Pono now makes a Steel String Electric Solid Body

Rakelele · Sep 18, 2016

I've just discovered that Pono is now making a steel string version of their great solid body (or more accurately: semi-hollow, chambered) electric TE model, the TE-ST. The only place I have seen them so far, though, is Southern Ukulele Store in Great Britain:

http://www.southernukulelestore.co....-STRUNG-Electric-Tenor-ukulele-with-hard-case

Does anybody here have one of these? Or plan to get one?

TheBrigadier · Sep 18, 2016

To my eyes that's a very uninspired look. For over six hundred quid I'd want something that looks nicer. That has got a sort of home made vibe to it.

WhenDogsSing · Sep 18, 2016

I'm not sure I understand why they made it without either single coil or humbucking pickup(s) seeing as how it has steel strings. The under saddle pickup won't sound much different than a similar nylon stringed instrument. Am I missing something?

Doc_J · Sep 18, 2016

WhenDogsSing said:
I'm not sure I understand why they made it without either single coil or humbucking pickup(s) seeing as how it has steel strings. The under saddle pickup won't sound much different than a similar nylon stringed instrument. Am I missing something?

I agree with Tim.

I'd guess the Southern Ukulele Store made an error, the picture is the nylon string chambered body electric with an under the saddle pickup.

For a great steel string uke, check out MonkeyWrench , or a Kona Blaster.

KohanMike · Sep 18, 2016

Just to make it easier for everyone to see. I've also seen it in mango somewhere about a year ago. I got lucky a couple weeks ago and bought a Godin Multiuke here in the Marketplace for $400, which new sells for around $650, it's a beaut.

Rakelele · Sep 18, 2016

Mike, the picture of the Mango version you posted is Pono's regular nylon string model that has been around for a couple of years.

Hodge, I don't think that the store made a mistake. If you look at the bridge, you can see that it has a different shape, pins, and a a slanted saddle compensated for steel strings (Mike's post gives a good comparison).

I wonder about the pickup too, though. Just like Whendogssing suggested, I'd want magnetic pickups in order to fully capture the sustain and distortion of steel strings. Nevertheless, great to see the company develop more options. I like that plain and woody look, too.

Doc_J · Sep 18, 2016

Rakelele said:
Mike, the picture of the Mango version you posted is Pono's regular nylon string model that has been around for a couple of years.

Hodge, I don't think that the store made a mistake. If you look at the bridge, you can see that it has a different shape, pins, and a a slanted saddle compensated for steel strings (Mike's post gives a good comparison).

I wonder about the pickup too, though. Just like Whendogssing suggested, I'd want magnetic pickups in order to fully capture the sustain and distortion of steel strings. Nevertheless, great to see the company develop more options. I like that plain and woody look, too.

You're right it has the pins. I wonder if Pono put a different bridge on the standard nylon electric. For an electric steel solid body, I like electro-magnetic pickups.

KohanMike · Sep 18, 2016

Rakelele said:
Mike, the picture of the Mango version you posted is Pono's regular nylon string model that has been around for a couple of years.

Hodge, I don't think that the store made a mistake. If you look at the bridge, you can see that it has a different shape, pins, and a a slanted saddle compensated for steel strings (Mike's post gives a good comparison).

I wonder about the pickup too, though. Just like Whendogssing suggested, I'd want magnetic pickups in order to fully capture the sustain and distortion of steel strings. Nevertheless, great to see the company develop more options. I like that plain and woody look, too.

Oops, you're correct, and yes, the other does look different, very well could be steel string.

pritch · Sep 19, 2016

TheBrigadier said:
To my eyes that's a very uninspired look. For over six hundred quid I'd want something that looks nicer. That has got a sort of home made vibe to it.

James Hill plays what looks like a Ko'olau TE, and if the looks are good enough for him they're good enough for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0grrM0FpqE

Ukulelerick9255 · Sep 19, 2016

Monkey wrench music

Jim Hellas at Monkey wrench music makes true solid body steel string electric Ukes and they are great, check his website out.

asublimeday · Apr 14, 2020

pritch said:
James Hill plays what looks like a Ko'olau TE, and if the looks are good enough for him they're good enough for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0grrM0FpqE

Sorry to necro an old thread. I have the Pono version of his uke here. Is he playing nylon or steel strings here? Pick or finger strumming? Thanks!

kissing · Apr 15, 2020

asublimeday said:
Sorry to necro an old thread. I have the Pono version of his uke here. Is he playing nylon or steel strings here? Pick or finger strumming? Thanks!

Seems like nylon strings, used without a pick.

Pono now makes a Steel String Electric Solid Body

Rakelele

Well-known member

TheBrigadier

Member

WhenDogsSing

Well-known member

Doc_J

Well-known member

KohanMike

Los Angeles, Beverly Grove West

Rakelele

Well-known member

Doc_J

Well-known member

KohanMike

Los Angeles, Beverly Grove West

pritch

Well-known member

Ukulelerick9255

Well-known member

asublimeday

Member

kissing

Well-known member

Similar threads