Kala Archtop Jazz Uke - a review

[BrianJChagnon]

Just an FYI - Kala sells all of their ukes with premium aquila nylgut strings. In case any potential buyers were wondering.

[BrianJChagnon]

Correction - all of their nicer ukes are shipped with aquilas. This one included.

[MEROUPROD]

nice  i think it 's my next ukulele :-) thx

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@MEROUPROD I would only get it if you are going to playing mainly through an amp.

[MEROUPROD]

@KenMiddletonUkulele yes it mainly to play on an amp or recording studio ;-)

[JCMcGee]

I'm watching an archtop uke being made at the moment...the archtop being carved out. Amazing to watch!

[BillEvans1956]

Great review Ken. Thanks. Can you recommend a supplier in the UK for this uke? Ta. Bill

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@BillEvans1956 Every music shop in the UK has access to Kala instruments. But they are in short supply at the moment. Sorry. Try the bigger dealers or email Kala.

[BillEvans1956]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Thank you Ken. Very helpful. Bill

[mrrogi1000]

@BillEvans1956 I Live in the UK and have brought mine from the Uke dealer,

heres the website theukedealerDOTCOM

hope this helps.

[surfukeguitar]

@BillEvans1956 im getting mine from the southern ukulele store

[cepinobel]

This is a great looking and sounding instrument. Thanks for the review, as we are now accustomed to, masterfully done.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@cepinobel Thanks very much.

[bluesybruce]

Thanks for the review - I am just about to buy a uke and I like the idea of an archtop (being a guitar player) - this looks right to me and best of all it's in my price range. Best Wishes - Bruce.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@bluesybruce Thanks Bruce.

[Kpsivad]

is there a certain type of amp you get for ukes

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

An acoustic guitar amp will do just fine. Or any small amp.

[fruitistic]

I purchased a beautiful Ibanez Rosewood Concert Uke. It has intonation problems. Ibanez cannot replace it at this time. This Uke was suggested as a replacement by the store I purchased it from. Does the pickup have a tuner as well?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

No, the pickup is very basic. Think whether you actually need a pick-up. You can get a better uke for the same price without the pickup. If you need the pick-up, it is probably a good trade. Would it be better to ask them to refund you money instead?

[ombracorta]

Thanks I found this review very useful!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[astronutties]

Thanks for the review! You've convinced me to go with this model! =D

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is a great electro. Remember, it is not so good as an acoustic.

[astronutties]

@KenMiddletonUkulele I'd like to use it for performances eventually where it's electro amplification would be better suited so that's an added bonus if anything. The quieter it is without amplification, the less my mum will complain! =P

Thanks for the tip!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Sounds good then. I have used it acoustically on several recordings.

[hammill444]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Well, I don't know: it sounds quite nice acoustically in this video.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, it is fine. It sounds like many other laminate ukes though. 

[LsBaba]

Thanks for this review. I'm considering one of these ukes as my first tenor. I have an Ohana SK50WG soprano acoustic; sometimes tricky to shape the chords with my fat fingers. Nice to hear Kala's quality is high;.they seem to produce some very good products.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Don't forget that it is a great electro uke. The acoustic sound isn't that good.

[LsBaba]

@KenMiddletonUkulele Thanks Ken. I may go for a standard acoustic initially, maybe with a pickup fitted... I would like the option of playing with the sound (via PC software), as well as simply being easier to record.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

All-solid or solid top is usually going to be better than a laminate instrument.

[MrRandomman123]

are there any fret markers on the sides?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes.

[zaqwertyuiopasdfgh]

my one has a horrible buzzing coming from inside the instrument any ideas on fixing it?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is most likely something loose. Maybe a piece of wood not properly glued down.

[zaqwertyuiopasdfgh]

@KenMiddletonUkulele thank you for answering i think i will bring it back to where i bought it to get it repaired

[Bazzerhull]

Hi Ken, I really like your impartial enthusiasm for the uke, I appreciate you are an Ohana man but I cannot get a TK35 quickly so I am considering the Kala Acacia tenor which SUS have in stock and will deliver tomorrow. I would appreciate your opinion. Thanks

Barry

[tubby92288]

Wow... that is one nice instrument. Realllly considering buying one!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Glad you like it.

[Lax2DMax]

who did you say shipped this instrument to you?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Musicguymic on eBay.

[TMcustom]

do you have a tab for the song in the end?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Sorry, I don't have tabs for any songs.

[equiplay]

Excellent review Ken.

Thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[harpdude1]

I make vintage looking pickguards for the Kala archtop tenor ukulele. 4 colors are available. Go to Ebay and search for "Kala pickguard".

Thanks,

Chuck

[MrSailormon]

I play a Kala spruce top concert now and was looking for a tenor with pick up. This is the one thanks for the review Sounds great

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It comes in 3 colours.

