mikeg0232
Well-known member
I just received a beautiful new Kala Koa Gloss Cedar top tenor (KA-KTG-CT) from Mim!
Well, it was actually last week Friday, but it has felt like Christmas every day waking up to it.
Will try to add pics later today.
Sound:
I had asked for it to be shipped with a reentrant tuning, but immediately decided it needed a low G.
The intonation is right on. The notes from the cedar top have a slightly softer attack than koa, but a sustain that goes on for days. The overtones are incredible and will only get better with time. The range of sounds from bass to treble are very well balanced. This is a very loud uke. I would say it is slightly more forward than the spruce top model, but with a warmer tone.
Fit and Finish:
While this is a factory made uke, it is obvious this is the flagship of the Kala line. The fit and finish are top notch. No glue spots whatsoever looking through the sound hole. The gloss finish is somewhat wavy (compared to a flat mirror, is that fair?) but no obvious dents or blemishes. There are no lacquer drips, runs or buildup to be seen anywhere. The body lines are crisp and squared with a slight rounding across the maple portion of the binding. Mim did a great job setting this up, the action is perfect.
It has the Paua shell / maple binding and sound hole is a great detail which complements the cedar and koa very well. I was afraid it would be a bit too 'blingy', but the Paua has a nice low luster green/blue/gold hue that is beautiful to see in person. The head stock has a paua/maple/koa face that matches the beautifully figured Koa (laminate) sides and back.
Overall Impression:
This one is a keeper. Excellent tone, volume, sustain and playability. As an added bonus, it is very pretty to look at. Kala has done an excellent job with this one. Recommend ++!!
I am not being paid to rave about this. Just another satisfied customer.
Well, it was actually last week Friday, but it has felt like Christmas every day waking up to it.
Will try to add pics later today.
Sound:
I had asked for it to be shipped with a reentrant tuning, but immediately decided it needed a low G.
The intonation is right on. The notes from the cedar top have a slightly softer attack than koa, but a sustain that goes on for days. The overtones are incredible and will only get better with time. The range of sounds from bass to treble are very well balanced. This is a very loud uke. I would say it is slightly more forward than the spruce top model, but with a warmer tone.
Fit and Finish:
While this is a factory made uke, it is obvious this is the flagship of the Kala line. The fit and finish are top notch. No glue spots whatsoever looking through the sound hole. The gloss finish is somewhat wavy (compared to a flat mirror, is that fair?) but no obvious dents or blemishes. There are no lacquer drips, runs or buildup to be seen anywhere. The body lines are crisp and squared with a slight rounding across the maple portion of the binding. Mim did a great job setting this up, the action is perfect.
It has the Paua shell / maple binding and sound hole is a great detail which complements the cedar and koa very well. I was afraid it would be a bit too 'blingy', but the Paua has a nice low luster green/blue/gold hue that is beautiful to see in person. The head stock has a paua/maple/koa face that matches the beautifully figured Koa (laminate) sides and back.
Overall Impression:
This one is a keeper. Excellent tone, volume, sustain and playability. As an added bonus, it is very pretty to look at. Kala has done an excellent job with this one. Recommend ++!!
I am not being paid to rave about this. Just another satisfied customer.