Got A Ukulele Reviews - Kala KA-FMTB-T Tenor

Got A Ukulele reviews looks at the flamed maple KA-FMTB-T Tenor from Kala. Review - www.gotaukulele.com/2023/04/k...
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Intro 0:00
Thank you's 0:16
Review start 0:52
Pricing 7:06
Sound samples 8:52
Summing up 12:04
#ukulele #gotaukulele #review

[@kevinorr6880]

I agree with you calling out the marketing bs on the wood as though it would matter on plywood. Good job. Companies need to be more honest than wordsmithy.

[@GotAUkulele]

Agreed!!

[@jessicaengle3160]

Happy 500 videos!

[@GotAUkulele]

Is it that many??

[@bonniedavidson936]

First of all I love the glasses ! I just can’t get excited about Kala. Where I live they sell a lot of Kala. Ortega. And fender ukulele s. I found a nice little music store a few hours away and bought a nice cedar top Ohana for 260.00 that is so much better. I love the cedar top. I know Kala is very popular but I am really blown away by Ohana especially for the price. Good review. It sounded better than I expected and I do like the looks of it ! Thanks as always for a good unbiased review !

[@GotAUkulele]

I think there are several brands now that have left Kala in the shade

[@bonniedavidson936]

@@GotAUkulele I wish the music stores could figure that out !🙂.

[@francochamps3855]

Can we have a PROPER lemon next week, Baz? Its been ages since you've winced properly on camera....

[@GotAUkulele]

Ha ha!

[@thebandplayedon..6145]

Oh, wow, I absolutely hate the yellow stain on the back of the neck. Why does it not match the body sunburst colour??? That would have looked great. I agree the old classic burst pattern is attractive, and in a nostalgic way.... But the yellow neck and washed out colour wood on the fretboard, nope, it's like three uke parts built into one. Not for me, too bad. Great review as always tho!

[@GotAUkulele]

Odd choice isn’t it?

[@simonshields7442]

Hard to know what to say. Kala can make great instruments and I feel that they have been a huge contributor to the popularity of the uke in the here and now. However they have been caught up by many other brands that offer excellence for less money. It doesn't make their instruments bad but remaining static in an evolving market results in moving down the leaderboard. This model doesn't seem to do anything to resolve that.

[@GotAUkulele]

Agreed

[@chippieb759]

I bought their Ziricote tenor a couple of years back after I saw your review, Baz. I stuck some brown fluorocarbon strings on it. Thing looks and plays beautifully.

[@TroyNaumu808]

It does look and sound good. Kala is usualy a reliable brand.

[@GotAUkulele]

Less so than they used to be though

[@TroyNaumu808]

@@GotAUkulele Yea, they leaned that I guess from Fender and Gibson on the guitar side lol.

[@bonniedavidson936]

Thanks!

[@GotAUkulele]

Thank you!

[@mikek4708]

Thanks again for a fair and honest review. I have 2 Kala’s both all solid models and do love them, I do like the looks, but not the sound or QC on this model. I think Kala being vast are trying to be all things to all players and that does erode innovation and QC . You said it right when Kala do models far nicer and cheaper, then they do need to check the factories churning these out and the price. Think they could have stuck a solid top on it and charged the same or a little more and it would be a different Uke again. You have a good week. Thanks.

[@timrussell1559]

Just purchased the same model of Kala tenor at auction for 25 dollars. Its in great shape and i also love the way they look as well. I agree that its list price when new is a bit excessive and likely hinders its appeal to many people. However, those do come up for sale on the used market from time to time and certainly makes buying one a bit easier to swallow. For 25 dollars i can learn to overlook a few superficial scratches here and there. Great Vid!

[@GotAUkulele]

I'd have no issues at all for 25 dollars!

[@marieandersson6655]

It seem to be the same ukulele as Kala KA-TG, but with cosmetic variation. Whatever, I'm very satisfied with mine. Thanks a lot for a nice review. May you have a blessed sunday ❤️

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep - though the KA-TG is priced much more sensibly

[@marieandersson6655]

@@GotAUkulele in todays currency i paid £140, one year ago.

[@troykulele]

Love that yellow streak/splash on the back on the neck. However, I get the gloss vs flat finish on the neck

[@GotAUkulele]

Really? I think it surely should match the orange on the body?

[@troykulele]

@@GotAUkulele I want to see some yellow on the body too!

