Need help with Kala uke choice

Found this KA-FMCG uke at a local store. It is a spruce top. Plan to visit and see how it sounds. I'm really interested in the KA-ACP-CT cedar top.

http://www.kalabrand.com/Models/Kala/SolidSpruceTopFlameMaple/DetailsPageSpruceFlameMaple.html#two

http://www.kalabrand.com/Models/Kala/SolidCedarTopAcacia/DetailsPageSpruceCedarAcacia.html


Any of you Kala guy's think they will sound alike? The KA-ACP-CT is not available in my area.

Also considering Mainland Mahogany Concert Slotted Headstock.

http://shop.mainlandukuleles.com/pr...B982.m1plqscsfapp06?productId=41&categoryId=3

Thanks

Cedar is one of the softest woods commonly used for musical instrument tops, and I've found the result is often a more resonant, full sound with a little more volume. This tone isn't for everyone; a lot of people like the more percussive tone you get from harder woods like mahogany or koa. Personally, I think cedar-topped ukes sound great, and have a few. Two are Kalas, and they're great-- although both are a discontinued model, not the one you're looking at.

A spruce-topped uke will likely be closer in tone to cedar than to mahogany; on a small instrument like a uke, I'm not sure you'll hear a world of difference between spruce and cedar. But as always, every instrument is unique.

Here are a couple of reviews with demo that may help with the KA-ACP-CT if you haven't checked them out already. I was considering this uke too but went with a solid mahogany tenor instead. So many good ukes with different wood combos coming out.

KA-ACP-CT w/slotted headstock Review - http://theukulelereview.com/2013/06/02/new-models-from-kala-brand-ukulele-company/

KA-ACP-CTG Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzQObBGgLYU

lomafootSD said:

Here are a couple of reviews with demo that may help with the KA-ACP-CT if you haven't checked them out already. I was considering this uke too but went with a solid mahogany tenor instead. So many good ukes with different wood combos coming out.

KA-ACP-CT w/slotted headstock Review - http://theukulelereview.com/2013/06/02/new-models-from-kala-brand-ukulele-company/

KA-ACP-CTG Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzQObBGgLYU

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. The uke is a tenor, but I get the gist of the wood tone. I think the concert will be fine.

I Recently recorded Bring HIm Home from Les Miserables. and to be honest out of 30+ ukes that I have I had to pick my Kala Cedar Top Concert it just sounded perfect for this song, nice clear high notes... you can check it out here.. granted this uke is about 4 years old, but it has always had that nice distinct clear sound, without sounding thin.... its an older model a Kala - KA - KCG - CT Concert Uke with High G, FLurocarbon strings.

Olarte said:

I Recently recorded Bring HIm Home from Les Miserables. and to be honest out of 30+ ukes that I have I had to pick my Kala Cedar Top Concert it just sounded perfect for this song, nice clear high notes... you can check it out here.. granted this uke is about 4 years old, but it has always had that nice distinct clear sound, without sounding thin.... its an older model a Kala - KA - KCG - CT Concert Uke with High G, FLurocarbon strings.

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. Good luck on your journey! My prayers will be with you.

On my recent quest for a uke (or two) I was able to play the Kala cedar top tenor at a local store. It sounds very nice, but for me it had a definite "small classical guitar" sound that I wasn't looking for in a uke (although many like this). The solid mahogany and koa ukes I played (concerts and tenors) sounded better to my ears, but that is likely because I had more of a traditional "Hawai'ian" sound in mind.

Evidently the HMS guys like the KA-ACP-CT in that price range. Have you heard their sound sample? http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-acp-ct-solid-cedar-top-concert-slothead.html

That's actually a good point, which is probably why I love it's sound of my concert cedartop yet, don't play it much for regular uke songs.. that's also why I picked it for the video I posted above uhm....

That's why I love having so many ukes, when I do a video picking the right uke is key sometimes I will play the song in different ukes until I find just the right one....

dusty said:

On my recent quest for a uke (or two) I was able to play the Kala cedar top tenor at a local store. It sounds very nice, but for me it had a definite "small classical guitar" sound that I wasn't looking for in a uke (although many like this). The solid mahogany and koa ukes I played (concerts and tenors) sounded better to my ears, but that is likely because I had more of a traditional "Hawai'ian" sound in mind.

Evidently the HMS guys like the KA-ACP-CT in that price range. Have you heard their sound sample? http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-ka-acp-ct-solid-cedar-top-concert-slothead.html

Click to expand...