Kala MK-SD-PKBURST Makala Dolphin Soprano Ukulele - Perfect for Beginner Musicians

Rayna J Carter: I got this for Christmas, and I'm in awe. Clearly, there was an old bag that was being sold, as I received a cheap black nylon bag along with a heavily padded very nice gig case. The ukulele is beautiful (I got candy apple red) the paint job is fabulous, especially when you clean it with the polishing cloth. The tuner is very nice, and I'm impressed with the CD. It was very helpful, though it didn't really discuss how to strum, but it did talk about strumming patterns and many more things. That's okay, you can just look up how to strum. I'm a beginner, and I love the ukulele. Most people complain about the "cheap nylon strings," but after tuning them for the first time, they sound great. Of course, they didn't keep a tune long, but I enjoy tuning so it wasn't a hassle. Also, I tuned the strings and then left the ukulele alone for a couple hours, and when I came back the strings only needed minimal tuning. Again, the tuner is extremely great. It even comes with a lithium battery. I probably won't purchase new Aquila strings, to be honest. The strings they come with are nice. I've already started getting little cuts as my pampered flute fingers get used to the strings (yes, that...

United States on Dec 26, 2016

Deborah B.: Well, after hours looking at and reading of reviews, I finally put this Uke, in my cart. The package got here very quickly and packed to perfection.

While I have never played one before, I am at least aware enough that I knew with the tuning gadget, I would be able to get it tuned, but Since it is a Christmas present for my adult daughter, I wanted to use these few weeks left, to get it to hold it's tuned strings. (Pretty nice strings they put on the final product, was a nice thing to find also!) Taking the time now, to allow the strings to be stretched enough to hold its tune, is grestvifbubcan do it! YouTube also gave me some great videos I could start out with, and after taking about 10 minutes to get it tuned and semi stay in tune, the one video then progressed into showing me like three different chords, then strum along with him on this little melody. By the third chord placement viewing, I was totally ready to play along with him on that first song! To late to get into more YouTube videos, but they are there, so do take advantage of having them just a couple clips away! I also found that my IPhone actually had a tuning app too!!!
Jennifer has an amazing singing...

United States on Dec 09, 2016

karmadog: I just received this, so I will try to update the review after a month or two of playing. First of all, I think this company must have been paying attention to all the complaints about cheap strings, because mine came strung with aquilas.

This is my first ukulele, so keep in mind I don't know much. First of all, I expected a somewhat crappy sound and appearance from a largely plastic instrument. That was not the case. This little thing sounds great and looks well made and attractive (mine is black). Granted, it was badly out of tune, but once I deciphered the poorly translated instructions on the tuner tightening up the strings to the correct tone was easy. (I got close using a digital piano, then used the handy electronic tuner).

Research had told me that it would take a week or two for the strings to hold tune, so I wasn't surprised when it came out of tune almost immediately, but it was kind of fun to tune it up, so there you go.

I have no string instrument experience, so contorting my fairly stiff 50 year old hands to the tiny fretboard is a challenge, but I think with practice I'll be just fine.

As for the gig bag, the uke actually came with two....

United States on Jul 10, 2015