Kala KA CG Concert Ukulele - Gloss Mahogany

The Kala KA-CG Concert Ukulele - Gloss Mahogany is a highly popular model from Kala, serving as a step up from their satin-finish KA-15C. It offers the classic, warm tone of mahogany combined with a visually appealing gloss finish, making it a great choice for both beginners and intermediate players.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its features:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Concert. This is a versatile and widely favored ukulele size. It offers a longer scale length and more fret spacing than a soprano, making it more comfortable for players with larger hands or those who play more complex melodies and chords. It also produces a fuller, louder sound than a soprano, while remaining compact and portable.

  • Scale Length: Approximately 14.8125 inches (about 37.8 cm)

  • Overall Instrument Length: Approximately 23.9375 inches (about 60.8 cm)

  • Number of Frets: Typically 18

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

  • Mahogany as a Tonewood: Mahogany is a classic and highly regarded tonewood for ukuleles. It's known for producing a:

    • Warm, mellow, and rich tone.

    • Balanced sound with strong midrange presence.

    • Clear articulation for both strumming and fingerpicking. This contributes to the quintessential ukulele sound.

  • Laminated Construction: The body is constructed from laminated (layered) mahogany. This offers several benefits:

    • Durability: Laminated instruments are more robust and less susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature compared to solid wood. This makes them excellent for casual playing, travel, or less controlled environments (like being left out in a living room in varying humidity).

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

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

• Finish: Gloss. This is a key distinguishing feature from the satin-finished KA-15C. The high-gloss finish not only protects the wood but also enhances the natural beauty of the mahogany grain, giving it a more polished, upscale appearance.

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

• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood (or sometimes Walnut, depending on the manufacturing batch). Both are durable and provide a smooth playing surface for comfortable fretting. It typically features white dot inlays for fret markers.

• Nut & Saddle: Graph Tech NuBone. This is a high-quality synthetic material engineered to mimic the tonal properties of natural 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 Die-Cast Tuners. These are closed-gear tuners, known for their precision and excellent tuning stability. They are generally considered more reliable than open-gear tuners for staying in tune.

• 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: Features Cream Binding on the top and often the back. This binding provides an elegant contrast to the mahogany, giving the instrument a refined and classic look.

• Rosette: Typically a simple but elegant three-ring silkscreened or laser-etched rosette around the soundhole.

• Electronics: None. This is an acoustic-only ukulele. (Note: There is a separate model, the KA-CGE, which includes a pickup/EQ).

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

Overall Impression:

The Kala KA-CG Gloss Mahogany Concert Ukulele is an excellent choice for:

• Beginners: It offers easy playability, reliable tuning, and a pleasing tone that will encourage learning and practice.

• Intermediate Players: Looking for a solid, dependable ukulele that looks good and performs well for casual playing, jams, or even recording.

• Players who appreciate aesthetics: The gloss finish and cream binding give it a more "premium" look compared to many entry-level satin-finished models.

• Those seeking a durable instrument: The laminated construction makes it robust and less sensitive to environmental changes.

It's often considered a step up from the basic KA-15C due to the gloss finish and die-cast tuners, offering a more refined appearance without a significant jump in price. It provides a fantastic balance of sound, aesthetics, and reliability.