Took a while to see these in the UK, but they just landed
https://www.gotaukulele.com/2020/08/kala-ka-bmb-c-all-bamboo-concert.html
https://www.gotaukulele.com/2020/08/kala-ka-bmb-c-all-bamboo-concert.html
Kala KA-BMB-C Bamboo Concert - REVIEW
- Thread starter bazmaz
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I wouldn't be surprised if they're made in the exact same factory. They are uncanny in how similar they look. The only noticeable difference is the colour of the nut, saddle and fret markers.
I can definitely see the appeal of a bamboo uke with the ecological aspect and affordable price. Maybe I'd get one if I played the larger sizes more. Not really keen on having a bamboo soprano for some reason.
Physically the only thing I spotted was white position dots etc compared to black. Are they otherwise identical? No idea. There's a huge price difference, though, and I would *hope* that it's not just a brand markup. I was tempted to put aside my reluctance to buy from Amazon, but that headstock is simply wrong on a soprano so I didn't.
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Probably. I would just never give my money to Aklot for other reasons.
It probably IS a brand markup. But I am not totally down with that when a brand is supporting shops and bricks and mortar stores rather than just direct Amazon sales.
The direct sales are going to kill the music stores in a fairly short time if we don't support them. Local shops do not, to the best of my knowledge, stock Aklot. It's not their model.
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I just knew that when I reviewed this the Aklot comparisons would start (understandably of course). I have to step out of these replies now though for fear of saying something I maybe shouldn't.
All I WILL say though is this - there is no Aklot review on Got A Ukulele and nor will there ever be as far as I am currently concerned.... Make of that what you will.
Want the Aklot? - get the Aklot... Not my lookout!
I'd get the Kala.
(FWIW - multiple ukes looking the same from the same factory lines are nothing new.)
All I WILL say though is this - there is no Aklot review on Got A Ukulele and nor will there ever be as far as I am currently concerned.... Make of that what you will.
Want the Aklot? - get the Aklot... Not my lookout!
I'd get the Kala.
(FWIW - multiple ukes looking the same from the same factory lines are nothing new.)
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donluca
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By no means I was asking you doing a comparison, I was just speaking my mind aloud.
The major differences I see, besides the black dot markers, are that Kala uses Graph tech NuBone nut and saddle (small OT: I'm a huge fan of Graph Tech, although I use their Tusq stuff on my electrics, I'm super happy to see that Kala used NuBone, never tried it!) and those are both ~12€ each.
At that point I think that there's definitely some nice setup (20€ at least) and a good set of strings on (Aquila Super Nylgut, another 7€) involved.
When you start adding it up... the Aklot is 63€ (concert) on Amazon, the Kala is 130$ direct (more or less 120€).
But on the Aklot you have to add
12€ NuBone saddle
12€ NuBone nut
7€ Aquila strings
20€ for the setup (adjusting nut and saddle, intonation, etc.)
= 63€ + 51€ = 114€ total
So I'd say that the Kala's price is absolutely in line with what it is offering and definitely a bargain.
Yes, probably the body of both are exactly the same, coming out from the same factory, but the Kala is probably better set up and with higher quality parts, so, in the end, you get what you pay for.
EDIT: and then, there's the mysterious GEWA as well, which I spoke of in another thread...
The major differences I see, besides the black dot markers, are that Kala uses Graph tech NuBone nut and saddle (small OT: I'm a huge fan of Graph Tech, although I use their Tusq stuff on my electrics, I'm super happy to see that Kala used NuBone, never tried it!) and those are both ~12€ each.
At that point I think that there's definitely some nice setup (20€ at least) and a good set of strings on (Aquila Super Nylgut, another 7€) involved.
When you start adding it up... the Aklot is 63€ (concert) on Amazon, the Kala is 130$ direct (more or less 120€).
But on the Aklot you have to add
12€ NuBone saddle
12€ NuBone nut
7€ Aquila strings
20€ for the setup (adjusting nut and saddle, intonation, etc.)
