Kala Baritone Revelator Nautilus Koa Ukulele Model NS-KOA-B In Depth Review
Kala Baritone Revelator Nautilus Koa Ukulele Model NS-KOA-B is hands down the nicest baritone I’ve ever played. I already fell in love with the tenor version of the Revelator, but this baritone takes things to a whole other level. It has the same sleek design, compact body, and incredible sustain — but with that deeper, moodier tone that only a great baritone can deliver.
Let’s talk about what makes this uke so special and why it’s now my go-to baritone.
If you’d like to get one for yourself (or anything else from Kala), use the link below:
Get Your Kala Ukulele Discount, no code required. Simply follow this link, and the discount will be applied at checkout!
First Look at the Revelator Baritone in Koa
The baritone Revelator shares the same thin, curved body shape as the tenor model. It’s surprisingly lightweight, easy to hold, and beautifully crafted. I went with the Hawaiian Koa version (model NS-KOA-B), and the wood is absolutely stunning — rich tones, natural striping, and a soft satin finish that feels just right.
Every detail is smooth and intentional. From the seamless neck joint to the way it sits comfortably on your body, you can tell it was made by hand, not cranked out in a factory. Kala’s team in Petaluma, California, has done an amazing job building these to Pete Howlett’s original design — and it shows.
Watch my Kala Baritone Revelator Nautilus uke review, then use my link to get a special discount on these or any Kala uke! Simply click the link and search for the uke you want. The exclusive discount will be applied at checkout! kalabrand.com/meanduke
What Makes a Baritone Ukulele Different
If you’ve mostly played soprano, concert, or tenor ukes, baritone might feel like a bit of a jump at first. The body is larger, the tone is deeper, and the tuning is different. Baritones are tuned like the bottom four strings of a guitar: DGBE. But the cool thing is, the chord shapes are the same. You don’t have to learn anything new — you just transpose.
Say you’re used to playing a G chord on your tenor. That same shape gives you a D chord on the baritone. It’s a really handy way to get into baritone playing fast. And here’s another bonus — if a song feels a little high on your tenor, playing it on a baritone brings it down just enough to fit your voice better. Same shapes, different key, warmer feel.
The Sound Plugged In and Acoustic
I knew the Revelator was going to sound great plugged in — and it does. Clean tones, beautiful harmonics, and amazing response to effects. Add some delay or a little distortion, and this thing sings. It handles it all like a champ and never loses clarity.
But what I didn’t expect was how much sound it produces unplugged. For a body this thin, it puts out some serious tone. It’s rich, deep, full, and every chord rings out naturally. The volume is surprising — it feels alive in your hands.
The Sustain Is Insane
I’m not exaggerating here — the sustain is wild. You play a chord and just sit back and listen. It keeps ringing, naturally, musically. And it doesn’t just hold the note — it holds the feeling. That richness, that warmth, it lingers in a way that makes you want to play slower, lean into it, and let each note breathe.
This baritone plays like a dream. The action is smooth, the response is immediate, and the strings — two fluorocarbon and two wound — give it this beautiful balance of modern warmth and vintage growl. It sounds classic and fresh all at once.
And for those of you who like to experiment, yes — it rocks. Add effects, push it hard, and it’ll keep up. But at its heart, this uke just sounds good. Clean, raw, warm, and expressive.
A Note on the Revelator Series
If you haven’t seen my review of the Tenor Revelator Nautilus (model NSP-KOR-T) yet, it’s in the Kala playlist on my channel, and you can check out the article here — and I definitely recommend checking it out. Both models are part of Kala’s Nautilus series, and each one is handbuilt by their luthiers in California. These aren’t mass-produced instruments. They’re built to play beautifully and last a long time.
Special Discount for Me and Uke Friends and Fans
No matter how you play or what style you love, the Kala Baritone Revelator Nautilus Koa Ukulele Model NS-KOA-B is built to inspire. From the way it looks and feels to the way it sings — especially that insane sustain — this uke is something special.
If you’d like to get one for yourself (or anything else from Kala), use the link below:
Get Your Kala Ukulele Discount, no code required. Simply follow this link, and the discount will be applied at checkout!
