Kala All Solid Bamboo Concert Uke

The Kala KA-BMB-C (Kala All Solid Bamboo Concert Ukulele) is a very interesting and increasingly popular model from Kala. It stands out for its unique tonewood choice and its commitment to sustainability.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its features:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Concert. This is a versatile and popular ukulele size, offering a good balance between portability and a fuller, louder sound compared to a soprano. Its scale length is typically around 15 inches.

• Body Wood: All Solid Bamboo Top, Back, Sides, Neck, and Fingerboard. This is the defining characteristic of this model and what sets it apart from most other ukuleles at this price point.

  • "All Solid": This means the top, back, and sides are made from solid pieces of bamboo, not laminated (layered) wood. Solid wood generally offers superior resonance, sustain, and tonal complexity compared to laminates, and its sound tends to improve ("open up") over time.

  • Bamboo as a Tonewood: Bamboo is highly praised for its:

    • Eco-Friendliness: It's an incredibly sustainable and rapidly renewable resource, regenerating quickly without needing to be replanted. This makes it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious musicians.

    • Durability and Resilience: Bamboo is known for its strength and stability, making for a very robust and long-lasting instrument that is less susceptible to environmental changes (like humidity and temperature fluctuations) than some traditional woods.

    • Tone: It produces a bright, clear, and articulate tone with good volume, harmonics, projection, and sustain. Some describe it as having a crisp, almost bell-like quality. It's often brighter than mahogany but can still offer warmth.

• Neck Material: Bamboo. Continuing the all-bamboo theme, the neck is also crafted from bamboo, contributing to the instrument's overall consistency and unique aesthetic.

• Fingerboard Material: Bamboo. The fingerboard is also bamboo, which offers a smooth playing surface and complements the instrument's natural look. It typically features black dot inlays for fret markers.

• Headstock: Often features a slotted headstock, which is a classic, elegant design that also provides a sharper string break angle over the nut, potentially enhancing sustain and tuning stability.

• Finish: Satin. A thin, open-pore satin finish allows the bamboo to resonate freely, contributing to its bright and open sound. It also provides a smooth and comfortable tactile experience.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone. This is a high-quality synthetic material designed to mimic the tonal properties of bone, optimizing string vibration transfer for improved sustain and clarity.

• Tuners: Open Gear Tuners (often with black buttons). These provide smooth and stable tuning.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with Aquila Super Nylgut Strings. These are widely popular for their clear tone and good intonation.

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

• Strap Button: Includes a black strap button on the butt (lower bout) for convenience if you wish to add a strap.

Measurements (Approximate):

• Scale Length: 15 inches (381 mm)

• Overall Instrument Length: 24 inches (609.6 mm)

• Body Length: 10.6875 inches

• Number of Frets: 18

• Nut Width: 1.375 inches (35 mm)

Overall Impression:

The Kala All Solid Bamboo Concert Ukulele (KA-BMB-C) is an appealing choice for several reasons:

• Unique Tone: Its all-solid bamboo construction provides a distinctive bright, clear, and resonant tone that stands out from more traditional mahogany or koa ukuleles.

• Sustainability: For environmentally conscious buyers, the use of rapidly renewable bamboo is a major draw.

• Durability: Bamboo's inherent strength makes this a very robust and resilient instrument.

• Playability: With a comfortable satin finish, quality nut and saddle, and reliable tuners, it offers a smooth playing experience for both beginners and experienced players.

• Aesthetics: The multi-layered, straight grain of bamboo gives it a natural, earthy, and modern look.

It's a fantastic option for anyone looking for an all-solid wood ukulele at an accessible price point, especially those interested in its unique sound and eco-friendly attributes.