Kala Australian Blackwood Tenor Ukulele

Australia’s Indigenous peoples recognised the exceptional qualities of Blackwood centuries ago, crafting spear–throwers and shields from this remarkable timber that now graces some of the world’s finest musical instruments. Acacia Melanoxylon, commonly known as Blackwood, grows naturally in Australia’s south–eastern regions and has become one of the most sought–after tonewoods among premium instrument manufacturers. Beyond its musical applications, this incredibly decorative timber finds its way into furniture, cabinetry, and even boat construction, with most instrument–grade Blackwood sourced from carefully managed plantations in Victoria’s Otway Ranges.

The tonal characteristics of Blackwood are truly distinctive, producing warm, full sounds with exceptional richness in the midrange frequencies. Many musicians and luthiers draw comparisons between Blackwood’s sonic qualities and those of Hawaiian Koa, noting its ability to handle percussive playing styles thanks to its naturally stiff timber properties. This Australian tonewood also demonstrates superior resilience to climate extremes compared to many other native species, making it particularly reliable for players in varied environmental conditions.

KALA’s all–new full solid Australian Blackwood model represents an exclusive offering available only within Australia, featuring solid Blackwood construction throughout the top, back, and sides. The instrument showcases a slotted headstock design with elegant fretboard inlays, all finished with a refined light satin coating that highlights the timber’s natural beauty. Complete with the integrated Fishman Kula System pickup, this model provides full, resonant acoustic tones with precise intonation and rich overtones, while offering seamless amplification capabilities for both live performance and studio recording applications.