I was able to grab this beauty from @Jedininja before anyone else could, a 2019 Kala Elite Honduran Mahogany Doghair Tenor. I fell in love with the Kala Elite line after being able to try one of the Emi Sunshine Limited ones at Elderly Music during my vacation this summer. I was slightly nervous this version might not have the sound I was looking for since the Emi Sunshine Limited costs 4x the MSRP of this one. While they are different, the Kala Elite sound is definitely here and I LOVE it. This review isn't comprehensive, but rather talking about the stuff that stood out to me.
Sound: Big, open, dry, woody, bold
Looks: I usually don't think Mahogany is all that pretty, but I really do like the doghair dark grain fill and the feel to the finish on this instrument. Smoother than gloss but not satiny. Perhaps a bit sticky if you get sweaty hands, but not that bad.
I've never really looked at the Kala logo very much. I believe these are ivroid inlays, but I think it looks really gorgeous in the white against the mahogany with dark grain fill. Classy imo.
I've seen complaints about the large tuning pegs on Kala Elites in the forums, but this is one of my favorite parts of the instrument. The neck is thick and chunky with a D shape. Lots to hold on to and more comfortable for barring for me at least. The headstock is thin and light with extra tall tuning pegs. This allows them to be placed further back on the headstock while maintaining a not too intense break angle, moving the tuners back and leaving plenty of room for your hand to move around and not accidentally bump them.
The Kala branded tuners are interesting. Comparing them to the grover geared tuners from my Martin, I would say they are on par.
Kala uses x bracing and has interesting back bracing too.
Bolt on neck, no truss rod
Just showing off the beautiful grain. This had a bone saddle as well. My first time using real bone. I like it, though can't tell if it makes too much of a difference really.
Sound samples to follow!
Sound: Big, open, dry, woody, bold
Looks: I usually don't think Mahogany is all that pretty, but I really do like the doghair dark grain fill and the feel to the finish on this instrument. Smoother than gloss but not satiny. Perhaps a bit sticky if you get sweaty hands, but not that bad.
I've never really looked at the Kala logo very much. I believe these are ivroid inlays, but I think it looks really gorgeous in the white against the mahogany with dark grain fill. Classy imo.
I've seen complaints about the large tuning pegs on Kala Elites in the forums, but this is one of my favorite parts of the instrument. The neck is thick and chunky with a D shape. Lots to hold on to and more comfortable for barring for me at least. The headstock is thin and light with extra tall tuning pegs. This allows them to be placed further back on the headstock while maintaining a not too intense break angle, moving the tuners back and leaving plenty of room for your hand to move around and not accidentally bump them.
The Kala branded tuners are interesting. Comparing them to the grover geared tuners from my Martin, I would say they are on par.
Kala uses x bracing and has interesting back bracing too.
Bolt on neck, no truss rod
Just showing off the beautiful grain. This had a bone saddle as well. My first time using real bone. I like it, though can't tell if it makes too much of a difference really.
Sound samples to follow!
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