Makala Ukulele: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying a Makala ukulele is one of the simpler instrument purchase decisions available. The range is focused, the price points are clear, and the main decision is which size suits you and what extras, if any, are worth adding. This guide covers the choices without overcomplicating them.

Choose the Right Size

The Makala lineup covers soprano, concert, and tenor sizes. Soprano is the smallest — short scale, higher string tension, the classic bright ukulele sound that most people picture. It is the most popular choice for beginners and the most affordable option in the range. Concert is slightly longer, which gives the strings a bit more room to breathe and produces a marginally warmer, fuller tone. It also has a longer neck, which some players find easier to fret cleanly, particularly those with larger hands. Tenor is the largest of the three — deeper sound, wider string spacing, popular with players who want more volume or who come from a guitar background and find the soprano physically small.

Standard Models vs. Dolphin and Shark

Within the standard Makala ukulele range, the MK-S, MK-C, and MK-T are the core instruments — plain finish, conventional shape, available in natural or in a range of colours. The Dolphin and Shark variants are cosmetically distinctive: the Dolphin has a characteristic rounded lower bout and dolphin headstock; the Shark uses a more angular body design. Functionally both play identically to the standard models. The Dolphin is particularly popular with younger players; the Shark is popular with anyone who likes a bit of visual personality. Neither costs significantly more than the standard equivalent.

Starter Packs

Kala and various retailers sell the Makala ukulele in starter packs that include a gig bag, clip-on tuner, extra strings, and sometimes a strap. These are good value if you need all those things and are starting from nothing. A clip-on tuner is practically mandatory for a beginner, so if it's included in a pack at a small premium over the instrument alone, it's worth it. The gig bag protects the instrument from the knocks of being carried around, which for a beginner who doesn't yet have a case, is worth having.

Where to Buy

Reputable music retailers — both online and in-store — stock the Makala range reliably. In the UK, stores like Guitars4you, Gear4Music, and major music chains carry current models. Amazon has extensive stock but buying from retailers who specialise in instruments means you're more likely to get a properly set up instrument and have straightforward returns if there's an issue. Buying a ukulele in person, if possible, lets you check the tuning stability and action before committing.

What to Check When It Arrives

When your instrument arrives, tune it up and check that it holds pitch reasonably well after a few minutes of playing. Check that the strings aren't sitting so high above the fretboard that fretting them takes unusual force — a high action is a common issue that can make playing uncomfortable and is usually fixable with a minor setup. Check all four tuning pegs turn smoothly. If any of these are significantly wrong, contact the retailer — most will exchange or refund without issue on a new instrument.

For everything you need to know about the range before buying, the complete overview covers models and features. Once you have it, the beginners guide explains how to get started playing. Common early mistakes are covered in mistakes to avoid.

The Short Version

Buy the size that feels right for your hands and the sound you want. Concert is the safe middle ground if you're genuinely unsure. Get a starter pack if you need the accessories. Buy from a reputable retailer, check the setup when it arrives, and start playing. The Makala ukulele isn't a complicated instrument to find or to own.

Frequently Asked Questions