There are a number of ways that Flight is different. Our company values people and the connections we have with others, so we take time to build relationships with our customers and to support them as they create their own music. We want to provide quality instruments at affordable prices. We try to design instruments that look amazing and play well. We want to offer excellent customer service. While we pay attention to what is happening in the ukulele market, we believe that we are our own competition–so we continue to introduce exciting new models and to refine the models that we offer.

We have a team in China that helps us to maintain our high standards of quality control. This team is essential in helping us build and refine our ukuleles to meet our–and your–high expectations for what the ukulele experience should be.

Ukuleles, particularly ukuleles made with wood, have their own voice, and no two ukuleles will sound exactly alike. People have different opinions as to what they like in an instrument. While we can’t promise that every player will love every one of our ukuleles, we work very hard to make sure that every Flight Ukulele is a “good” ukulele. While many of our models are affordable, we purposely avoid selling “junky” ukuleles.

We have relationships with exclusive artists, members of our Flight Crew, and other creators. We believe that our company has a “soul,” an attitude, and a vibe which is positive and energetic because we’re more than “just” a company. We will do our best to stay connected with our “soul” even as we continue to grow.

There are many reasons why ukuleles don’t stay in tune. We have done our best to provide you with a ukulele that you can tune up and play, right out of the box, but there are some issues that you should be aware of.

First, ukulele strings stretch and go out of tune. Even the greatest players in the world stop and tune frequently. Most ukulele strings will settle over time, but it can take a while. While we won’t say, “Never,” it is highly unlikely that your tuning pegs are slipping. The key is to tune, play, tune, play, and so on, until the instrument holds tune.

Second, if you have owned your ukulele a while, and it no longer sounds like it did or it plays out of tune, it may be time to change the strings.

Third, if you have a new ukulele, it has undertaken an extensive journey over land, sea, and air. While we do our best to make sure that instruments are set up correctly at the factory, weather conditions between the factory and your home can cause the set-up of your ukulele to change. This can include action that is no longer perfect or sharp fret ends, something that can happen to nearly any wood ukulele. Fret ends can be filed, and the nut (on most models) and saddle are adjustable. If you are experiencing these difficulties, and you are not familiar with setting up a ukulele, we would encourage you to visit a local luthier who can assist you with the process.

We would love to sell ukuleles everywhere in the world, but it isn’t easy to set up distribution in a new territory. It would be best if you could ask about our brand in your local stores and help us spread awareness of Flight ukuleles.  Additionally, there are some Flight dealers who will ship nearly anywhere in the world.

Flight only sells two models with friction tuners. On friction tuners, a partial clockwise turn of the main screw will increase the friction on the tuner, making it hold tight (and harder to turn). Don’t over tighten the screw!

If you have geared tuners of any kind, they should never be loose. It is good to occasionally check that all the tuner screws are secure, such as during a string change. If you have a faulty tuner, please reach out to us so we can support you (to troubleshoot or replace a tuner).

We did sell ukuleles from our website at one time, but our desire is to support local music stores. We would prefer that you visit a music store in your community to buy a Flight ukulele, or purchase your Flight from a ukulele specialist shop.  You can find links by country here (link), or you can search our index of authorized dealers here (link).

In the United States, our distributor sells direct via Reverb, as another option for customers looking for Flight Ukuleles.

In all cases, we would encourage you to consider all factors in buying an ukulele, such as the cost of shipping, if a final inspection is included before shipping, and if a set-up is included or offered at an additional price.  We do think that dealers who offer these services make for happier customers and owners.

A passive pick-up is just that…it is passive. While many amplifiers will still produce tone from a passive pickup, passive pickups are meant to be used with a pre-amp. Some pickups, like our Flight Soundwave system, are amplified and can go directly to an amplifier. The joy of a passive pickup is that it is light, and you can use the same preamplifier for a number of instruments.

As of 2020, Flight began using active pickups in all of the Princess and Royal series, as well as some additional models across our catalog,.

