TLDR Review: Ortega RU5CE-SO Soprano Ukulele

The Ortega Guitars RU5CE-SO Soprano Ukulele seems like a good buy, especially if you're after an easy-to-use instrument with a few extra perks. The manufacturer's description mentions it comes with the Ortega MagusPro Preamp/Pickup System, including a built-in tuner.

This feature helps keep the ukulele in tune, which is super handy for beginners and experienced players alike. It’s particularly useful if you're playing in different places where tuning can change more often.

From our research, the built-in tuner is reliable. Someone mentioned, 'Built-in tuner is nice... just have to remember to turn the tuner off when not using it so you don't kill your battery.' Another person said the electronic tuner works as expected, which highlights its overall convenience.

Just keep an eye on the battery life, since it uses two lithium metal batteries that come with the instrument. Managing the batteries well will ensure the tuner stays functional.

Besides the tuner, the ukulele features a spruce top and sapele body, which the manufacturer says gives it a warm, resonant sound. This construction is great for players who really care about sound quality.

All in all, the Ortega RU5CE-SO offers some nice features, especially the built-in tuner, which adds a lot of convenience. Combined with its quality build and sound, it seems like a pretty solid choice for its price range.

The Ortega Guitars RU5CE-SO Soprano Ukulele comes with a set of Ortega's own ukulele strings. These strings are designed to give a warm and rich tone that really complements the sound of the uke. The manufacturer picked these strings to match the instrument's construction, so it's ready to play beautifully right out of the box.

While the exact type of strings isn't detailed specifically, Ortega usually uses high-quality nylon strings for their ukuleles. These are durable and provide a consistent sound. If you ever want to try something different, many uke players recommend Aquila Nylgut or Worth strings for their bright tones and long-lasting performance.

From our research, it seems many people are happy with the default strings and feel they add positively to the overall playability of the ukulele. But, as with any instrument, what works best can depend on your personal preference and playing style. If you're curious about exploring different sounds, swapping out the strings might be a good idea.

Oh, and don't forget, the RU5CE-SO also has a built-in Ortega MagusUke Preamp/Pickup System with an integrated tuner, which is super handy for both practice and performances.

This helps ensure a clear, amplified sound whether you're playing acoustically or plugged in.

The build quality of the Ortega Guitars RU5CE-SO Soprano Ukulele is pretty solid overall, with a few things to keep in mind.

According to the manufacturer, it has a spruce top, but our research shows that this top is laminated, not solid. This can affect the sound a bit since solid tops usually have better sound projection than laminated ones.

Still, the craftsmanship is quite good for its price range. It’s well-built with chrome-plated diecast tuning machines that help keep it in tune and decent electronics if you’re planning to plug it in.

Regarding sound, there are mixed opinions. A lot of folks appreciate its sound, especially when amplified, saying it has good resonance and tone.

However, some purists might be a bit let down by the laminated top because it might not offer the same acoustic performance as a solid top. So, if having a solid spruce top is really important to you, you might want to explore other options.

But if you're okay with a laminated top and need a reliable ukulele with good build quality and electronic features, the Ortega RU5CE-SO is worth considering.