Kala ka c concert ukulele review

The KA-15 Series is Kala’s flagship Mahogany collection and has become an industry standard. The traditional design is highlighted with a satin finish. Great for players of all ages and skill levels, the affordable KA-15 Series is sure to be a staple for generations to come. Built and designed to stand the test of time.

Bag and Case Information

Fits ALL Kala CONCERT sized bags and cases

Specs

Size: Concert Top: Mahogany Back & Sides: Mahogany Binding: N/A Neck: Mahogany Finish: Satin Fingerboard: Rosewood Headstock: Standard Strings: Aquila Super Nylgut® Electronics: N/A Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone® Strap Button: Black x1

Measurements

Scale Length: 14.875 inches, Overall Instrument Length: 24.25 inches, Body Length: 11.187 inches, Number of Frets: 18, Width at Upper Bout: 5.875 inches, Width at Lower Bout: 8.25 inches, Width at Waist: 4.937 inches, Body Depth: 2.367 inches, Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1.39 inches, Fingerboard width at neck/body joint: 1.77 inches

Kala Ukuleles are a relatively new ukulele brand, but have made a big impact. They are a great choice for people who want a well-made, quality ukulele at a decent price. They are particularly good for people who are getting more serious about playing the uke and want a quality ukulele without breaking the bank. I have a Kala Lacewood myself and it’s one of my favourite ukes. I highly recommend them as a company.

Kala was set up by Mike Upton, who had previously worked for the Hohner musical instrument company.

Kala have recently launched their ultra-cheap Makala ukuleles which have become a firm favorite in the under $50 price range (particularly appealing to kids with their dolphin ukuleles). And at a similar price there’s the Kala KA-S.

High profile users of Kala ukuleles include Nevershoutnever’s Christofer Drew Ingle, Michael McDonald (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers), Joe Brown (Kala have a Joe Brown signature ukulele) and Danielle Ate the Sandwich.

On Video

Kirk Shimabukuro (no relation to Jake) demonstrates a Kala KA-T.

On eBay US

On Amazon UK

Kala Models

Kala KA-S – Kala’s introductory level soprano ukulele. Kala KA-C – Kala’s introductory concert size uke. Kala KA-T – One of the best places to start in tenor ukuleles. Kala U-Bass – The size of a baritone ukulele, the range of a bass guitar. Kala U-Tar – Kala’s version of the guitarlele. Kala Travel Ukulele – Extra thin ukulele for when you want to take your ukeing out on the road. Kala Acacia – Wood from the koa family at a much lower price. Kala Spruce – Their spruce top ukuleles are some of the best value solid ukes around. KA-SC – Solid spruce top ukulele at knock-down price.

Kala KA-MT Mango Tenor Review

I recently took my first trip to the islands with my wife for our fifth anniversary. I knew before departing that I would be returning with a ukulele, though not which of the many makes and models that are available of the noble instrument. Seriously, i’ve been bit by the flea! And, in a way not at all unlike when a trip to europe many years ago reminded me of one of our other ‘grand designs’; the bicycle, to which my childhood attachment had been lost roughly around the time I was old enough to begin driving an automobile.

Anyway, after a bit of internet scouring, I came across a ukulele dealer/collector/enthusiast by the name of Music Guy Mic, who has both a ‘real world’ store in Kaneohe, as well as a brisk online business, with a huge contingent of buyers via Ebay. I ended up calling and, eventually, (island time!) spoke with him ([email protected]) directly. He, like so many of the islanders I met in the two and half weeks I was there, was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and extremely kind, eventually guiding me into my purchase of a KALA KA-MT Mango Tenor.

As a beginner, I decided that I needn’t go into debt on buying one of the superior offerings also available by Kala, or the numerous other companies that he had great understanding, as well as inventory, of. And to his testament, he withheld nothing regarding the origin or nature of construction. While a strikingly attractive instrument with the crazed ‘burled’ mango top sides and back (with contrasting wood binding), they are, apparently, in fact, a laminate or ply. Most purists hold the notion that this is inferior and most pricing of instruments comparatively will wholly illustrate that belief. But one recent ‘perspective’ that I was given was that laminates and plys often fair well in climate changes, where solid wood tops and sides can dry and split. I had never considered this, but it is somewhat understandable. A compromise of sorts, perhaps, but one that I can definitely favor.

Prior to shipping, the KA-MT received, as do all instruments sold through MusicGuyMic, an individual setup (including fretwork, if necessary from the factory) and stringing with Aquila premium Nylgut strings. To my ‘inexperienced’ ear, it sounds wonderful with a nice balance of highs and mids, and has, very importantly, spot on intonation. The new strings took a while to settle in, but the sealed gear tuning machines work wonderfully, and similarly to the ‘notion’ of many of the ‘top end’ makers, seem to be found on nearly everything considered to be of professional grade/quality/performance.

The instrument I purchased came as part of a ‘package’, by design, for the beginner who may wish to ‘hit the ground running’, i.e., accompanied with a hard-case, pitch-pipe, and the brilliant “Discovering The Ukulele” book by Herb Ohta J. & Daniel Ho. All for a price that was $100.00 less than any other resource I had theretofore come across, and, (here’s the kicker) free shipping. I was staying in Volcano Village on the big island for the first week, and made arrangements to receive it there during our stay at a bed and breakfast. in lieu of making a ‘preemptive’ purchase (in ignorance) and lugging it along, I decided it best to make my pilgrimage and see and speak to people who have generations of understanding with the native instrument. With the option available to me to actually travel to Hawaii, the decision was nearly a no-brainer. For anyone else, I would recommend relying on the help of the many knowledgeable and experienced people out there. The internet is an amazing resource, and the ukulele community seem to be all fine and welcoming. I can’t believe that it took me 42 years to get into it, but I’m admittedly obsessed.

