Got A Ukulele Reviews - Kala KA-SSTU-C Travel Concert
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
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Got A Ukulele Reviews and Buyers Guides looks at the thin line travel concert uke from Kala - read the full review on the site here - www.gotaukulele... #gotaukulele #ukulele #review
I have this uke and love it. I have small hands so baring chords is hard for me. Not with this uke. Neck is thin enough I can reach easily. Only complaint is the gig bag is really too small. I have to take the strap off to get it in there.
the Kala travel tenor is the first uke I played, and I fell in love.
+tubbytitan23451 A nice first uke!
Do you feel it is more quiet compare to normal sized one , on fingerpicking.
Not at all / one of the best things about these is how punchy they are
Nice review and playing. Bought Kava travel here in Canada at a Bricks and Mortar shop. Originally I got this for a trip so I wouldn't get guitar withdrawal. Also have a Peruvian Churango I bought in Mexico.
Thanks for the review Barry. That narrow and still sounds just as good as a regular size. Kala has done their homework for sure.
Yep - these work remarkably well!
Just bought the Tenor after playing it in a shop. Watched this review after the purchase. that's 2 of us that's impressed then 😎👍👏👏👏.
Good choice!
GotAUkulele - Grinning like a wide-mouth frog 🐸😊‼️
Hi, When I started learning the ukulele, I got a Kala KA-C which has been a great uke to begin on, but after 3 years I feel I would like to upgrade. Would this Kala Concert Travel ukulele be a good upgrade? Thanks!
Certainly a nicer uke than the KA-C
@@GotAUkulele Thanks!
I think travel is because it takes up less luggage space...just my two cents worth.
Yes, I am sure that is why they named it, but I still dont understand it. It might be thinner for packing in a suitcase, but I would never put a ukulele in a suitcase. All other dimensions are the same as any other concert though - and overall size is the bigger issue for luggage.
***** I did place mine in a suitcase...but of course a hard one. Use it alone in a hotel room after work...wonderful way to unwind :)
well, this video sold it for me! going to pick one up on amazon. Baz: how do you think this ukulele would sound strung low g unwound strings? ..or does it sound great as is? :)
Hard to say as I've never done it - I'd say 'experiment!"
HI did you try yours with a low g? would love to know what you think pls.
I am falling in love with mine more each day! i have such tiny hands, makes this perfect for me. Im thinking of buying another to string with a low G, do you think that would work Baz?
No reason why not - but bear in mind you will may need to adjust the nut and / or saddle to ensure intonation is still good.
@@GotAUkulele I didnt think of that! ty
I keep a Kala Travel uke (tenor) in my office for lunch time playing. Easy to grab & go out to the park but thin enough to fit on a book shelf!
Perfect!
Great review…. Can you suggest some strings? Red? Sugar?
Sorry - have a policy of never recommending strings - not to be unhelpful, it's just a totally subjective thing. I've seen people argue about the same string set - one saying they are bright, one saying warm - yet they are both right (we all hear and play differently). My advice is just to buy a few sets and trust your own ears as to what you like.
Anyone who tells you what strings are 'best' is being disingenuous - they can only tell you what works well for them. May be TOTALLY different for you.
Just ended up with one myself. I actually enjoy it more than I did playing a guitar. And quite happy with the sound of these tenor slims
HI Barry, Thanks for the review. I bought a Makala (Kala) Waterman soprano months ago for camping, etc. Good for the US$40 I paid, after I wore in the strings, but I notice that after tuning, that any note played fretted on most of the strings is sharp. Is this a "problem" unique to me, unique to the Waterman or common for soprano Ukes? I'm shopping for a woodie for my 2nd uke for home use.
Their intonation isn't the best to be honest - more a bit of fun that a serious instrument. Personally, mine was slightly off, but not massively noticeable. I suspect yours has an overly high bridge - the action then of bringing the strings down too far to touch the frets is in effect stretching them and making them sharp.
Wow, thanks for the rapid note. The high action skewing the intonation makes sense. I've also seen written that its "zero fret" is high as well. Would you discourage fixing these with a few passes of a file?
I did see your Waterman review, thanks for that too. Do you suggest I take my clip-on tuner, when shopping my (almost) local uke shop? My budget is up to 200 quid at today's exchange rate--at that price point would shopping online be risky?
