AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Kala Concert Ukuleles 2026
The top pick is Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele ($44). Kala KA-CG Mahogany Concert Ukulele leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 22 models, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 11, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele
KA-MRT-RED-C Concert Ukulele · Kala
99 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale381 mm (15")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a concert ukulele with a longer fretboard and 18 frets, this one is worth a look. It is made of Meranti for the top, back, sides and neck, and has an Indonesian Nandu fretboard. It suits you if you like a classic ukulele shape and a red satin finish.
Pros
- Meranti top, back, sides and neck give the build a consistent wood throughout
- Indonesian Nandu fretboard paired with 18 frets gives you a wide playing range
- Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle are made of a named synthetic material for a defined string path
78AudioFu
Index↓ 50.6%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$89 · Oct 23$44 now$44€39 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele
Surf Surf's Up Ukulele · Kala
99 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale376 mm (14.8")
- Frets18 frets
This is a concert-size ukulele with a spruce top and mahogany body, plus a rosewood fretboard and 18 frets. It comes with a carrying bag and a semi-gloss finish, so it suits you if you want a sturdy uke to take to the beach, a jam, or a practice room. Register it on the Warwick site to extend the guarantee to 4 years.
Pros
- Spruce top paired with mahogany sides, back, and neck
- Rosewood fretboard with 18 frets for a wide playing range
- GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle for clean string contact
Cons
- Aquila Super Nylgut nylon strings give a different feel than steel strings
78AudioFu
Index↓ 62.0%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$145 · Oct 23$55 now$55€49 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-SURF Surf Series Concert Ukulele
KA-TK-C-CE Concert Ukulele · Kala
99 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale406 mm (15.98")
- Frets18 frets
If you want a concert-sized ukulele with a pickup built in, this one is worth a look. It has active electronics, a florentine cutaway for reaching the higher frets, and 18 frets on a 16-inch scale. It suits you if you want a natural-finished instrument you can plug in and play at home or on stage.
Pros
- Teak top with mahogany stripes and a teak back and sides
- Florentine cutaway gives easier access to the upper frets
- Active electronics with a pickup built in
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$145 now$145€129 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-CG Mahogany Concert Ukulele
Satin Mahogany Concert Ukulele · Kala
25 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale377 mm (14.84")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
You get a concert ukulele with mahogany on the top, back, sides and neck, plus a rosewood fingerboard. It includes a gig bag, so you can carry it right away. This one suits you if you want an all-mahogany uke with a natural-looking, silk-matte finish and a fun laser-engraved design.
Pros
- All-mahogany build: top, back, sides and neck are all mahogany
- Rosewood fingerboard paired with a GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle
- Laser-engraved Hawaiian Islands and tattoo design sets it apart
69AudioFu
Index↓ 54.3%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$145 · Oct 23$66 now$66€59 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala KA-CG Mahogany Concert Ukulele
KA C RW Mahogany Concert · Kala
25 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale376 mm (14.8")
- Frets18 frets
The KA C RW Mahogany is a solid entry point into concert ukuleles. The all-mahogany construction provides a warm, mellow tone that's great for fingerpicking and strumming gentle melodies. It's a fantastic choice for beginners or intermediate players looking for a well-built, affordable instrument with a classic sound.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top delivers warm, resonant tones with surprising projection.
- GraphTech NuBone nut and saddle improve sustain and intonation noticeably.
- Rosewood fretboard provides a comfortable playing feel and good note definition.
Cons
- Satin finish, while aesthetically pleasing, can feel a bit plasticky to some.
- Mahogany construction can be slightly heavier than lighter ukulele materials.
66AudioFu
Index↓ 22.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$100 · Aug 17$77 now$77€69 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale376 mm (14.8")
- Frets18 frets
You get a mahogany concert ukulele with a rosewood fretboard, 18 frets and a GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge. It comes with a gig bag and Aquila Super Nylgut strings, so you can start playing right away. This one suits you if you want a simple, classic uke that fits in a bag and is easy to carry to lessons or jam sessions.
