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Category: Ukulele Reviews

Kmise Ukulele Review (2022 Edition)

In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the Kmise concert ukulele kit. This model is one of the top-selling beginner ukuleles on Amazon, but is it any good?

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A Few Quick Notes

  • This article is based on my impressions of the concert-sized Kmise ukulele package, but most of the information will apply to the soprano and tenor models as well.
  • For this review, I purchased a new Kmise concert ukulele using my own funds. The ukulele in the photos is the actual uke I purchased directly from Amazon
  • This post is part of a series on Amazon’s top-selling ukuleles

Kmise Ukulele Review Summary

Kmise Ukulele - Body Front

793 Reviews $57.99 Check Current Price

After spending some time with my Kmise ukulele, I can safely say it’s one of the best beginner ukuleles on the market.

This ukulele is surprisingly well-made, and it has a great tone to match. There aren’t many ukes available at this price point that offer so much bang for the buck.

What I Liked

  • Traditional design with minimal bells and whistles
  • Excellent build quality with very good fit and finish
  • Accessories and gig bag are better than I expected for the price
  • Warm, rich tone with great volume and projection

Possible Drawbacks

  • The “windowed” tuners work well, but I’m not crazy about how they look

Build Quality

Kmise Ukulele - Soundhole and Rosette

The Kmise ukulele is beautifully built, especially considering the low price point. The craftsmanship was tight and clean, and I wasn’t able to find any construction issues or flaws.

It’s also a very lightweight ukulele, which is a good thing. In the world of acoustic instruments, a light build is almost always a good thing. Lower quality ukes are often heavily built, and this can result in a thin, dead tone. A light, open build allows the instrument to vibrate and resonate more freely, which produces a bigger, warmer sound.

Frankly, I’m amazed that Kmise can offer this level of build quality on such an affordable ukulele. I’ve seen ukes that cost two or three times as much that weren’t as nicely made.

Body

The top, back, and sides are laminated mahogany, which is common on beginner ukes.

Kmise has opted to maintain the natural color of the mahogany rather than applying a dark red or brown stain like many other manufacturers. I actually prefer this since it highlights the natural character of the wood.

Traditional Design

One of my favorite things about this Kmise ukulele is the traditional look.

Features like a simple rectangular bridge, subtle rope rosette, and pointed fingerboard overhang remind me of vintage ukes I’ve seen and played over the years.

As much as I can appreciate the beauty of fancy ukuleles with lots of ornamentation, I’m more a fan of simple, understated designs.

Tone

Kmise Ukulele - Body Back

My Kmise concert has a sweet, mellow tone with excellent projection and sustain. It’s very light and airy with a nice harp-like quality.

It’s one the better-sounding budget ukes I’ve ever heard, and frankly, it beats some all-solid ukes I’ve played that were in the $300+ range. I can’t imagine anybody being disappointed with the tone of this uke.

Keep in mind that I have the concert-sized Kmise uke. The tenor will likely sound a little warmer and fuller, while the soprano will probably be a bit quieter and more treble-focused.

Kmise Ukulele - Heel Back

Kmise Ukulele Package Kmise Ukulele Package 793 Reviews $57.99 Check Current Price

Playability

Kmise Ukulele - Neck and Fingerboard

The action (string height) on my Kmise ukulele was very good right out of the box. The C and E strings were just a hair higher than I’d normally like to see, but overall I have no complaints.

Notes sounded clean and clear as I played up the neck. I couldn’t find any buzzing or rattling on any of the frets.

Nut & Saddle

Kmise Ukulele - Bridge

I was surprised to learn that Kmise uses ox bone for the nut and saddle on this ukulele.

Many acoustic instrument players feel that bone is the best material to use for an instrument’s nut/saddle due to its hardness and density. However, bone is a somewhat difficult material to work with, so you don’t usually see it on instruments in this price range.

Compensated Saddle

Another nice touch is the compensation on the saddle. If you look closely at the top edge of the saddle, you’ll see that parts of it are shifted forward or backward. This can help with intonation, which is how well a stringed instrument stays in tune as you move up the neck.

Intonation isn’t really something beginners need to worry about, but it’s nice to see this kind of care being given to the small details.

Kmise Ukulele Package Kmise Ukulele Package 793 Reviews $57.99 Check Current Price

Tuners

Kmise Ukulele Review - Headstock and Tuners

The tuning machines worked well. They were smooth and even, allowing for fast, precise tuning.

