Last year, at NAMM 2017, Lanikai literally discontinued every existing model to make a new series. They looked promising, and every ukulele came with two strap buttons. In my part of the world, I cannot find a vendor who carries them any longer! They also distribute Korala, their “entry level” version.
Lanikai has an interesting history and is no longer owned by Horner; the person behind the initial success of Lanikai so many years ago left the company to start his own brand (Mike Upton at Kala). The company had some brilliant ideas such as the TunaUke, which allowed players to adjust the intonation of every string at the bridge, and the UkeSB (with Fishman) that allows you to directly record via USB to a computer or iOS device (I have one of these and use it frequently). All that said, many of the models were over built and heavy—and at times mildly deceptive practices were used, such as calling Acacia “Koa” and calling laminate by a wood name (less informed buyers would assume they were buying a solid wood instrument). Lanikai wasn’t the first, and isn’t the last to do this—and I only wish them the best as it certainly seems that their distribution model has collapsed. I used to see Lanikai everywhere.
Sorry,but please stick with thread about manufactured date and seriall numbers if you know something about it.
p.s.I really do not like visually the new series of Lanikai.
Well, the information was meant to highlight that all the models changed in 2017–meaning that if you have a Lanikai without strap buttons, you’re looking at 2016 or older. The other information just comes from my own observations.
Have you tried contacting Lanikai? Seems like the first place to start.
Last year, at NAMM 2017, Lanikai literally discontinued every existing model to make a new series. They looked promising, and every ukulele came with two strap buttons. In my part of the world, I cannot find a vendor who carries them any longer! They also distribute Korala, their “entry level” version.
Lanikai has an interesting history and is no longer owned by Horner; the person behind the initial success of Lanikai so many years ago left the company to start his own brand (Mike Upton at Kala). The company had some brilliant ideas such as the TunaUke, which allowed players to adjust the intonation of every string at the bridge, and the UkeSB (with Fishman) that allows you to directly record via USB to a computer or iOS device (I have one of these and use it frequently). All that said, many of the models were over built and heavy—and at times mildly deceptive practices were used, such as calling Acacia “Koa” and calling laminate by a wood name (less informed buyers would assume they were buying a solid wood instrument). Lanikai wasn’t the first, and isn’t the last to do this—and I only wish them the best as it certainly seems that their distribution model has collapsed. I used to see Lanikai everywhere.
Yes,I sent them email,but they did not answer yet.
Hopefully you will hear from them soon. It's annoying when companies put contact info on their web page but never answer.
4 days-nothing from them...
I think Lanikai is still part of Hohner.
You will probably get better results if you can get the serial numbers and approximately when purchased from other UU members. There was a May 2012 post asking the same question about a Lanikai ST with a serial number KII107. No response to that one.
A wild guess, but used by other companies is the letter designations representing the year and month. Lanikai was founded in 2000. The K could mean year, (from 2000???), or the I. The numbers could mean the production number from the day, who knows. But if you get examples from other Lanikai ukuleles you might be able to piece it together. Companies usually keep records so they can identify an issue to a certain manufacturing lot. Someone at the company might have the key, but it is not a collectible instrument so they may not want to spend the time to research it.
I think Lanikai is still part of Hohner. It is a long shot that they may be able to help you.
John