mikeg0232
Well-known member
I picked up one of these discontinued models from Mim last week. It is a guitalele configuration with six strings, 20 fret neck and a tenor body.
Kala Utar (KA-UTAR)
I was a bit perplexed with it at first, as the uke came with standard Savarez classical strings. I tuned it up to ADGCEA and found it way to high a tension. Tuned down to GCFA#DG it was playable but pretty soft around the edges. When I tried to take it back up to ADGCEA, I broke the first and sixth almost immediately.
The scale is 20.125" or 511mm, which makes it unable to hold standard gauge strings at ADGCEA tuning. I would guess they were at 20+ pounds of tension when the strings were rated to be played at 10-15.
I contacted D'addario and gave them the specs of what I had, thinking I might be able to get a custom set configured. They were very helpful and pointed me in the direction of their D'addario J94 set of Requinto strings.
I got a set of J94's on it today and am totally amazed at how it has opened up. Tone and playability are outstanding. For anyone that has a UTAR and has not tried it yet, get the J94's! I think KALA missed the boat by not setting up this spec when they marketed these.
I think Mim has a couple more of these if you are interested in feeding that UAS.
Kala Utar (KA-UTAR)
I was a bit perplexed with it at first, as the uke came with standard Savarez classical strings. I tuned it up to ADGCEA and found it way to high a tension. Tuned down to GCFA#DG it was playable but pretty soft around the edges. When I tried to take it back up to ADGCEA, I broke the first and sixth almost immediately.
The scale is 20.125" or 511mm, which makes it unable to hold standard gauge strings at ADGCEA tuning. I would guess they were at 20+ pounds of tension when the strings were rated to be played at 10-15.
I contacted D'addario and gave them the specs of what I had, thinking I might be able to get a custom set configured. They were very helpful and pointed me in the direction of their D'addario J94 set of Requinto strings.
I got a set of J94's on it today and am totally amazed at how it has opened up. Tone and playability are outstanding. For anyone that has a UTAR and has not tried it yet, get the J94's! I think KALA missed the boat by not setting up this spec when they marketed these.
I think Mim has a couple more of these if you are interested in feeding that UAS.
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