These are simply the compromises manufacturers have to make to offer an instrument at a price this low. If you buy one expecting flawless craftsmanship you might be disappointed. It has 18 frets and it measures 1.38 inches at the nut. I think the KA-15S avoids these pitfalls thanks to its light build, minimal finish, and high-quality Aquila strings. We have researched and came up with features of each type. Many inexpensive ukuleles have plastic nuts and saddles. Therefore, all you need to do is go for the best Kala Ukulele that appeals to you. While some might say the finish has a somewhat “raw” appearance, I think it looks great. This is a synthetic material that is hard and dense, which is ideal for stringed instruments. ​I wasn’t sure what to expect from the KA-15S, but after spending some time with it, I think this uke is a great overall value and a natural choice for any budget-conscious player. When reading customer reviews of the KA-15S, you may come across complaints that the uke won’t stay in tune. As I mentioned earlier, the KA-15S has a great tone for a budget-priced soprano uke. I also didn’t notice any high or low frets​, another common problem with entry-level instruments. UkuReviews is here to offer you an unbiased view on different types, brands and kinds of ukuleles. The action was low and even, making it a dream to play. They have a long “settling in” period where the strings will need to be tuned over and over until they stabilize. UkuReviews will never accept any form of payment to publish a forced positive review. Many ukes in this price range have tuners with cheap plastic washers around the tuner posts that are ugly and tend to rattle around. However, soprano ukes generally have less bass, sustain, and volume than the larger sizes, so if you want a more robust tone you may want to consider a concert or tenor. It’s also worth noting that the KA-15S is now available in a handful of different styles, including the spruce-topped KA-15S-S and the Hawaiian-themed KA-15S-H1. 15 Best Kala Ukulele Reviews The KA-15S has a clean look and a tight, solid feel. Playability was good up and down the neck, and I didn’t experience any buzzing or high frets. This is because the frets (metal bars on the neck) are closer together, so there’s less room to maneuver on the fretboard. Many budget ukes have a tone that is thin, weak, and generally “dead.” This is often due to their heavy construction, thick finish, and cheap strings. The laser engraved rosette is another nice touch. These comments drive me crazy because it has nothing to do with the tuners–it’s actually the strings! While the craftsmanship on the KA-15S is surprisingly good for the price, it’s not 100% perfect. I like how the shading is subtle and doesn’t cover the natural appearance of the wood. This doesn’t mean that soprano ukes sound bad. However, soprano ukes generally have less bass, sustain, and volume than the larger sizes, so if you want a more robust tone you may want to consider a concert or tenor. The build quality, playability, and tone are better than many other ukes I’ve tried at this price point. You can see and feel the texture of the wood, but it’s still smooth to the touch. While brass is a poor material for guitar frets, the strings on a ukulele are so soft that it would likely take years before you’d notice any kind of fret wear. There’s always going to be a limit to how much sound a tiny soprano uke like the KA-15S can produce, but this little uke is very impressive (especially considering the price point). It’s not unusual for less expensive ukuleles to have some rough edges, glue squeeze-out, finish imperfections, etc. A light sunburst finish on the body, neck, and headstock give the KA-15S some real character. This ukulele has a sweet, pleasant sound that’s as it should be. The KA-15S is a well-made entry-level uke that looks good, sounds great, and is easy to play. Soprano ukes are compact and more affordable than the larger sizes, but their tone tends to be a bit more “tinkly” and treble-focused compared to bigger ukes. Ukulele strings are, by design, very soft and stretchy. Many ukulele players agree that Aquila Nylgut strings are among the best-sounding ukulele strings you can get. In my opinion, it’s far better than the thick, plasticky finish found on many other budget ukes. Still, I feel the KA-15S is the best overall value. Soprano ukuleles can also be a little harder to play for folks with big hands or thick fingers. For beginners or those on a tight budget, this is one of the best concert ukuleles … My impressions are based on an “out of the box” uke with no tweaks or adjustments of any kind. Enjoy and hopefully you'll find the perfect ukulele! The MK-S is about $5 less than the KA-15S, but I don’t think it’s worth saving that money due to the downgraded tuners and the cheap plastic nut and saddle. Plastic is cheap, but it’s relatively soft and doesn’t do a good job of transferring string vibration to the top of the instrument. All UkuReviews are honest and all ukuleles were actually tested. Kala has developed a reputation for building great ukuleles at affordable price points, and the KA-15S is no exception. The important thing is that it plays well and sounds good, which it does! I usually find myself making some minor adjustments to many ukes when I first get them, but the KA-15S didn’t need any tweaking. They have a solid spruce top with mahogany, maple or lacewood back and sides. The KA-15S has a nut and saddle made from a material called NuBone. Soprano ukuleles can also be a little harder to play for folks with big hands or thick fingers. 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