KALA BRAND MUSIC JULY 2015 PRESS RELEASES 11 Pages of New Products

KALA BRAND MUSIC JULY 2015 PRESS RELEASES 11 Pages of new products

July 2015 Press releases from Kala Brand Music Co. For immediate release.

Kala Adds Comfort Edge To Ukulele

Links to images:

Florentine Cutaway Tenor: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Byvkw7D0wLrCY0FQLVdkMVpTWnM&usp=sharing

Tenor with EQ https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Byvkw7D0wLrCWmRxOGw2dVpITzA&usp=sharing

Kala has increased the fun of playing ukulele by making them more comfortable with two new special edition all solid wood ukuleles. The Kala Comfort Edge Tenors incorporate beveled edges on their lower bout which allows a player’s forearm and wrist to rest comfortably on the edge of the uke while playing. A padauk binding accents the entire instrument in a striking contrast to the solid cedar top and all solid rosewood back and sides.

The Comfort Edge tenor is available in two models, one with a Florentine cutaway

(KA-SRT-CTG-CE) and the other in a standard tenor body (KA-SRT-CTG-E). Both models are equipped with a Kala UK-300TR EQ system. Other features include Gold Grover tuners, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, Graphtech Nubone nut and saddle, pearl/padauk inlay on headstock, and a high gloss finish. MSRP is $719.99 for the standard tenor and $829.99 for the Florentine Cutaway.

Established in 2005, Kala Brand Music Co. marks its 10th anniversary in 2015. Kala offers over 200 models of Ukulele, the Kala U-BASS, Kala Guitars, and an extensive line of ukulele and U- BASS accessories. Kala Brand Music Co. also distributes Aquila Strings. www.kalabrand.com www.ubass.com [email protected]

June 2015 Press release from Kala Brand Music Co. For immediate release.

Kala Ebony Ukulele Link to images: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Byvkw7D0wLrCaFg5MTVzamtfS1U&usp=sharing

The first thing you notice about Kala’s new Ebony series is the striking contrast of the light figured reddish-brown stripes against a deep brown body. A light maple binding on the body completes the visual first impression. When strummed these instruments produce rich and warm powerful tones. Kala Ebony ukuleles are available in soprano, concert, tenor sizes, and a tenor with onboard EQ.

Other features include rosewood fingerboard and bridge, mahogany neck, chrome open gear tuners with black buttons, Graphtech Nubone™ nut and saddle, satin finish, and Aquila™ strings. The retail prices start at $199.99.

Established in 2005, Kala Brand Music Co. marks its 10th anniversary in 2015. Kala offers over 200 models of Ukulele, the Kala U-BASS, Kala Guitars, and an extensive line of ukulele and U-BASS accessories. Kala Brand Music Co. also distributes Aquila Strings. www.kalabrand.com www.ubass.com [email protected]

Kala Premieres USA Elite Ukulele Series

Kala Brand Music Co.’s first range of U.S. made ukuleles will make their debut appearance at the January NAMM show. Kala’s Elite™ U.S. ukulele line are all hand built at the Kala custom shop in Petaluma, California. The Elite line will initially consist of three series of instruments, all available in soprano, concert and tenor sizes for a total offering of nine models.

Specifications include all solid Hawaiian Koa, Honduras Mahogany neck, ebony and rosewood fingerboards and bridges, bone nut and saddle, custom inlays and appointments, engineered intonation for precise tuning, hand tuned tops and bracing for optimal tone and volume. The fingerboard spacing of 1.5” is wider than most ukuleles which increases the string spacing to give the fingers more room to maneuver. All models are strung with Kala Fluorocarbon strings.

According to Michael Upton, Kala President, “people are asking for a U.S. made step-up ukulele and there really aren’t a lot of them available, so we see a real opportunity for expanding the Kala high end offerings. The look, sound, and intonation are a cut above anything else we’ve ever done, we’re in control of the entire process” Kala has developed most of its own tooling and consulted with many of Hawaii’s foremost ukulele experts during the evolution of the Kala Elite series.

The Kala Elite series is part of an expansion of Kala’s USA manufacturing operation which began in 2011 with the production of Kala’s California U-BASS™ series. In 2014 Kala added U-BASS acoustic-electrics as well as koa and maple shell banjo ukuleles to its Petaluma CA based production.