[@GotAUkulele]

@@troykulele Ah - well, yes, that would work too - but need to match either way

[@deniseforbes2332]

I have the concert version in cherry rather than tobacco. I find it really easy to play. I guess I got lucky with a good setup. I have several that are better quality- but still find it fun to play. Thanks as always for the honest review.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks for sharing!

[@markattardo]

I love the look they were going for. For the money, I would expect the flame grade and finish to be better. Glad they did the feel the frets on a bound neck trick. It's good for a head shaking chuckle 😂 Great review👍👍

[@GotAUkulele]

I totally agree!

[@chuckvt5196]

Kala did a lot to popularize ukuleles for years, but it seems that their quality has gone downhill, and the competition has caught up and surpassed them. It's sad, really. Thanks for the review, Baz!

[@GotAUkulele]

So many options out there now!

[@PhilPage227]

I agree, I bought my Kala PWT 6 months ago because it was a Kala. My next uke will certainly not bre a kala.

[@PhilPage227]

A very interesting revue. I was told by my local Kala dealer that all the laminates sound the same, just look different. Not happy at all with the muddy dull sound of my KA PWT, I was surprised to see it had no kerfing. My next uke will certainly not be Kala.

[@GotAUkulele]

That's interesting - considering they go to lengths to talk about the 'maple tone' of this one. Marketing nonsense!

[@johngafford9252]

My KA-8E disappointed me when I saw made in China stickers on it. But I kept it. I like the sound. Eventually I'll spend more than $1000 to get made in USA. I'll do more research an hold one iff possible. But every time I go pick up my KA-8E I'm constantly finding mistakes.

[@carltonyoung8103]

I bought mine from Matt at World of Ukes and it was obvious that he’d done a lot of work to set it up properly. I wouldn’t say it was a £200 uke but I paid £139 for mine so it pays to shop around and buy from a reputable seller. Bought to do a job when I don’t want to hawk one of my Millars to a gig. This one is more expendable and it certainly looks the part !

[@GotAUkulele]

Wow - that's a price - if it had an RRP of that i'd have scored it totally differently - and it would have been a high 8. But.. there we are - Kala chose and RRP of £209...

[@partyontheobjective]

My first ukulele was a Kala. I played it so much i wore off the frets. And now that I think about it, the frets maybe weren't that great quality if i managed to do that in just around a year of use, after which I bought something better, an Islander, and Flight TUS for travelling with. The frets didn't wear off on the Flight despite being plastic for several years now. There's nothing that excites me about this ukulele. I think you're being awfully generous to it, and I appreciate that the looks might compensate for a lot here, but... It sounds like literally every other Kala these days. It's scruffy. If I wanted an uke that sounds like a soprano, I would not buy a tenor. You gotta pay an arm and a leg for it because sunburst (Kala's sunbursts were always expensive. Why?) It's just a shame. I wish I could get excited for it the way you are excited for it, because despite everything I think you found something charming about this thing that I just cannot see.

[@GotAUkulele]

Fair enough

[@chrisbirrane6071]

Love the look of this one but that's about it really. Generally found that the Kala(s) I tried, had very rounded necks for my pudgy fingers/hands. I was surprised by the sound too. Have to admit, personally I'm not really interested any Ukes bigger than a concert...but that's just me. 🤷‍♂️ Anyway, off to the park with the grandkids because the sun has got his hat on...for a change. You'd think it was Spring or something. Thanks as always for the cool review Baz. 👍

[@GotAUkulele]

This one isn't too round, but certainly too narrow for me

[@edwardpetersen4309]

My Kala Solid, Spruce and Ziricote Super Tenor approaches perfection and it has a 38mm nut. . . but it was almost $500 sans case. This one sounds like a concert to me, at least over this sound system. I wonder if all Kalas are made in the same Chinese factory? I've had a few other Kalas and they all sounded great, but the nut width was too narrow for enjoyable playing. Agree with you there. Pono once made a tenor that resembled an old sunburst Gibson like that. All solid spruce and mahogany, Pono quality, but it's nut width was also too narrow. And it was almost $900.

[@GotAUkulele]

I think Kala 'can' and 'do' make some great stuff. In the more general market though i think they have their eye well off the ball.

[@coolbudukeforever7305]

Nice looking...but expensive. In own the zircote super tenor, and that is something really new from Kala: large neck, very unique and trong sound (metal low g), something different... and very well made! Thx for the review Baz... and by the way: Nice glasses😊!