I know a few people who worked on the action at the nut and saddle with a small file - they claim it helped - be very VERY careful though because obviously if you go to far, you can't reverse it!
Yeah - always good to take a tuner shopping for accuracy checks. To be honest though, online shopping need not be risky if you use ukulele specialists like those on link below. They will check setups before shipping.
www.gotaukulele.com/p/ukulele-stores.html
There is only so much you can do with a Waterman though!
As an experiment I just placed my fingernail lightly above a few frets--as you would have predicted--intonation: right on the money.
When I get a new uke, I'll shave a tiny bit of plastic off the bridge and the zero fret. What fun!
Thanks for the link Maybe some US stores are covered! OK, have a great week!
Anybody have a comparison between the Kala travel, Eddy Finn travel, Lanikai Thinbody, & the Ohana Slimline? I own the Kala travel concert electric, & a cheap Kmise tenor thin body one. I think the Eddy Finns don't come with a plug in option, & Ohana comes with a passive pickup, which is good for traveling to gigs so you don't have to worry about carrying spare batteries.
Oh, also I found the included Kala travel gig bag a bit too basic. Would be nice to have at least a pocket for spare felt picks, strings, & batteries... Beautiful sound & feel though. /2c
Hello Barry, Great video! I have this ukulele and I love it too. I'm wondering what do you mean by concert scale? Is it a soprano or is it a tenor? Thanks for your assistance! Enjoy!
It's not a soprano or a tenor - it's a concert. Scale is the distance between nut and saddle - they can vary a bit but this is in the range for a concert scale.
I don’t whether to get one in concert or tenor.
Very personal and subjective choice!
Binged almost all over your videos and I've loved them all!
Thank you!
I really like these songs that you play when reviewing a ukulele. I wouldn't mind learning them to add to my own little song list. Could you please tell me what they are called so I might look up the chords and strumming patterns for each. I like all three that you played in this particular review. I really enjoy your videos. I made my own ukulele out of African mahogany, maple and walnut and once I started playing it I was hooked. I now own 3 ukes and enjoy playing them all. Thanks for the videos.
+kennyearrings1 First strummed one is called 'Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate'. Second strum is an extract of the riff in Black Horse And The Cherry Tree played in Em. Fingerpicked one is Creep by Radiohead, transposed to C. They are all simple, and I use them in every video for a couple of reasons. First - there is no point somebody playing something flash for beginners - it needs to replicate what they are likely to be able to play. Second reason I repeat them is it allows people to compare videos against each other.
Thanks!
+GotAUkulele
Thanks for your quick reply. Looking forward to your future videos. Cheers from Canada.
This video may help! ruclips.net/video/rkk9CXQ1AZU/видео.html
Fantastic. Thank you once again. Great work.
It is called Travel because of its lightweight. Easier to carry around.
I don't think that's the reason - it's only marginally lighter than a regular concert, and some regular concerts are lighter. The name comes from the thinline element - easier to pack (in some bags)
That's a very nice review and lovely play. thank your for that! I'm thinking about buying a travel uke for... well, traveling :D Maybe I'll go with this one, I really like the sound of it. I've got another question, could you (or anyone) tell me the name of the song at 4:36? I can't get it out of my head, I want to learn it! Or was that straight improvised? :)
ruclips.net/video/rkk9CXQ1AZU/видео.html
i'm just wondering. I'm getting the Kala KA-CGE. It says "With Electronics" and i dont understand what that means. It has a built in tuner and an input to connect to an amp. So my question is, will it sound the same when it's not plugged into an amp? Because I am very confused
When an instrument description says this it means it is fitted with a pickup system to allow it to be plugged into an amp. Sometimes it's just a pickup (called a passive system) or like this with a battery and tone controls and tuner (an active system). Passives are better in my opinion. It will sound exactly the same when not plugged in, though these systems with tuners and batteries fitted can make the ukulele overly heavy
Do you know anything about the kala ka-c or Oscar Schmidt ou5? I'm stuck between the 2 & need some opinions !!
I've played both. Personally would take the Kala over the OS every day of the week!
I think of "travel" as like biking in town and stopping off at the park to play some or camping/day hiking. It defiantly makes more sense to get the soprano version if having it easily fit in a backpack is one of your main concerns. If someone doesn't care about the longer neck of the others types, then I don't see why they would care about a thinner body in the first place. I am surprised that some people buy the thin ones that are longer than soprano. However, the thin bodied ukes in all sizes do have an undeniable aesthetic appeal even if they aren't really adding much to the utility of it.
