Kala Gardenia Mahogany Concert Ukulele Review

Introduction

When I first picked up the Kala Gardenia Mahogany Concert Ukulele, I thought it would be just another basic $99 beginner uke. After playing it, I changed my mind fast. It feels fun, comfortable, and more thoughtful than most ukes in this price range. If you want something easy to play but not boring, this one checks a lot of boxes.

This model comes from Kala’s 2024 Voyage Collection, and the Gardenia design gives it real personality. It stands out without trying too hard, which I appreciate.

I also shared my full review on YouTube, where I play it and talk through what I like about it. If you want to hear the sound instead of just reading about it, the video will give you a much better feel for how this uke actually plays.

Story Behind the Design

When I first noticed the artwork, I thought, okay, this looks nice. But the more I learned about it, the more it stuck with me. Kala didn’t just add a floral design for looks. They worked with Maōri cultural artist Sam Mangakahia, and every ukulele in the Voyage Collection carries a real story.

This Gardenia design represents the Nā’ū (Gardenia brighamii), a native Hawaiian plant that’s now endangered. There are only about ten left in the wild, which honestly made me stop and think. People once used its flowers for leis, its stems for kapa cloth, and even its fruit as natural dye. Knowing that gives this ukulele a deeper meaning. It starts to feel like more than just an instrument you pick up and play.

Kala also includes a Voyage Collection gig bag and a small story card, which I really liked. It’s a small detail, but it makes the whole experience feel more personal. Instead of feeling like a basic beginner uke, this one feels thoughtful, intentional, and made with care.

Specs

Here’s what you’re getting, plain and simple:

• Size: Concert
• Body: Mahogany top, back, and sides
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Finish: Satin
• Nut & Saddle: GraphTech NuBone
• Strings: Aquila Super Nylgut
• Tuners: Open-gear chrome
• Strap Button: Already installed
• Electronics: None, this is acoustic only

The size and feel are very standard for a concert ukulele. If you’ve played a concert before, this will feel comfortable right away.

Looks & Design

Let’s talk about how this uke looks, because that’s a big part of the appeal.

The ivory floral artwork pops nicely against the warm mahogany body. It feels clean and elegant, not loud or cheesy. My wife really liked this one, and I can see why. If you like floral designs or want something with meaning behind it, this uke has instant charm.

For a $99 instrument, the design really stands out.

Design score would be 8.5/10.

Build Quality

For the price, the build quality is solid.

The satin finish feels smooth in your hands, and the uke feels sturdy overall. The open-gear tuners work well, the action felt comfortable out of the box, and nothing felt rushed or sloppy. The fretwork is not perfect, but it’s more than good enough and very playable.

It’s not a high-end instrument, but it feels reliable, which matters a lot for beginners.

Build score is 7/10.

How It Sounds

This is where the Gardenia uke really won me over.

Since it’s all mahogany, the sound is warm, mellow, and very classic. Strumming feels smooth and balanced, and fingerpicking brings out a sweet, gentle tone. It’s not super loud or punchy, so don’t expect it to fill a big room. Still, it sounds musical and pleasant, which is what most players want.

For a uke at this price, the sound is honestly impressive.

Sound score is 8/10. Really nice uke.

Is It Worth the Money?

Short answer: yes.

For $99, you get a solid ukulele, a warm sound, Aquila strings, a built-in strap button, and a gig bag. On top of that, you get a design with a real story behind it. That’s a lot of value for a beginner uke.

If you’re new to ukulele and want something that feels a bit more personal than a plain wooden box, this is a great choice.

For value, I’m giving this an 8.5 out of 10. You’re getting a lot for your money.

Final Verdict

Here’s how I’d sum it up:

• Sound: 8/10
• Build: 7/10
• Design: 8.5/10
• Value: 8.5/10

The Kala Gardenia Mahogany Concert Ukulele is easy to recommend. It plays well, sounds warm, and looks beautiful without trying too hard. If the design speaks to you, you’ll probably enjoy playing this one for a long time. You can buy it here at Kala Gardenia Mahogany Concert Ukulele link and get 10% off when you use the code RAYSUKULELE10OFF at checkout.

Are you considering this ukulele, or have you tried one already? Drop a comment below and let me know what you think. Also, if you’d like me to compare this to the Hibiscus model or any other ukes from Kala’s Voyage Collection, just say the word!