Kala KA-TE Mahogany Tenor Electric Ukulele

Inspired by a recent trip to Hawaii, I decided I wanted to get a ukulele. While in Hawaii, many of the souvenir gift shops had ukuleles as cheap as $14.99. I realized these were toys and not really meant to be played. I decided to wait until I got home and do some shopping before I bought.While I have no experience with Ukuleles, I have bought several other stringed instruments and felt pretty good about what to look for. I decided to avoid anything that appeared too gimmicky. In other words, anything with elaborate machine engraving or colorful designs on the front was out.I realized that many of the electric ukuleles were identical to a non-electric model with the only difference being the electronics - they have a pickup, equalizer and jack installed at the factory. Most electric ukuleles do not require an amplifier to be playable and heard just like the purely acoustic version of the same ukulele. Since I already have amplifiers, and the cost only being about a $35 decision when I buy the ukulele versus the practicality of adding electronics in a nice way to an non-electric after the fact, I decided I wanted an electric version from the beginning. Electric ones also feature a built in tuner.I decided on the Kala because they had a good selection, were highly recommended and had several in the price point range I was expecting to pay. Kala has three levels of ukuleles: Makala (entry level), Kala (quality and value) and Kala Elite (Made in the USA - quality). Within the Kala and Makala lines, the model numbering is similar. For example the Kala KA-TE also exists in the Makala line as MA-TE. While the names are similar and models are similar, I believe that the Kala is a better finished instrument than the Makala.My ukulele arrived in a Kala box as shown with the panel wagon logo on the outside. It had tags on it indicating Aquila Super Nylgut® strings and GraphTech NuBone® saddle and nut - both nice. The electronics are the Kala UK-300TR. While the body is all Mahogany, the fingerboard is Walnut. (See pictures)The frets on the fingerboard are finished smooth on the ends which makes it a pleasure to play. (See pictures) Cheaper ukuleles tend to have sharp edges on their frets which can be quite bothersome.While I am just starting to learn to play, I am pleased with the sound, tonality and volume, of this ukulele.I would recommend this ukuleleThe full specs of a KA-TE are:SIZE: TenorTOP: MahoganyBACK & SIDES: MahoganyBINDING: CreamFINISH: SatinNECK: MahoganyFINGERBOARD: WalnutNUT & SADDLE: GraphTech NuBone®HEADSTOCK: StandardSTRINGS: Aquila Super Nylgut®ELECTRONICS: UK-300TRScale Length: 17 inches, Overall Instrument Length: 26.125 inches, Body Length: 11.75 inches, Number of frets: 18, Width at upper bout: 7 inches, Width at lower bout: 9.125 inches, Width at waist: 5.5 inches, Body Depth: 3.12 inches, Fingerboard width at nut: 1.39 inches, Fingerboard width at neck/body joint: 1.8 inches

Very happy. Arrived on time and as described. This is my second ukulele. Has a nice, mellow sound to it and is louder than my first even when played acoustically. Like most new ukuleles, it didn't stay in tune for the first week or so but has been fine since then.

this uke is great Ive compared it to others costing more the twice what this did but i always come back to this one - just picked up a Cordoba 20TM-CE and while good this Kala blows it away. maybe ill give the Cordoba to my niece. This Kala holds its tune for days, great tone both plugged in and not. i like the satin finish. Had a Lanakai the was Glossy and looked beautiful but had high action and seemed to be sonically dead.maybe the heavy gloss has something to do with it. YOU cant go wrong with this uke.NOW all that being said... sometimes it just depends on whether you get a good one or not had a Kala KA=smhte-c that had bad tuners high action etc... had to return it this one is perfect

I've had my Kala Tenor for over a year now. The fretboard has chipped in a couple of places and the plywood shows through. The action is high and playing the first fret is difficult. I replaced the nut to lower the action, and indeed the fretboard is plywood. So you should be aware of this. The new nut helps with the action, and sound is very good, but I put new strings, and a low G string on, so can't make a direct comparison with old nut. I do think there is less tendency for the strings to play sharp when fretted with the new nut compared to the old nut.

I shopped around and this was best price by far I could find on this model. I was a little nervous when I saw the packaging (minimal) but soon found the Ukelele was intact with no damage or blemishes I could find. The electronics work just fine, the on board tuner is a plus. I play it every day. Very happy.

I am a music teacher and strings are my specialty. I know all about types of wood, strings and what should go into the construction of a stringed instrument. I took a gamble on this uke because the rule of thumb is that when buying an instrument, the instrument usually chooses you. One will just feel right even though you are trying several of the same. That is why the more serious player would never buy off the internet. However, this was a great gamble for me. The intonation of the frets are perfect, no buzzes, great strings and it sounds awesome. So, bottom line is price plus value equals a joyous purchase!

My Ukulele i got came with dents and when i play the c chord it makes a disgusting buzzing sound

Title says it all; tuner doesn’t turn off sometimes so I have to remove the battery. E string buzzes sometimes. Other than that, it’s exactly what it claims to be; a decent $200 uke