Kala KA-KTGE-C Review – A Little Slice of Hawaii!

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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One of the first brand names that spring to mind when it comes to ukuleles is Kala – especially in the high-end ukulele market. One of their most popular models is the KA-KTGE-C – a no-nonsense electro-acoustic tenor uke that sounds as good plugged-in as it does acoustically.

Body & Neck

The KA-KTGE-C sits more towards the simple end of the design spectrum, with a clean and straightforward look, although a few stylish appointments, including the high-gloss finish and accented maple binding. But on the face of it, the main attraction is the beautiful Hawaiian koa build – top, back and sides. With grain this striking, there’s little wonder why it’s been a staple wood of ukulele builders since the petite instruments first started appearing.

With a generous 26.25” tenor size, the uke features a single Venetian cutaway on the treble side. This allows for full access to the mahogany neck, on which sits a rosewood (possibly walnut, depending on the marketplace) fretboard with a total of 19 frets. While it felt in need of a bit of a set-up out of the box, the KA-KTGE-C equally felt very well-built, sturdy, and showed good attention-to-detail.

Hardware

Being an electro-acoustic uke, the KA-KTGE-C is fitted with Belcat’s UK-300T preamp system, featuring an Omega II piezo pickup. This is a quality system featuring good controls – a volume rotary knob and two EQ sliders (bass and treble), alongside a convenient onboard digital tuner.

On the slotted Kala-branded headstock you’ll find a set of gold open-gear Grover tuners which feel very stable and a reliable addition, while the rest of the hardware is appropriate for this price range – rosewood or walnut bridge, GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle for added consistency in tone, and a set of D’Addario Titanium uke strings.

Sound

How does it sound? Great! It’s very well-balanced and exactly what you’d be looking for from a tenor uke. It offers a warm and mellow ‘island sound’, with good projection acoustically. Plugged in via the UK-300T preamp, the KA-KTGE-C comes alive, with clarity and consistency, and is worthy of stage performances.

Conclusion

As an all-rounder, we love the Kala KA-KTGE-C. There are better looking ukes out there, but as great-sounding, easy-playing tenor ukuleles go, the KA-KTGE-C impresses. Great for beginners, intermediates and advanced players of all styles alike, and it proves pretty good value, even for the higher-end price.

For more info about the Kala KA-KTGE-C Ukulele, click here.
For more Ukulele Under $500 you might like, click here.