Played some more last night. Still struggling to revive any of the bass-playing skills I buried 20-odd years ago since I last played one. It's certainly an interesting instrument. My little amp isn't up to the task of producing the notes with any cleanliness, so I plan to take it to a local music store this weekend and use a bass amp.
You can play it without amplification, but it's difficult to hear more than a few feet away, especially the lowest notes. For practice, that's fine.
I've read that it sounds a lot like a standup bass - a slappy sort of sound. Unamped, that's true, but you can shape the tone a lot of other ways in your amp. Will see how it sounds through a better amp, though.
The strings require a different sort of handling, since they want to squirm a bit under your fingers. You need to be gentle but insistently firm. They don't let you slide as easily as steel, either. So you have to lift up a little before sliding a note so your finger moves cleanly. Not difficult, just something to remember.
It really needs a strap. I have not tried Lori's Uke Leash on it - might work but I think it really wants something to hang on both ends. It's very light (for a bass) but heavier than most ukes.
The short scale makes it easy to play and the reach is really not bad, so even a newbie can fumble around some basic runs without stretching fingers too far. Might be a good instrument for learning bass.
Build quality is okay. Typical Kala - no outstanding rough spots, very clean, frets are good. Satin finish, although gloss might have been nice. The back has a rectangular patch where you get at the string ends for replacing. It's held on by four small wood screws. Works, but looks like an afterthought (the wood doesn't match the back). I wonder how many people will lose those little screws? It's also not as smoothy finished as the rest of the instrument. It's not something you see up front. but it is very noticeable on the back.
More to come...