Picked Up this little gem from my local music store. Couldn’t find them on Amazon
Kala KA-SMHS Head
I’ve only ever played on bottom end laminates and you can definitely tell the difference between a solid unit from a laminate. There’s much more of a warm full sound to them.
Features
- Solid mahogany body
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fretboard and string-through bridge
- Aquila high G strings
- Black friction tuners
- Pearl fret markers top and side
- Rosewood bridge and nut
- Matte finish
- Faux tortoiseshell binding
- Made in China
- Finished in clear satin laquer
Sound: 8/10
Compared to the ukulele’s I’ve had the opportunity to play so far, this one has the warmest roundest sound. It even sound bigger and less tinny than my concert spruce top uke.
Intonation is great, I played each note along the fretboard against my chromatic tuner and the 12th fret on all string was almost spot on.
Extremely happy with the sound. So much so, my next uke might be the concert size solid mahogany with a pickup.
Finish 7/10
It is currently my most expensive uke, so I might be over-rating it, but it looks great. I love the tortise shell, the pearl markers and I can’t seem to find any flaws in it. The only thing that looks a bit cheap in my opinion are the friction tuners. I might swap the tabs over for some pearl ones if I can find one. Might have to go to hawaii for this.
Overall 8/10
Great uke and my favourite at the moment. The only drawback the sopranos is it runs out of frets, only 12, but you get that. This thing is going everywhere with me.
Kala KA-SMHS Binding
Kala KA-SMHS Bridge
Kala KA-SMHS Neck
Kala KA-SMHS Tuners
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
How well do the friction tuners work? Does the uke stay in tune well?
I have a Kala as well and I was just wondering…can I swap the plastic strings for metal ones?