bearbike137
Well-known member
I wanted to share my joy regarding my new ukulele.
I bought one of the two Ko’olau 20 Year Anniversary tenors that HMS recently had up for action. I purchased the one that Ko’olau named “Kalo” (HMS referred to as “Taro”). What an absolutely phenomenal instrument.
Some instruments inspire me and some don’t. I cannot explain what the difference is between the two. I have owned some ukuleles that do everything right – sustain, intonation, volume, tone, set-up, etc – yet, after awhile, I stop picking them up and playing them. Others - I can’t put them down. They inspire me to play and play and play. Sometimes just to hear and experience the uke.
My new Ko’olau is truly inspirational. First, kudos to Andrew and HMS for making it so easy on all of us to spend money (lol). Seriously - the video clips, the photos, Andrew’s in-depth descriptions and passion, the patient answering of my nervous emails – they make it so easy to buy an instrument that I have not held in my hands. And I am so flipping picky that I am amazed that I ever find an instrument to my liking!
But, man, I certainly do like this new Ko’olau. The craftsmanship is simply superb. Noa Bonk and John Kitakis are clearly master craftsman. The uke is just so beautiful and so well put together. It is honestly the most beautiful uke I have ever seen in person. As great as Andrew’s photos are, they don’t quite capture how truly gorgeous the uke is.
Most importantly, the sound is superb. Yes, it has all the volume, sustain, and fullness we all want in a ukulele – but it has that elusive "magic" – just something extra going on that makes you want to play it. In the clip where Corey plays “Ulu” (my uke’s brother), he comments on the two ukes, stating that they have “a lot more depth than usual”. I totally agree.
In any case, if there is a better ukulele being built in Hawaii – or in the world for that matter – I haven’t met it. So, just tipping my hat this morning to the folks at Ko’olau and HMS for bringing this wonderful bit of joy into my life and into the world.
Here is a link to the uke when it was up for auction on the HMS website:
http://www.theukulelesite.com/auction-ko-olau-20-year-anniversary-tenor-taro.html
I bought one of the two Ko’olau 20 Year Anniversary tenors that HMS recently had up for action. I purchased the one that Ko’olau named “Kalo” (HMS referred to as “Taro”). What an absolutely phenomenal instrument.
Some instruments inspire me and some don’t. I cannot explain what the difference is between the two. I have owned some ukuleles that do everything right – sustain, intonation, volume, tone, set-up, etc – yet, after awhile, I stop picking them up and playing them. Others - I can’t put them down. They inspire me to play and play and play. Sometimes just to hear and experience the uke.
My new Ko’olau is truly inspirational. First, kudos to Andrew and HMS for making it so easy on all of us to spend money (lol). Seriously - the video clips, the photos, Andrew’s in-depth descriptions and passion, the patient answering of my nervous emails – they make it so easy to buy an instrument that I have not held in my hands. And I am so flipping picky that I am amazed that I ever find an instrument to my liking!
But, man, I certainly do like this new Ko’olau. The craftsmanship is simply superb. Noa Bonk and John Kitakis are clearly master craftsman. The uke is just so beautiful and so well put together. It is honestly the most beautiful uke I have ever seen in person. As great as Andrew’s photos are, they don’t quite capture how truly gorgeous the uke is.
Most importantly, the sound is superb. Yes, it has all the volume, sustain, and fullness we all want in a ukulele – but it has that elusive "magic" – just something extra going on that makes you want to play it. In the clip where Corey plays “Ulu” (my uke’s brother), he comments on the two ukes, stating that they have “a lot more depth than usual”. I totally agree.
In any case, if there is a better ukulele being built in Hawaii – or in the world for that matter – I haven’t met it. So, just tipping my hat this morning to the folks at Ko’olau and HMS for bringing this wonderful bit of joy into my life and into the world.
Here is a link to the uke when it was up for auction on the HMS website:
http://www.theukulelesite.com/auction-ko-olau-20-year-anniversary-tenor-taro.html
Last edited:
