Baton Rouge Guitars make ukuleles (and guitars, as the name probably suggests!). They have developed a reputation for good value, concentrating on serious beginner and intermediate level instruments.
About the brand
Baton Rouge is a German brand name, give to their instruments which are made in China. In the UK, they're distributed by Stones Music - which is where my stock comes from. That adds an extra level of quality control as Mark at Stones checks each instrument - often adjusting and setting ukes up before they get to me. I've often joked that they arrive with me with a bit of nut dust at the end of fingerboard - telltale signs that Mark has adjusted the action at the nut. It's a key factor actually, as you'll often find that you can get Baton Rouge from German companies slightly cheaper than you can in the UK. They'll come without this inspection and adjustment, so genuinely always worth getting them in the UK!
Baton Rouge Soprano Ukuleles
Some highlights from the range of soprano ukes that Baton Rouge produce... One that catches the eye straight away is the entry level Baton Rouge UR-11S soprano (now sadly discontinued). I first came across this when acquiring a large number of ukes to use in workshops at the Costa Del Folk events in Portugal. They've got a nice sound at a reasonable price and helped lots of beginners at those workshops get going. Apart from that nice mellow tone and good playability, a key bonus when getting 30+ ready each day was the speed they took to settle in - so we could get busy learning and spend less timing tuning!
I am also a fan of the V2 series, with the soprano offering two different variants. The Baton Rouge V2-S soprano ukulele is a serious beginner instrument, which offers a bit of an upgrade in terms of specification from the UR-11S, with nicer frets and tuners. There's a flourish of decoration around the soundhole, with a laser etched sun motif, and the back is slightly arched which seems to add a little more mellow nature to the sound. Something Baton Rouge are good at is making models that are outside the norm, demonstrating a knowledge of the ukulele market and what players are looking for. As a result, they came up with the V2-SW wide neck soprano ukulele, which has a wider, 38mm nut width to give those with larger hands a viable, comfortable option in soprano size.
Some of the Baton Rouge range of soprano ukuleles
Baton Rouge Concert Ukuleles
There's a concert version from the V2 series which goes down very well, the Baton Rouge V2-C concert ukulele. This is one of the ukes that I would suggest to people who are starting out - as it has everything you need - it's playable, with a nice tone and is well put together. It isn't the most extravagant in terms of looks - and you can get all sorts of fancy looking instruments at the same price... but with the V2-C everything has gone into how it sounds and plays, rather than trying to get a sale because it looks flash!
Having said that, there are also some colourful options at concert size, which is a sensible choice at an end of the market where people can choose with their eyes. The Baton Rouge VX2/C-DBU for example, uses a pleasant blue stain, through which the wood grain is still visible, to add a bit of flair to a solid instrument (when I say solid, I mean well made, not solid wood - just to be clear!). This series also includes models with a pickup, at an affordable price, like the Baton Rouge VX2/CE-SW concert ukulele, in white. (Note, these models have been discontinued apart from the V2-C)
Concert ukuleles from Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Tenor Ukuleles
Another option for the serious beginner is the Baton Rouge V2-T tenor ukulele, which is a good choice for those with larger fingers, with a more spacious 37mm nut width. When starting out, hitting frets cleanly can be an issue so this 'plain-but-good' tenor is ideal. While that one is inexpensive, stepping up the range to the Baton Rouge UR71T tenor uke gives you a solid redwood top and a more mature tone, while keeping that spaciousness and the mellow edge that has become a signature of the brand. Again, there are models that add a bit more of a fun, and visual flair too, like the Baton Rouge VX2/TE-RB electro tenor (discontinued), which combines a passive pickup and a red sunburst, at an affordable price.
Tenor ukes from the BR range
Baton Rouge Baritone Ukuleles
Unless you play baritone all of the time, there's a logic in buying a baritone ukulele that isn't that expensive. With a good quality brand like this, it is an ideal instrument to add to your collection for when you need a different tone, or fancy something a little different. In the Baton Rouge V2-B baritone ukulele, you can do this without spending a fortune, and enjoy a deep, rolling tone without breaking the bank.
Baton Rouge Multi-Stringed Ukuleles
OK, technically regular ukuleles are multi stringed, but here I am referring to 5, 6 and 8 string models, which is something the brand really excels in. Their V2-T8 8-string tenor ukulele sells extremely well - again hitting that price point where experimenting doesn't cost the earth, but you get a playable instrument. There are also 5 and 6 string versions in this range.
A newer addition to their range is the Baton Rouge V2-B8 8-string baritone ukulele, which has a high and low D, high and low G, and pairs of B's and E's, making for a really rich sounding instrument with a folky, jangly sound. The fact that Baton Rouge make such an instrument, which is never going to be a mass market product, suggests that they're interested in filling niches and demonstrates their commitment to the ukulele. This, in contrast with some of the bigger brands, guitar makers especially, who can sometimes make ukuleles almost as a novelty.
Baton rouge multi-stringed ukes and baritones
Conclusion
The Baton Rouge range always delivers good value. If you've got a budget up to £200, they have lots of ukes that sit really well against the equivalent competition, and should be a real consideration if you want great quality at competitive prices.