Sustain is also enduring, even the fretted notes decay relatively slowly for such a small instrument. It really does sound quite loud and full, so perhaps that Nubone XB nut and those quality Aquila strings really are working their magic. How does it sound? For a start, this little uke has much more bass than expected, and volume too. It's worth mentioning that the fret spacing on sopranos is quite tight, another peculiarity of the short scale length, so if you have big hands you may want to look at the larger concert or tenor models instead. The action on our sample was also comfortably low for a nylon strung instrument, with no fret buzz. We didn't notice any slippage whatsoever. Those vintage-style tuners kept our little KA-15S in tune too, even if they were a little stiff and uneven in operation. This may be par for the course for an instrument at this price level, but it strikes us as unfortunate. Peer inside the soundhole and there's no kerfed lining, but sadly there are signs of adhesive and a few rough, splintered edges. The mahogany body is, of course, laminate. The Nubone XB nut is an interesting choice because Graph Tech claims it helps to increase volume and low-end bass harmonics, qualities that soprano ukes tend to struggle with. This shows that the team at Kala actually cares what it sounds like. Similarly, instead of generic no-name strings Kala proudly asserts that the KA-15S is strung with Aquila Super Nylgut. Where, ordinarily, on an instrument of this price you may expect to find a plastic nut, here the kind guys and girls at Kala's Californian HQ have specified a Graph Tech Nubone XB nut. The KA-15S may be an entry-level uke but it’s a Kala, and it shows. No doubt the Far East manufacture helps to explain the low price but there's little sign of penny pinching. This ukulele may claim Hawaii as its spiritual home, but it was conceived in California and born in China. Kala KA-15S ukulele review: Performance & Vedict It's fairly light too at just 13.4oz (380g). It's no bling party, but the KA-15S does look cool with its vintage-style open tuners with plastic pearloid buttons, and laser-etched sunshine rosette. The scale length is a very short but typical 13.625 inches, and the neck meets the body at the twelfth fret with the fretboard ending soon after with a flourish in a stylised chevron. The KA-15S is almost entirely mahogany, with just the fretboard and bridge made from laurel.
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