Kala Makala Soprano Mahogany Ukulele (MK-S)

Product Information

The plastic nut and saddle, along with a single black strap button, add functional elements to this instrument without compromising its classic aesthetic. Even though I prefer ukes with a traditional look and finish, I think may folks will like the Dolphin’s bold color options. It’s great little uke for taking out to the beach, or a campsite, places where I won’t take my other uke. Some players may find the soprano a bit too tiny to play comfortably and may want to consider the larger concert or tenor sizes. There were a few minor imperfections here and there, but these issues were purely cosmetic and don’t affect tone or playability.

The MK-S is part of Kala’s budget line, Makala, and is one of the company’s most affordable soprano-sized ukuleles. The character and sound of each uke is so different, but we have fitted Aquila strings and they do great duets (amongst other tunes, we have already got ‘Psycho Killer’ down, and are working on ‘Anarchy in the UK’.

I'm very pleased to have this new (ish) ukulele brand back on the reviews page, and particularly with a collaboration model that I must . Symphony Tech Limited (t/as Symphony Music) is a registered company (5627526) at 66 Market Street, Wigan. I DO NOT ALLOW WHOLESALE COPYING AND PASTING OF CONTENT FROM THIS SITE WITHOUT PERMISSION This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.

The Mahogany neck provides a sturdy foundation, contributing to the overall stability of the ukulele. The Dolphin’s composite back and sides don’t do it any favors, and the uke feels very dense and heavy for its size. The Makala MK-S from Kala is a decent ukulele that I would recommend to anyone looking to get started on a budget. Your donations all go back into the site to allow me to keep bringing you reviews, and in the end the ukuleles acquired are given to local schools and charities. In January 2010, my wife and I bought two Makala Dolphin ukes – hers in pearlescent white, his in pearlescent black.

These similarities are unsurprising as the man behind Kala, Mike Upton, started the company after leaving Hohner, Lanikai’s parent company. The action has been brought right back to what I would think is pretty much it’s limit and that’s made a huge difference to it’s playability. Turns out, I love it, and this was the smartest move I’ve made to ensure I didn’t spend a ton of money on a hobby that isn’t for me.

In January, this year, I joined the Sandbach U3A ukulele class and, with the Aquilla strings that James fitted as an 'extra', it is a joy to learn on. Here is one of my dolphins today (yes, yes I know, it's not red, its purple, but I bought two when I wrote that review, and the red one has been gifted to my young nephew since then - this is the one we kept and gets played - same vintage! The tie-bar bridge might be an issue for some newcomers to ukulele who would prefer a slotted bridge but regular readers of Ukulele Go will know that I’m not a slotted bridge type of guy. Aimed squarely at a serious beginner, or developing players seeking a low-cost, quality ukulele,with a built in pickup system. Many people love the traditional look and “tinkly” tone of a soprano uke, while other players may prefer the extra bass, volume, and sustain offered by the larger concert and tenor sizes.I’ve found it be really well suited to a bit of fingerpicking mainly due to the volume that you can get from it. With no model recommendations from me, all but one student showed up with either a Makala MK-S or a Lanikai LU-11. Friends in the band have also bought them as 'travel ukes' (the sort of instrument you won't shed a tear over breaking or being stolen) and band members have taken these to the far east and Australia last year! The Rosewood fingerboard adds a touch of luxury, ensuring a smooth and comfortable playing experience. Yeah, it might seem a little weird and perhaps the D’s a bit resonant but hey; now I have a great little knock about “Mandolele” that I just can’t put down.