This Kala KA-MBG gloss mango baritone ukulele looks gorgeous. The mango wood is complemented by an impressive high gloss finish, bringing out the beauty of this really pretty wood. And the smart wood binding and abalone rosette also enhance the appearance. Where sometimes such decoration can look gaudy, the baritone body is big enough, and the binding is subtle enough for the overall look to be harmonious and classy, rather than over done. Of course, looks aren't everything, and a shiny body and good looking wood grain can never compensate for sound - but thankfully the Kala KA-MBG baritone ukulele excels here too.

One thing we would mention is that this is a baritone ukulele that would really suit an advancing player who has gone beyond the basic chords at the lower end of the neck. When strummed, the sound is full and rich, as you would expect from a baritone. But it would be a real shame to leave it there, as the tone really comes into its own when mixed with fingerpicking, and travelling further up the neck. That is not to say that a beginner wouldn't be delighted with a Kala KA-MBG, just that to get the most of out it, some more advanced play would be required. In this way, the KA-MBG does offer a beginner a platform that will improve as they do - but to get the maximum the KA-MBG could deliver, you will want to explore the neck and different playing styles.

Tuned like a regular baritone, the KA-MBG has Aquila strings in DGBE configuration, with two wound strings and two unwound nylgut strings. As is common with a baritone uke, just chopping out regular chords can see the two bass strings dominate a little - meaning a more intricate or delicate style can really pay dividends to get the right balance in tone. Strumming slowly across the strings, or directing more of your strumming towards the trebles really lifts the KA-MBG and makes it responsive, melodious and rewarding.

The Kala KA-MBG baritone is fitted with robust and effective closed, geared machine heads with black buttons, a rosewood fingerboard with markers on the fretboard and neck at the 5th, 7th, 10th and 12th frets and a rosewood tie bridge. Played with some skill and it delivers a warm, rich and yet delicate tone - that can build into serious volume if you want it. This makes the Kala an ideal baritone for an experienced player, perhaps expanding their collection to include a larger bodied instrument.