[ROCSTA13]

thank you for that really informative review!

i have a total crush on archtop guitars and ukuleles, so your review makes me to order on of these beautiful Kalas!

you should do commercials for Kala and

thank you for making me spend all my hardly saved money for an ukulele ;o)

have a nice weekend!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I am not a great fan of Kala and I work for Ohana, but this uke is really good when amplified.

[MrCr1mson]

I was looking all over for in-depth reviews for this uke and this one is perfect! Definitely going to go ahead and buy it now :D thank you!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[AlexGeh]

I bought the black version of that uke today, so thanks for the review! =)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It's a great uke. The black one looks good.

[SoundsOnStereo]

I really want to get this ukulele but I've been playing concert ukes for a long time. Can you tune the low g string up an octave or get a thinner string?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

The normal tuning is exactly the same as a concert.

[SoundsOnStereo]

I thought ,on a tenor ukulele, the strings have a g string like the concert size just an octave lower. This makes the Tenor strings go in order from lowest to highest, while the concert's strings do not. Please correct me if i am wrong and the tenor strings don't go in order from lowest to highest.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

You are wrong. Any ukulele can have a 4th string that is an octave lower, but this is not the normal tuning. The vast majority of ukes are sold with a high G.

[SoundsOnStereo]

Thanks. I will probably get this uke then.

[ex0ja]

I am looking at getting a new uke (my current one is more of a toy than a real instrument). I can't justify spending too much as I can't really play that well yet. But most the ukes I am looking at are solid top with laminate back and sides, and I hate to buy any acoustic instrument with laminate. Am I just being too picky?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

No, you are not being picky. Get a solid top or all-solid uke if you can.

[TeleTubeee]

Thanks for your wonderful uke reviews, Ken.

With your educated ear and vast listening experience of different ukes, which soprano / concert uke might you recommend for a "jazz sound"?

Thanks,

Doug

San Francisco, California USA

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have just offered supplied an Ohana ukulele to a very well-respected French jazz player/singer. He chose an Ohana SK 50WG. It has a warm, mellow and very loud sound. You might want to have a pick-up fitted to it.

Hope this helps.

[TeleTubeee]

Thanks, Ken, for your time and valued opinion.

If the Nobel Prize had a "Contribution to the Ukelele Community" category, you would be on the short list.

Thanks,

Doug

San Francisco, California USA

[kissing88]

i agree!

[Lucyisafish]

Hey Ken,

Wondering if you can help me. I'm trying to decide between this Kala Tenor uke and an Ohana Tenor.. my heart is telling me to go for this one, because it's just so pretty and doesn't sound too bad.. but my head is saying the Ohana, because it is a solid top. Only with the Ohana is, the one I am looking at has no electrics, which I would prefer.

What would you do?

Lucy :)

[revesdours]

Unfortunately, the Aquila Strings are my favorite.

Worth medium cearstrings is are too fine with my taste, I do not arrive has to accustom me to these Strings.

And I do not like their sonority.

Except Worth Brown, but they are very hard and fine under the fingers and that hurt.

And yet I am accustomed to playing with Archtop Guitars jazz with large Strings.

[revesdours]

Thanks,

Yes, I know, but the salesman me ace says that it could not lower only 0,2mm to 12 fret, it is too very very little!.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Remember that all tenor are strung tighter than sopranos and concerts. It comes fitted with Aquilas. Try using Worth medium strings.

[revesdours]

Hi Ken,

I bought this week Kala jazz Archtop, and the cords are very very high,

string G with the 1 fret = 1,3 mm and 12 frets 2.8 mm

string A with the 1 fret = 1,5 mm and 12 frets 3 mm

And it is to you how ?

it is very difficult to play, that made with the fingers and it is not pleasant.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Most ukuleles coming out of China seem to have a high action. But at least it is easy to lower. the saddle and maybe the nut need to be lowered. If you cannot do it, someone at any guitar shop would be able to do it for you.

[Rol1949]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for all the great reviews.

Where may one find backing tracks for ukulele?

(I think the one you played is "Heart & Soul")

Cheers

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you. They are saxophone backing tracks. All music shops sell them.

[whatevurrrk]

I like this review. But could you tell me please if this ukulele has a truss rod? I am considering buying this one so I would like to know if it had a truss rod. Thanks!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't know but I wouldn't have thought so.

[AcousticMonster]

Great review Ken! I'm actually thinking of buying one of these (since I play a lot of rockabilly songs). I've got two Kala's. In your opinion, are these archtops worth buying?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I won this one, but I am glad I chose it as a prize. In the UK they are expensive for an all laminate ukulele, but the electrics are excellent. Acoustically they are a bit quiet, but through an amp or fed straight into the computer they are terrific.