We understand that there are many artists and creators in the world who would like to have a relationship with Flight Ukulele. While we foster a positive community of ukulele players, we cannot establish formal relationships with everyone. In general, we reach out to artists and creators who “show up on our radar” over time. We consider many factors, such as the talent of the individual, their reach, their content, and the “vibe” and aesthetics of how they present themselves to the world. As we connect with artists, we pay close attention to their dedication to their craft and their loyalty to our brand.

In the recent past, we made a decision to concentrate on growing our relationship with a smaller group of artists, Flight Exclusive Artists, who only use Flight ukuleles and represent our company in their own content, as well as in sponsored content and events with Flight. This was a big change for our company, but it is a common practice in the music industry, and we like how the Flight Exclusive Artist program is working and growing.

That said, we greatly appreciate all of the artists and creators that work with Flight Ukulele and continue to spread the joy of music throughout the world.

You can see the Flight Crew and find an artist application here (link).

Nut width is the width of the nut on the top of your ukulele, which determines the spacing of the strings as they go down the fretboard. While nut width is important, string spacing is just as important. Many ukuleles have a 35mm nut. Ukuleles can have nuts up to 38mm (1.5 inches). Players with large hands often appreciate a wider nut. And yes, an increase of 3mm can make a big difference.

While we want every player to own a Flight ukulele, we are a business, and we can’t give them away for free. That said, we regularly have giveaways on our social media, so make sure to follow our accounts and to enter those giveaways.

Prices on our website are in Euros as we are based in Europe.

One of the features of our Royal Series is the use of a pull-through bridge, which, in theory, transfers more string vibration to the sound board, resulting in a better sound.

It is actually quite easy to change strings on a pull-through bridge, and the coil of a new set of strings can be used to feed a string through the bridge and pop out the sound hole, so you can tie a knot in the string and pull it back and attach it to the tuning peg. Just make sure to put the correct strings in the correct positions as you install them on your ukulele!

Check out this YouTube video for further instructions:

You can use a Low G on any ukulele; make sure not to use a wound string on a plastic fretboard (like our Travel Series). It is possible that the nut may need to be adapted for the Low G string, but try it first and see if it works. If you need to adjust the nut for Low G and don’t feel comfortable doing the work yourself, find a local luthier to help you.

The short answer is: sometimes.

For ukuleles with symmetric sides (no cutaway) and no electronics, you can reverse the order of the strings, and things will be just fine. However, the C string is larger than the E string, and the grooves in the nut reflect the thickness of the strings. It is possible that the nut may need to be modified to be slightly wider for the new position of the C string, and it is possible–especially if the action on the ukulele has been lowered–that the E string could buzz in its new location. If either of these things are true, and you are not comfortable with diagnosing the problem–visit a luthier in your area that can help you out.

If you are interested in a left handed model, we do offer a left-handed pathfinder, but have not offered left-handed models of our acoustic or acoustic-electric ukuleles.

Flight uses the Double C1U pickup in some of its models, which is a sound hole mounted active pickup.  If you are looking to change the batteries in the pickup, there is a separate entry for that process in the FAQ, which includes a video.

The Double C1U is a great solution for an active (battery powered) pickup.  They are reliable and highly respected throughout the music industry.  The Double C1U uses a piezo pickup under the saddle, but the controls are mounted in the sound hole rather than requiring a hole to be cut on the side of a ukulele to house controls.

To turn on the pickup, simply plug an instrument cable into the output jack of the ukulele.  The system is off unless something is plugged into the jack.

There are two controls on the control panel. One control adjusts the volume output of the active pickup, and the other control adjusts the tone of the pickup.  They are labeled, but looking at the control panel as mounted, the volume control is on the left and the tone control is on the right.  You will have to adjust these settings to work with your equipment and tonal preferences.  As a note, many professional players continue to use an inline preamplifier with their active pickups, and you may also find that your equipment works better or best with a preamplifier.

