustic model. It can be played purely acoustically or plugged into an amplifier or PA system using its internal pickup.

What type of pickup system does it use?

The instrument is equipped with a Double Active C1U pickup. This system is active, meaning it requires a power source to boost the signal for high-quality amplification.

Where is the pickup located on this model?

The controls for the C1U pickup are located underneath the soundhole. This design prevents the need for cutting a large hole into the side of the solid wood body.

What size is the Flight Spirit?

This is a concert-sized ukulele. This size is popular for providing more room on the fretboard than a soprano while remaining portable.

Does the Flight Spirit come with a case?

Yes, it includes a branded Flight gig bag. The bag is designed to make transportation effortless and protect the solid wood from damage.

How does solid acacia sound compared to other woods?

Solid acacia is known for its warmth and smoothness. It is often compared to Hawaiian Koa for its balanced frequency response and rich tonal character.

What materials are used for the neck and fretboard?

The neck is made from mahogany and the fretboard is rosewood. These woods contribute to a well-balanced feel and provide a familiar playing surface for most musicians.

Is this ukulele suitable for beginners?

While beginners can certainly play it, the professional features and solid wood construction make it especially suited for intermediate to advanced players. Its price point reflects its high-end specifications.

Can the Flight Spirit be used for studio recording?

Yes, the solid wood construction provides the tonal depth required for recording. It can be recorded using an external microphone or by plugging in via the C1U pickup.

How does it compare to the Flight TUS-65?

The TUS-65 is a travel soprano model with plastic components, whereas the Spirit is an all-solid wood concert model. The Spirit offers a significantly more traditional and resonant acoustic tone.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Flight Spirit All Solid Concert Ukulele typically retails for approximately £439. This price includes the instrument and its dedicated gig bag.

Gear article

Flight Spirit All Solid Concert Ukulele

The Flight Spirit All Solid Concert Ukulele is a high-quality electro-acoustic instrument designed for professional use in studios and live performances. Built with an all-solid acacia body and a double active C1U pickup, it offers a warm, balanced tone suitable for players of all skill levels.

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Background and Design

The Flight Spirit forms part of Flight Ukuleles' high-end offerings, specifically targeting the electro-acoustic market. Unlike entry-level laminate models, the Spirit is defined by its all-solid construction. Flight has designed this model to be a versatile 'workhorse' instrument, capable of transitioning seamlessly from home practice to professional recording and live gigging environments.

Tonewoods and Construction

The primary material used for the body is solid acacia. Acacia is a relative of Hawaiian Koa and is prized in ukulele manufacturing for providing a smooth, warm tone that matures over time. The solid construction allows for better resonance and projection compared to laminate alternatives. This acacia body is complemented by a mahogany neck and a rosewood fretboard, materials chosen to provide structural stability and a balanced tonal response across the frequency spectrum.

Electronics and Performance

A defining feature of the Flight Spirit is its integrated electronics system. It is equipped with a Double Active C1U pickup located discreetly underneath the soundhole. This active system ensures that the natural acoustic character of the solid acacia is accurately translated when amplified. The placement of the controls inside the soundhole helps maintain the aesthetic integrity of the all-solid wood body, avoiding the need for large cutouts on the side of the instrument.

Playability and Portability

The Spirit is built in the concert size, which offers a middle ground between the compact soprano and the larger tenor size. This results in a comfortable scale for most hand sizes while providing more volume and sustain than a soprano. To assist with professional use, the instrument includes a padded gig bag as standard, designed to protect the solid wood from environmental changes and physical damage during transportation.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Flight catalogue, the Spirit sits above the more affordable DUC325 Zebrawood or the AUC33 Orchid models, which are often preferred by beginners. Compared to the Ferndale UC-W Walnut or the Kala Surfboard series, the Spirit distinguishes itself through its all-solid acacia build and the inclusion of active electronics, placing it in a more professional price bracket of approximately £439.

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Frequently asked questions

What wood is used for the Flight Spirit body?: The Flight Spirit features solid acacia for the top, back, and sides. This all-solid construction provides a warmer and more complex tone than laminate wood.
Is the Flight Spirit an acoustic or electric ukulele?: It is an electro-acoustic model. It can be played purely acoustically or plugged into an amplifier or PA system using its internal pickup.
What type of pickup system does it use?: The instrument is equipped with a Double Active C1U pickup. This system is active, meaning it requires a power source to boost the signal for high-quality amplification.
Where is the pickup located on this model?: The controls for the C1U pickup are located underneath the soundhole. This design prevents the need for cutting a large hole into the side of the solid wood body.
What size is the Flight Spirit?: This is a concert-sized ukulele. This size is popular for providing more room on the fretboard than a soprano while remaining portable.
Does the Flight Spirit come with a case?: Yes, it includes a branded Flight gig bag. The bag is designed to make transportation effortless and protect the solid wood from damage.
How does solid acacia sound compared to other woods?: Solid acacia is known for its warmth and smoothness. It is often compared to Hawaiian Koa for its balanced frequency response and rich tonal character.
What materials are used for the neck and fretboard?: The neck is made from mahogany and the fretboard is rosewood. These woods contribute to a well-balanced feel and provide a familiar playing surface for most musicians.
Is this ukulele suitable for beginners?: While beginners can certainly play it, the professional features and solid wood construction make it especially suited for intermediate to advanced players. Its price point reflects its high-end specifications.
Can the Flight Spirit be used for studio recording?: Yes, the solid wood construction provides the tonal depth required for recording. It can be recorded using an external microphone or by plugging in via the C1U pickup.
How does it compare to the Flight TUS-65?: The TUS-65 is a travel soprano model with plastic components, whereas the Spirit is an all-solid wood concert model. The Spirit offers a significantly more traditional and resonant acoustic tone.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Flight Spirit All Solid Concert Ukulele typically retails for approximately £439. This price includes the instrument and its dedicated gig bag.