KoAloha Soprano & Kanile´a Soprano (nut / neck width ?)

Hello ukulele friends,

I need some help with buying a ukulele, maybe someone can help answering my question.

I've been looking at the two following ukuleles.

The: Kanile´a K-1 Gloss Soprano (K-1S #16368)

This one:

https://www.theukulelesite.com/shop-by/hawaiian-made-ukulele/kanilea-k1-s-gloss-1952.html

And the: KoAloha Koa Gloss Soprano (KSM-00 #17912)

This one:

https://www.theukulelesite.com/shop...oha-gloss-koa-soprano-package-ksm-00-172.html

I don't know which one of these two ukuleles, that would fit my left hand best.

Are the width of the nut / neck on these two ukuleles the same size ?

- Or which neck is smallest ?.

it is difficult to judge from the photos.

(I ask this question because I have small hands and fingers, so the size of the nut is quite important for me)

Any information you may have would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

With kind regards,
Jonas.

I just bought my first soprano recently. I have been playing for about 6 months, and have discovered that concert size is my "happy place." Tried tenor but it wasn't as comfortable. My tenor was an Islander (Kanilea's import line) and I did like the 1.5 inch nut & wider string spacing, just not the overall size. My concert is a KoAloha with the 1 7/16 nut, and I also find that very comfortable to play. Taking all of that into consideration, I got an Islander AS-4 soprano. Between the 1.5 inch nut and the 14 frets to the body for a little additional room, I have found it very easy to play, and not tiny or cramped like some sopranos I tried.

The Kanilea soprano will have the widest nut at 1.5 inch, plus the 14 frets to the body. The same as my lower cost/all laminate Islander AS-4. Kanilea/Islander ukes have a little beefier neck profile, but I have personally found it comfortable.

I think the KoAloha soprano will have a slightly narrower, but still wider than standard nut at 1 7/16. There are 12 frets to the body on the one you are looking at, which is more typical for a soprano. My KoAloha concert has a thinner neck profile. I would guess that their soprano would be the same neck profile.

Most ukuleles, of all sizes, seem to have the 1 3/8 inch nut as standard. Either of the ones you are looking at would be a very fine ukulele. Many people who play soprano like Kiwaya as well. I'm not sure about the nut size on them, but I think some of their models are 1 7/16. I'm sure the soprano experts will chime in shortly to help you out.

My KoAloha pineapple (soprano) is 1 7/16" at the nut

Thanks for all the informations, I really appreciate that.

I'm interested in buying the:

KoAloha Koa Gloss Soprano (KSM-00, 17912)

I wish to know if any one has any experience with ordering a ukulele from Hawaii to Costa Rica.

- Does any one in here ever ordered a ukulele from Hawaii to Costa Rica from this webpage:

https://www.theukulelesite.com/shop...oha-gloss-koa-soprano-package-ksm-00-172.html

Thanks,

Best wishes,
Jonas.

The ukulelesite aka HMS is truely the best place for you to buy a ukulele. They ship worldwide all the time so Costa Rica is nothing rare or unusual for them. I live on the eastern part of Canada so I am at least as far away as you. I have bought from them many times with no issues, they are great

You should have no problem with HMS-great setup as well. Koaloha is a great uke and you can't beat their lifetime "better than weather" warranty- it follows the uke around and not just the original owner.

Thanks for the information's, it feels really good to read.

I am from Denmark but I am going to Costa Rica, December 15 and I am going to stay there for 42 days.

My plan is to order the ukulele and get it delivered to the place in Costa Rica, at the address where I am staying.
Then I was thinking that I could have some free time to start practising playing the ukulele.

But I can see that the KoAloha Koa Gloss Soprano (KSM-00, 17912)
unfortunately is sold out now, that is a bummer.

Best wishes,
Jonas.

Not to worry. You can order the Gloss KoAloha soprano from Mim. She gets many excellent recommendations from people on UU. She is also closer to Costa Rica, as she is located in the eastern US. I don't think you will be disappointed by dealing with her, and it looks like she has one gloss soprano available, and it comes with a hard case & humidifier included in the price.
http://mimsukes.com/product-category/koaloha/
http://mimsukes.com/product/koaloha...with-free-hard-case-and-oasis-humidifier-527/

Thanks for your answer, I appreciate that.

Feels good to read that she (Mim) gets excellent recommendations from people here on this forum.

I can see that Mim has 2 pieces of the "KoAloha Koa Gloss Soprano KSM-00"
available on her webpage.

But don´t know which one of these 2 models that would fit me best, they look almost similar on the pictures, and the price are the same ?.

This one:

http://mimsukes.com/product/koaloha...with-free-hard-case-and-oasis-humidifier-800/

And this one:

http://mimsukes.com/product/koaloha...with-free-hard-case-and-oasis-humidifier-527/

Peace,
Jonas.

Jonas3000 said:

Thanks for your answer, I appreciate that.

Feels good to read that she (Mim) gets excellent recommendations from people here on this forum.

I can see that Mim has 2 pieces of the "KoAloha Koa Gloss Soprano KSM-00"
available on her webpage.

But don´t know which one of these 2 models that would fit me best, they look almost similar on the pictures, and the price are the same ?.

This one:

http://mimsukes.com/product/koaloha...with-free-hard-case-and-oasis-humidifier-800/

And this one:

http://mimsukes.com/product/koaloha...with-free-hard-case-and-oasis-humidifier-527/

Peace,
Jonas.

Click to expand...

Mim gets high praise all the time for good set-up and good customer service. Choice depends on which wood appearance, and which headstock logo and fret markers you prefer......paua or ebony? Choices are good to have. I'm sure you will be happy with the KoAloha. I love mine.

Kanile'a is 38 millimetre, or 1.5" (1 1/2 inches). Most Ukulele have 35 millimetre width at the nut. 3 millimetre will give you about 1 millimetre between strings which is a lot!

KoAloha should be the same 38mm.

I have Pono Super Soprano which is 35mm (or 1 3/8 inches), and I have Kala Ebony (laminate) Tenor which is even narrower (even visually, clearly seen at the bridge) than Pono Super Soprano.

Here is useful link: http://ukenut.com/comparison-of-ukulele-nut-widths/

Jonas3000 said:

- Does any one in here ever ordered a ukulele from Hawaii to Costa Rica from this webpage:
https://www.theukulelesite.com/shop...oha-gloss-koa-soprano-package-ksm-00-172.html

Click to expand...

Hi Jonas,

TheUkuleleSite.com is one of the best vendors to buy from; I live in Canada and I recently ordered from them. Full setup, excellent packaging including humidifier, fast DHL delivery.
I suggest to order when you return back from Costa Rica. High humidity or exceptional dry air could be a problem; including airflight. Keep it always with you.

You can contact Mim on her website, eBay, even on Facebook if you need help deciding between what she has available.