Where Are Kala Ukuleles Made? [Comprehensive Answer] - CGAA.org (2023)

FAQs

Where are Kala ukuleles manufactured? ›

Nestled in our hometown of Petaluma, CA is Kala Manufacturing: the workshop facility responsible for building our Kala Elite USA Ukulele and California U•BASS® collections since their inception in 2015 and 2011, respectively.

All Kala models are designed in California and manufactured by teams in select locations throughout the globe, depending on the model; we have a variety of products manufactured in China, Indonesia, Portugal, Vietnam, and India.

All of our Kala Elite USA Koa Collection ukulele are built by hand here at the Kala Shop in Petaluma, CA. The entire line are made from Solid Hawaiian Koa.

All Kala models are designed in California and manufactured by teams in select locations throughout the globe, depending on the model; we have a variety of products manufactured in China, Indonesia, Portugal, Vietnam, and India.

Makala ukes are made by Kala, one of the best known ukulele brands in the world. Stick some Aquila strings on it and you're good to go.

PukanaLa – Taiwanese company making a range of ukuleles.

Bruko ukuleles are made in German.

The Kala® Elite USA Series is designed and handmade at our shop in Petaluma, California. Every instrument is an individual, from the handpicked wood to the tiniest of structural pieces.

Are all lanikai ukuleles made in Hawaii? ›

The Lanikai Makau Series ukuleles are 100% made on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu and make use of only the finest tonewoods and materials available.

Michael Upton - Owner - Kala Brand Music Co.

Kala (Sanskrit: काल, romanized: Kālá/Kālam, lit. 'Time'), IPA: [kɑːˈlə]) is a Sanskrit term that means "time" or "death." As time personified, destroying all things, Kala is a god of death, and often used as one of the epithets of Yama.

Kala is a great ukulele brand. Despite being relatively new, Kala has become a leader in creating affordable but well-built instruments at a variety of price points. Kala has a good reputation in the ukulele community and offers some of the best starter ukes on the market, including the Makala line and 15 Series.

All orders placed through our website are processed in-house at our facility in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Most orders are processed and shipped within 1 business day. During the occasion of a store-wide sale, our processing times may take a bit longer.

It's hardly surprising that some of the world's best ukuleles are still made in Hawaii. And it happens that four preeminent makers whose names begin with K—Kamaka, Kanile`a, Ko`olau, and KoAloha—are based on Hawaii's third-largest island, Oahu, “The Gathering Place.”

Lanikai are part of the Hohner music company. Initially their ukuleles, being made in China and laminated, were at the cheaper end of the scale (although they are increasingly moving into higher end ukes) but that hasn't stopped them getting some high level support.

You can get a well-made ukulele for as little as $100, with the midrange capping off around $250-300. This is the sweet spot where you get the most value. A good compromise between quality and cost.

These basses are handmade in California using the finest woods and custom-made parts, including the Kala + LR Baggs preamp that delivers a huge low end and versatility.

On the low end, the kala and makala are almost the same. But Kala has such a wide range of ukes, and they are different. The slot head ones tend to have thicker necks than the regular head ones. Each kala model is its own thing really.

Which is better Lanikai or Kala? ›

These special woods provide unique tones as well as beautiful appearance due to natural patterns of the trees they are built from. The Lanikai LU Series is more affordable and is an excellent choice for those less concerned with fancy details. Kala offers a lot more options for beginner players, hobbyists, and kids.

The tenor size is the most popular among professional players, but is great for any skill or experience level. A tenor ukulele may be even more comfortable for those with larger hands and fingers than the concert size. The larger size gives the tenor a deeper, fuller sound with a resonant, almost bass-y tone.

Mahogany. Mahogany is among the most widely used woods for Ukuleles. It's a reddish-brown tropical hardwood known for providing a well-balanced and moderate tone. A solid mahogany ukulele often emphasize bass and treble with more overtone coloration a "woody" sound.

While King Kalākaua, who reigned from 1874 - 1891, is largely credited with bringing the ukulele to the masses by incorporating it into performances at royal gatherings and luaus.

As a general rule, a bigger body means a bigger tone. Concert and tenor size ukuleles tend to be warmer, richer, and more resonant than soprano ukes. The larger body sizes also produce more bass and volume. Sopranos are typically a little quieter and have more of a “tinkly” that is more treble-heavy.

Kamaka, Ko'olau, Kanile'a, and KoAloha

If you are looking for a traditionally built, Hawaiian Koa, professional-level ukulele, one of these four brands is a very good choice. These authentic Hawaiian-based companies carry a price tag to match the quality and reputation that precedes them.

The ukulele (/ˌjuːkəˈleɪli/ YOO-kə-LAY-lee; from Hawaiian: ʻukulele [ˈʔukuˈlɛlɛ], approximately OO-koo-LEH-leh), also called a uke, is a member of the lute family of instruments of Portuguese origin and popularized in Hawaii.

Singer Kyar Pauk's Doodle Art Ukulele

The world's most expensive ukulele is Singer Kyar Pauk's Custom Doodle Art Blue Ukulele.

