Kala Concert Ukulele Mahogany

The Kala KA-15C Concert Ukulele is one of Kala's most popular and best-selling models, widely considered an industry standard for beginner and intermediate players. It's renowned for offering excellent value, solid construction, and the classic warm tone of mahogany.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its features:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Concert. This is a highly versatile and comfortable ukulele size. It's larger than a soprano (providing more fret space and a fuller sound) but still compact. It's ideal for most players, from beginners to those with larger hands.

  • Scale Length: Approximately 14.875 inches (about 37.8 cm)

  • Overall Instrument Length: Approximately 24.25 inches (about 61.6 cm)

  • Number of Frets: Typically 18

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

  • Mahogany as a Tonewood: Mahogany is a highly regarded tonewood for ukuleles, known for producing a:

    • Warm, mellow, and rich tone.

    • Balanced sound with strong midrange presence.

    • Clear articulation for both strumming and fingerpicking. It's the quintessential ukulele sound.

  • Laminated Construction: The "laminated" aspect means the body is made from layers of mahogany veneer. This is common in this price range and offers several benefits:

    • Durability: Laminated instruments are more robust and less susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature compared to solid wood, making them excellent for casual play, travel, or less controlled environments.

    • Consistency: Ensures a consistent tone and build quality across units.

    • Affordability: Keeps the instrument accessible to a broad market.

• Neck Material: Mahogany. Consistent with the body wood, the mahogany neck contributes to the overall warmth of the instrument and provides good stability.

• Fingerboard Material: Walnut. Walnut is a popular, sustainable, and durable wood choice for fingerboards, offering a smooth playing surface. It typically features white dot inlays for fret markers at the 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th frets.

• Finish: Satin. A thin, open-pore satin finish allows the wood to resonate more freely compared to a thick gloss finish, contributing to a more organic and open sound. It also feels very smooth and comfortable to play, preventing stickiness.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone. This is a high-quality synthetic material engineered to mimic the tonal properties of bone. It helps enhance sustain, clarity, and ensures consistent string vibration transfer, which is a significant upgrade over cheaper plastic components found on some entry-level ukuleles.

• Tuners: Chrome Open Gear Tuners. These provide smooth and stable tuning. While some other Kala models (like the KA-C, a slightly older or different version) might have closed-gear tuners, the KA-15C typically uses reliable open-gear tuners.

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

• Binding: None. The KA-15C features a clean, simple aesthetic without body binding, which contributes to its affordability and straightforward look.

• Electronics: None. This is an acoustic-only ukulele. Some bundles might include a clip-on tuner, but the instrument itself does not have built-in electronics.

Overall Impression:

The Kala KA-15C Mahogany Concert Ukulele is frequently recommended as one of the best starter ukuleles on the market due to its exceptional balance of:

• Reliable Tone: It delivers the quintessential warm, balanced mahogany ukulele sound that is pleasing for a wide range of musical styles.

• Excellent Playability: The comfortable concert size, smooth satin finish, and quality components like the NuBone nut/saddle and Aquila strings make it very easy and enjoyable to play, which is crucial for beginners.

• Durability: The laminated construction makes it a robust instrument that can withstand everyday use and minor environmental fluctuations.

• Value: It offers a remarkable level of quality and performance for its affordable price point, often outperforming instruments in higher price brackets from other brands.

It's a fantastic choice for:

• Absolute Beginners: It's often included in bundles with essential accessories like a gig bag and tuner, making it a complete package to start learning.

• Students: Ideal for school programs or individual lessons.

• Casual Players: Who want a reliable, great-sounding, and easy-to-play ukulele without breaking the bank.

The KA-15C is truly a "workhorse" ukulele that has become a staple in the beginner ukulele market.