What is a 'Long Neck' soprano ukulele?

A long neck soprano ukulele, like the TUSL-32, features a standard soprano-sized body but is fitted with a longer concert-scale neck. This gives the player more frets and wider spacing while keeping the instrument compact.

What materials are used in the TUSL-32?

The back, sides, neck, and fingerboard are constructed from high-quality ABS plastic. The top is made from laminate linden wood, which features the Sakura decorative print.

Is the Flight TUSL-32 resistant to weather changes?

Yes, because the back and sides are made of ABS plastic, the instrument is highly resistant to warping caused by humidity or temperature changes. This makes it an ideal choice for camping or traveling.

What does the 'Sakura' in the name refer to?

Sakura refers to the Japanese cherry blossom. The top of the ukulele features a graphic design depicting these blossoms, giving the instrument a unique aesthetic appearance.

Does the TUSL-32 come with any accessories?

Yes, the Flight TUSL-32 comes with a bespoke gig bag designed specifically for the travel series. This provides a basic level of protection for transport and storage.

How does the sound of the plastic back compare to wood?

The ABS plastic back is designed with a rounded shape to improve projection. It produces a punchy, bright sound that is often louder and more resilient than entry-level all-wood ukuleles in the same price bracket.

What is the typical price for the Flight TUSL-32?

The typical price for this model is approximately £49. This makes it an affordable option for beginners or experienced players looking for a 'beater' or travel instrument.

Who is the TUSL-32 best suited for?

It is best suited for travelers, children, or players who prefer the sound of a soprano but need the extra finger room provided by a concert-scale neck.

How many frets does the TUSL-32 have?

Because it uses a concert-scale neck, it typically features more frets than a standard soprano, usually totaling 17 frets, allowing for a greater melodic range.

How does this model compare to the Flight TUS-65?

While both are part of the Travel series, the TUS-65 is a standard soprano scale, whereas the TUSL-32 features the extended long neck. The TUS-65 also typically features different aesthetic finishes like Copper.

Can the TUSL-32 handle different tunings?

It is designed for standard G-C-E-A tuning. The stability of the plastic neck helps maintain tuning even when moving between different environments.

Is the fingerboard also plastic?

Yes, the fingerboard and frets are integrated into the ABS plastic neck construction. This eliminates the risk of sharp fret ends caused by wood shrinkage.

Gear article

Flight TUSL-32 Travel Long Neck Soprano Ukulele Sakura

The Flight TUSL-32 is a specialized travel ukulele featuring a soprano-sized body paired with a longer concert-scale neck. Designed for durability and portability, it combines an ABS plastic back and sides with a laminate linden top featuring a 'Sakura' cherry blossom aesthetic.

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Overview

The Flight TUSL-32 Travel Long Neck Soprano Ukulele is part of Flight's 'Travel' series, engineered to provide a robust instrument capable of withstanding environmental changes. The standout feature of this specific model is its 'Long Neck' design, which utilizes a soprano-sized body for compactness while offering the extended scale length and fret spacing of a concert ukulele. This hybrid approach is intended to provide the portability of a small instrument with the improved playability for those with larger hands or a preference for more frets.

Design and Construction

The construction of the TUSL-32 focuses on resilience and tonal projection. The back and sides are moulded from ABS plastic, a material chosen for its resistance to warping, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. This makes the instrument highly suitable for outdoor use or travel. The top is crafted from laminate linden wood, which is decorated with the 'Sakura' finish, a design inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms. The instrument includes a bespoke gig bag to further facilitate safe transport.

Sound and Performance

Despite its plastic back, the TUSL-32 is described as having a 'punchy' sound. The rounded back design typical of the Flight Travel series helps to project the sound forward, ensuring that chords remain clear and bright. The linden top contributes a balanced tone that complements the soprano body's natural treble-focused character. The extended concert-scale neck allows for more room between frets, which can lead to better intonation and easier chord formation compared to a standard soprano scale.

Target Audience and Comparison

The TUSL-32 is primarily suited for musicians who require a durable instrument for travel but find the standard soprano neck too restrictive. It sits in a similar market space to the Flight TUS-65 or the more traditional wood-based Flight DUS320, though it offers greater weather resistance than the latter. Compared to concert models like the Flight AUC33 or the Ferndale UC-W, the TUSL-32 maintains a smaller, more portable body profile while retaining the longer fretboard.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a 'Long Neck' soprano ukulele?: A long neck soprano ukulele, like the TUSL-32, features a standard soprano-sized body but is fitted with a longer concert-scale neck. This gives the player more frets and wider spacing while keeping the instrument compact.
What materials are used in the TUSL-32?: The back, sides, neck, and fingerboard are constructed from high-quality ABS plastic. The top is made from laminate linden wood, which features the Sakura decorative print.
Is the Flight TUSL-32 resistant to weather changes?: Yes, because the back and sides are made of ABS plastic, the instrument is highly resistant to warping caused by humidity or temperature changes. This makes it an ideal choice for camping or traveling.
What does the 'Sakura' in the name refer to?: Sakura refers to the Japanese cherry blossom. The top of the ukulele features a graphic design depicting these blossoms, giving the instrument a unique aesthetic appearance.
Does the TUSL-32 come with any accessories?: Yes, the Flight TUSL-32 comes with a bespoke gig bag designed specifically for the travel series. This provides a basic level of protection for transport and storage.
How does the sound of the plastic back compare to wood?: The ABS plastic back is designed with a rounded shape to improve projection. It produces a punchy, bright sound that is often louder and more resilient than entry-level all-wood ukuleles in the same price bracket.
What is the typical price for the Flight TUSL-32?: The typical price for this model is approximately £49. This makes it an affordable option for beginners or experienced players looking for a 'beater' or travel instrument.
Who is the TUSL-32 best suited for?: It is best suited for travelers, children, or players who prefer the sound of a soprano but need the extra finger room provided by a concert-scale neck.
How many frets does the TUSL-32 have?: Because it uses a concert-scale neck, it typically features more frets than a standard soprano, usually totaling 17 frets, allowing for a greater melodic range.
How does this model compare to the Flight TUS-65?: While both are part of the Travel series, the TUS-65 is a standard soprano scale, whereas the TUSL-32 features the extended long neck. The TUS-65 also typically features different aesthetic finishes like Copper.
Can the TUSL-32 handle different tunings?: It is designed for standard G-C-E-A tuning. The stability of the plastic neck helps maintain tuning even when moving between different environments.
Is the fingerboard also plastic?: Yes, the fingerboard and frets are integrated into the ABS plastic neck construction. This eliminates the risk of sharp fret ends caused by wood shrinkage.