The Kala Exotic Mahogany is hands-down a gorgeous looking tenor ukulele. This ukulele is suitable for those who are looking for a top quality instrument that looks exotic but doesn't break the bank. It's a real eye grabber with a unique, intricate grain.

The KA-TEM is a laminate ukulele which keeps the price reasonable. If it was solid wood, it'd be 3x the price and might only sound a touch better. I like it the way it is. Kala have done a great job with the wood selection and material matching. The black body binding and tuning pegs accentuate the light, rippling texture of the exotic mahogany. I think it offers a great alternative for those wanting the versatile sound of a mahogany uke, but with a different aesthetic.