If you close your eyes and play the Kai KCI-30 you could be forgiven for thinking you were playing something much more expensive - the sound is so impressive. Open them again, and look at the neatly made instrument and you’ll certainly not be disappointed in how good it looks for the money either. It is a real winner. And while included gig bags are often of fairly low quality, with this one you get a really good, well padded one too. Don’t choose a uke based on its gig bag, but still, if you need one anyway, having one which separately would cost £20 just adds to the value.

The tone is rich and mellow, with the sound delivered more directly to your ear through the side soundport (ideal if you’re in a ukulele group situation and want to hear yourself over the banjoleles!) But while there’s a definite mellow edge to the sound common to many laminates, there’s a bit of zip and nice sustain to it too, via the rectified nylon strings.

The geared tuners seem of perfectly good quality and the mango has some pleasing patterns to complement the black and white soundhole rosette. With a 35mm but it is fairly average and familiar feeling in your hands.

Kai are a newer brand on the block, but with this KCI-30 concert ukulele, they’ve done everything right - it is a real bargain.

Natural variations in the wood mean the photos are a representative of one example. You can get in touch to get photos of the actual one you’d be sent if you like.

If you click additional info below, you’ll find a Kai KCI-30 video demonstration.

For common accessories and customisations (like strap buttons / low G fitting) scroll down to the bottom of the page where you'll be able to add these common items to your basket.