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Kala Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele With White Binding (KA-C) Review
A Ukulele is a small acoustic instrument that has taken the world of music by storm. It’s a simple instrument with only four strings on it that produces a melodious tone which is irresistible to ignore.
Ukulele comes in 4 sizes: Soprano, Concert, Baritone and Tenor. Each size has a unique sound quality to them. While all the sizes are used worldwide, Concert Ukuleles have skyrocketed in popularity due to a few factors.
The factors being, producing a softer and warmer tone that is sweet. High quality pitching and a bright cheerful sound.
Considering that, Concert Ukuleles have gained immense popularity in recent years, which is why many brands are manufacturing top notch concert ukuleles and Kala is one of them.
Kala is a brand that made a name in the industry based on the superior quality they bring to the table in a competitive price. If you’re looking for an elegant and classy ukulele then Kala Satin Mahogany Concert is perfect for beginners.
Let’s dive into the details now:
Specifications
- Ukulele: Kala Satin Ka-C Mahogany Concert
- Dimensions: 24.2 x 8.2 x 2.8 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Frets: 18
- Body: Mahogany
- Finish: Satin
- Strings: Aquila Nylgut
- Tuners: Die Cast
- Nut& Saddle: Graphtech NuBone
Why Kala And Why KA-C?
Kala is one of the fastest growing brands of the recent era and has satisfied a large number of music playing enthusiasts with its products. Kala KA-C is one of those products.
It’s a viable product for beginners because it is an absolute delight to play. It belongs to the Concert types of ukuleles and is capable of producing warmer, rich and louder tones with great ease.
Features Of Kala Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele
Aquila Strings:
The strings on a Ukulele are vital in deciding what kind of tone quality it will produce. This ukulele is equipped with aquila strings. Aquila strings are composed of a synthetic material called Nylgut which is a blend of gut strings and nylon. Hence, the warm tone.
These strings are far better than plain nylon strings in many aspects. For instance, nylon strings are wrapped using polymer material that produce a low tone. Compared them nylon, aquila strings can produce higher pitches and tunes without squeaking the fingers.
Another selling point of aquila strings is that it lasts longer than nylon strings.
Tuners, Nut And Saddle:
This instrument stays in tune easily thanks to the die cast tuners it is equipped with. These are not just any conventional die cast tuners, but high quality ones that are capable of resisting corrosion and enhancing the look of the ukulele as well.
Apart from that, the Nut and Saddle produces a crisp and clear sound because it is manufactured using a synthetic material called NuBone. This material is made up of TUSQ, a patented plastic material by Graph’s Tech. Thanks to this material, the uke emulates a clearer sound which enhances the overall experience.
Lastly, this nut and saddle on the instrument makes it both durable and long lasting due to its rigidity and ability to work flawlessly under pressure as well. In short, this instrument is meant to produce sound quality for years to come.
Silver Nickel Frets:
Another noteworthy characteristic found on this uke is the silver nickel frets on it. They are conformed to the fretboard and are better than any copper wired frets. Experts say that silver nickel frets are meant to last for longer compared to copper frets. So, this one is again a great plus.
Sound Quality:
It is manufactured with one of the best tonewoods on the market, Mahogany. This wood offers good sound balance since it is not very dense and is good at producing louder sounds than other wood types.
In case of this Kala ukulele, expect amazingly natural sound treble since the top, back and neck uses Mahogany. In fact, it is even louder than a soprano ukulele due to a longer scale length of 377mm and more frets.
Moreover, the Mahogany body on this instrument gives it a deep sound quality by enhancing the tone on the lower end.
Ensemble Playing:
The length of this uke is 283mm and 70mm in depth. Thus, the shape of this concert ukulele offers good projection and allows to perform ensemble playing with great ease.
Rosewood Fretboard:
A rosewood fretboard is much sweeter and lighter than many other fretboard types including maple. It produces a much brighter and sweeter tone. On the other hand, some of the other fretboards feel a bit harsh and lack warmth.
Users love the fact that this Ukulele’s rosewood fretboards offer consistent sound quality with a little bit of conditioning from time to time. All it requires is a bit of lemon oil to keep the wood grain in good condition and well protected from damage and wear/tear.
Traditional Design:
Let’s not forget about its traditional design which incorporates a satin finish along with cream binding. Satin can withstand harsh climate, pressure and doesn’t degrade any time soon. Hence, it’s an added plus.
Pros
- Aquila Nylgut produces a fine sound quality that is both louder, warmer and smoother.
- Daily wear and tear is reduced thanks to the NuBone.
- The die cast tuners are capable of resisting corrosion and maintaining their shiny appearance for years to come.
- Ideal for beginners as it is only 1.5 pounds in weight and has a suitable size as well.
- Durable nickel frets require less maintenance than other materials.
- Wide range of tones (lows and midrange).
Cons
- The edges are a bit sharp in the beginning but gets smooth with daily use.
Summary
Beginners looking for a light, budget-friendly and long lasting uke can turn to Kala ukulele. It is a compact and simple to use instrument with four strings on a rosewood fretboard. Moreover, the Mahogany body makes it produce quality sound and so does the aquila strings.
All in all, this instrument is better in many areas compared to several ukuleles in the same price range.