Agreed. Thankfully though, despite being slim - this one punches well above its contemporaries of similar price.
Im just worried about it breaking. I really want one but just worried about it snapping in half.
Sunny Kay you would snap this only as easily as you would snap any other ukulele
Your website helped me a lot. I think this will be my choice. It such a baby and it looks like my ibanez acoustic guitar.
Yeah - these are pretty great actually
From my recent checks with the website, seems this uke has been out-of-stock for sometime and i'm going crazy abt that 'cos i ws really looking forward to own one!:). I've asked Kala regarding when the next stock will arrive but they're yet to reply.
Sorry to hear that
Hi Barry, what would go for out of the Kala KA-SSTU-C or the Kala KA- STG? Really want to get a spruce look but unsure whether to go Concert thinline or Tenor?? Help! 🙂🎶
Can’t compare I’m afraid. Not played the other one, plus they are apples and oranges.
Well, what are your thoughts on size of Uke and also finish, satin or gloss? They're the main differences and I'm torn love both..
@@MudPigChaser Not trying to be deliberately difficult, but the answer is impossible. It's totally about personal preference. Both are comfortable to hold. The travel is naturally thinner and I've never understood why they call it 'travel' - doesn't really save space. It punches volume on a par of any regular Kala I've played. Satin or gloss is a massively contentious choice. Some like one, some like the other. Some say one thing about sound changes, some say the opposite. You need to listen to them and hold them yourself to make a choice. Botha re good choices though
Thanks Barry 👍🏼
Loving your videos! Thank you!
Thanks!
Hi Baz, I am really enjoying your ukulele reviews and finding them very useful and informative.
I am in the market for a new uke to step up from my cheapo mahalo, that has been getting plenty of use, and am very tempted by this one.
Great website too, keep up the good work!
Thanks James - lots of choice out there and plenty more instrument reviews coming through 2016!
Thanks for your fast response. I have narrowed my choice down to looking for a tenor uke under £200. Really like the sound of the islander mt4 but can't find a supplier. I also like the gretsch 9120 and kala tg. If you have anything to say about these or any others to consider I would very much appreciate it. I have watched all your reviews in the last 2 days!
I was interested in the kala travel uke in this review but think it may feel strange to play being so slim and have also seen that the balane could be an issue as it is very top heavy.
Cheers!
I've played both briefly but not long enough to write reviews. For me, the Islanders are far, far nicer than the Gretsch models - (The Gretsch are just rebadged generic Chinese stuff... the Islanders are far eastern too but made under Kanile'a controls) . I wouldnt worry about the Kala in terms of the feel to play - for me it works just like any concert ukulele.
I'm a bit confused. i purchased a Kala tenor travel uke. it's extremely nice as you said about the concert version and amazingly loud with a nice mix of highs and lows....i then bought a £500 Polo deluxe acacia. which although has some sweet bell like tones, is very quiet and I'm not sure i prefer the sound. i realise a lot is personal preference but i would have expected more from the Pono?
Suzi Offtheplanet they can vary - but it shouldn’t be. I find the stock strings on Pono are quite quiet
GotAUkulele ah! interesting. i wonder what they use? i bought some ko'olau alohi strings. i wonder if they would be better?
They use ko’olau strings. I’d try some Worth’s and see if they are snappier
@@GotAUkulele thankyou I will try them
I've been a guitar player for years but ukes are new ground to me. I value your help 😊
@@GotAUkulele thankyou. Took your advice and much prefer them. Much brighter and no wound strings.
hi i ordered this one after watching your review. I'd deliberated over many different ones before settling on this. should i change the strings when i get it ( i often do so on a new guitar) and if so, what type do you think are best?
I don’t ever do string recommendations as the subject is 100% personal and subjective. As to whether you should change them automatically- these days with ukes nothing really comes with BAD strings. I’d leave them on and see how you go first
GotAUkulele many thanks for your prompt reply. love your reviews 😊
i now have my Kala like this and i love it. thank you for your review. I'm so pleased with the finish. the look of it and the sound is so sweet. wow!
Suzi Offtheplanet excellent!
