The koaloha website has in the last 24 hours or so updated to include the koAlana soprano. Only gonna be around $145!
http://www.koaloha.com/KoAloha_Products/KoAlanaMain.html
http://www.koaloha.com/KoAloha_Products/KoAlanaMain.html
Koalana
- Thread starter ukeshale
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fleadermaus
Well-known member
It seems crazy that these are solid wood instruments at that price.
generem
Well-known member
I've seen a few on graigslist here is Socal. Here is an example
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/msg/1096577616.html
Were they made before?
I only know Koaloha by reputation here on UU. Obviously, top notch.
So what's the difference(s) between a Koaloha and the new Koalana? If they are both made of the same woods by the same people in the same factory and have the same warranty....what allows the Koalana to be so much less expensive?
MGM...any insight?
So what's the difference(s) between a Koaloha and the new Koalana? If they are both made of the same woods by the same people in the same factory and have the same warranty....what allows the Koalana to be so much less expensive?
MGM...any insight?
psesinkclee
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The craiglist page linked above says its solid mahogany (rather than koa) and is made in china (rather than in Hawaii).
But its still great looking, at least from those pics.
haole
Well-known member
Yeah, they were discontinued in the last year or so. Judging by the marginal reviews, I'm guessing KoAloha pulled the plug on their budget line because the KoAlanas weren't up to their usual high standards of quality control. Some talk around the forums suggests that the new ones will be made at a different factory and should be a lot better.
haolejohn
Well-known member
I spoke with someone at the KoAloha factory a few months ago and he told me that the plug was pulled b/c they were getting crap (not his words) and the QC had to be tightened.
The difference between the koalana and koaloha is wood (mahaghany vs. koa) and production site and labor (chinese vs. american).
koalohapaul
Well-known member
Yeah, we weren't satisfied with the consistency of the quality from the previous runs of KoAlana. While some shipments were within acceptable margin of defects, others were pretty terrible.
Although they're built in China, we do expect a level of quality that wasn't being met. While we don't expect them to be the same as a KoAloha, they should still have a good fit and finish and good tone, as well as playability.
We have a small shipment coming in summer, as a test run for the same mahogany models, as well as a possible koa model. We'll see how it goes.
Although they're built in China, we do expect a level of quality that wasn't being met. While we don't expect them to be the same as a KoAloha, they should still have a good fit and finish and good tone, as well as playability.
We have a small shipment coming in summer, as a test run for the same mahogany models, as well as a possible koa model. We'll see how it goes.
hawaiianmusiclover06
Well-known member
I had my eye on a koalana for a while. All my friends said to me that I should get an ukulele that bears my name. My real name is "Alana." It would be awesome.
Ahnko Honu
Well-known member
I wonder how they'll compare to the Koa Pili Koko solid acacia ukulele in value.
ukeshale
Well-known member
i love the headstock on those :shaka:
