Kala KA-STG Tenor Ukulele Review

Kala might be a newbie in the ukulele circles, but they are one of the most recognizable brands today.

While some of their most famous creations cost more than a thousand dollars, Kala also makes affordable but high-quality ukuleles. One of them is the KA-STG Tenor.

If you’re thinking of getting one, read this Kala KA-STG Tenor Ukulele review first.

We’ll take a closer look at this musical instrument, its features, drawbacks, and who can benefit most from it.

We’ve also included some Kala KA-STG alternatives in case this ukulele doesn’t fit your preferences.

Kala KA-STG Tenor Ukulele Review

The Kala KA-STG is a traditional-looking tenor uke that features a clean, bare-looking spruce top that goes nicely with the mahogany back and sides.

Who Is This Product For?

This sounding instrument is best for intermediate and professional players because of its impressive tone and quality.

With its size and projection, the Kala KA-TGE produces a louder and more resonant sound.

It’s also a good choice for beginners due to its comfortable structure.

The ukulele offers room to start awkwardly and refine with practice.

Moreover, its affordable price makes it ideal for those who are just starting to learn the ukulele and, therefore, wouldn’t want to spend too much on a premium instrument.

What’s Included?

The package features one unit of KA-STG Tenor ukulele measuring 28 x 12 x 4 inches.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a case, so you must purchase one to transport and store it securely.

Overview of Features

The KA-STG is among Kala’s traditional models featuring a spruce top, mahogany back, and sides.

This instrument has excellent construction and a striking look at a street price.

Here are some of its key features:

• Construction

It’s a tenor ukulele with premium tonewoods, a gorgeous mahogany neck, clean binding, and a beautiful gloss finish that gives it a premium feel.

It also comes with closed-geared tuners and excellent braces that do not bend or flex.

For its price, the KA-STG has impressive build quality and craftsmanship.

• Strings

The KA-STG uses the standard Aquila Super Nylgut Strings.

Most ukulele enthusiasts would agree that Aquilas is one of the best strings, especially for laminate ukuleles, since the volume and tone of the strings tend to overpower the sound of solid wood ukuleles.

The strings have a very smooth feel, allowing easy transitions up and down the neck.

In terms of sound, the Aquila Super strings have a fuller sound than the regular Nylgut Aquila strings.

You can strum hard without worrying that the strings will break.

Moreover, the strings are pre-stretched and have very little need for intonation. It also no fret problems or buzzing issues.

• Sound Quality

This ukulele from Kala sounds incredibly sweet and loud and projects nicely, especially if you finger-pick.

As you probably know, the wood used for making musical instruments impacts the sound quality.

As mentioned earlier, the KA-STG has a spruce top. Spruce is a softwood but is very crisp, strong, and vibrant.

It creates a sound that is bright yet still full and warm.

Spruce also excels across different frequencies and has one of the best dynamics.

The frets are at a good height relative to the bridge.

While it lacks the sound complexity of a high-end wood ukulele, the rich and resonant sound of the KA-STG is plausible.

The KA-STG uses Graph Tech NuBone for the nut and saddle.

Unlike plastic ones, this material doesn’t damp string vibration but transfers the optimum frequencies to the guitar, resulting in better tone, volume, and harmonics.

The ukulele’s headstock is fitted with a laser-etched mother-of-pearl inlay that creates a deep and full sound and gives you the twangy effect of any ukulele.

How to Get the Most Out of It

The KA-STG is a sturdy ukulele but won’t hold up to an extreme beating.

To retain its excellent sound and quality, you should learn the best way to take care of your ukulele.

Here are some tips to take care of your KA-STG tenor ukulele:

• Feed It Some Oil

Oiling wooden instruments help keep the wood from drying out and protect it from the elements.

Apply a very light amount of oil to a small piece of cloth or tissue and rub it in the wood coat.

Do this twice a year to keep your ukulele in good shape.

• Replace the Strings

Eventually, the strings will stretch too thin, so you need to replace them.

How often you change your ukulele strings depends on how long and often you play and what kind of string you use.

When you start to see signs of fraying, discoloration, or loss of tone, then it’s time to change the strings.

• Store Properly

Avoid subjecting your instrument to extreme temperatures.

If your ukulele has been out in the cold, allow it to warm up to room temperature before exposing it to a warm environment.

Sudden temperature shifts can cause cracking of the ukulele’s finish.

Alternatives

The Kala KA-STG is undoubtedly a good instrument, but it’s not your only option for affordable ukuleles.

Let’s check out a few good alternatives to this brand.

Donner Concert Ukulele

Donner has been making high-quality yet affordable musical instruments since 2012.

One of their top-selling creations is the Donner Concert Ukulele.

It features a mahogany construction that offers a well-balanced and moderate tone.

It also uses high-density natural cattle nuts and bridge saddles for better sound transmission, tone, and resonation.

Furthermore, the Donner ukulele comes with a digital clip-on tuning for easy and accurate tuning.

Hola Music HM-21PK Soprano Ukulele

This ukulele for beginners uses Aquila Super Nylgut strings that create clear and quality sound.

It also features an elegant maple wood body, a beautiful walnut bridge, and a fingerboard.

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly ukulele for kids and adults, the Hola Music HM-21PK Soprano Ukulele is a great option.

What’s more, it comes with three ukulele picks, a case, and a trendy strap.

Caramel Ukulele Acoustic Electric – Natural

This one-of-a-kind acoustic-electric ukulele features an exotic Zebrawood high-gloss finish that makes the perfect choice for bonfire singalongs and moonlit beach strolls.

It has a built-in EQ and tuner with an LCD color display and an adjustable Truss Rod to suit varying users.

The Caramel Electric Ukulele is perfect for both beginners and professional players.

Kala KA-STG Tenor Ukulele Review: The Verdict

Overall, the KALA KA-STG is an excellent instrument in construction and sound quality.

While it costs relatively more than the three alternatives above, it offers far better, richer, and more vibrant sound.

The KA-STG is an absolute steal if you’re looking for a versatile ukulele that offers premium sound quality and performance.