KEN

[bruisedwee]

Wow! That looks sweet! Honey, I Shrunk the Double Bass. Heh.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is a lovely uke.

[kissing88]

Thank you for this great review ^^

I have been keeping my eye on this one on MGM and saving up for it.

You mentioned that plywood is used to achieve the laminated effect. Is this disadvantageous compared to Hardwood?

[kissing88]

sorry, i meant "solid top" and "solid body", not "hardwood" xD

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

On any stringed instrument solid wood is better than laminate. Laminate (plywood) does not vibrate nearly as well as solid wood. Therefore laminate instruments lack in volume and tone. However, because this is really an electric instrument, it doesn't need to be solid. The amplified tone is terrific.

[kissing88]

Thank you very much for your answer sir :-)

[fatfingers75]

i love your reviews!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. Another one uploading today.

[gener513]

Great review Ken. Now I want one too. It sounds great. But then again.. I bet you can make any Ukulele sound great...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. watch out for this uke on my next, or next but one video.

[GrumpyCoyoteTunes]

Oh my - now I want one of these as well... great review.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Coyote. Amplified it sounds amazing.

[YoppyKyabetsu]

congratulations! A fine instrument in good hands.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[harrylegthigh]

Sounds great amped but as an acoustic just fair. thanks for the review Ken great as always.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I agree. Like all other laminates it is quiet and has no sustain. But amped it is amazing.

[Astericks]

Wonderful review, Ken! One tangential question, though. That Flamenco style strum you first play at around 1:30, what is that called? Apologies if you've covered this in one of your previous videos. Thanks!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't know if it has a proper name. I think Aldrine calls it a 5 finger roll. You can do a similar thing with 4, 3 or even 2 fingers.

[jmiclovesyou]

This sounds amazing and so clean plugged in! Great review.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It surprised me how good it sounded just plugged straight into the computer.

[musicguymic]

Hey Ken I am glad you had fun with this ukulele MGM

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Mike. So well packaged and presented.

[iggy524]

nice! this is the uke i wanted to win! haha

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Sorry.

[TrowaRF]

That uke has a very nice sound. MGM's setup is one of the main things that keep me going back to him for my musical needs.

Nice review.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[eerteep]

...another excellent ken middleton review! congratulations with the mmmbop win! sweet uke!

: )

p.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[theBradlands]

It's a lovely instrument. I'm sure you two will make beautiful music together. :-)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Brad.

[ChrisBakerGuitar]

Wonderful and thorough review, Ken! You've covered all the bases. I have the natural one (reviewed under my old Stackabones account).

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. Yes, I have seen your review.

[ScooterUke]

A1 review. Solid or laminate ? I like them both.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[okvolleyball]

wow Ken that is such a nice ukulele I loved the sound of it !

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is beautiful, isn't it?

[irvingjohn]

Awesome review Ken. Seems like a great ukulele.  The ending was incredible, I love that song.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks John. Have you seen the film "Big" where Tom Hanks dances playing this tune on a floor keyboard?

[russbuss415]

very nice and thorough review Ken! nice playing at the end as well. congrats on the new uke, mmmBoppin' pays off!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you, Russ. I have hardly had chance to play it yet, but it's a beauty.

[josephhoh]

Lovely ukulele Ken. I can see that you are really happy with it. Congratulations and many thanks for the many videos you've done. It's great for folks like me who live in ukulele quiet places.

I look forward to many more videos inspired by your Archtop.

Cheers!

ps I replaced the saddle on my Kala with a bone saddle and it really rang. Kala's now come with Aquilas.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much for the detailed response, Joseph. Yes, I really am thrilled with it.

[tarmenmin]

Sounds really good!

[KenMiddletonHaiku]

Thanks.

[fourteentwelve]

That's a great review Ken, and lovely playing. It sounded really great played with the backing track too.

Congratulations on winning the contest! Your Mmm Bops were awesome!

[KenMiddletonHaiku]

Thanks Michelle. I appreciate that comment.

[ukeshale]

top review ken. didn't know that some gibson's are laminate. really in depth - tempts me into wanting one myself! love the perloid binding and the inlay on the fretboard looks great. enjoy!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, the Gibson 175 and 335 both have laminate tops. If you pay many thousands of pounds you can get an L5 with a carved top.

[casetone2514]

Congratulations on winning the comp, Ken.

What a beautiful looking instrument and it sounds great amplified. However, when you played it unplugged there was a strange rattle - or was that distortion on the camera mic?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Tony.

No, there is no rattle when you play it. It must be the recording. I did have to compress the audio.

[deach69]

Great review! You look like you are having a lot of fun with it.

Congrats Ken! Well deserved!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is great fun to play. And I have loads of these saxophone backing tracks.

Thanks again, Deach.