Kala, 4-String Ukulele, Natural, Concert (SMHC)

I was seeking a highly rated, solid wood ukulele to play for my personal amusement, looking to pay as little as possible in the solid wood category of instruments. I already had an inexpensive, laminated uke that would not hold a tuning for more than a few minutes, but I found my wife was still enjoying my playing. Go figure. It inspired me to move up. Be warned, I am not in any way a professional musician, but I appreciate and value quality in my possessions.I did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews. The Kala-SMHC had good ratings and had the high quality strings that would assure me of a ukulele that I would not have to fiddle with to keep in tune. The price was competitive in the class of instruments reviewed.I placed an order on Amazon and received my Kala in short order. It was well packaged. The build quality is very good. I am a professional maker of things, from wood, metals and plastics, and am known for my anal retentive tendencies. I do not give accolades lightly. I like to critique things. The satin finish does not show finger prints and is well applied. The tuning spindles are very nice to use and of good quality.This is not a super showy instrument, but it has nice border inlay details at the edges of the body, top and bottom. The ebony fret board and bridge are flawless. The manufacturer's name is tastefully small and well inlaid, not applied, KALA. This instrument should last to be an heirloom, if only I had an heir.The only thing that disappoints me about the instrument is that the mahogany used to make mine is a mousy brown, instead of the rich, mahogany red that I am accustomed to. I have worked with a lot of mahogany in my lifetime. Rest assured, it is real mahogany, but not the color hoped for. The promotional photographs show instruments with the rich, mahogany red color I desired and expected.I understand that every tree is different. For that reason, I accept the color as the luck of the draw. Someone was bound to get the mousy brown mahogany, and it was me. I wouldn't see a tree wasted. All the parts of the instrument appear to be from the same tree and are well matched; neck, panels and sides.I don't believe I am qualified to evaluate tonal quality, brightness, etc., but the instrument sounds fine with my voice and we make music together.The bridge is well fitted so that even these unskilled fingers can effortlessly make chords and strum away with a minimal amount of buzzing and clunking. For this, I am pleased and grateful.All in all, I am perfectly happy with my KA-SMHC.I also purchased an electronic, Snark tuner and a quality hard case on Amazon. The tuner is amazing, as it does its job so well, for so little cost. I got the tuner that will work with all instruments, instead of just the uke specific one; for an extra $3, why not? I can use it to tune my guitar and any other instrument set before me.

Kala is a great brand of ukulele, and I have no problem with the brand, but I bought a "like new" Kala SMHC ukulele and when it arrived I could clearly see through the sound hole lots of black specks which had to be mold. I was extremely disappointed. Fortunately, the seller gave me a full refund, but now I'm wary of buying anything used. I can't believe the seller didn't see it, or maybe they did and just tried to pull a fast one. My advice, if you buy used, be sure to thoroughly examine whatever product you receive.

I was debating between a Córdoba solid spruce concert and this Kala solid mahogany concert for 3-4 months. I think I made the right decision, and her teacher agreed. This will be my daughter's first upgrade from a laminate starter. The tone is rich and full, it played loud and clear to a crowd of 200 people. The strings are comfortable and really nice to strum, according to her and her tiny fingers. It is simply a beautiful instrument with the elegance of the side-trim design. It was about $40-50 more than comparable ukuleles with similar make and size of other brands.

I got my little concert uke on sale and enjoy it so far! All solid mahogany top, back and side, nice tortoise shell binding, lightweight, straight neck, decent tone and volume… I recommend changing to a set of low G strings - it really opens up the sound and let’s the wood sing especially the lower notes. My only critique would be that it feels thin and fragile - almost like those old plywood toy planes with the rubber band propeller. I’d recommend hydrating it and giving the thing an oil rubbed polish… overall a nice beginning to intermediate type uke.

This Ukulele is as fine a piece of work as I have ever seen. The sound after only two weeks has already matured due to the solid wood construction. It is well built and feels like it was made to be played everyday. I hardly even pick up my solid spruce top tenor because this instrument sounds so good...intonation fret by fret is spot on as well. It is feather lite as well.

Every thing went perfectly and the instrument has a beautiful rich tone. I'm glad I went for an all solid wood Uke.

Disappointed with Plastic tuning knobs & Made in China sticker. Otherwise decent.

For the money I expect much more!Although the sound be very nice, the ukulele isn't well made. For comparison, I have one cheap model made in China and the construction is a little similar (high distance between wood and cords), if was less expensive I had understood, but it isn't!I recommend that you go, see and play yourself in a store and don't buy any instrument by Internet.

Produit arrivée en 2 jour et demi alors qu'il était "supposé" arriver 9 jours après l'achat. J'ai deux mots à dire, "MERCI, et BRAVO" !!!Le Ukulélé que j'ai reçu n'est pas celui que j'ai commandé, mais une version avec une prise de Guitare Électrique et une coupe qui permet de jouer dans les aiguës plus facilement. Je ne plaint absolument pas, j'ai reçu plus que ce que j'avais commandé, et j'en suis très heureux ^^. L'état du Ukulélé est neuf, et ça se voit.Merci encore une fois, vous m'avez fait une grosse surprise, et ça a le mérite d'être souligné !

Returned. The binding was coming away on the back near the heel. Not acceptable quality.