[@GotAUkulele]

Sounds interesting!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

This ukulele will sell on its looks and the name Kala alone. A lot of buyers still don’t know beyond its name, unless they pay attention to you, Baz. Kala used to be miles ahead of almost everyone. Not anymore. They’re not ahead of the game, I think they’re barely in the game nowadays. As you said, there are several other makes in this price range that beat Kala. Kala to me, means sameness. They haven’t come up with anything really new since the U Bass. The fact that they let out a slightly scruffy enamel job, and close fret ends shows me that they are falling, ever so slowly by the wayside. I really hate sunburst paint jobs. That’s a minor thing, though. They already had a sunburst tenor that was a rounded top with f-holes that sounded pretty good, better than this one. I think this one could be helped by putting on a lo G string and a passive pickup, playing it hooked up. Maybe? Thanks for another enjoyable review!

[@GotAUkulele]

I think they took their eye off the ball on QC and innovation some time ago

[@Ijcarter1962]

I like the burst, but it doesn't really excite me. Great review!

[@GotAUkulele]

Fair enough!

[@chariscarrollbrownlie4904]

I'll try to keep it short as its all been said haha Like you I love the look of it but agree with everything you said about price and other brands offering so much better at that price point . I own ohana, Uma, Flight and an older kala baritone, they're all great ukes but the new kids on the block are putting much more into their offerings. Kala needs to find their pride again or they're going to lose out. Thanks for your time Baz, much appreciated as always. Enjoy your upcoming break.

[@GotAUkulele]

yep - agreed - and thank you kindly!

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

Always wondered about that particular Kala. I own several Kalas and have noticed the quality is going downhill lately. Had to send back 2 recently for quality issues. . . love the look but not this one for me.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks for sharing

[@kimberlygreiner3535]

Played Concert version at local music store. It was pretty And just so so. Not the worst but could be better.

[@GotAUkulele]

Can imagine - with the tenor having low sustain, I assume the concert will be more so

[@drpkmurphy]

Sometimes the gloss really makes an instrument look more expensive and well made. I really like the looks of this one as well. I like the head. It is a shame they can ruin the sound of a beautiful ukulele by way of a poor set up. True though I tend to like a borderline low set up. To me it sounds a little dull. Yes it does sounds like a Soprano.. 😂you said it right after I typed it… thanks I enjoyed this one Baz…. DOC

[@GotAUkulele]

It does!

[@ilenehirsch2208]

I live 15 minutes away from Kala in Northern California, though I have to agree with many of the comments here. Kala lost its innovation. Even the newer models they’ve come out with recently in the $600 to $800 range don’t excite me. Kala was my first uke and I now have their tenor and baritone, both solid tops. I’m happy with both, but I also feel like I’ve outgrown Kala, so now have an Anuenue that I love. My next instrument will be Anuenue, Flight or Pono. However, when someone asks me about a good uke to start with for a beginner, I still recommend Kala. It’s also what all the music stores in my are mostly carry.

[@GotAUkulele]

They are ubiquitous - that's for sure!

[@joephillips4082]

I have two highly satisfactory Kala ukes, one laminate, and one with a solid top, so these imperfections you point out are disappointing to me. It has a dazzling look, and it does look a Gibson J-45. Sweet. I wouldn't disqualify this uke on the items you noted, but for the price. I was guessing at a price less than $200, but when I'm guessing price based on features and a review, I instinctively am pricing a concert ( I don't know why). Anyway, a quick check of online US dealers suggest a street price of $209 ($199 for the concert). Kala markets "fun" ukuleles, which I approve of for fun -- Elvis ukes, sparkle-finished ukes, ukes that look like some piece of split-open fruit, like a watermelon, even archtops -- but for the most part these are moderately entry-point priced for a fair value proposition. This, despite its appearance, is too expensive. Even without its issues, I agree that it's pricey.

[@GotAUkulele]

Should be £150 in my opinion

[@mickhaslam3847]

Looks great. Shame about the price and ‘issues’.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep

[@hilltop1845]

For what it's worth, I have a Kala Elite and the fret ends are the same way.

[@GotAUkulele]

Ouch!

[@bobbates797]

It’d look good hanging on a wall Baz but so would a framed picture of a sunburst guitar and buy a Snail tenor as well for less With a gig bag. It is an eye catcher though 😉

[@GotAUkulele]

Not a bad idea

[@johnchastain7890]

Sounds okay, looks great except for the "flaming" yellow neck, the setup can be fixed, the price is to steep. Those finishing flaws aren't deal-breakers, but they do make one worry about a general slackening of QC standards.

