I received this ukulele from Alvin "Pops" Okami. It is one of his new WOW ukulele from his new company called Ukulele Specialties of America. Pops wanted to create a wonderful sounding ukulele that was made in Hawaii (actually by Pops, himself), but affordable.
I love this ukulele but he also sent me a new Star Bangled Banger, a cut-out version of the Wow, and a new Pineapple Sunday so, I am able to sell this lovely WOW.
Here is what Pops wrote to me when he sent me the Wow:
“For quite awhile, I was bothered by something that I saw happening rather frequently inside the showroom when visitors and/or customers came to visit. As I worked in the shop I couldn’t help but notice that families with their children would be interested in purchasing a KoAloha but were soon discouraged when their eyes glanced at the price tag. They would then remark that they just came for the free tour that we have available. After witnessing this same scenario over 15 years, I decided to make a valiant attempt to do something to rectify this situation. I wanted everyone to be able to afford to purchase a high quality ukulele at a more than reasonable price. I knew that it would be impossible to do this feat under the KoAloha umbrella so I decided to start another ukulele company. I embarked on heavy research for awhile and decided to use a wood that was very economical and readily available. From the moment I started to tighten the strings up to their respective pitches, I noticed something very different from that which I was accustomed to hearing. The clarity and purity of tone was simply immaculate. I thought it was just my imagination until I strung up the entire batch of 8 ukulele. To my absolute astonishment, they all sounded and performed exquisitely. In a short while, it wasn’t hard to come to the realization that I had discovered a revolutionary sounding and playing ukulele. In my twenty years of crafting over 10-15 thousand ukulele by myself, this newest ukulele is without a doubt the best that my two hands have created. I consider this ukulele my Stradivarius. This standard size ukulele is acoustically perfect in every respect and to top it off, is also way below other standard size ukulele in affordability. The last feature is also a winner in that it is made in Hawaii by this “old” ukulele maker, Pops KoAloha. I’m sure you’re well aware that Hawaiian made ukulele (no matter what size) is very expensive because of the koa wood that is used and the high labor cost. So to sum it up, I am so happy and fulfilled that this awesome ukulele has chosen yours truly to be its maker and I am totally consumed at trying my best to inform everyone that there is an affordable yet awesome high quality ukulele that’s available and made in Hawaii by KoAloha Ukulele’s founder Pops KoAloha.”
WOW UKULELE FEATURES:
Soprano Scale
Solid Engelman Spruce Top
Solid Pine Back/Sides/neck
Headstock w/ Abalone Logo
Tie Bridge
Geared Tuners
Clear Fluorocarbon Strings
Tusq by GraphTech Nut & Saddle
Koa Fingerboard and Bridge
Zebra wood inlay fret bands
Zebra wood inlay Bridge
Side Position Dots
Satin Semi-Gloss Finish
$360 plus $30 shipping and Handling via paypal
I love this ukulele but he also sent me a new Star Bangled Banger, a cut-out version of the Wow, and a new Pineapple Sunday so, I am able to sell this lovely WOW.
Here is what Pops wrote to me when he sent me the Wow:
“For quite awhile, I was bothered by something that I saw happening rather frequently inside the showroom when visitors and/or customers came to visit. As I worked in the shop I couldn’t help but notice that families with their children would be interested in purchasing a KoAloha but were soon discouraged when their eyes glanced at the price tag. They would then remark that they just came for the free tour that we have available. After witnessing this same scenario over 15 years, I decided to make a valiant attempt to do something to rectify this situation. I wanted everyone to be able to afford to purchase a high quality ukulele at a more than reasonable price. I knew that it would be impossible to do this feat under the KoAloha umbrella so I decided to start another ukulele company. I embarked on heavy research for awhile and decided to use a wood that was very economical and readily available. From the moment I started to tighten the strings up to their respective pitches, I noticed something very different from that which I was accustomed to hearing. The clarity and purity of tone was simply immaculate. I thought it was just my imagination until I strung up the entire batch of 8 ukulele. To my absolute astonishment, they all sounded and performed exquisitely. In a short while, it wasn’t hard to come to the realization that I had discovered a revolutionary sounding and playing ukulele. In my twenty years of crafting over 10-15 thousand ukulele by myself, this newest ukulele is without a doubt the best that my two hands have created. I consider this ukulele my Stradivarius. This standard size ukulele is acoustically perfect in every respect and to top it off, is also way below other standard size ukulele in affordability. The last feature is also a winner in that it is made in Hawaii by this “old” ukulele maker, Pops KoAloha. I’m sure you’re well aware that Hawaiian made ukulele (no matter what size) is very expensive because of the koa wood that is used and the high labor cost. So to sum it up, I am so happy and fulfilled that this awesome ukulele has chosen yours truly to be its maker and I am totally consumed at trying my best to inform everyone that there is an affordable yet awesome high quality ukulele that’s available and made in Hawaii by KoAloha Ukulele’s founder Pops KoAloha.”
WOW UKULELE FEATURES:
Soprano Scale
Solid Engelman Spruce Top
Solid Pine Back/Sides/neck
Headstock w/ Abalone Logo
Tie Bridge
Geared Tuners
Clear Fluorocarbon Strings
Tusq by GraphTech Nut & Saddle
Koa Fingerboard and Bridge
Zebra wood inlay fret bands
Zebra wood inlay Bridge
Side Position Dots
Satin Semi-Gloss Finish
$360 plus $30 shipping and Handling via paypal
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