@@GotAUkulele I'm a video editor professionally for about 15 years here in the US - I can give you some tips on color correcting cam B to match cam A - but when I saw the switch I thought 'wow! this is a great bump in production value!' so I'd keep moving in that direction 👍 your content is always great - it's awesome that your production is moving up consistently
Yes! I noticed the camera work too! Nice! I agree on your assessment between this and the Kala. How hard would it have been to get it right Kala? It’s a poor effort. Maybe Ortega will offer another color scheme after your review? Who knows? Hope springs eternal! Thank you for another great recipe!
Kala have not listened to criticism that not only I have made on things like price, nut width, lack of a bag - over the last 6 years... So I sadly doubt it. Resting on laurels?
Like the two camera angles. Always something new! Don't forget that the Ortega comes with a bag and the Kala doesn't. So there is an extra cost with the Kala, even though it has a higher price. But for what ever reason, Kala doesn't include a case or bag with a majority of their Ukes. The two I own didn't come with a case. I don't mind the color of the Ortega. It's different than the other Ukes out there.
I own an older Kala arch top, KA-JTE/HBC. It does have a floating bridge and tail piece. My wife likes it for the softer sound. The floating bridge made it interesting the first time I restrung the Kala.
Great review! I'm a uke teacher and musician and one of the instruments I own is a Ortega tenor from the Prism series (RUPR-TQB). Even more yellow than this one :) which I love, but boy do I love the sound of it! Give it a try, if possible.
I was wondering how they would accommodate the pickup .... I like the idea of a Jazz uke, but I’m leaning toward the Sound Smith tenor, even though the single-coil pickup on that one is gargantuan.
Baz I tried the Sound Smith; it is single-coil noisy, lacks a truss rod (which I think is called for with steel strings), string changes are a nightmare (step one is try to pry off the tailpiece cover with a screwdriver) and the electronics appear to be cheap (lots of stamped metal bits, etc.). Looks pretty, though.
Hi Baz! Love the two camera angles! Wow! I am pleasantly surprised on the sound of this Uke! Like the sound .. on strumming, maybe not finger picking but the looks .. just not for me. You are awesome! Thanks again!
Thanks for the great review as always. Much like you I would prefer a darker sunburst like the Kala have and I also think the control thing is somewhat ugly. Guess I'll wait and see if they produce these in other colour burst options down the line.
Definitely interesting I've been looking at these and I'm glad you pointed out the differences. It seems the Kala has a bit of a brittle sound whereas I can hear the echo from the Ortega even through my phone.. I'll probably pass on these now since neither are particularly impressive for the price.
This is DOC... pretty instrument but I like the Sound a little better then the Karla. Both colors are ok for me. Price is an important point with both ukuleles. Thanks great comparison..
@@GotAUkulele yes that is my Nick name as well as having a Doctorate. I am friends with some people who are famous on certain levels so I always start or end with DOC... and then they will know it is me and not just a fan etc...😀
I appreciate these videos, because I do I always give a thumbs up and would never be inconsiderate and not do so if I watch it and like the content, it takes me one second to give a thumbs up compared to the time, money and effort it takes him to make them for us for free . It’s nice to be appreciated.
Baz, this is a no brainer. I like this Ortega uke ten times better. I rather fancy the color, but that’s just me. The headstock is really pretty. I would change out the strings and the tuners. I think this uke would be fun to play, and to show off on stage. I hate that preamp setup though. Too bad that’s a deal breaker for me. Rattling wires can ruin a set. And cripes, it comes with a gig bag. Thanks for giving us a second choice. Kala can go eat worms. I wonder how long they’ve been ripping us off because they can (could) sell more ukes than any other company.
@@GotAUkulele yes, that’s what finally turned me against them. Mim of Mims ukes is my friend, and they screwed her badly. Music Guy Mike, who sold more Kala ukes than anyone, would turn over in his grave!
I love the color on the Ortega more. But overall Ortega QC is very bad, all Ortegas i have had some issues, usually the bridge is coming off or bad neck angle etc.
![[Eng Sub] Enya Nova UE ukulele with effects. Metallica on ukulele](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EZZdWE9WJOU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Lil Uzi Vert - We Good [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DrSfBULAsek/mqdefault.jpg)
Great review, man! You had me rolling at "ugly as sin" 🤣
A really nice looking instrument. Underscores your observation of Kala's lack of tail piece.
love the 2 camera look! very cool
Jury is out with me. Need to work on the picture of the second one. Looks too different and soft.
@@GotAUkulele I'm a video editor professionally for about 15 years here in the US - I can give you some tips on color correcting cam B to match cam A - but when I saw the switch I thought 'wow! this is a great bump in production value!' so I'd keep moving in that direction 👍 your content is always great - it's awesome that your production is moving up consistently
Not as bad as I was fearing. If I was stuck on the road and in need of a ukulele (it can happen), this would do.
Not really my 'thing' but a lot to like here.
Great addition to camera work. Love getting an additional angle.
A work in progress... need to get the colour balance right!
Nice instrument Barry. Thanks again. Keep well.
Thanks, you too!
Yes! I noticed the camera work too! Nice!
I agree on your assessment between this and the Kala. How hard would it have been to get it right Kala? It’s a poor effort.
Maybe Ortega will offer another color scheme after your review? Who knows? Hope springs eternal!
Thank you for another great recipe!
Kala have not listened to criticism that not only I have made on things like price, nut width, lack of a bag - over the last 6 years... So I sadly doubt it. Resting on laurels?
Interesting as always. Many thanks for making these videos 👍👍👍👍👍👍
My pleasure! (I did talk about slowing them down, but I seem to be busier than ever!)
@@GotAUkulele I’m pleased you are making more videos but take care of yourself first 🥰
@@cazhowe737 Thank you!