Many ukes in this price range have poor-quality tuners that have a lot of play or feel rough and gritty. It was nice to see that Kmise didn’t cheap out here.

I will admit that I’m not crazy about the see-through “windows” on the backs of the tuners. This is purely a personal preference–I just happen to like the more traditional open-gear style tuners.

Gig Bag

Kmise Ukulele - Gig Bag

The gig bag included with my Kmise concert ukulele was decent. It’s not super heavy-duty, but it’ll protect the uke from scratches and dings.

Considering the Kmise’s bargain price, the gig bag is as good as anyone could reasonably expect. Many ukes in this price range don’t come with any sort of bag at all.

Accessories & Extras

The Kmise ukulele pack includes a strap, clip-on tuner, and an extra set of D’Addario strings.

The tuner works well enough. It’s fine for getting started, but at some point, you may want to consider getting a better clip-on tuner that’s faster and more accurate.

Getting Started Book and Chord Chart

One nice surprise was the excellent “getting started” booklet and chord chart.

I’ve purchased a lot of beginner uke packs for my collection of ukulele reviews, and the instructional materials are usually poorly done and lacking in quality content.

Fortunately, this isn’t the case with the Kmise. The quick start guide is a high-quality, 24-page booklet that covers just about everything beginners need to know to get started. It covers ukulele sizes, how to hold your uke, strumming, fingerpicking, and more. It’s really impressive.

The chord chart is also the best I’ve ever seen with a budget uke. It’s clear, easy-to-read, and has a good selection of basic chords every uke player should eventually learn.

793 Reviews $57.99 Check Current Price

Additional Resources

Pink Ukuleles: What to Know Before You Buy

Looking to buy a pink ukulele? There are a lot for sale online, but are they any good? Keep reading to find out.

Overview of Pink Ukuleles Covered in this Article

Your Best Bets

Based on my research and personal experience, the three models below seem OK. If you have to have a pink uke, these models are worth checking out.

However, I still think it’s a good idea to consider one of the high-quality beginner ukes I cover in my article on the best beginner ukuleles.

Makala Dolphin MK-SD/PKBURST Makala Dolphin MK-SD/PKBURST 366 Reviews $49.99 Check Current Price
Hola! HM-21PK Hola! HM-21PK 7,046 Reviews $39.99 Check Current Price
Everjoys Pink Ukulele Pack Everjoys Pink Ukulele Pack 15,308 Reviews $48.99 Check Current Price

Not So Good

These are some of the other top-selling pink ukes on Amazon. Even though they have decent customer reviews, I’m not convinced they’re actually good instruments. I talk about why in the next section.

With that said, ukes in this price range could be the right choice if you’re just looking for a novelty instrument, decoration, or a kid’s toy.

Diamond Head DU-110 Diamond Head DU-110 2,193 Reviews $27.56 Check Current Price
Honsing Kids Ukulele Honsing Kids Ukulele 1,762 Reviews Check Current Price
Mahalo MR1PK Mahalo MR1PK 2,565 Reviews $44.99 Check Current Price

Before You Buy…

When researching this article, I discovered that nearly all pink ukuleles for sale on Amazon cost less than $50. A couple of models were selling for below $30 as I write this.

The truth is, many of the ukes in this price range aren’t very good. I’ve worked in music retail for years and have seen firsthand how bad some of these cheap ukuleles are. I discuss the problems with cheap ukes in my post on how much ukuleles cost.

With this disclaimer out of the way, I did find a few models that seemed OK. I’ll highlight those below.

The other pink ukes I came across seemed pretty bad and I can’t recommend them, but I’ll still include the links if you want to check them out.

Good Beginner Ukuleles (That Aren’t Pink)

If you’re looking for a great starter ukulele for yourself or as a gift, check out my article on the best beginner ukuleles. I’m also posting a few of my favorite entry-level models in the table below.

If you’re shopping on a budget, have a look at my breakdown of the best cheap ukuleles.

✅ Pink Makala Dolphin Ukulele

366 Reviews $49.99 Check Current Price

I’ve purchased and reviewed a Makala Dolphin before, so it’s one of the models I feel most comfortable recommending.

