Kala Concert Ukulele Red Sparkle

The Kala Red Sparkle Concert Ukulele (model KA-SPRK-RED) is a visually striking instrument designed for players looking for a ukulele with a bold aesthetic. It combines a vibrant sparkle finish with solid playability features.

Here's a breakdown of its key features and specifications:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Concert. This size provides a good balance between portability and a fuller sound, with more fret spacing than a soprano ukulele.

  • Scale Length: Approximately 15 inches (38.1 cm)

  • Overall Instrument Length: Approximately 23.75 inches (60.3 cm)

  • Number of Frets: Typically 18

• Body Wood:

  • Top: Basswood. Basswood is known for being lightweight and resonant, contributing to a balanced tone.

  • Back & Sides: Mahogany. Mahogany provides a warm and mellow character to the ukulele's sound.

  • Laminated Construction: Like many ukuleles in its price range, these woods are typically laminated (layered), which enhances durability and resistance to environmental changes.

• Finish: Gloss Sparkle. This is the defining feature of the Sparkle series. The "Ritzy Red" finish is a deep metallic red with glitter, complemented by cream binding around the body. This gloss finish offers a dazzling appearance that catches the light.

• Neck Material: Mahogany. Provides stability and contributes to the overall tone.

• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood (or sometimes Walnut, depending on the specific batch/retailer). This is a common choice for fingerboards, offering a smooth playing surface. It usually features dot inlays for fret markers.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone. This synthetic material is designed to improve tone and sustain, providing better vibration transfer than standard plastic nuts and saddles.

• Tuners: Open Gear Tuners. These tuners are generally reliable for maintaining tuning stability.

• Strings: Factory-strung with Aquila Super Nylgut Strings. These are high-quality synthetic gut strings known for their bright tone and excellent intonation.

• Binding: Cream binding around the body, which highlights the sparkle finish.

• Electronics: None. This model is designed as an acoustic instrument. Some retailers may offer bundles that include clip-on tuners or other accessories, but the ukulele itself does not have built-in pickups.

Overall Impression:

The Kala Red Sparkle Concert Ukulele is primarily chosen for its distinctive visual appeal. It offers a fun and glamorous aesthetic while still providing the fundamental playability and decent sound quality that Kala is known for in its entry-level instruments. While the use of basswood for the top might result in a slightly different tonal character compared to an all-mahogany top, the mahogany back and sides help maintain a warm ukulele sound.

It's a great option for:

• Players who want a ukulele that stands out visually.

• Beginners looking for a fun and easy-to-play instrument.

• Casual players who appreciate a unique style without a high price tag.