Kala Soprano Ukulele - Exotic Mahogany

The Kala Exotic Mahogany Soprano Ukulele (model number KA-SEM) is a popular and visually distinct instrument from Kala's Exotic Mahogany series. It takes the classic warm tone of mahogany and adds a unique aesthetic flair, making it stand out from standard mahogany models.

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 13.5 inches (34.3 cm).

  • Overall Instrument Length: Approximately 20.875 inches (53 cm).

  • Number of Frets: 12.

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

  • "Exotic Mahogany": While tonally similar to standard mahogany, "exotic mahogany" refers to wood with unique and visually appealing grain patterns. These can include wavy curls, flames, or other distinctive streaks and patterns, making each ukulele one-of-a-kind.

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

  • Laminated Construction: The body is constructed from laminated (layered) mahogany. This offers excellent durability and stability against changes in humidity and temperature, which is beneficial for travel and casual use.

• Finish: Satin. The smooth satin finish allows the wood to resonate freely and showcases the exotic mahogany's unique grain patterns without the glare of a gloss finish.

• Neck Material: Mahogany. Consistent with the body wood, the mahogany neck provides stability and a comfortable playing experience.

• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood or Walnut. Both are durable woods that provide a smooth playing surface. It typically features white dot inlays for fret markers.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone or Graph Tech TUSQ. These are high-quality synthetic materials designed to enhance sustain and clarity, which is a significant upgrade from generic plastic components.

• Tuners: Open Gear Tuners. These provide smooth and reliable tuning stability. Some models may have die-cast tuners, which are also very reliable.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with Aquila Super Nylgut Strings. These are widely regarded as excellent ukulele strings, known for their clear tone, good intonation, and consistent feel.

• Binding: Features Black Binding around the body, which creates a sleek and elegant contrast to the exotic wood grain.

• Rosette: A simple, elegant rosette around the soundhole.

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

Overall Impression:

The Kala Exotic Mahogany Soprano Ukulele is a fantastic choice for:

• Players who appreciate aesthetics: The unique and beautiful grain of the exotic mahogany makes it a visually stunning instrument.

• Beginners and students: It offers easy playability due to its soprano size, reliable tuning, and the classic, warm ukulele tone.

• Anyone looking for a reliable and durable ukulele: The laminated construction makes it a robust instrument for everyday use.

• Those seeking good value: It provides a beautiful, "exotic" look and quality components at an accessible price point.

It's a solid, dependable instrument that stands out from other entry-level ukuleles with its distinctive aesthetic.