The battery light will only illuminate when the batteries are low and need to be replaced.  If the light is not on when an instrument cable is plugged into the instrument jack, the batteries are good or they are completely drained and need to be replaced.

We asked the Southern Ukulele Store, a Flight Dealer, to record a video showing how to change the batteries on one of our sound hole mounted pickups:

We asked the Southern Ukulele Store, a Flight Dealer, to record a video showing how to tighten or reattach the output jack on a Princess or Royal Series ukulele:

While there can be mechanical issues with tuners, and tuners can be replaced, many times the tuners simply need to be oiled and have the oil worked into the gears to return the tuners to smooth functioning.  We asked the Southern Ukulele Store, a Flight Dealer, to record a video demonstrating this process:

The Flight Soundwave is an active pickup that adds effects either acoustically (through a small actuator installed in the ukulele) or externally.

The same Soundwave control unit is used on all instruments with the Soundwave, and can also be purchased separately to be installed on other ukuleles.  Every instrument will respond to the Soundwave differently, and there will be a point where the vibrations from the actuator will be picked up by the pickup, causing a feedback loop.

As a result, there is no “one setting” that works for all Soundwave models, and experimentation is needed to find the sweet spot for volume and amount of effect–which can change as multiple effects are added.

The Soundwave system is not meant to fill a room with sound, acoustically.  The effects are for personal enjoyment and playing.  If effects are desired for a group or larger setting, the output jack should be used with an amplification system.

We asked the Southern Ukulele Store, a Flight Dealer, to create a video demonstrating the use of a Soundwave system:

WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Flight music offers a limited warranty for new musical instruments and accessories purchased from a Flight Dealer for a period of one year from the date of purchase.  Flight warrants that the products and materials are free from defects in workmanship and materials and shall function properly under normal and proper use.  Any modification of the instrument shall void the warranty.

The warranty is non-transferrable; claims may only be made by the original purchaser.

Keep your original sales receipt or invoice.  Warranty claims will only be processed with the original proof of purchase.

Flight reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to determine the validity of any warranty claim upon inspection.  All returns must be approved in advance–any returns without authorization will not be accepted or refunded.

ITEMS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY

• Defects, damages, or malfunctions caused by negligence, misuse, accidental damage, improper maintenance, or alterations to the instrument or its parts;
• Damage due to improper storage, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, dry environments, salt air, or excessive humidity.  Please note that when out of their case or bag for more than forty-eight (48) hours, all solid top and solid wood instruments must be stored at a relative humidity of 40%-60%, with a humidifier placed in the instrument maintaining that level of humidity when the external environment falls below 40% relative humidity.  Failure to maintain proper humidity conditions may cause the instrument to crack (dry conditions) or swell (humid conditions) and shall void the warranty.  Please note: if your fret ends are sharp on an instrument, this is often a sign that the instrument is in need of humidity in storage;
• In-transit damage and damage resulting from mishandling during transportation;
• Broken strings or tuners due to improper tuning (e.g. tuning the  Low G on a Rock Series ukulele to High G).;
• Damage or deterioration due to normal wear and tear of the instrument or its parts or accessories, including, but not limited to the wear or breakage of frets, strings, nuts, saddle, batteries, finish, controls, buttons, switches, jacks, plated surfaces, tuning devices, cases, gig bags, gig bag handles, gig bag straps, gig bag zippers, latches, case hardware, and exteriors of cases or bags;
• Dissatisfaction due to personal opinions and preferences regarding the sound, tone, or feel of an instrument.

All Flight instruments and accessories are subject to changes in specifications at any point of time.

HOW TO CLAIM WARRANTY ASSISTANCE

As a global brand, Flight uses regional distributors and local stores and ukulele specialists to provide instruments, support, and accessories.  All warranty claims must be placed through the Flight authorized dealer where the instrument was originally purchased.  This includes, but is not limited to, mail order purchases, internet sales, in-store purchases, and authorized online auction sites.