1. SOPRANO UKULELE. The Soprano ukulele is probably the most common ukulele and probably the instrument you think of when you picture a ukulele in your mind.

There are four major companies, building Hawaiian-style ukes in Hawaiʻi today. They are commonly known as the “Four Ks” – Kamaka, KoAloha, Kanileʻa, and Koʻolau. All four brands build high quality instruments and each has their own style of construction, resulting in subtle differences of sound, feel, and playability.

What ukulele did George Harrison use? ›

Lot #227GEORGE HARRISON OWNED AND PLAYED UKULELE. The Beatles (#3271) 04/10/2020 10:00 AM PDT CLOSED! A Hawaiian ukulele manufactured by Duke Kahanamoku and owned and used by George Harrison. Harrison gifted the ukulele to Jeremy Chamberlain, who was working as a subcontractor at Friar Park, Henley, in December 1999.

She can be seen on videos playing the Fender ukulele with her adopted pit bull puppy, Shark. “The ukulele was the first instrument I learned,” said Eilish.

All KoAloha instruments are handcrafted in small quantities and shipped from Hawaii to authorized dealers. They also have factories in Indonesia and Thailand that manufacture their KoAlana and Opio series, respectively. All 'ukuleles come with the signature Musubi soundhole and crown headstock.

Beyond looking great they sound… great. Cordoba has factories in Spain, Portugal, and Asia. I have always been most impressed with the Portugal factory even though their most expensive guitars are built in Spain.

MAHALO UKULELES enjoy an inherent uniqueness whereby each step within Mahalo's manufacturing process is undertaken exclusively by Mahalo employees in our company-owned manufacturing plant in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Cordoba markets themselves as a Spanish styled company; however, they manufacture their instruments primarily in China, Portugal, and Indonesia while the company itself is based in Santa Monica, CA. In the ukulele world, Cordoba is best known for their mid-ranged ukuleles that emphasize look over sound.

Handmade in California

Every Kala® Elite USA Ukulele is carefully built by hand at our shop in Petaluma, California. Each instrument is an individual—from the handpicked wood to the tiniest of structural pieces.

Yes - Lanikai is tiny and has no parking, limited beach depth. Also, no waves whatsoever. Kailua beach has great waves at appropriate times, parking in several area and is a much deeper stretch of sand, making it easier to sit and enjoy the day. Kailua is also typically breezier because it's more of an open area.

It features a soprano (small-sized) ukelele, a carry bag, playbook, and access to an app that helps you learn to play. Great for children ages 6+ years old. This is the most popular size ukulele purchased.

Mike Upton, founder and owner of Kala Brand Music Company, is definitely high on the list of Worlds Coolest Bosses. His laid back personality makes everyone feel like family, but his hard work ethic has built Kala into the booming company it is today.

What is behind the name Kala? ›

Meaning and Origin of: Kala

Indian (Andhra Pradesh) : Hindu name from Sanskrit kalā with several meanings, including 'art', 'skill', and 'a part of division of something'.

Kala means to "let go or release" in the Hawaiian language. Kala and it's seaweed counterpart, limu kala (Sargassum), are used in hoʻoponopono ceremonies, a traditional Hawaiian process of forgiveness and reconciliation.

to restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, refrain, forbid. (Qal) to shut up. to restrain.

Soprano and Concert ukulele are usually strung with nylon strings. Tenor and Baritone ukulele often use a mixture of nylon and metal-wound strings. Metal-wound strings are used to add a fullness to the tone of the lower pitch strings.

Most Kala ukuleles don't have truss rods, especially their soprano and concert size ukuleles. However, Kala does make baritone ukuleles that come with built-in truss rods.

Kala is a great ukulele brand. Despite being relatively new, Kala has become a leader in creating affordable but well-built instruments at a variety of price points. Kala has a good reputation in the ukulele community and offers some of the best starter ukes on the market, including the Makala line and 15 Series.

Cordoba vs Kala Ukulele Summary

If you're looking for a quality ukulele that's styled after a traditional guitar then Cordoba might be the choice for you. However, if you're a beginner or a fan of classic Hawaiian styled ukuleles and innovative design then Kala will give you a much better value.

KoAloha is regarded here in Hawaii and all around the world as one of the premier ukulele builders. Their ukes have a unique tone that is vibrant and wonderful for many styles. You can hear this sound in professional players like Herb Ohta Jr., Daniel Ho, Raiatea Helm, and other great players.

Koaloha "better than the weather" Warranty Info:

​KoAloha offers a limited Lifetime Warranty. The instrument is covered 100% for Manufacturer defects. This will be determined by KoAloha after visually inspecting the `ukulele. This applies to the first purchaser.

Are all Lanikai ukuleles made in Hawaii? ›

The Lanikai Makau Series ukuleles are 100% made on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu and make use of only the finest tonewoods and materials available.

That's why skilled craftsmanship with quality wood and components is so important. Here's the short version of all of that: Quality ukuleles last longer, sound better, look better, play better, and inspire you to learn and play. Cheap ukuleles don't.