Grizzly H3125 Ukulele Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)If you consider that the body of the Ukulele comes ready built, the fretboard comes finished and with frets installed, and the neck/head are already formed this is a great kit for the price. Don't expect a top quality instrument, but use this kit as an introduction to what building a Ukulele is all about. The top and bottom of the soundbox are made of beautiful striped sapele mahogany plywood that is really stunning. The sides are not particularly attractive luan plywood. The body is well assembled with internal liners but no bracing that I can see. All the parts are well sanded and ready for finish sanding, staining and finishing. The tuners and strings are inexpensive but adequate. The directions are badly translated Chinese, but the construction is easy to figure out. The neck is to be attached by a simple butt joint, but I would suggest additonal strengthing with dowels. I would suggest shortening the nut to first fret distance by at least 1/16" for better intonation. The string height is not specified in the directions, so you better know how to adjust that properly for good playing.
The instrument I built worked out fine, the sound is not particularly loud compared to better instruments. I changed the strings to Aquila Nylgut with much better results.
I have provided construction photos on my website at:
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Enjoy

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Kala KA-S Mahogany Soprano Ukulele Review

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(More customer reviews)Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele w/binding
The Kala KA-S Ukulele (with binding, as shown here), is a decent starter ukulele for the young and young at heart. It is a decent starter ukulele if you want to learn and don't want to break the piggy bank. This is a standard (soprano) size ukulele with little frills. However, it does not have the toy ukulele look or sound, and the binding around the body adds a bit of class to its appearance. It has geared tuners, not friction pegs. This makes tuning the ukulele a tad easier.
There is also a version without the binding, but for the same price Kala Mahogany Soprano Ukulele with No Binding.
Though the name implies it is made of mahogany, it is actually made of laminate nato, which is referred to as "eastern mahogany" and is often used in inexpensive guitars and ukuleles. However, don't let the make fool you... this baby sounds impressive. I still play with a KA-S every now and then, and I use it as my beater uke. It's not solid wood, and therefore does not have the solid wood sound. But it is still an impressive little instrument. I generally do not like to purchase music instruments online, but I would make an exception with these.
Kala production models tend to already have decent action (not too high or low), though some might complain the action is a bit high. It is easy enough to sand the saddle down to your preference. The nut is glued, but can come off with a bit of effort. Make sure you get the ones with Nylgut strings (Aquilla) and not the GHS, because it will make the ukulele sound so much better. If it comes with other strings, you can always change the strings (it's quite easy). Also, keep in mind that the strings are usually nylon, and are prone to stretching, so don't be surprised if it seems that it is off tune by a half step (or a whole step even) a few hours after tuning. Give it a week or two of having to retune every day (or in between every song, if you play a lot). After the strings are stretched out, it will generally stay in tune.
Comparing qualities and build, it is comparable to the Lanikai LU-21. There is little difference between the two, and for the price, the Lanikai is cheaper by ~$6 and eligible for Amazon Prime (free shipping!).

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