Blue Stained Meranti Soprano Kala

The Kala Blue Stained Meranti Soprano Ukulele (model number KA-MRT-BLU-S) is part of Kala's "Watercolor Meranti Series." This line is specifically designed to offer a visually appealing instrument with a vibrant color, while still showcasing the natural wood grain.

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-plonky" ukulele sound. It has the shortest scale length, meaning the frets are closer together, which can be great for smaller hands but sometimes challenging for those with larger fingers.

  • Scale Length: Approximately 13.5 inches (343 mm)

  • Overall Instrument Length: Approximately 21.06 inches (535 mm)

  • Number of Frets: Typically 12

• Body Wood: Meranti Top, Back, and Sides.

  • Meranti as a Tonewood: Meranti is a durable hardwood from Southeast Asia. Tonally, it's often compared to mahogany, offering a warm and balanced sound with good projection.

  • Stained Finish: The key visual feature is the semi-transparent blue stain. This allows the natural grain of the Meranti wood to show through, creating a unique effect that combines the richness of wood texture with a vibrant pop of color.

  • Laminated Construction: The body is constructed from laminated (layered) Meranti. This is typical for instruments in this affordable price range and provides:

    • Durability: Laminated ukuleles are generally more resistant to changes in humidity and temperature, making them robust for casual use or travel.

    • Consistency: Helps ensure uniform tone and build quality across units.

• Neck Material: Meranti. Consistent with the body wood, the Meranti neck contributes to the overall warmth and stability.

• Fingerboard Material: Indonesian Nandu. This is a sustainable wood, often used as an alternative to rosewood, providing a smooth playing surface. It typically features white dot inlays for fret markers.

• Finish: Satin. A thin, open-pore satin finish allows the wood to resonate freely and contributes to a smooth, comfortable feel.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech TUSQ (some sources list NuBone, which is also a high-quality synthetic material by Graph Tech). Both are designed to enhance sustain, clarity, and consistent string vibration transfer, improving upon standard plastic components.

• Tuners: Chrome Open Gear Tuners. These provide smooth and reliable tuning stability.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with Aquila Super Nylgut Strings. These are widely popular among ukulele players for their clear tone, good intonation, and consistent feel.

• Binding: None. The design focuses on the stained wood.

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

• Strap Button: Often includes a chrome strap button for convenience if you wish to add a strap.

Overall Impression:

The Kala Blue Stained Meranti Soprano Ukulele is an excellent choice for:

• Beginners: It offers easy playability due to its soprano size, reliable tuning with geared tuners, and a pleasant, classic ukulele tone.

• Players who want a colorful and unique ukulele: The blue stain that highlights the wood grain makes it visually distinct and fun, setting it apart from standard natural finishes.

• Casual Players/Hobbyists: It's a durable and affordable instrument perfect for strumming songs, taking to gatherings, or just enjoying at home.

• Collectors of vibrant instruments: If you like to have ukuleles in different colors, this is a great addition.

It delivers Kala's reputation for quality entry-level instruments with an added aesthetic flair, making it both a fun and reliable option.