Finding the right balance between stage-ready volume and intimate tone is usually a bit of a compromise, but the Kala KASCACTCE Solid Cedar Top Gloss Acacia Tenor Ukulele with Cutaway & EQ seems to have sorted that problem out rather well.
Most players who spend a lot of time on stage tend to lean towards cedar tops, and for good reason. It has this soft, lush character that responds immediately to a light touch, making it a bit of a favourite for finger style players who don't want to fight the instrument to be heard.
Kala gave this model a proper ground-up redesign in 2021, and the results are pretty striking. They have paired that solid cedar with acacia back and sides, which is a classic wood combo for a reason. The acacia adds a bit of brightness to the warmth of the cedar, and the whole thing is wrapped in a high-gloss finish that really makes the grain stand out. It is trimmed with rosewood binding and an abalone rosette, so it looks every bit as professional as it sounds when you pull it out of the gig bag.
Functionality is where this tenor really earns its keep. The cutaway body gives you easy access to those higher frets that usually feel like a bit of a reach, and the Fishman Kula electronics mean you can plug straight into a desk or amp without losing the natural personality of the wood.
One of the more practical upgrades is the inclusion of Graph Tech Ratio tuners. These are a massive win for anyone who hates faffing about with tuning mid-set, as they provide a much more consistent feel across every string. It is a solid, reliable choice for anyone looking to upgrade to a serious performance instrument.
- Tenor with Cutaway
- Solid cedar top
- High-gloss finish
- Rosewood binding
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Graph Tech NuBone nut and saddle
- Black Graph Tech Ration tuners
- Fishman Kula electronics
- Aquila Super Nylgut strings