I love this review. Im looking at getting a second UKe, I have been playing a super cheap soprano (Stagg US10 Tattoo) since about 6 months (an older version to the one you reviewed). I have got to a point I think I will appreciate something better and am pretty sure I want now a concert scale. I would love a sound test of this Uke next to some normal full bodied concert scale ukes!!! Also, is there a possibility for a hardcase for the concert scale thinlines anywhere? I can't find one. Also, Barry, do you still have this Uke? How has it held up 7 months on? Great channel man, always enjoy your vids!
Sorry - can't do a side by side as this uke was only with me on loan for the review. I can assure you though that I think it stands up brilliantly against standard width concerts - in fact it's LOUDER than many. Never seen a hard case for them, sorry - I would use a regular hard case with padding behind it
Thanks a lot for your reply. Im close to either buying this or the cheeper Kala ka cem. Its not easy choosing a Uke, I just want one that will serve me well into the future. Happy playing, thanks again.
I'm about to step up from the Makala Concert. Since starting to play in a band I'd like to make myself heard. Would you consider the travel model louder or much louder than the Makala?
I'd say it's about the same - but this is often where people moving from laminate to solid wood instruments get confused. They don't necessarily get louder, but the quality of the tone improves. More character. Saying that - the Kala travels are pretty punchy! Ultimately though, playing uke in a band tends to require amplification.
Thanks. I'm using amplification anyway, so I guess I'll carry on down that path. Or is there a resonator och banjo ukulele you'd recommend?
Sounds kind electric.
Can see what you mean!
Any down sides to the type of strings the ukulele has?
It comes with Aquila which tend to be a safe bet for most people. I never review any instruments down based on the strings they come with as most people will change the strings anyway. I change my strings every couple of months or sometimes more frequently!
(Strings are like Car Tires - not a reason to choose a model or otherwise!)
Where can you get it
All worldwide Kala dealers should be able to source these for you
Thank you so much for your honest reviews! Im in the market for one, and I have to say I fell into the trap of falling for the tattooed etched Luna Concert series.
After watching your reviews, I think I should definitely go into a different direction.
I have heard that Kala is your average brand that is not that high of a quality.
In your honest opinion, what do you recommend for a good quality concert ukulele at an affordable price?
+Breanna Foster I wouldn't say Kala were low quality at all. They have quite a range and are pretty reliable across the board. They are perhaps best know for beginner to intermediate instruments, but they go right up to instruments costing thousands. It's hard to recommend a particular uke and 'affordable price' means different things to different people. Can only suggest you go through all the reviews on this page to get an idea of what I like and don't like. www.gotaukulele.com/p/ukulele-reviews.html
For under 250?
+Breanna Foster Yeah - this one is and it comes highly recommended. All the reviews on that link are grouped together in price ranges.
Perfect! Just found it! Thank you!
+Breanna Foster You can't go wrong with a Kala.I have owned(and sold)probably a dozen tenors under about £175 and the Kala KA T(about £80) is easily my favourite.I still have it.
Nice sound.
Yeah. Remarkably so.
where did you buy this ukulele?
I didn't buy it - it was on loan to me from Kala. Available at all Kala dealers though
Okay thank you!
nice!
+Dr X Ta!
Please can you review the Brunswick BU4 Concert Electro Ukulele, sorry of you have already reviewed it and I haven't seen it.
This is the uke ---> www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Brunswick-BU4-Concert-Electro-Ukulele/H6J?origin=product-ads&*PLA+Shop+-+All+Products&network=google&adgroup=**All+Products&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=22267d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=37658223990&gclid=CI_VhoKmz8kCFQqdGwodwNAHAQ
+Dr X I haven't but I know the uke Will try to get hold of one but got a massive backlog of instruments at the moment! On my list!
+GotAUkulele thanks 😁😀
I think is so if you're canoeing and loose your paddle, you have a backup. :D
They ARE pretty tough!
Great video, I just got mine after watching it.
What hygrometer/humidifier would fit in the bag? I don't want a soundhole solution. And that bag is pretty tight.
I don’t know one I’m afraid
Hi! Great review, thank you. Could you please tell me what does it mean "a new bone" in the nut and the saddle? Is it like real bone, or made out some sort of new plastic material?
I found already that is synthetic bone nut and saddle. Thank you :)
+MVR114 it's a brand name - spelled NuBone - plastic based bone substitute
thanks! :)