As a music teacher and professional performer for nearly 40 years I've see all kinds and grades of fretted instruments.
The Kala brand Pineapple-style soprano uke has cut costs where it matters least (cosmetic flourishes) and put the value where it matters most: Sound quality and playability.
As several reviewers have cited in the past, the strings leave something to be desired, but are adequate for any beginner.
The main problem with most of these less expensive ukuleles is intonation problems.
One thing few reviewers ever mention is the fact that the hardest string to compensate for is the lowest pitched, or third string on a soprano uke. (Compensation means adjustment of the bridge saddle position so each string has an identical pitch when struck while being fretted at the 12th fret as the harmonic produced when struck while being merely touched at the 12th fret.)
The 3rd string was out of tune with itself--but that was the only one. With such a short string length and such stretchy material as nylon, if only the 3rd string has faulty compensation then this can practically always be attributed to the strings.
But on (for example) the Hohner soprano uke I bought, all strings were out of tune, and no brand of strings will improve it.
On the cheapo Makala brand (not this maker's Makala MODEL--the name "makala" is in use by several brands) there is less compensation problem than the pricier Hohner, but it's still there.
The Lanakai brand uke I bought sells for a similar price to this Kala brand uke/case/tuner ensemble, and has nicer tuners (but that's not really needed unless a uke's new tuners are actually falling apart--which some cheapos are doing right out of the box). And the Lanakai has basic, simple decorative inlays, and also Nylgut strings.
A hard case like the one that comes with this Kala Pineapple package, if bought to protect the Lanakai mentioned above, would set you back at least half the cost of the instrument, as would an electronic tuner. The Lanakai has a more balanced tone in the upper pitch registers, and is slightly louder, but the latter could be due to the higher tension of the Nylgut strings.
The clip-on electronic tuner that comes with this Makala Pineapple Uke is great when doing a gig in a noisy club, restaurant or even just at the campfire. A lot of new musicians are unaware that a medium sized restaurant has decibel levels similar to the noise level of a common lawn mower. Without a clip-on tuner, It's nearly impossible to get an instrument in tune without turning up your amp or PA system and treating your audience to a round of "ting-tong, ting-tang, ting-teng, ting-ting" on each string. The tuner that came with this uke even had a new flat mercury-type battery, and the tuner is easy to use, accurate and will work on other instruments (guitars, mandolins, banjos, etc.).
I'd rate the quality of the Kala Pineapple tops for its price range, and with this package, with a $35 to $45 hard case, and a $15 to $25 tuner, you're basically getting the uke for free. By the way, the "buffing cloth" is pretty laughable as an accessory in this kit. The beginner's song sheet is enough to get a rank beginner started strumming chords, which is all most uke players ever aspire to anyway.
Music teachers: This uke is a great way to get little fingers used to fingering chords that are basically identical to commonly-used guitar chords. We've used it successfully with children as young as three. You can confidently buy a dozen--or a hundred--of these Kala Pineapple Uke kits for use with a classroom full of beginners, though if used for the under-12 set, probably the Makala brand (not Makala MODELS of other brands) with its cheapo all-plywood construction would be a safer investment--you WILL lose a few in a class of 20 or more kids. Teacher's tip: When using with small children, punch or drill a hole in a heavy plectrum and tie a nice, pliable braided-nylon carpenter's chalkline string (available at hardware stores) to it and to the uke head so the creative little angels (who "always" drop the pick into their uke's soundhole) won't run you to death getting it out of the ukes.
The Kala KA-MK-P Pineapple-Style soprano uke bundle is definitely the best deal on ukes ever. For those reading this review in the future, this is by far the best deal at this time (April 2013).
Kala MK-B Makala Baritone Ukulele Bundle with Case, Tuner, Austin Bazaar Instructional Video, and Polishing Cloth
4.6 | 1,639 ratings
Price: 119.99
Last update: 03-11-2025
About this item
MAHOGANY CONSTRUCTION: The Kala Makala Ukulele features mahogany construction that provides a warm, rich tone to customers looking for great sound quality
COMFORTABLE FINGERBOARD: The rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth, comfortable playing experience, which is important for both beginners and experienced players
HIGH-QUALITY STRINGS: The nylon strings ensure reliable sound and durability, which is essential for good sound performance over time
ADJUSTABLE TRUSS ROD: The inclusion of a truss rod allows for neck adjustments, offering players the ability to fine-tune the instrument for optimal playability and comfort
EVERYTHING IN ONE BOX: Austin Bazaar bundles your instrument with necessary accessories, this bundle contains a case to keep your Ukulele protected during travel, a tuner to keep your instrument in tune, an Austin Bazaar instructional video to help get tips and guidance while learning your instrument and a polishing cloth to keep your instrument in mint condition
COMFORTABLE FINGERBOARD: The rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth, comfortable playing experience, which is important for both beginners and experienced players
HIGH-QUALITY STRINGS: The nylon strings ensure reliable sound and durability, which is essential for good sound performance over time
ADJUSTABLE TRUSS ROD: The inclusion of a truss rod allows for neck adjustments, offering players the ability to fine-tune the instrument for optimal playability and comfort
EVERYTHING IN ONE BOX: Austin Bazaar bundles your instrument with necessary accessories, this bundle contains a case to keep your Ukulele protected during travel, a tuner to keep your instrument in tune, an Austin Bazaar instructional video to help get tips and guidance while learning your instrument and a polishing cloth to keep your instrument in mint condition
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