The Makala MK-S is a great entry-level uke with a more traditional construction.
The top, back and sides of the Makala MK-S is crafted from agathis, following conventional 21″ soprano shapes.
It has a mahogany neck that is topped with rosewood fingerboard. It also feature brass frets, geared tuners, and a rosewood bridge.
The hardware of this instrument is really good. You’re not going to run into any issues with this instrument that you wouldn’t encounter in any other uke in this price range, and judging by the user consensus as a whole the tone is on par with the similarly priced ukes from the Kala series (ukes which are a generally a step up from Makala, though there is some overlap between the two lines).
Key Features
- Top: Mahogany
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Walnut
- Frets: 12
Pros
The intonation (how in-tune the notes are when fretted) is a main selling point of this uke, as it’s considered to be significantly more accurate than many other traditionally constructed ukes. There are also quite a lot of compliments that point to its sound quality.
Cons
There are a few reports of playability issues, along with the need for regular tuning. But some do report that the issues mellowed over time, or after replacing the strings.
Overall
It’s not reasonable to expect a ukulele in this price range to sound great, but most reviewers are convinced, if not impressed with the sound of the Kala MK-S.
Although this was previously on our recommended list, there are now more highly rated options available which you can see in our guide to The Best Soprano Ukuleles – Regular & Pineapple Shaped.
About the Author
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