Pros
- Mahogany top, back, sides and neck give it a classic all-wood build
- Rosewood fretboard with 18 frets gives you a wide playing range
- GraphTech NuBone nut and bridge help the strings sit well
Cons
- Concert body is smaller than tenor or baritone ukuleles
63AudioFu
Index↓ 10.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$190 · Aug 17$170 now$170€152 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale377 mm (14.84")
- Frets18 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This all-mahogany ukulele sounds warm and full, thanks to its solid wood construction. The rosewood fretboard and GraphTech nut give it a nice punch, and it comes with a gig bag. It suits players who love traditional tone without needing extra features.
Pros
- Full mahogany body for warm, mid-focused tone
- Rosewood fingerboard adds rich high-end sparkle
- GraphTech NuBone nut for strong string response
Cons
- Mahogany body may lack bass extension
- No pickup or electronics included
53AudioFu
Index↓ 53.8%since Aug 20 · lowest so far$133 · Aug 20$62 now$62€55 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale381 mm (15")
- Frets18 frets
This Royal Purple ukulele feels great in your hands thanks to its solid meranti wood and smooth fretboard. It plays well for beginners who want a traditional nylon string sound without extra bells and whistles. Perfect for café sets where you just need a clean, warm tone.
Pros
- Solid meranti wood on top, back, and sides for warm tone
- Indonesian Nandu fretboard adds smooth playability
- Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle for stable tuning
Cons
- No electronics included for amplification
- Limited fret count at only 18 frets
50AudioFu
Index↓ 60.6%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$111 · Oct 23$44 now$44€39 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale381 mm (15")
- Frets18 frets
This blue ukulele uses solid meranti wood for a sturdy build. The Tusq nut and Aquila strings help it stay in tune well. It works great for players who want a traditional sound without extra features.
Pros
- Solid meranti wood on top, back, and sides
- Smooth Indonesian Nandu fretboard surface
- High-quality Tusq nut and saddle for tuning
Cons
- Ocean Blue finish may show fingerprints easily
- No internal electronics for amplification
50AudioFu
Index↓ 56.2%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$100 · Oct 23$44 now$44€39 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale381 mm (15")
- Frets18 frets
This concert ukulele feels great because it uses solid burled meranti wood for a warm tone. The built-in pickup helps you play loud in a band without extra gear. It is a solid choice for beginners who want a reliable instrument that plays well and sounds nice.
Pros
- Uses rich burled meranti for both top and back
- Includes built-in pickup for easy amplification
- Fits comfortably in the hand with a 381mm scale
Cons
- No specified weight listed for this model
- Limited to one pickup with no preamp controls
50AudioFu
Index↓ 58.8%since Oct 23 · lowest so far$133 · Oct 23$55 now$55€49 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 22 concert ukuleles
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Kala Surf Swell UkuleleKala50↓ 58.8%$55€49$55€49Check ↗
- 12
Kala KA-GUIDANCE-C- Concert UkuleleKala48↓ 7.3%$113€101$113€101Check ↗
- 13
Kala KA-UNITY-C Concert UkuleleKala46↓ 1.9%$113€101$113€101Check ↗
- 14
Kala KA-HIBISCUS-C Mahogany UkeKala45Stable$96€86$96€86Check ↗
- 15
Kala KA-GARDENIA-C Mahogany UkeKala45Stable$100€89$100€89Check ↗
- 16
Kala KA-SA-C Acacia Concert UkuleleKala45Stable$548€489$548€489Check ↗
- 17
Kala Surf Wipeout UkuleleKala44↓ 4.8%$133€119$133€119Check ↗
- 18
Kala KA-COURAGE-C- Concert UkuleleKala43↑ 5.5%$129€115$129€115Check ↗
- 19
Kala Waterman Concert Ukulele BSKala42Stable$61€54$61€54Check ↗
- 20
Kala KA-CB-VICT-C Cigar Box UkuleleKala42Stable$104€93$104€93Check ↗
- 21
Kala KA-CGE Concert UkuleleKala42Stable$268€239$268€239Check ↗
- 22
Kala KA-15-C-BNDL Uku Starter KitKala28↓ 10.8%$139€124$139€124Check ↗
Concert Ukuleles by the numbers
Measured across all 165 models we track, not a sample.
