What is the primary material used for the TUS-35 body?

The back and sides of the Flight TUS-35 are made from ABS plastic, which provides durability and resistance to warping. The top is made from laminate linden wood to maintain a bright, balanced tone.

Is the Flight TUS-35 suitable for beginners?

Yes, it is highly suitable for beginners due to its affordable price point and robust build. It is easy to handle and comes with a gig bag, making it a complete starter package.

Does this ukulele come with a case?

The Flight TUS-35 includes a bespoke gig bag as part of the standard package. This provides basic protection and makes it easy to transport the instrument immediately.

What size is the Flight TUS-35?

This is a soprano-sized ukulele, which is the smallest standard ukulele size. It is ideal for children or adults who prefer a compact, portable instrument.

Can the TUS-35 withstand humidity changes?

Yes, because the back and sides are made of ABS plastic, the instrument is largely resistant to the warping caused by humidity and temperature fluctuations. This makes it an excellent travel companion.

What is the price of the Flight TUS-35?

The typical price range for this model is approximately £40.00. This makes it a budget-friendly option for both new and experienced players.

How does the sound of the TUS-35 differ from all-wood ukuleles?

The ABS plastic back gives the TUS-35 a punchy and bright projection. While it may lack some of the warmth of solid wood, the linden top ensures the tone remains melodic and clear.

What color is this specific model?

This specific version of the TUS-35 comes in a vibrant orange finish. Flight also offers other colors and designs in the Travel series, such as the Copper TUS-65.

Is the Flight TUS-35 loud enough for performance?

While it is a small soprano ukulele, it is described as having a punchy sound with 'huge character.' It is suitable for personal practice and small acoustic gatherings.

How does the TUS-35 compare to the Flight DUS320?

The TUS-35 is a travel-focused model with a plastic back, whereas the DUS320 is a standard soprano featuring Zebrawood back and sides. The TUS-35 is more durable for travel, while the DUS320 offers a more traditional wood aesthetic.

Are the strings standard on the TUS-35?

The TUS-35 uses standard ukulele strings. While specific brands can be swapped by the user, the instrument is designed to provide a clear and punchy tone right out of the box.

What is 'laminate linden'?

Laminate linden is a layered wood used for the soundboard of the TUS-35. It is chosen for its bright tonal qualities and its ability to withstand environmental stress better than solid wood.

Gear article

Flight TUS-35 Travel Soprano Ukulele Orange

The Flight TUS-35 Travel Soprano is a compact, robust ukulele designed for portability and durability. It features a unique hybrid construction combining a laminate linden top with an ABS plastic body, offering a punchy sound and resistance to environmental changes.

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Overview

The Flight TUS-35 is a sleek travel instrument within the soprano category, designed for musicians who require a portable and resilient ukulele. While traditional ukuleles are often sensitive to humidity and temperature changes, the TUS-35 utilizes modern materials to ensure it can be taken into various environments without the risk of structural damage. Its bright orange finish provides a bold aesthetic that matches its punchy sonic character.

Design and Build Quality

The defining feature of the TUS-35 is its hybrid material composition. The back and sides of the instrument are moulded from high-quality ABS plastic. This choice of material makes the ukulele exceptionally robust and resistant to warping, which is a common issue for wooden instruments in transit.

To balance the synthetic components, Flight uses laminate linden for the soundboard. This ensures that the instrument retains the tonal properties expected of a traditional ukulele while benefiting from the structural integrity of the plastic body.

Sound and Playability

Despite its small soprano frame, the TUS-35 is described as having a 'huge character' with a punchy sound profile. The laminate linden top contributes a bright yet balanced tone, allowing individual notes to remain clear and melodic within chords. The plastic back acts as a reflective surface, projecting the sound forward with efficiency. The result is a crisp audio output that avoids the muffled quality sometimes found in budget soprano instruments.

Target Audience

This ukulele is specifically targeted at travelling musicians and students. Because of its resistance to weather conditions, it is an ideal choice for outdoor use, festivals, or holidays. Its price point of approximately £40 makes it accessible for beginners who want a reliable starter instrument, as well as experienced players looking for a 'beater' ukulele that they do not need to worry about damaging.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Flight range, the TUS-35 sits alongside the TUS-65 Copper, which offers a different aesthetic finish. For those seeking traditional wood construction, models like the DUS320 Zebrawood or the NUS350DC Dreamcatcher provide different tonal signatures but lack the weather-resistance of the TUS-35. Compared to concert-sized alternatives such as the Ferndale UC-W or Flight AUC33, the TUS-35 is smaller and more portable, though it offers less volume and fretboard space than those larger models.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary material used for the TUS-35 body?: The back and sides of the Flight TUS-35 are made from ABS plastic, which provides durability and resistance to warping. The top is made from laminate linden wood to maintain a bright, balanced tone.
Is the Flight TUS-35 suitable for beginners?: Yes, it is highly suitable for beginners due to its affordable price point and robust build. It is easy to handle and comes with a gig bag, making it a complete starter package.
Does this ukulele come with a case?: The Flight TUS-35 includes a bespoke gig bag as part of the standard package. This provides basic protection and makes it easy to transport the instrument immediately.
What size is the Flight TUS-35?: This is a soprano-sized ukulele, which is the smallest standard ukulele size. It is ideal for children or adults who prefer a compact, portable instrument.
Can the TUS-35 withstand humidity changes?: Yes, because the back and sides are made of ABS plastic, the instrument is largely resistant to the warping caused by humidity and temperature fluctuations. This makes it an excellent travel companion.
What is the price of the Flight TUS-35?: The typical price range for this model is approximately £40.00. This makes it a budget-friendly option for both new and experienced players.
How does the sound of the TUS-35 differ from all-wood ukuleles?: The ABS plastic back gives the TUS-35 a punchy and bright projection. While it may lack some of the warmth of solid wood, the linden top ensures the tone remains melodic and clear.
What color is this specific model?: This specific version of the TUS-35 comes in a vibrant orange finish. Flight also offers other colors and designs in the Travel series, such as the Copper TUS-65.
Is the Flight TUS-35 loud enough for performance?: While it is a small soprano ukulele, it is described as having a punchy sound with 'huge character.' It is suitable for personal practice and small acoustic gatherings.
How does the TUS-35 compare to the Flight DUS320?: The TUS-35 is a travel-focused model with a plastic back, whereas the DUS320 is a standard soprano featuring Zebrawood back and sides. The TUS-35 is more durable for travel, while the DUS320 offers a more traditional wood aesthetic.
Are the strings standard on the TUS-35?: The TUS-35 uses standard ukulele strings. While specific brands can be swapped by the user, the instrument is designed to provide a clear and punchy tone right out of the box.
What is 'laminate linden'?: Laminate linden is a layered wood used for the soundboard of the TUS-35. It is chosen for its bright tonal qualities and its ability to withstand environmental stress better than solid wood.