Looking to buy my first Uke, but not sure between two, can you help me decide?

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I've been looking at the Kala KA-C and the Kala KA-PWC.

Is the PWC solid walnut rather than a laminate? If so, how does walnut's sound differ from (laminate) mahogany?

In addition, are there any better Ukuleles I'm overlooking for about $100?
 
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Hello and welcome to UU. Both of those Kala are all laminate body construction. The sound will be similar between these two instruments. Kala make a great instrument in the $100 price range you mentioned. Ohana is another brand that make a good instrument in that price range. Uke Republic is a top notch ukulele dealer that carries both. They will make sure you get and good one and it will be properly set up for ease of playing which is very important. Much much better than buying blindly from Amazon or ebay. The owner of Uke Republic is Mike and he is a member here.
 
Welcome to the 'ukulele world! I would pass on the Kala and get what I feel are better options at around the same price point which are Ohana's from Mims Ukes or an Islander by Kanile'a:

1. Ohana CK-14 http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...y-Setup-Aquilas-Ukulele-Uke-762-/172066060627

http://www.ohana-music.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30007

2. Ohana CK-20S http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...ogany-Top-Setup-Ukulele-Uke-691-/181969886555

http://www.ohana-music.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29802

3. Islander AC-4 http://www.islanderukulele.com/Custom/ShopProduct?id=2

4. Islander MC-4 http://www.islanderukulele.com/Custom/ShopProduct?id=3


I've been looking at the Kala KA-C and the Kala KA-PWC.

Is the PWC solid walnut rather than a laminate? If so, how does walnut's sound differ from (laminate) mahogany?

In addition, are there any better Ukuleles I'm overlooking for about $100?
 
and yet another opinion...the EddyFinn Travel concert at 125 is overlooked and under valued. Of all of the other brands and custom ukuleles I have, when I am limited to two, it is two concert travels..one low g and the other reentrant that go with me. Yes, I am a dealer of Eddy-Finn and two other brands. You do not say where you live, but laminated wood seems to be more stable than solid wood, and in one well known test of ten instruments, there was no consensus of opinion of which produced the sounds of the three best recordings of the same song As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, sound is in the ear of the beholder... my wife was a music teacher...our daughter is , and both of them were impressed with it. Last night I showed them to a professional musician and a uke teacher. She commented favorably on the sound, playability and looks of them.
 
Thanks for the reply! What is your reason for saying no to Kala? I've heard nothing but good about their Ukes.

Also, what do you know about the Ohana CK-14? I can hardly find anything about it online.

Welcome to the 'ukulele world! I would pass on the Kala and get what I feel are better options at around the same price point which are Ohana's from Mims Ukes or an Islander by Kanile'a:

1. Ohana CK-14 http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...y-Setup-Aquilas-Ukulele-Uke-762-/172066060627
 
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If I were you, I'd spend a litttttttle bit more and get a solid top ukulele. You're not going to get that different of sounds with a laminate.

But I don't want you to feel bad about getting a laminate, kalas are great I hear so I'm sure you'll be happy with either one from your original post.
 
You are welcome. Reason for me saying no to Kala is because I'm not a fan of them and I think there are better ones than Kala such as Ohana which I feel so strongly about and I own a couple and I know many others that do and I've never heard an unhappy Ohana player.

The CK-14 is a newer model from Ohana which came out I think 2014. They're just like the Ohana CK-10S which is Ohana's entry level concert which has been around for a long time.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...y-Setup-Aquilas-Ukulele-Uke-762-/172066060627

http://www.ohana-music.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29781

But the CK-14 has really cool black binding than traditional white like Kala and Lanikai, and it has a white rosette now which I think looks good. Plus if you buy from Mim, she will give the uke a FREE full set-up for highest playability.

But Mim also carries the Kala KA-C which she will do a full set-up as well: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Kala-Concert-KA-C-Laminate-Mahogany-Setup-Ukulele-Uke-725-/172065537465

If you contact Mim, she will most likely recommend the Ohana over the Kala.

And once again, this is Ohana's solid top wood model for a bit more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIM-Ohana-C...ogany-Top-Setup-Ukulele-Uke-691-/181969886555

http://www.ohana-music.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29802

Thanks for the reply! What is your reason for saying no to Kala? I've heard nothing but good about their Ukes.

Also, what do you know about the Ohana CK-14? I can hardly find anything about it online.
 
You are welcome. Reason for me saying no to Kala is because I'm not a fan of them and I think there are better ones than Kala such as Ohana which I feel so strongly about and I own a couple and I know many others that do and I've never heard an unhappy Ohana player.

The CK-14 is a newer model from Ohana which came out I think 2014. They're just like the Ohana CK-10S which is Ohana's entry level concert which has been around for a long time.

Thanks again for the reply. I'm really leaning towards the CK-14 now. I like the CK-20S and I'd like a solid top, but $160 is a lot for me right now especially for a new instrument that I'm not 100% I will stick with for a long time, I think I will, but not entirely sure.

Do you think the CK-14 is the best option for a laminate in that price range?
 
Yes, I do think the Ohana CK-14 is one of the best options in that price range, plus since it's a new model, you'll be one of the few that has it! And also, Ohana is not a new company. :)

Thanks again for the reply. I'm really leaning towards the CK-14 now. I like the CK-20S and I'd like a solid top, but $160 is a lot for me right now especially for a new instrument that I'm not 100% I will stick with for a long time, I think I will, but not entirely sure.

Do you think the CK-14 is the best option for a laminate in that price range?
 
I would buy from MIM - call her or email her and ask her for a recommendation. She does great setups. And that's a key when you're starting out.
 
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