Which one would you prefer?

Kalalaika · Oct 5, 2009

hey UU,
i'm looking for a new ukulele and would appreciate your recommendations...
i'm upgrading from a KALA KA-ST Sitka solid sprucetop. I want to get an ukulele with pickup, had a look at MGMs store and found the Kala Koa tenors quite interesting (300Dollar maximum):
http://cgi.ebay.com/KA-KTE-CT-KALA-KOA-w-SOLID-CEDARTOP-Ukulele-w-pickup_W0QQitemZ250505921759QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a535104df&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
http://cgi.ebay.com/KALA-KA-KTE-Koa-Tenor-Ukulele-w-pu-case-Chordbook_W0QQitemZ250509035643QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a5380887b&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
What would you say, which one would you prefer? Will they reach the sound of the Kala Acacia?
Thanks,
Kalalaika

Pippin · Oct 5, 2009

I like the look of the latter better.

berean_315 · Oct 5, 2009

I would surf YouTube and look for videos so you can hear what they sound like. The cedar uke has a solid top. The koa model is not solid (from what I read), not that it will sound bad though. I had a Lanikai curly koa laminate uke that sounded pretty good. I perosnally like the mellower tone of cedar, but it's an individual thing.

HoldinCoffee · Oct 5, 2009

Get the cedar! With the cedar-top, you still get the nice look of koa-laminate on the back and sides but you get the additional bonus of that sweet solid cedar top! Cedar is a great tonewood for tenors and worth the extra $20.

UKISOCIETY · Oct 5, 2009

I have a few cedar topped ukes and they're all great players. Some with laminate sides and back too.

Ukeffect · Oct 5, 2009

I agree with Pippin, the second one looks sweet! I haven't noticed a lot of difference between spruce top and cedar top ukes as far as the sound goes. Maybe that's just me?

psesinkclee · Oct 5, 2009

I'd go with the Cedar one. Its a solid top and that Koa one is all laminate.

hoosierhiver · Oct 5, 2009

I never really liked the blond look of spruce tops.

Boozelele · Oct 5, 2009

hoosierhiver said:
I never really liked the blond look of spruce tops.

some prefer blonds, some prefer brunettes....some want both.

Kalalaika · Oct 6, 2009

I chose the cedar top

Thanks for your answers!

Which one would you prefer?

Kalalaika

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Pippin

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berean_315

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HoldinCoffee

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UKISOCIETY

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Ukeffect

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psesinkclee

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hoosierhiver

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Boozelele

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Kalalaika

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