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In just 18 years Kala has become one of the world’s most trusted ukulele brands, providing a balance between luxury boutique models and more budget-friendly options.
The Salt & Pepper Doghair Mahogany Tenor (KA-SDH-T) and the Flame Maple Cutaway Tenor with Fishman Electronics (KA-ASFM-T-CE) are two shining examples of Kala’s commitment to quality at an accessible price. Both of these all-solid tenor models offer something special, making them ideal choices for players looking to step up from a beginner instrument to something more refined.
Design & Build Quality That Inspires
The Salt & Pepper Doghair Mahogany Tenor is striking in its design, with a unique mahogany finish that blends dark and light shades in a distinctive “salt and pepper” look. This finish is achieved through a carefully applied grain filler before sealing, resulting in a textured, glossy surface that’s both durable and visually appealing.
The gloss finish not only protects the mahogany body but also enhances the natural beauty of the wood grain—a definite visual upgrade for players ready to move on from entry-level finishes.
The Flame Maple Cutaway Tenor is equally eye-catching with its beautifully figured maple body. This model’s light, bright tonewood is accented by rich purpleheart binding, adding both durability and an attractive contrast against the bright maple.
A slotted headstock with open-back tuners and a Florentine cutaway enhance both its visual appeal and playability, allowing easy access to those high frets—perfect for more advanced players or those looking to expand their musical range.
Key Features & Benefits for Intermediate Players
When moving from a starter ukulele, features like proper string height, comfortable fretboard width, and durable materials make a huge difference.
Both the Doghair Mahogany and the Flame Maple Cutaway include Graph Tech NuBone nuts and saddles, which are designed for excellent tone transfer and resonance.
These components provide a notable improvement over plastic alternatives, ensuring each note rings true with clear, balanced projection. Players upgrading from beginner models will notice the NuBone’s impact on overall sound clarity and sustain.
Both models also use Italian Aquila Super Nylgut strings—an industry favorite due to their warm tone and smooth feel. These strings combine the best of both nylon and gut characteristics, giving each note a mellow, rounded sound that’s easy on the fingers. This choice of strings makes a difference to players transitioning from basic models, as these strings hold tune longer and provide a more satisfying tonal depth.
Sound Profiles That Meet Advanced Needs
The Salt & Pepper Doghair Mahogany Tenor brings a balanced, resonant sound that’s ideal for strumming as well as fingerpicking. Mahogany is known for its warm, mid-range-heavy tone, and the Doghair’s all-solid construction allows the wood to resonate freely, creating an even response across highs, mids, and lows.
For those upgrading from laminate ukuleles, this mahogany model offers a fuller, richer sound that stands out, whether playing solo or in a group setting. The Doghair’s resonance extends through the body and neck, allowing each note to sustain beautifully—a quality intermediate players will appreciate.
The Flame Maple Cutaway Tenor, on the other hand, has a crisp, articulate voice. Maple is known for its bright, clear tone, and this all-solid model brings out the wood’s natural characteristics beautifully.
Players upgrading to this ukulele will notice a slightly punchier response, especially in the lower notes on the C string, which provide a rounded, robust foundation for both strumming and fingerstyle techniques.
The maple body’s natural brightness is perfect for cutting through in a group setting, offering both projection and clarity.
Enhanced Playability and Comfort
With an upgraded instrument, playability becomes a major factor. Both the Doghair Mahogany and Flame Maple Cutaway have necks that are expertly shaped and finished, providing smooth access across the fretboard.
The satin-finished neck on the Doghair Tenor is particularly comfortable, allowing for fluid transitions up and down the fretboard without sticking—a feature players upgrading from entry-level gloss necks will find refreshing.
The Florentine cutaway on the Flame Maple model gives intermediate players access to the higher frets without any awkward hand positioning. This is particularly valuable for players ready to explore more complex chords and melodies. The cutaway also provides a subtle resting point for the hand during thumb strumming, making it easier to maintain consistent sound and rhythm.
Amplified Sound with Flexible Tone Shaping
For those looking to perform amplified, the Flame Maple Cutaway includes Fishman Kula electronics with a three-band EQ and built-in tuner, making it stage-ready right out of the box.
The three-band EQ allows players to dial in their tone for various styles and venues, bringing out the lows for a richer, bass-driven sound or boosting the highs for a crisp, clear tone. This flexibility is ideal for players who are ready to experiment with sound shaping and enjoy the convenience of an onboard tuner for quick adjustments.
Kala’s Commitment to Quality and Value
What sets Kala’s mid-range models apart from many beginner ukuleles is the thoughtful attention to essential elements—string height, precise fret placement, and reliable intonation—ensuring each model sounds great straight out of the box.
The Doghair Mahogany and Flame Maple Cutaway tenors exemplify this commitment to quality, offering dependable, well-made instruments that provide an excellent experience without breaking the bank.