[@GotAUkulele]

Been seeing QC issues with Kala for some time now

[@amandawright1372]

I recently purchased my first ukelele, which was a VTAB EL-55D from World of Ukes after reading your reviews. I am very pleased with it but am not doing too well with my practice at the moment. I find that my arm and neck aches quite a bit. Any advice would be useful as to how to avoid this fatigue as it is getting me down a tad and I feel that I am losing my enthusiasm - which is something I don't want to do!! I have just sent for a chord book from Amazon as I want to motivate myself to keep practising. If anyone has any advice, it would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance ...

[@GotAUkulele]

My take is practice and rest when you need it - but I am not sure you will get other comments here as it's not really a forum. Stick at it though!

[@KaylaBarram]

Hi Amanda! I agree with Baz about playing and resting as you need . I started playing in October and had a lot of shoulder ache to start with... I got a strap and this helped take pressure off my chord arm and I can now keep better posture when playing - no more pain! Maybe this would help you if you haven't tried already. (I'm also learning to play favourite songs from my teen years even if they're not typical ukulele songs and that helps keep me motivated to practice!) Hope you find what works best for you soon.

[@amandawright1372]

@KaylaBarram Thanks. I'm gonna buy a strap and try and see if it improves. I'll try and keep motivated. I am having trouble with G chord though. Practice makes perfect they say.

[@KaylaBarram]

@@amandawright1372 it's such an awkward one for being in so many complete beginner songs ... Though once you can play it you can play loads of songs, so there's an upside too. You can get the hang of it!

[@amandawright1372]

@KaylaBarram Thanks for the encouragement

[@richardsnow7299]

200 quid on looks alone yes. Sound no. Anuenue is much better I think in looks and sound. Love the glasses by the way suits you sir. Thanks Barry

[@GotAUkulele]

MUCH

[@richardsnow7299]

@@GotAUkulele I really want an Anuenue now. The sound and looks something else

[@raymondstebbins5904]

I wouldn't be happy with that and agree better value for the money good review

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks!

[@marj1585]

It's pretty, but too pricey for a wall-hanging. Nice specs, Baz! They suit you.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks!

[@tommorrisey3999]

I don’t buy jeans with factory-applied wear and holes, and I don’t buy “vintaged” or “patinaed” instruments. I have one Kala left in the stable, and it is for sale (or, most likely, will be given to someone who fancies it).

[@GotAUkulele]

This isn't vintaged? It's just a sunburst

[@tommorrisey3999]

@@GotAUkulele I was thinking of what they did with the neck. I realize it is done the same way as the sunburst, but ….

[@uncbuck45]

Nice looking bit of kit,but doesn't make me want to rush and by one as you day other options fair as well.and some are better for less just my opinion sorry

[@GotAUkulele]

Fair enough!

[@acousticagemusic424]

Worth $100.00 US

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep - pretty much!

[@MariUSukulele]

I hold my KALA baritone (from 2012) in high regards, owned other models by this brand but unfortunately in recent years they’ve fallen behind! Why-oh-why is that? Now the looks of this particular model here are cool but personally i loathe the nut-width on their tenors! 34,9 mill … ugh! And the really nice tuners … not aligned … paleaaase!!

[@GotAUkulele]

I know right??

[@GenghisDaniel]

Nice review, I have never been really interested by any of the Kalas I have been able to try in shops. But I am not sure it is really fair to compare their prices to newer brands like Uma and Anuenue. Kala is an older brand with a different business model, they are present in more or less present in every moms-and-pops stores in every cities all over the world. Which means that they will have much more operating costs than any of those newer brands that mostly sell online. Maybe Kala should change its business model, but it is not really that easy to do. And the thing is that Kala still serve a purpose in its current form : put Ukes close to the hands of a lot of people, first time buyers or parents of young child, etc.

[@GotAUkulele]

Of course it's fair - nothing is stopping Kala changing to adjust to the market - that's what successful brands do. That they are not is leaving them behind in my view. Not sure their model is any different from Flight - who are also in a multitude of bricks and mortar stores too. Or Ohana, or Codoba, or Ortega

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Agree, too expensive for what you get plus frankly it did not sound that good.

[@GotAUkulele]

Not stellar, no

[@jasonallen7930]

Disappointing it's like the big music stars thinking they can churn anything out and we will buy it ...need to up there game like you say plenty of other companies offering more for less

[@GotAUkulele]

Have to agree

[@SlaughteredDecay]

Kala has really fallen behind on the ukulele market in the last few years. Very little innovation and too high prices.

[@GotAUkulele]

Have to agree

[@MariUSukulele]

i agree! such a shame!!