badhabits
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No, not a Wow or anything on par with the many fantastic ukes recently posted... sorry to get your hopes up! It's a Kala KA-P. The "whew" is because it was shipped in the just the rhomboid box that we all know and love... and arrived unscathed. Second or third time that has happened; call me lucky. This came from the 'bay at a good price; $33 and change including tax and free shipping (offer accepted). The seller had several and free returns too, so why not? I figured it could be fun to compare it with a double bout KA-S to see what a pineapple body adds.
The first thing I noticed was that it has the darker (nicer IMO) bridge and fretboard, not the pale wood they used recently and was shown in the listing. The next was that the pineapple body is not exactly symmetrical. That perception persisted after removing the very crooked strap button. It's subtle, but I think you can see it in the photos. Maybe it is a factory second, blem or whatever. The frets are perfectly fine, even though I was expecting to do some touch up. Action is a little high: 3.0 mm at 12 and a hair above 0.75 mm at 1, but the former is an easy fix and I think the latter will come down when the saddle is adjusted. I am surprised by the smoothness of the cheap tuners. Top seems kinda thick.
It's pretty identical to the KA-S (same length, even though the photo is distorted). The only real differences are the body (obviously) and a little bigger, blockier heel (no little triangle or point like on many other Kalas). After playing it a bit it does have a very slightly thicker neck at the lower frets. The overall sameness goes for the sound as well (not a bad thing). I don't perceive much if any difference strummed or plucked to my untrained ear. Sustain and intonation are good. Both have Aquila strings although the KA-S is well-broken in and the KA-P is new.
What else can I say? I like cheap ukes (matches my abilities). Overall I'm pretty pleased... my expectations weren't high so that is probably a big part of it. This one could be another good giveaway, travel beater and/or a bigger canvas for stickers. Ollie, however, doesn't seem too impressed...
The first thing I noticed was that it has the darker (nicer IMO) bridge and fretboard, not the pale wood they used recently and was shown in the listing. The next was that the pineapple body is not exactly symmetrical. That perception persisted after removing the very crooked strap button. It's subtle, but I think you can see it in the photos. Maybe it is a factory second, blem or whatever. The frets are perfectly fine, even though I was expecting to do some touch up. Action is a little high: 3.0 mm at 12 and a hair above 0.75 mm at 1, but the former is an easy fix and I think the latter will come down when the saddle is adjusted. I am surprised by the smoothness of the cheap tuners. Top seems kinda thick.
It's pretty identical to the KA-S (same length, even though the photo is distorted). The only real differences are the body (obviously) and a little bigger, blockier heel (no little triangle or point like on many other Kalas). After playing it a bit it does have a very slightly thicker neck at the lower frets. The overall sameness goes for the sound as well (not a bad thing). I don't perceive much if any difference strummed or plucked to my untrained ear. Sustain and intonation are good. Both have Aquila strings although the KA-S is well-broken in and the KA-P is new.
What else can I say? I like cheap ukes (matches my abilities). Overall I'm pretty pleased... my expectations weren't high so that is probably a big part of it. This one could be another good giveaway, travel beater and/or a bigger canvas for stickers. Ollie, however, doesn't seem too impressed...
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