Stumbled across this bargain. Sadly, when you try to put it in the cart it substitutes the solid koa with a glossy mahogany number. Pasting screenshot for when they inevitably take it down.
Sadly, no
- Thread starter frankens
- Start date
Didn't happen when I did it?
I'm thinking that the screen shot you posted was an error.
It shows the uke model, but the price is unrealistic, and the fulfillment is by a place with a NJ address. When going to the link, it shows a much more realistic price, and fulfillment from a Texas address.
It shows the uke model, but the price is unrealistic, and the fulfillment is by a place with a NJ address. When going to the link, it shows a much more realistic price, and fulfillment from a Texas address.
Saw that too. It was in my cart (TWICE, LOL).
I think an auto-reader on Reverb is making an error.
That said, there seem to be a number of Kala Elites just sitting across the country. It seems like eventually some should start being offered up for a good deal to those of us who would like to get our hands on them to try them out... despite the disrespect they get only due to the name. I think HMS soundbites have been enticing...
I think an auto-reader on Reverb is making an error.
That said, there seem to be a number of Kala Elites just sitting across the country. It seems like eventually some should start being offered up for a good deal to those of us who would like to get our hands on them to try them out... despite the disrespect they get only due to the name. I think HMS soundbites have been enticing...
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uku0729
Well-known member
Last week, I bought an Epiphone concert uke (the Les Paul model) brand new for $.01 including shipping! I'm supposed to get it any day. I'm wondering what kind of condition it will be in...
This was on Amazon.
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Personally, I wouldn't buy a Kala Elite because my experience with a low cost Kala was very poor. If a company doesn't quality control their entry level products, I don't want to buy their high-end products even though I don't question the quality of the Elite series. By all accounts these are great instruments.
It's purely a "matter of principle", which customers can afford in a market full of choice even though to a degree it can be seen as unfair. I'd feel the same way if Kala had chosen to use a different brand name for their high-end models. I do applaud them for going with their regular name, though, which I feel demonstrates faith in their products. If the Waterman had not been junk, I'd consider their top end models.
For others, resell value may be an aspect. If you drop a grand or more on a Hawaiian K brand uke and you end up selling it, you'll probably get more for it than for a Kala Elite. This actually doesn't matter so much to me, but I think it's a reasonable consideration. There's a lot of choice in the used market too.
UkeStuff
Well-known member
Wait a second? $0.01? How did you find that?
This is a "Your Mileage May Vary" situation, which I'm sure you understand. My Waterman is fine, good intonation up to 9th fret (which matches several wooden ukes I've played), and my Kala Cedar Top, the first real uke I bought (from MGM) is just about perfect, and has been since the day I opened the box.
That being said, I doubt that I'd buy any $400+ ukulele without playing it first. All of the new Kamakas I tried left me with a "meh", as did a KoAloha Pineapple Sundae, while my Sceptre was "wow".
-Kurt
I agree, it's based on personal experience, which is different for everyone. If mine had been different, my view would likely not be the same. I'm relatively brand loyal (just in general, not uke-specific), and the other side of that coin is that it may take just one bad experience to permanently turn me away. It's probably the same for most folks.
Gosh, I'm tempted to have a Kala Elite shipped just because I've had such great luck with the $54 Kala 15S. I've steered a half dozen parents of little girls as well as adults to that one as a starter - SO MUCH bang for the buck... Everyone's been happy, most have not required any set-up.
But I wonder - can the plastic Waterman even be set up?
I do agree with you on the re-sale value - hence I *expect* to get a really good deal...
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uku0729
Well-known member
I was looking at the new ones and saw Other Offers starting at $.01. I think it's a new dealer but I figured I have nothing to lose but a penny!
Ha, they let you charge a penny? Wonder how mamy pennies that company has received... !
You'll have to let us know if they accidentally send you the uke!
That's the thing and why I'm a bit "salty" about the whole affair. With the way the Waterman is manufactured (molded plastic), the intonation with all of them should be at least good. What seems to have happened (we had a long thread about it a year or so ago, with a specialist in plastic things production chipping in) is that Kala produced a good chunk of these with completely poor intonation (30% off in the third fret) before they adjusted production/the molds. Those batches with the intonation problems shouldn't have made it on the shelves, and this is why I feel about Kala the way I do. If I had bought a laminated or even low cost wooden uke that had such poor intonation, I wouldn't feel quite the same way as it's sort of expected, but with plastic it's a different story.
Holy moly, I'm a little surprised they weren't recalled...
Although, does this expain why Fleas and Flukes in comparison are so much more expensive? I find them slippery devils, but quite great intonation.
ukuleleden
Well-known member
Agree, but their optional grip strips for $3.95 solved that problem on those I played. They also now have their own Strap for those that prefer that solution. Of course, many here have posted their home remedy solutions of a non-slip material to the composite back. On my trip to the MFC, every single one of their Ukes on display that I sampled had spot intonation, they really do have their set-ups done right. Every time I post about them I am motivitated to buy another one, and amazed by the fact I haven't yet.
Thanks Mivo, that explains why my Waterman is so awful then. I think I'll quietly bin it, as I wouldn't want to inflict it on anyone.
RichM
Well-known member
And it explains why my Waterman, with the normal limitations of a plastic uke, is just fine. It probably helps that I got mine from Mim, who wouldn't allow a uke with bad intonation to go out.
The Kala elite are wonderful instruments. I have played the solid quilted maple and koa tenors and a koa soprano. They all had great intonation, depth of sound, and response all the way up the fingerboard. I have also played a waterman...any comparing Kala Elites to plastic ukulele is just silly.