Established in 2005, Kala Brand Music Co. will mark its 10th anniversary in 2015. Kala offers over 200 models of Ukulele, the Kala U-BASS, Kala Guitars, and an extensive line of ukulele and U-BASS accessories. Kala Brand Music Co. also distributes Aquila Strings. www.kalabrandmusic.com www.ubass.com [email protected]

Makala Waterman Series By Kala

A Ukulele for Any Environment

The Makala™ Waterman™ Series by Kala™ features the latest water resistant composite technology packaged in vintage design and sound. The Waterman Series is designed for playability, portability and durability, making it the ultimate outdoor/travel ukulele.

The Waterman pays homage in part to the legendary ukulele designer Mario Maccaferri who invented the Islander ukulele, which was introduced in 1949. After being endorsed by entertainer Arthur Godfrey on his TV show 9 million of the Maccaferri Islander ukes were sold between 1949 and 1969. Like Maccaferi’s Islander ukulele, the Waterman is notable for its affordable quality and innovative designs.

In addition to being the perfect go anywhere ukulele for the outdoor enthusiast, the materials used in the Waterman’s construction make it an excellent choice for school and community music programs where cleanliness is a consideration. The ukuleles are easy to keep clean which is advantageous in settings where instruments are being shared.

Makala Waterman ukuleles come in soprano size and include a logo backpack/carrying bag. The instruments are made of high grade polycarbonate ABS construction which is durable and weather resistant, and are complemented

4 with nickel plated open gear tuners. Each model is strung with Aquila Super Nyglut Strings.

Waterman ukuleles are available in three different color configurations. Waterman “Colors” feature six choices of vintage color tops with matching headstock and black satin back and sides. Waterman “Clear” ukes feature three different see- through translucent colors, and Waterman “Swirls” are a nod to popular vintage 50’s and 60’s ukulele styles with unique marbleized color back and sides with egg shell tops and headstocks.

JUNE 2015 Press release from Kala Brand Music Co. For immediate release.

KALA Thinline Guitars Are Big On Sound Links to images: Mahogany top steel string: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Byvkw7D0wLrCNE5QYzBUM 3dyeU0&usp=sharing

Spruce Top Nylon: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzahuCLJ0eMgbnRJMkxtUE JCZGs&usp=sharing

Kala Brand Music Co™ continues to broaden the company’s guitar choices with the addition of the Thinline acoustic/electric series. The Kala Thinline guitars are six string

5 models available in in both steel string and nylon string versions. Both are cutaway models that feature a Shadow SH Performer Pro Tuner NFX preamp with tuner and Nanoflex pickup. Both the steel string and nylon string models are available with either a solid spruce or a solid mahogany top. Kala originally offered a limited edition of the Thinline guitar series from 2008 to 2010, which the company put on hold in order to focus on the burgeoning Kala ukulele and U-BASS brands. The Thinlines are now being back in response to popular demand from Kala customers wanting to bring back the designs.

Kala’s Thinline guitars offer a performance style cutaway design with a 2.75” body depth, mahogany back and sides, gloss finish, and rosewood fingerboard. The Steel string model comes with Die-Cast chrome tuners while the Nylon String model features Gold classical style tuners. All models are offered at $549.99 Retail.

The Kala Thinlines have been crafted to have a full rich tone whether played acoustically or when plugged in. The Shadow SH Performer series was selected when it was determined to be a perfect match to reproduce the Kala Thinline’s tonal range when amplified. Controls include Bass, Lo-Mid, Hi-Mid, Treble, Phase Invert, Chromatic tuner with on/off switch.

Kala Brand Music Co™ enters a new market segment with the addition of a tenor guitar to the company’s broadening range of stringed instruments. Kala’s tenor guitar is a

21 3/8ths” scale 4 string guitar that is tuned in fifths. Design features include a select solid sitka spruce top, rosewood back and sides, slotted headstock, and Grover™ tuners. The guitars come strung with with D’Addario Phosphor Bronze strings which are tuned to CGDA.

Originally made popular by folk artists such as the Kingston Trio, the tenor guitar is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among musicians that are seeking a fresh timbre to add to their performances and arrangements. As a result there has been the

6 emergence of a grassroots movement where tenor guitar enthusiasts have created groups and gatherings across the country. With its upscale appointments and list price of $469.99 the Kala Tenor will appeal to musicians seeking to add a new sound to their repertoire and dealers looking for a high quality affordable instrument to address this growing customer base.