Makala is the budget brand of a company called Kala, which is one of the largest ukulele makers in the world. The Makala line isn’t as nice as Kala’s standard ukes, but they’re still reasonably well made considering the price.

In my review, I gave it a 3 out of 5. It was decent, but not amazing. The build quality was pretty good. I couldn’t find any glaring issues. Still, the uke didn’t sound great, and the action (string height) was a bit high. I will say that I thought the baby pink plastic body was kind of unique.

This certainly isn’t the worst ukulele to learn with or purchase for a gift. Still, I feel there are far better options available for just a few more bucks.

✅ Hola! Music HM-21PK

7,046 Reviews $39.99 Check Current Price

Hola! has been around for a while and has a solid reputation. They offer a number of ukulele packages with more traditional designs, and they’re some of Amazon’s best sellers.

The HM-21PK is part of Hola!’s “Color Series” and seems fairly well made. I haven’t played this model before, but based on my knowledge of Hola! as a company, it’s likely one of the better pink ukulele options around.

This uke is pretty light on accessories, but to be fair, you can’t expect many extras at this price. It includes a thin canvas sack, a few picks, and a strap.

✅ Everjoys Pink Ukulele

15,308 Reviews $48.99 Check Current Price

I’m not familiar with the Everjoys brand, but their light pink ukulele pack is one of the best-selling models on Amazon.

The Everyjoys ukulele package comes with quite a few accessories, including a digital clip-on tuner, extra strings, polish cloth, strap, and picks. The gig bag looks pretty thin, but it’s better than the canvas sacks many cheap ukes come with.

Overall, it seems like a decent deal.

Most of the negative reviews were from customers saying their uke wouldn’t stay in tune. Ukuleles have very stretchy strings, and it can take a long time for them to “settle in.” This is an issue with any ukulele, not just beginner models. In fact, I’ve written a whole article about ukuleles that won’t stay in tune.

Good Beginner Ukes

Before I move on to the pink ukes I don’t recommend, I want to suggest a few good beginner ukes that I’ve personally purchased and reviewed.

❌ Diamond Head DU-110

2,193 Reviews $27.56 Check Current Price

This Diamond Head DU-110 is among the cheapest pink ukuleles on this list. If you have a 2-year-old and just want to give them something to bang on, this uke isn’t a bad option.

I have a Diamond Head DU-150 I’m in the process of reviewing, and so far it’s not very good. The construction is rough, the action (string height) is too high, and it sounds tinkly and lifeless.

Considering the rock-bottom price, I could understand buying this uke as a decoration or toy for a young child. Otherwise, I’d steer clear of it.

❌ Honsing Kids Ukulele (Pink)

1,762 Reviews Check Current Price

This ukulele looks about the same as the Diamond Head. wIn fact, it looks like they could be from the same manufacturer, but I can’t be sure.

Either way, I’d stay away from this one. It’s got the telltale signs of a low-quality strings instrument, like the painted fingerboard and brass frets. On a side note, the description claims it has nickel silver frets, but in the customer images, they’re clearly brass.

I did think the Amazon listing description was pretty funny, with lines like “Lovely Color – Pink that Daughter Loves, as Cute as the Color of Cherry Blossoms” and “Suited Scene – Family Party, as a Gift for Kids or Toddler, Little Uke.”

❌ Mahalo MR1PK

2,565 Reviews $44.99 Check Current Price

I’ve seen a few Mahalo ukes over the years and I was never very impressed. Sure, they’re playable and will make uke-like noises when you strum them, but the experience of using them isn’t fun.

Like other ukes in this category, MR1PK is fine as a toy or novelty, but not as a real instrument.  For a little more money, you can get a great quality instrument that will grow with you as you learn to play.

Martin C1K and T1K Review

In this review, I’m going to be taking a look at Martin’s C1K and T1K ukuleles.

These ukuleles are Martin’s most affordable all-solid koa models, but they’re still relatively expensive compared to the large assortment of beginner ukuleles on the market in recent years.

Are they worth the extra money? Keep reading my C1K and T1K review to find out.

The C1K and T1K are available on Amazon and through authorized Martin dealers.

C1K and T1K Review Summary

As the manager of a small acoustic shop that carries Martin products, I’ve had a chance to play several dozen C1K and T1K ukuleles. This review is based on my general impressions of these ukes.

