Kala Tenor Ukulele - Solid Cedar Top Pau Ferro

The Kala Solid Cedar Top Pau Ferro Tenor Ukulele (model number KA-ASCP-T) is a high-quality instrument that is part of Kala's all-solid wood lineup. It is designed for discerning players who want a rich, complex tone and a unique aesthetic. The combination of a solid cedar top with solid pau ferro back and sides makes for a distinctive sound and look.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its features:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Tenor. This is a popular and versatile ukulele size, larger than a concert and soprano. It offers the most fret space, which is comfortable for players with larger hands and ideal for more complex chord voicings and soloing. It also produces a fuller, louder sound with great projection and sustain.

  • Scale Length: 16.875 inches (42.86 cm).

  • Number of Frets: 18.

• Body Wood:

  • Top: Solid Cedar. Cedar is a fantastic tonewood for soundboards, known for its warm, sweet, and harmonically complex tone. It is very responsive and produces a lush sound with excellent projection, even with a light touch.

  • Back & Sides: Solid Pau Ferro. Pau Ferro is a dense South American wood with tonal characteristics often compared to rosewood. It provides a bright, clear, and articulate sound that perfectly complements the warmth of the cedar top. The wood often has beautiful, dramatic grain patterns, making each instrument visually unique.

  • Solid Wood Construction: Unlike laminated instruments, an all-solid wood ukulele resonates more fully and its tone will mature and improve over time as the wood "opens up" with age and playing.

• Finish: Satin. The smooth, open-pore satin finish allows the woods to resonate freely, contributing to a more natural and open sound.

• Neck Material: Mahogany. The mahogany neck provides stability and a comfortable playing experience.

• Fingerboard Material: Striped Ebony or Rosewood. This is a premium feature that adds to the instrument's overall feel and aesthetic. Ebony is a dense, smooth, and durable wood, ideal for a fingerboard.

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

• Tuners: Slotted Headstock with Gold Open-Gear Tuners. The slotted headstock is a classic, elegant design that also increases the string's break angle over the nut, which can improve tuning stability and sustain. The gold tuners add a premium touch.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with D'Addario Clear Nylon Strings. These are a popular choice known for their clarity and bright tone.

• Binding: Features Mahogany Binding around the body, which provides a beautiful contrast to the cedar and pau ferro woods.

• Rosette: Features a gorgeous and unique asymmetrical rosette crafted from maple and pau ferro, which is a key aesthetic feature of this model.

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

Overall Impression:

The Kala Solid Cedar Top Pau Ferro Tenor Ukulele is an exceptional instrument that is a step up from most entry-level ukuleles. It is a great choice for:

• Intermediate to Advanced Players: The all-solid wood construction, premium components, and refined tone are perfect for serious musicians.

• Players who want a unique and expressive tone: The combination of cedar and pau ferro offers a warm, loud, and articulate sound that is great for fingerpicking and soloing.

• Anyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship and aesthetics: The beautiful woods, slotted headstock, and unique rosette make it a visually stunning instrument.