Established in 2005, Kala Brand Music Co. offers over 150 models of Ukulele, the Kala U-BASS, Kala Guitars, and an extensive line of ukulele and U-BASS accessories. Kala Brand Music Co. also distributes Aquila Strings.

www.kalabrandmusic.com www.ubass.com [email protected]

(Pictured: Kala all solid Koa USA Acoustic Electric

U-BASS) KALA Celebrates U-BASS 5TH Anniversary With New California Models

Kala Brand Music Co. is commemorating the 5th anniversary of the U-BASS™ with the introduction of several new USA models manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Petaluma CA. Kala’s newest California U-BASS models include acoustic- electric and solid body designs. The acoustic electric models are available in finely crafted figured Hawaiian Koa or flame maple finishes. The solid body designs feature a variety of exotic wood tops that include koa, redwood, myrtle, and walnut.

All California basses include a custom LR Baggs U-BASS electronic system which is new for 2014. Kala and LR Baggs have designed a pickup/amplification system especially for the U-BASS that delivers uncompromising performance, power, and versatility.

The U-BASS began as the invention of luthier Owen Holt, who developed the proprietary polyurethane strings, which evolved into a collaboration between Holt and Michael Upton, president of Kala to bring a line of basses to market. Since Kala brought it to market in 2009 the award winning U-BASS was has been a phenomenon in the world of bass instruments. It is known for its deep bass tone in a portable 21” scale body and its innovative string designs. The U-BASS brand has grown to over 30 models with a variety of acoustic-electric and solid body designs that include fretted and fretless as well as four and five string models. Kala now offers six different string variations including the original proprietary black polyurethane strings.

“I was absolutely floored by the deep tone of the little bass when I first plugged it in”, states Upton, “five years later we are proud to say that players all over the world have experienced the same reaction.”

Notable awards for the U-BASS include NAMM Best in Show, 3 Editor Pick awards from Bass Player Magazine, 2 MIPA International press awards, 3 Music Inc. Product of the year awards and many others. It is chosen by bass players including Nathan East, Billy Sheehan, Abraham Laboriel, Bakithi Kumalo, and Steve Bailey.

KALA Adds Tri-Back to All Solid Series

Kala Brand Music announces the latest addition to the company’s all-solid wood series with the Tri-Back Tenor. The back of the Kala Tri-Back reveals a dazzling combination of rosewood and mango while the select spruce top, rosewood

8 back and sides, and gloss finish completes the aesthetically pleasing luthiery display. The combination of all-solid woods produces an exceptionally resonant and articulate tone.

Additional features include mahogany binding, custom inlay and position marks, rosewood fingerboard, rosewood rosette, and Grover™ tuners. The model number KA-SRMT-TRI has a suggested retail price of $569.99

KALA’s Guitarlele, A New Voice in Town Kala Brand Music’s new hybrid instrument, the Guitarlele, will delight guitar players looking for the perfect travel guitar as well as ukulele players exploring guitar for the first time. The six stringed instrument is tuned to A-D-G-C-E-A and projects a bright full tone, similar to capoing up on the 5th fret of a regular guitar. A solid spruce top and Koa back and sides project a full rich sound that makes the guitarlele the perfect choice for all players seeking to add a new voice to their sound repertoire. . Features include a select solid spruce top, Koa back and sides, mahogany binding and rosette, slotted headstock with Koa cap, Grover Tuners, rosewood fingerboard, and satin finish. Kala’s model number is KA-GL-KOA with a list price of $429.99. A model with built in tuner, and

EQ is also available. Its model number is KA-GL-KOA-E, and the list price is $499.99 Established in 2005, Kala Brand Music Co. offers over 150 models of Ukulele, the Kala U-BASS, Kala Guitars, and an extensive line of ukulele and U-BASS accessories. Kala Brand Music Co. also distributes Aquila Strings. www.kalabrandmusic.com [email protected]

5-String SUB U-BASS Models Announced

Kala recently introduced a 5 String SUB Series of Solid Body U-Basses, the latest addition to Kala's revolutionary line of short scale bass instruments. Since 2001, the S-U-B Series has offered an affordable four string alternative to Kala's USA manufactured solid body basses. Fans of the four string models have consistently asked about the possibility of a five string model. Kala has answered that request with four new models for 2015.

The new 5-string SUB models are equipped with Kala's proprietary polyurethane strings, a Shadow active pickup system with volume control and 2 band EQ, Custom Hipshot Licensed Tuners, and Graph Tech Black Tusq self-lubricating nut.

Five string fretted versions are available in Sunburst, Cherryburst, Red, and Black finishes. All Kala U-Basses are very portable and meet most airline carry on requirements. A Custom Deluxe Logo Gig bag is included in the price of each instrument. List price is $619.