So, I've been contemplating whether I would like to trade my Martin C1K and my Ohana CK-80 for one concert size K-brand, just because I'd like to have a Hawaiian made uke. Besides, the 2 concerts I have are close to the same sounding, although the Martin has a fuller warmer sound.
So, I made a trip across town, almost across town, well, 40 miles worth anyway. To the only store that I know of, in the whole Phoenix metro area that carries Kanilea, Kamaka, Koaloha and Martin to compare with my C1K.
The results in a nut shell...as far as sound, I could find no reason that any one of them had much better sound than my C1K!
The Kanilea was a K-2 CD and had the best finish of anything else there and was my personal favorite, the sound was the warmest, maybe due to the stock Aquila strings.
The 2 Kamakas, were for me pretty uninspiring. The sound was just as good as any of the others but nothing better than my C1K. The downside was the friction tuners, although I'm sure once the strings are settled in it wouldn't be a big problem. The finish on the Kamakas and the Koalohas was similar, a thin glossy finish that showed dimples in the grain of the wood and I really am not a fan of.
The 2 Koalohas were a bit louder and brighter than the rest and again, had friction tuners. Both were KCM-00's but one was priced about $200 more than the other.
The Martins...there were 2 2K's and a 2M, the sound of the K's was almost identical to my C1K, the M was maybe a little brighter. There was also a vintage 40's-50's Martin style 0, which...my 30's style 0 sounds way, way better, might be the strings, not sure what was on it, I use Martins.
So, even though I still would like a Kanilea, sound wise it's hard to justify the cost. But, I might end up with one some day anyway.
My test and review only included the concert sizes.
top row is all Martins, 2nd from left is a C1K, 4th & 5th, the 2K's and 7th, the 2M.
bottom row, left to right, an Eastman which shouldn't even be in the room with the rest of these ukes, Kanilea, 2 Kamakas, 2 Koalohas.
very bottom is a 40's-50's vintage Martin style 0.
So, I made a trip across town, almost across town, well, 40 miles worth anyway. To the only store that I know of, in the whole Phoenix metro area that carries Kanilea, Kamaka, Koaloha and Martin to compare with my C1K.
The results in a nut shell...as far as sound, I could find no reason that any one of them had much better sound than my C1K!
The Kanilea was a K-2 CD and had the best finish of anything else there and was my personal favorite, the sound was the warmest, maybe due to the stock Aquila strings.
The 2 Kamakas, were for me pretty uninspiring. The sound was just as good as any of the others but nothing better than my C1K. The downside was the friction tuners, although I'm sure once the strings are settled in it wouldn't be a big problem. The finish on the Kamakas and the Koalohas was similar, a thin glossy finish that showed dimples in the grain of the wood and I really am not a fan of.
The 2 Koalohas were a bit louder and brighter than the rest and again, had friction tuners. Both were KCM-00's but one was priced about $200 more than the other.
The Martins...there were 2 2K's and a 2M, the sound of the K's was almost identical to my C1K, the M was maybe a little brighter. There was also a vintage 40's-50's Martin style 0, which...my 30's style 0 sounds way, way better, might be the strings, not sure what was on it, I use Martins.
So, even though I still would like a Kanilea, sound wise it's hard to justify the cost. But, I might end up with one some day anyway.
My test and review only included the concert sizes.
top row is all Martins, 2nd from left is a C1K, 4th & 5th, the 2K's and 7th, the 2M.
bottom row, left to right, an Eastman which shouldn't even be in the room with the rest of these ukes, Kanilea, 2 Kamakas, 2 Koalohas.
very bottom is a 40's-50's vintage Martin style 0.
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