While Martin is mostly known for their acoustic guitars, the company has a rich history of building fine ukuleles. In fact, ukes were responsible for keeping the Martin company afloat during some of their more trying financial times.

The C1K and T1K represent two of the most affordable ukes in the Martin lineup. Their simple, understated design helps keep the cost down, but top-notch craftsmanship provides a playing experience on par with ukes that cost two or three times as much.

Martin T1K review - body closeup

The C1K and T1K are identical except for their body size, which is why I’ve lumped them together in a single review. Both models currently sell for less than $550.

Both models have solid koa bodies, which provides for a noticeably bigger, sweeter tone than less expensive ukes made out of laminated wood.

Build quality, playability, and tone are superb, which is to be expected from a company that has been building ukes for over 100 years.

While the price will be a bit on the high side for many folks, the C1K and T1K are great mid-level ukes and are ideal for intermediate players seeking an upgrade or beginners who want to give themselves a head start.

The bottom line: If you’re looking to upgrade from your $100 beginner uke but aren’t quite ready to drop $1,000+ on a Kamaka, the C1K and T1K are tough to beat.

Build Quality & Appearance

The C1K and T1K are beautifully built ukuleles. Craftsmanship is tight and clean, attention to detail is excellent–these ukes have an overall feeling of quality that really comes through when you have a chance to see and play one.

Martin C1K review - fretboard and heel closeup

The 1K series are built in Martin’s Mexican factory, which is where they produce some of their more affordable guitars. I’ve played quite a few Mexican-built Martin instruments and feel that the craftsmanship of these products is nearly identical to their US-made instruments.

Another way Martin keeps the cost down on the 1K ukes is by minimizing cosmetic appointments. The C1K and T1K have a satin finish, no binding, and a very basic fingerboard inlay pattern and rosette.

By cutting back on unnecessary appointments, Martin is able to offer these ukes at a substantially lower price.

As much as I can appreciate fancy features like ornate binding and elaborate inlays, I’m a big fan of the 1K series’ simple, understated design.

Solid Koa Construction

A big selling point for the C1K and T1K are their solid koa bodies. Koa is a beautiful wood that only grows on Hawaii, and it has been used as a traditional ukulele tonewood for decades.

Why does solid wood construction matter? As a general rule, solid wood produces a warmer, richer tone than the laminated woods usually found in less expensive instruments (more on this below).

The koa wood Martin uses on their 1K ukes isn’t quite as figured as what you might find on higher-end instruments, but it still looks and sounds great.

The appearance of the koa can vary a lot, so if you buy online be prepared to get a uke that looks a bit different from any of the photos you’ve seen.

Tone

As I touched on above, the all-solid koa construction helps give the C1K and T1K a big, warm, open tone. Every time I strum one of the 1K ukes in our shop I hear a resonance and complexity that just isn’t there with less expensive ukes.

The C1K and T1K also have incredible volume and projection, making them ideal for vocal accompaniment or playing in small groups.

My only complaint is about the factory-equipped Martin strings. The Martin-brand fluorocarbon strings aren’t terrible, but I’ve swapped them out for Aquilas in the past and felt it did a lot to improve the tone.

Hardware

The C1K and T1K come with open-back Grover tuners. These are good, high-quality tuners that provide smooth and accurate tuning.

Gig Bag

The included gig bag is decent quality, but it’s not super thick and won’t protect the uke from crushing damage or a hard impact.

I wish Martin included a hard case with these ukes, but that probably would have pushed the price up another $75 to $100 so I can understand why they went with the gig bags.

Considering the cost of these ukuleles, I’d highly recommend investing in an aftermarket hard case.

Other Martin Ukuleles

While the C1K and T1K are arguably the best values in the Martin ukulele lineup, they do have a handful of other models that are worth a look.

The S1

Martin’s S1 is their most affordable all solid wood soprano ukulele. Most of what I wrote above about the C1K and T1K applies to the S1, except that the S1 is built with mahogany instead of koa.

Like the C1K and T1k, it’s a great all-solid ukulele for the money and one of the best professional-grade soprano ukes available for under $500.

The 2K Series

If price isn’t a factor, you should take a look at the 2K Concert and 2K Tenor.

These gorgeous American-made ukuleles have a handful of high-end features that put them in a different class than the C1K and T1K.

Whether or not these ukes are worth the extra money is a conversation for you and your wallet, but there’s no denying that they’re among the finest instruments on the market.