= 63€ + 51€ = 114€ total
So I'd say that the Kala's price is absolutely in line with what it is offering and definitely a bargain.
Yes, probably the body of both are exactly the same, coming out from the same factory, but the Kala is probably better set up and with higher quality parts, so, in the end, you get what you pay for.
EDIT: and then, there's the mysterious GEWA as well, which I spoke of in another thread...
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Quite reasonable, Barry. I'm certainly used to seeing very similar ukes which we all know are from the same basic source yet we make our choices based on whatever our priorities are. My fondness for Ohanas, for instance, hasn't been diminished by a couple of issues I've had and I've not been swayed by often slightly cheaper clones.
I'd never heard of Aklot until last week, when I was searching for more info on the Kala bamboo soprano I noticed in stock at The Uke Room (one of those stores where I can be reasonably safe in assuming that if they sell it then it can't be a total lemon), but they do seem to be Amazon or similar only. The temptation to give it a try at what was a ridiculously low price was certainly strong, if only for the novelty of seeing what fifty quid (possibly less, indeed: there was a discount voucher too!) could buy; at that price, though, someone along the line is surely getting screwed over... Didn't succumb and in the end went for something utterly different from Southern Ukulele Store, who have been as helpful as ever.
Anyway, thanks for the typically comprehensive review. Neck profile and nut width aside (I have a similar opinion to yourself on the Kala standard) it's an attractive instrument and the price seems very reasonable.
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To be honest, I don't regard Kala that much better compared to these direct sale companies like Kmise/Aklot. These days, Kala is doing much more direct sales as well through their own website and Amazon, and I think they had some massive deal with Walmart as well. I'm sure many people here remember the kerfuffle between Kala and Mim. They're really undercutting the small specialist shops, although I think they might still be more friendly to smaller shops in Europe. I've heard about the shady marketing practices of Kmise/Aklot so I would prefer Kala over them as well but not by much.
donluca
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I know I'll be opening a big can of worms but... can you provide a link to shed light on such shady marketing practices?
I was strongly considering the Aklot bamboo since the guys over at GEWA didn't reply at all my 2 emails.
This came from a small specialist shop....
(I know I said I would keep off the Aklot thing, but this is factual point worth making... for balance.)
Nickie
Well-known member
If I were looking for a bamboo ukulele, I think I'd consider the Cordoba...
As I mentioned, European shops seem to be more comfortable in stocking Kala at least currently. The American market seems to be a different story, at least judging by certain anecdotes. Just to reiterate, I don't like either brand but I would go for a Kala over a Kmise or Aklot a hundred times out of a hundred.
I don't feel comfortable opening the worm can in this thread, and in any case there's not much of corroborated evidence available anyway. If you want a snippet of info you can check Baz's review on a Kmise uke from a few years back. There's a short paragraph on the subject at the end of the review.
No - because it largely came about in private email exchanges I had with the brand. These are purely my own personal opinions and i'm not telling anyone to avoid them. I am avoiding them myself though.
donluca
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No worries, sorry for bringing up this, it's just that for my next ukulele I really don't want to go throwing my money towards someone who's not being transparent and honest in their marketing prices.
I'll just stop talking about this and, on a different note, I'll definitely keep an eye on the Kala Soprano Bamboo. If I ever see it around the ~100€ mark that'll probably be my next buy
I'll just stop talking about this and, on a different note, I'll definitely keep an eye on the Kala Soprano Bamboo. If I ever see it around the ~100€ mark that'll probably be my next buy
Arcy
Strummin' in the Rain
The forum software doesn't like extended characters and seems to chop when one gets out of basic ASCII range (not quite the right heuristic - it allowed donluca's euro symbol, but then chopped mine at it). That combines poorly with modern browsers liking fancy quotes and apostrophes. I suspect Jeffelele's next few characters were "'re"
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