Kala KA-SSTU-C Travel Concert - REVIEW

I've had experience of the Kala 'Travel' series of musical instruments for quite some years now, but only recently managed to get my hands on one to feature on the Got A Ukulele reviews page. Say hello to the Kala KA-SSTU-C Travel Concert.

Kala once again there with their passion for secret code names for their instruments! Why can't they just call it 'Kevin' or 'Buttercup' or something.. Seriously, the SS stands for Solid Spruce, the TU for Travel Ukulele and the C denotes that this one is in concert scale. Incidentally, they also make these in sopranissimo, soprano and tenor too!

The 'Travel' name relates to the fact that whilst looking at it face on this instrument looks like any other, the depth of the body is about half the size or less than traditional ukuleles. I prefer the term 'thin line' myself as I have never quite understood how making an instrument thin really helps with travel. Perhaps when backpacking this makes for an easier instrument to stow, but I tend to look at air travel when I think about worries when carrying a ukulele. Here in the UK, most cabin baggage is restricted by overall size, so making a ukulele thin but still having it long doesn't get around the rules we face. In fact this would challenge some airlines based on the length of it as much as any full bodied instrument. Perhaps it is based on ease of packing into a suitcase - but I would have to be pretty hard pressed to put a ukulele into a suitcase on an airline hold! No matter - just a name - on with the review.

So as I say above, this instrument has a solid spruce top and is in a standard double bout shape. The top is flawless and finished in a nice satin coating. The spruce shows some grain, but is otherwise plain as spruce tends to be. Decoration is added in the form of a black white black sound hole rosette and edge binding where it joins the sides.

The back and sides are made of laminate mahogany, finished in the same satin coating. We have narrow sides, obviously, and a pronounced arched back which I think is really nice. This is done to aid sound projection and give it more strength. I love the look and feel of the back and this is also set off by decoration in the form of a screen printed Kala logo at the top where it meets the neck. I've never seen a logo here, but rather like it. Where the back meets the sides we have some more binding in plain black. The contrast between the pale top and darker back and sides is, I think, rather nice

Back to the top, we have a rosewood tie bar bridge with a NuBone saddle. Looking inside it is very neat and tidy. The kerfing is notched and the top is braced. The back though, being laminate and arched doesn't need bracing. This will help with cutting the weight of the instrument.

Up to the neck, this is made from mahogany in two pieces with a joint at the heel. Incidentally, despite that narrow body, the neck heel is thick and substantial giving extra strength where it joins the   body.

Topping the neck is a clean even coloured rosewood fingerboard which is finished very nicely. We have 18 nickel silver frets in total with 14 to the body. The edges of the fingerboard are covered to hide the frets, but I think it is painted as opposed to being bound with a different material. The edging is black and neatly applied.

Position markers are screen printed on the spaces at 5th, 7th, 10th and 12th and thankfully these are repeated on the sides. On the whole, the neck is really comfortable and the frets nicely dressed. No complaints here.

Past the NuBone nut we have a crown shaped headstock complete with the Kala logo in gold screen print. The tuners are sealed geared tuners which work well and thankfully have small plastic buttons.

Completing the deal are a set of Aquila strings and one of the nicer padded gig bags I have seen. It has strong zip (in my experience a real bonus in itself) and a really nice embroidered Kala logo. It comes complete with a carry handle and adjustable shoulder straps. And the price for all this? Well anywhere between £140 and £150 online so an attractive price too I am sure you will agree.

Now.. having played several thin line ukuleles before I have found that the lack of body depth has contributed to them sounding a little thin or quiet. At the end of the day, the body cavity contributes to the overall punch of an instrument and taking that away by reducing the depth tends to have some impact. It will be interesting to see how the Kala stacks up. Thankfully, my view is extremely positive!

The instrument is light and very easy to hold, but I think the combination of that light weight, the overly arched back and the naturally bright spruce top, gives this instrument a surprising punch and volume. In fact I think this would stand up perfectly well in a group setting against most other normal profile instruments. It's only when you turn it on it's side that you realise things are a bit different!

Th sound is clear, bright, and projection is great. It's not a high end complex sound, but then it's only £140 so I wouldn't expect it to be. But it punches well above its weight in my view. In fact at this price point, people tend to assume that 'oh I spent over £100 so it must be good' whereas there are several culprits out there that are devoid of sustain or projection. This Kala is not one of them.

Setup (typical Kala) was spot on and the instrument is accurate all over the neck.  It really has surprised me. It's an addictive little thing and as great to have knocking around the house as it would be as a performance ukulele. Fit a passive pickup and you are good to go!

As you can tell, I rather like this instrument - but really -  what is not to like? It is well made, it looks good, it sounds good and it's at good price.

I will forgive Kala the 'travel' thing - but for me it's just a good instrument that looks a bit different. As good for travelling as it is for sitting on the sofa and noodling with. If you are in the market for a new concert ukulele and want something a bit different for your collection, I think you wouldn't go far wrong with one of these myself. Recommended.

UKULELE PROS

Punchy sound
Great build
Lovely gig bag
Great price

UKULELE CONS

Very few - do you have to call it a 'travel' though?

UKULELE SCORES

Looks - 8.5 out of 10
Fit and Finish - 9 out of 10
Sound - 8 out of 10
Value for money - 9 out of 10

OVERALL UKULELE SCORE - 8.6 out of 10

UKULELE VIDEO REVIEW

© Barry Maz