As I had said in an email to Musicguymic following my return from the islands: “Just wanted to thank you , again, for making my ‘island experience’ complete. My purchase kept music in my hands (as well as my head) during my two weeks in Hawaii.”

Review by Jason

KALA Kiwi Review

The Kala Kiwi is a member of the Kala Novelty series, and is essentially the ‘sister’ model to the Pineapple Uke. Aside from being cute as a neon green ukulele could possibly be, it is seriously fun to play. The Kiwi is a soprano sized Uke, measuring in at a petite 21 inches. It comes with geared chrome tuners with pearly white knobs, and a rosewood fingerboard. The fret wires are finished smoothly, and did not require any fine tuning with a file to make them less ‘catchy’ and more functional. The Kiwi’s finish is a glossy nearly neon kiwi green, with a rather neat silk screen of the interior of a kiwi. Where the white center would be rests the sound hole. Pearly green binding completes the rather neat design.

This Uke is just plain fun to play. It attracts people, and will draw many comments before you even strum a note. Once you begin to play, you can appreciate the rather decent sound it puts out. The Kiwi sounds best at moderate volume– I’ve noticed that if you go too loudly, there is a generalized buzz. The stock GHS strings have a pleasant sound, but make sure to look at how they’re attached before you initially tune the instrument. Unfortunately, my A string was attached incorrectly at the tuner and popped out during my initial tuning. On a brighter note, this Ukulele is incredibly easy to string (I managed to do it in under 10 minutes after I got some replacement strings, and I never did it before on any stringed instrument). The Kiwi stays in tune rather well, from what I’ve read about other Ukuleles daily re-tunings are the norm, but this model will take some rather harsh playing without dropping out of tune. The tuners are in a fairly standard position for geared tuners, but I tend to notice they seem to get in the way while attempting some chords. Odds are this is due to my inexperience, but its really nothing that can’t be fixed by changing the position of your hand by a few millimeters. The Kiwi’s finish is very, VERY glossy and slick, a firm grasp is important if you’re standing as this Uke can slide around on you if you’re not careful. I’ve remedied this by putting a small square of foam tape on the bottom of the Kiwi.

As for durability, I will let the reader know, I am a klutz– I admit it, I’ve dropped my Kiwi. Aside from a teensy little dent up near the tuning pegs (it actually got the dent when I tried to catch it and ended up slamming into a wooden kitchen chair between the tuning pegs), it survived without injury. Other minor bumps have not dented or dulled the Kiwi. This instrument is indeed klutz friendly.

The Kiwi is a reasonably priced Uke, retailing for between $73 and $78 on E-Bay. I’d recommend this Uke for other beginners, as it is a fun, cute, and easy to play. For the advanced Ukeist, this is an awesome addition worthy of any collection.

Review by Barbara.

Kala KA-T Ukulele Video Review

Review by Donald C.

Kala Ukulele Review

I have just recently purchased a Kala solid mahagony electric/acoustic concert Ukulele with cutaway and it is glorious. The tone is bright like a Uke should be but it has a warmth to it that is rare in the few ukes I have played.

It came with ghs strings that for the time being sound quite lovely, I have been recommended the Aquila strings and would love to read if anyone has feed back on those.

The factory set up for this particular Kala is fantastic the action makes playing up the fretboard smooth and easy and yet there is no fret buzz to speak of. All in all a terrific buy and a beautiful matte finish makes the wood stand out. It has faux tortoise shell accents and I got a great 1920’s looking tweed hard case from Ukulele World to keep it protected.

I have been in transit since I bought this Uke and have not had a chance to really plug it in and “rock out” but the electronics work very well for recording purposes on my Mac. It could put out more sound unplugged but that might mess with the lovely tone so for me I would rather sacrifice some noise for some beauty.

Anyway that is my review I know it’s glowing but I am so happy with the Kala Ukulele and it is a great solid instrument for the price.

Is Kala a good ukulele brand?

Buying Options. Kala's KA-C Satin Mahogany Concert and KA-S Satin Mahogany Soprano ukuleles are both great to get started playing the uke. They both sound good and play very well, and, unlike many other ukuleles, they're reliably available from a wide variety of retailers.

Is Kala Ka Ce Satin Mahogany concert ukulele any good?

This great-sounding uke is part of Kala's Mahogany series, providing you with stunning looks and tone to match. One look at the KA-C's beautiful mahogany top, back, and sides, and you'll know this is one special uke. The lush and warm sound it produces is further proof of Kala's quality workmanship.

What's the best concert ukulele?

Check out our top-ranking products below for our recommendations..

Hola! Music Concert Ukulele Deluxe Series HM-124ZW+ Bundle. ... .

Donner Concert Ukulele Starter Bundle Kit DUC-1. ... .

Enya Concert Ukulele Nova U 23 inch Black. ... .

Enya Concert Ukulele 23 Inch Beginner Kit. ... .

Kala Learn to Play Ukulele Concert Starter Kit..

Are Kala ukuleles made in China?

All Kala models are designed in California and manufactured by teams in select locations throughout the globe, depending on the model; we have a variety of products manufactured in China, Indonesia, Portugal, Vietnam, and India.