Median $100 — half of all concert ukuleles here cost less.
median of 102 models · 35 mm (1.38")–38 mm (1.5")
median of 111 models · 375 mm (14.76")–405 mm (15.94")
median of 148 models · 16–19
most common · 36 models
How to choose the best concert ukuleles
Tone & Voicing
Kala's Laminate models are generally balanced, a little polite, good for strumming but can lack some character. Their solid wood versions (like the Redwood or Koa) really open up, offering more sustain and that desirable harmonic complexity - that 'air' that makes a uke sing. It's not a scorching high-end, but a warm, responsive tone.
Build Quality & Materials
Kala's budget Laminate lines are... well, they are what they are. The action can be a little high straight out of the box, and the finish might not be the most resilient. Stepping up to the solid wood models reveals noticeably better craftsmanship, tighter fretwork, and a more refined feel - important if you're playing live and want something that feels reliable.
Neck Profile & Playability
The Kala Concert necks generally offer a comfortable C-shape profile, easy to get around on for most players. However, the lower-end models can sometimes have a slightly less consistent neck feel - a minor annoyance, but worth noting if you're a stickler for ergonomics.
Intonation & Tuning Stability
Intonation is decent across the range, but cheaper Kala models can drift out of tune more easily, especially with aggressive strumming. Solid wood models tend to hold their tuning better due to the inherent stability of the material. This matters when you're trying to cut through a mix or record a clean part.
Aesthetics & Finish
Kala really nails the look. They offer a wide range of finishes, from simple satin to high-gloss, and the Koa models are particularly stunning. This is a purely subjective factor, but a uke you like looking at is a uke you're more likely to pick up and play.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're looking at a Kala Concert Uke - smart move. They've become a staple for a reason, but not all Kalas are created equal. We're going to break down what makes their Concert models tick, from the basic Laminate lines to the more premium solid wood options, so you can find one that'll actually inspire you to play, whether it's campfire jams or tracking a session.
Don't chase the flashiest Koa finish if you're just starting out. A good Laminate Kala will get you playing and learning. If you're serious about tone and reliability, invest in a solid wood model - the difference is significant.
Pay attention to the action and fretwork; a quick setup from a local tech can make a huge difference, especially on the lower-end models.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 22 concert ukuleles from the Thomann catalogue (of 165 in the category). Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are Kala ukes good for recording?
Absolutely, but it depends on the model. Laminates are fine for basic strumming, but a solid wood Kala with a decent mic will capture a much richer, more nuanced tone. Consider a small condenser mic to really bring out the details.
What's the difference between Kala Soprano, Concert, and Tenor?
Concert is a sweet spot - larger than a Soprano, more projection and a slightly lower register, but smaller than a Tenor. It's a good balance of portability and playability. Sopranos are bright and chimey, Tenors are deeper and more guitar-like.
Can I change the strings on a Kala uke?
Of course! Strings are the easiest way to dramatically change the tone. Experiment with different brands - Aquila Nylons are popular, but Worth Brown are a good alternative for a warmer sound.
Are Kala ukes easy to learn?
They're very approachable! The neck profile is comfortable, and the tuning is relatively forgiving compared to some other instruments. Just start with simple chords and build from there.
Do Kala ukes need to be humidified?
Solid wood Kalas, yes. Just like any solid wood instrument, they're susceptible to cracking if they get too dry. A simple case humidifier will do the trick.