Not Ready for a Martin?

If you’re not quite ready to drop over $500 on a C1K or T1K, these beginner ukuleles are worth checking out. While they certainly won’t have the tone and craftsmanship of a Martin, they’re still excellent instruments and are just a fraction of the cost.

If you want to learn more, I’ve written a whole article on the best ukuleles for beginners.

Additional Resources

The 9 Best Cheap Concert Ukuleles (2022 Edition)

Looking for a good concert uke but want to save some money? In this article, I’ll be taking a look at the best cheap concert ukuleles on the market.

For more on this subject, check out my articles on the best cheap ukuleles and the best ukuleles for beginners.

Best Cheap Concert Ukulele: My Picks

These suggestions are based on the fact that I personally own a ukulele from each of these three manufacturers. You can find reviews for all three models on my ukulele reviews page.

While they aren’t the absolute cheapest concert ukuleles for sale online (I get into that below), I think they strike a nice balance between affordability and quality.

About These Models

I feel like these models are all good, relatively cheap concert ukes that would make excellent beginner instruments.

While they each have their own unique look, they’re surprisingly similar when it comes to build quality, playability, and tone.

There’s not really one I can point to as the “best” cheap concert ukulele since they’re all pretty nice for the money.

Budget Ukulele Quality?

As somebody who has been in the music business for a while now, I’ve been genuinely impressed with the quality of most beginner ukuleles for sale online.

How can they sell them for so cheap? My guess is that many of these companies are selling direct through Amazon, and not through a traditional brick-and-mortar music store.

By cutting out the middle man, these companies can offer cheap (but good quality) concert ukuleles at prices that were unheard of 10 years ago when I started out in the music business.

Cheap Ukulele Packages

The Donner and Aklot models include accessories like a tuner, strap, and extra strings. The Hricane doesn’t come with these extras, but the gig bag (padded case) is a little more heavy-duty than the others.

The Aklot AKC23 is the only solid top ukulele of the three. As I’ve mentioned in other articles, acoustic instruments with solid tops (as opposed to laminated tops) usually have a warmer, richer tone.

Other Good Cheap Concert Ukuleles

I don’t have personal experience with these models, but they have mostly positive customer reviews and seem to be reasonably well made.

While I can’t offer a strong endorsement without having a chance to inspect and play them first, these affordable concert ukes appear to be fairly safe choices.

With a current price of under $50, the Kmise jumps out as the best value of the three. I might have to pick one up someday and do a full review.

For the money, these ukes seem to offer a pretty solid value. They each include a handful of useful accessories, like a gig bag, tuner, strings, and a strap.

Customer reviews seem to be mostly positive for these ukes, which is surprising considering the low price point.

Of all the brands in the table above, Kmise seems to have been around the longest. I’ve seen their products floating around for quite a while, and they seem to have a decent reputation.

While I’d still recommend trying to budget for one of the first three models I mentioned at the beginning, these look like safe choices as well.

The Cheapest Concert Ukuleles

These models are the least expensive concert ukes I could find that didn’t appear to be complete junk.

I haven’t played them personally so I can’t say for sure, but based off what I could tell they are better than most other concert ukes in this price range.

I’m highlighting these models for the sake of being thorough, but to be honest, the low price tags have me a little leery of their quality. The Huawind and Strong Wind look like they might be OK, but I’m skeptical of the Vorson.

How Price Affects Quality

I’ve worked in the music retail business for a long time, and in my experience, as price goes down, so does quality and consistency.

I still haven’t come across a super-cheap ukulele that I’d feel comfortable recommending to a beginning player. Of course, I haven’t had a chance to play these ukes so I could be wrong. If you have any feedback onaboutthis let me know.

I honestly can’t figure out how companies can sell a concert uke for so cheap with accessories (and free Prime shipping) and still make a profit.

Save Up (If You Can)

My advice is to try to save up an extra $25 or $30 for one of the models I mentioned at the beginning of the article. It’s really amazing how much of a difference you’ll see just by bumping up a couple of price tiers.

Of course, I can understand that some people are working on a very limited budget. If you’re simply looking for the most affordable concert uke on the market, the three cheaper models above are probably your best bet.

However, it’s difficult to know what to expect from a concert ukulele at this price point, so buyer beware.

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