Ko'olau Model 100SP Tenor Tropical Ash and Spruce

Here is a Ko'olau Tenor Model 100SP (formerly 200 series). The back and sides are made out of Tropical Ash, and the top is Sitka Spruce. The fingerboard, bridge, and faceplate are in ebony. The neck is mahogany, and the logo inlay on the faceplate is in M.O.P.. This ukulele is very bright and loud, crisp and clear tone with very nice playability. The SP is a rare model, and it is also unusual to find one with such a nice combination of hardwood and tonewood. The tuners and Gotoh, and it comes with the Ko'olau hard shell case. This instrument was just acquired this afternoon, and I have shared it with you first. Mahalo.

Lymana Tenor Spruce Top L-3

Here is a Lymana Tenor Spruce Top L-3. Lymana is one of the finest builders in Hawaii, and always in high demand. He produces only 10-20 instruments a year. This ukulele is very curly Hawaiian Koa back and sides with a spruce top, and mahogany neck. The bridge, fingerboard, and headstock faceplate are of ebony, and the body is fully bound in purple heart. There is a herringbone stringer running down the back. The quality of this instrument is exceedingly high. It plays and sounds like a dream. I like it strung with a low g, and flourocarbon strings. If you have a nice ukulele collection, and are looking to add something very special to it, a Lymana may be just what you are looking for. Mahalo.

Ohta San's Black Martin 3M Standard

Aloha. Here is the legendary Ohta San. Perhaps the most famous ukulele player of all time. Ohta San has recorded over 50 albums, and has had platinum records. One of the all time greats, I am very honored to call him a friend. He was gracious enough to let me photograph one of his most famous ukuleles. The soprano Martin 3m that he painted black. This ukulele is made of solid mahogany, and has been retrofitted with an active pickup from Guitar Works, and a mosaic style pickguard applied by Ohta San himself. This ukulele stayed in his stable of instruments for years, and recently, he has brought it out again for tours to Japan and the U.S.. You may have seen him playing it at the Ukulele Super Jam, or if you missed it, be sure to catch him at the Ukulele Festival in Kapiolani Park in Waikiki on Sunday July, 19 2009. Mahalo

T's Solid Body Electric Koa Concert

Here is a solid body electric ukulele from T's Guitar in Nagano, Japan. Mr. Takahashi has been producing high quality instruments for years. This ukulele is no exception. Made of a routed solid mahogany body and neck, and a solid Hawaiian Koa top, this instrument also features a rosewood fretboard and bridge, under saddle passive pickup with volume control knob on the soundboard. The pickup jack is recessed on the side of the instrument, to allow for easy access. I created this blog to mostly feature local builders, however, there are also many very talented builders located outside of Hawaii. I hope that you will consider them also. Mahalo.

Kamaka Pineapple Long Neck

Today I went to the Kamaka factory on South St. in Honolulu to pick up some ukuleles. One of the ukuleles that I got was a bit unusual, so I thought I would share it with you. It is a Pineapple Long Neck standard. This ukulele has an all Hawaiian Koa body with mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. This model also has an extended neck, koa headstock faceplate, and M.O.P. inlaid logo. The staff was also gracious enough to allow me to take some photos of the facility. I hope that you will enjoy them. Mahalo!