Kala Black Stain Mahogany Soprano

The Kala Black Stained Mahogany Soprano Ukulele (model number KA-15S-BLK) is a popular and stylish model from Kala's flagship KA-15 series. It's essentially the classic KA-15S, but with a sleek black satin finish that allows the mahogany wood grain to show through, offering a modern aesthetic while retaining the traditional warm tone.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its features:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Soprano. This is the smallest and most traditional ukulele size. It's known for its compact portability and the classic, bright, "plinky" ukulele sound. It's a great choice for beginners and players with smaller hands.

  • Scale Length: Approximately 13.625 inches (34.6 cm)

  • Number of Frets: Typically 12

• Body Wood: Laminated Mahogany Top, Back, and Sides.

  • Mahogany as a Tonewood: Mahogany is a classic and widely used tonewood for ukuleles, known for producing a warm, mellow, and rich tone with a balanced midrange.

  • Laminated Construction: The body is made from layers of mahogany veneer. This is standard for instruments in this price range and provides excellent durability and stability against changes in humidity and temperature, making it a robust instrument for casual use.

• Finish: Black Satin. This is the defining aesthetic feature. The black stain is semi-transparent, allowing the natural grain of the mahogany wood to be visible underneath. The satin finish is smooth to the touch and reduces the "stickiness" often associated with glossy finishes.

• Neck Material: Mahogany. Consistent with the body wood, the mahogany neck has a comfortable profile and provides good stability.

• Fingerboard Material: Walnut. A durable and common wood for fingerboards, offering a smooth playing surface. It typically features white dot inlays for fret markers.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone. This is a significant upgrade from generic plastic components. NuBone is a high-quality synthetic material designed to enhance sustain, clarity, and consistent string vibration transfer, improving the overall tone.

• Tuners: Open Gear Tuners. These tuners are reliable for smooth and stable tuning, which is crucial for beginners.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with Aquila Super Nylgut Strings. These are widely regarded as some of the best ukulele strings, known for their clear, bright tone and excellent intonation.

• Binding: None. The design is simple and clean to focus on the stained wood.

• Electronics: None. This is an acoustic-only ukulele.

• Strap Button: Some models or retailer bundles may include a strap button, but it is not a standard feature on all of them.

Overall Impression:

The Kala Black Stained Mahogany Soprano Ukulele is an excellent choice for:

• Beginners: It offers easy playability, reliable tuning, and the classic ukulele tone, all in a very affordable and durable package.

• Players who want a modern aesthetic: The black stain gives the ukulele a sleek, understated, and non-traditional look that stands out from standard natural wood finishes.

• Students and casual players: Its robust laminated construction makes it a great "grab-and-go" instrument for practice, travel, or casual playing without worry.

It's a fantastic example of Kala providing a quality entry-level instrument with an added aesthetic twist, making it both a reliable and visually appealing option.