Another great review! Thanks! Definitely nicer and a better deal than the Kala!
Totally agree!
Like the two camera angles. Always something new! Don't forget that the Ortega comes with a bag and the Kala doesn't. So there is an extra cost with the Kala, even though it has a higher price. But for what ever reason, Kala doesn't include a case or bag with a majority of their Ukes. The two I own didn't come with a case. I don't mind the color of the Ortega. It's different than the other Ukes out there.
Yep - the bag just widens the value gap even more.
I own an older Kala arch top, KA-JTE/HBC. It does have a floating bridge and tail piece. My wife likes it for the softer sound. The floating bridge made it interesting the first time I restrung the Kala.
Can't understand why Kala discontinued them. They were meant to be a far better version
I agree I have the kala an I like it for the soft sound.
Great review! I'm a uke teacher and musician and one of the instruments I own is a Ortega tenor from the Prism series (RUPR-TQB). Even more yellow than this one :) which I love, but boy do I love the sound of it! Give it a try, if possible.
Will check it out!
I was wondering how they would accommodate the pickup .... I like the idea of a Jazz uke, but I’m leaning toward the Sound Smith tenor, even though the single-coil pickup on that one is gargantuan.
SIngle coil? So it's fully steel strung?
@@GotAUkulele yes.
Baz I tried the Sound Smith; it is single-coil noisy, lacks a truss rod (which I think is called for with steel strings), string changes are a nightmare (step one is try to pry off the tailpiece cover with a screwdriver) and the electronics appear to be cheap (lots of stamped metal bits, etc.). Looks pretty, though.
Hey Baz, what is your main camera model ? This autofocus rules as hell !
Sony ZV-1
Hi Baz! Love the two camera angles! Wow! I am pleasantly surprised on the sound of this Uke! Like the sound .. on strumming, maybe not finger picking but the looks .. just not for me. You are awesome! Thanks again!
Many thanks!
Thanks for the great review as always. Much like you I would prefer a darker sunburst like the Kala have and I also think the control thing is somewhat ugly. Guess I'll wait and see if they produce these in other colour burst options down the line.
If they did I would consider one!
Definitely interesting I've been looking at these and I'm glad you pointed out the differences. It seems the Kala has a bit of a brittle sound whereas I can hear the echo from the Ortega even through my phone.. I'll probably pass on these now since neither are particularly impressive for the price.
Personal preference I prefer the sound of the Kala. I love the mellowness of the Kala, it’s my go to uke for jazzy or old time country songs.
It does sound brighter! Still not as good as the Sound Smith in my opinion, but it is great for the price! Thank you, Baz!
Must try and get hold of one of those!
Great review! Definitely like it better than the Kala.
Agreed!
This is DOC... pretty instrument but I like the Sound a little better then the Karla. Both colors are ok for me. Price is an important point with both ukuleles. Thanks great comparison..
DOC?
@@GotAUkulele yes that is my Nick name as well as having a Doctorate. I am friends with some people who are famous on certain levels so I always start or end with DOC... and then they will know it is me and not just a fan etc...😀
@@drpkmurphy Ah, right. Sorry!
I appreciate these videos, because I do I always give a thumbs up and would never be inconsiderate and not do so if I watch it and like the content, it takes me one second to give a thumbs up compared to the time, money and effort it takes him to make them for us for free . It’s nice to be appreciated.
Thank you!
I'd love a tutorial on how to play the tune from your sound samples! I keep trying to work it out from the video clips! :D
See link in video description!
@@GotAUkulele Ah amazing!! Can't believe I missed that! Thank you :D
Have you tried the u bass? it's a pretty odd instrument
Some time ago - not a fan.
Thanks!
Thanks Susan!
Cool uke.
Yeah - largely liked this one!
I dig the 2 camera look Baz! I do agree on its look, in that it's pretty ugly imo, and gosh I hate those cheap looking tuners.
Very cheap tuners!
Baz, this is a no brainer. I like this Ortega uke ten times better. I rather fancy the color, but that’s just me. The headstock is really pretty.
I would change out the strings and the tuners. I think this uke would be fun to play, and to show off on stage.
I hate that preamp setup though. Too bad that’s a deal breaker for me. Rattling wires can ruin a set.
And cripes, it comes with a gig bag.
Thanks for giving us a second choice.
Kala can go eat worms. I wonder how long they’ve been ripping us off because they can (could) sell more ukes than any other company.
What's really sad is that Kala used to make one with a real mando style bridge. They discontinued it in favour of the current model..
@@GotAUkulele bummer. Kala used to be pretty good. I even bought 2, a uke and a ubass. Now I think they kinda stink.
@@MsNickie1001 Certainly their recent pricing shenanigans with dealers has put me off alone!
@@GotAUkulele yes, that’s what finally turned me against them. Mim of Mims ukes is my friend, and they screwed her badly. Music Guy Mike, who sold more Kala ukes than anyone, would turn over in his grave!
@@MsNickie1001 Awww, I miss that guy..
I love the color on the Ortega more. But overall Ortega QC is very bad, all Ortegas i have had some issues, usually the bridge is coming off or bad neck angle etc.
Which is why I say in the written review to only buy from a specialist uke store. One that will check them over before sale.
Don't mind the colour, easy decision to make against the Kala
Very easy!
I agree.. I would buy one if it wasn’t so yellow.
Yep - odd colour eh?
The kala sounds best in my ears though.
That’s all that matters.
For that price, I can disregard the "cheese omelette" color scheme!
Ha ha!
I don't like these things masquerading as something else.
The Kala certainly is - this one less so. Whilst the bridge doesn't move that doesn't stop the compression effect of the tailpiece.
Not for me in looks or sound.
Or the Asia connection, as you said, but then deleted....