A Concert Uke That Actually Turns Heads
Spalted maple is one of those woods that stops people mid-scroll. The dark, branching figure that gives it its name isn't a stain or a finish — it's the wood itself, every piece genuinely one-of-a-kind. Fender took that naturally striking material and wrapped it into the Zuma Exotic, a concert-sized ukulele that looks like it belongs on a shelf as much as in your hands. Fortunately, it sounds great too.
The concert size hits a comfortable sweet spot — bigger than a soprano so you get more volume and sustain, but still compact enough to toss in a bag. The 15" scale and 1.375" nut width give you enough room to fingerpick comfortably without feeling like you're fighting the instrument. Whether you're a first-time uke player stepping up from a beginner model or a guitarist wanting something genuinely fun to noodle on, the Zuma Exotic earns its spot.
Spalted Maple Top, Back, and Sides
The entire body — top, back, and sides — is spalted maple, finished in an open-pore satin that lets the natural texture come through. You're not getting a glossy lacquer that hides the wood; you're getting the material itself. Each instrument looks a little different because the spalt patterns are never the same twice.
The body is complemented by cream binding on the top, back, and fingerboard, and an abalone rosette around the soundhole. These details give the Zuma Exotic a finished, polished look without veering into precious territory.
Nato Neck and Walnut Fingerboard
The neck is nato — a stable, smooth-feeling hardwood that Fender uses across several of their acoustic instruments. It pairs with a walnut fingerboard that has a clean, natural feel underhand. White dot inlays keep navigation simple, and the 16-fret neck gives you a bit more range than some concert ukes offer.
The nut is bone (1.375" wide), and the saddle is walnut as well — both materials that contribute to clear note transfer at the front and back of the string. The chrome closed-gear tuners are reliable and easy to use, housed in Fender's signature 4-in-line Tele-style headstock.
Fender's No-Tie Bridge
Fender's California Coast series introduced a no-tie (pull-through) bridge design, and it's one of those quality-of-life features you don't think about until you've struggled through restringing a traditional ukulele bridge with its fiddly knotting. On the Zuma, you just thread the string through and go. It's a small thing, but it makes the instrument feel more approachable at every skill level.
The Tele-style headstock is also worth mentioning — it's a nice Fender signature touch that gives the Zuma Exotic a little extra personality compared to a standard paddle headstock.
Product Features:
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Size: Concert
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Top, Back & Sides: Spalted maple with open-pore satin finish
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Neck: Nato
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Fingerboard: Walnut, 16 frets, white dot inlays
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Scale Length: 15" (381 mm)
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Nut: Bone, 1.375" wide
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Saddle: Walnut
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Bridge: No-tie pull-through walnut bridge
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Rosette: Abalone
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Binding: Cream (top, back, and fingerboard)
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Headstock: 4-in-line Telecaster-style with chrome closed-gear tuners
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Electronics: Acoustic (no pickup)
Brand: Fender
Model: Zuma Exotic Concert Ukulele
SKU: 0970450594-2ND
Condition: B-Stock
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