Kaka brand, anyone?

[lukmanohnz]

A heretofore-unknown-to-me brand of ukulele (Kaka) has been popping up in my social media feeds lately. The vendor is banggood.com (http://www.banggood.com/Kaka-21-23-26-Inch-Koa-Panel-Ukulele-with-Gig-Bag-KUSPCT-70-p-1035586.html?currency=USD&utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=all&utm_campaign=toys-and-hobbies-US). The price point on these instruments is in Rogue territory. There's one model (http://www.banggood.com/23-Inch-Four-Strings-Rosewood-Ukulele-Guitar-With-Grape-Shape-Holes-p-1060729.html) on their web site (not sure it's the same brand) with an array of small soundholes surrounded by wood intarsia that looks just like the soundhole design on Ovation Adamas and Elite models.

I'm not in the market for another uke since I'm pretty well set in that department, but thought I'd share these links to see if this vendor is on anyone else's radar or if someone at the cafe has direct experience with one of these ukes.

[MikeEdgerton]

I wonder if they know what that translates to? There are several reviews and at least one Youtube video online.

https://www.google.com/#q=kaka+uke

[Steve Ostrander]

The only Kala I've played was a U-bass. They sound great and if I hadn't fallen into the mandolin rabbit hole I would probably get one. Heck, I may get one anyway....

[Marty Jacobson]

I wonder if they know what that translates to?

That is unfortunate -- reminds me of the Chevy "No va"... probably they were just trying to get as close to "Kala" as possible. I would have suggested "Kata", which has cool implications instead of... other implications. (Or, you know, come up with your own brand which is distinctive and different.)

[MikeEdgerton]

The only Kala I've played was a U-bass. They sound great and if I hadn't fallen into the mandolin rabbit hole I would probably get one. Heck, I may get one anyway....

I have a Kala Ubass, that's not what this is, it's Kaka. :cool:

[Folkmusician.com]

I really like the stain they use, I wonder what shade of brown that is?

[Russ Donahue]

This really has the potential to go badly off the rails...and would have already if it weren't for the uniformly highbrow approach those of us who are members here swear to follow while hanging out on these pages...Wink, Wink. Nudge, Nudge.

[BrianWilliam]

My experience with Kaka was great!

[Steve Ostrander]

I have a Kala Ubass, that's not what this is, it's Kaka.

My mistake. I have never heard of Kaka and in my mind I heard Kala.....

[MikeEdgerton]

I looked at it twice and first assumed it was an unfortunate typo :cool:

[acousticphd]

I've been seeing these on ebay for a year or so.... I admit the price on a solid-top tenor had me considering one, or giving one as a gift. But I just can't see me buying or giving an instrument with "Kaka" on the headstock!

[lukmanohnz]

I'm seriously tempted to buy one just to check out the quality and workmanship up close, but I am hesitant to encourage this branding decision...

[Dr H]

I bought a concert uke from these folks (it's a Chinese brand) last Christmas, and reviewed it here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014QYMZFS/

[mandroid]

KaLa, try that . http://www.kalabrand.com/ that is an actual brand, not just a scatological euphemism.

The K & L keys are right next to each other on the Keyboard, Mistaken Key strokes Happen.

[Jim Garber]

There are lots of Asian ukes out there tho this one looks nice I doubt it is better that others. It is all laminate and you can buy other better known brands like Kala and Lanikai for similar prices. You might post this question on the Ukulele Underground forums. There are a lot more uke players there and possibly some who know this brand.

[MikeEdgerton]

KaLa, try that . http://www.kalabrand.com/ that is an actual brand, not just a scatological euphemism.

The K & L keys are right next to each other on the Keyboard, Mistaken Key strokes Happen.

That's not what this is, it's really named Kaka, it's not Kala.

[MikeEdgerton]

There are lots of Asian ukes out there tho this one looks nice I doubt it is better that others. It is all laminate and you can buy other better known brands like Kala and Lanikai for similar prices. You might post this question on the Ukulele Underground forums. There are a lot more uke players there and possibly some who know this brand.

Actually they are advertised as solid tops and sides.

[MikeEdgerton]

For everyone that keeps thinking this is Kala, it's not. It's Kaka. Here (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.A0.H0.Xkaka. TRS0&_nkw=kaka&_sacat=619) is a link to the items currently for sale on eBay.

I already linked to a search in my first reply that actually has Youtube videos and such.

I originally thought it was a Chinese look-alike company that was trying to cash in on the Kala name but then I saw that there is a high end uke brand named Kaka'ako (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJmbxpKpsRY). Either way, it's Kaka not Kala.