janeray1940
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2009
- Messages
- 5,667
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- 25
I wasn't exactly in the market for a new ukulele, as I've been really content with the three I have for quite some time. But when a Kiwaya KTS-5 popped up in the Marketplace from a local seller, I had to check it out. I haven't seen too many Kiwayas in the wild, although I almost bought one some years back during my quest for "a modern instrument with a vintage Martin sound." Longtime UUers here may recall that I passed on that particular Kiwaya due to intonation issues, and went for a custom from a reputable builder, and - was sadly disappointed. I gave up on that particular quest and settled in to being content with my koa Kamakas.
Turns out I should have kept looking for another Kiwaya! From the very first few seconds when I heard my-dog-has-fleas ring out loud and clear from it over the traffic noise on a busy Santa Monica street, I was smitten.
The build quality is truly as amazing as Kiwayas tend to be known for. This is the lightest-weight, most flawlessly finished ukulele I've ever owned. I've tested the intonation all the way up to the 17th fret and can find no issues. Compared to my koa sopranos, it's much louder and has a very different sound quality, with a lot more sustain.
While I still love my koa Kamakas, in a week the Kiwaya has quickly become my main reentrant player. It's loud enough that I can be easily heard alongside my tenor-playing uke-mates, and the sustain surpasses that of any of my koa ukes.
This really makes me wish there were more Kiwayas out there on the shelves of uke stores. Those who know me know I'm a big fan of try-before-you-buy. Knowing that the Kiwaya I passed on some years back had intonation issues (it still does, I know the buyer!), yet the KTS-5 I bought does not, really underscores my belief that not all ukes are created equal - even if the same builder, size, and wood.
I consider myself really, really lucky that this one came to me when it did and I was able to try it out and give it careful consideration - thanks Eddie for being a great seller to work with!
Turns out I should have kept looking for another Kiwaya! From the very first few seconds when I heard my-dog-has-fleas ring out loud and clear from it over the traffic noise on a busy Santa Monica street, I was smitten.
The build quality is truly as amazing as Kiwayas tend to be known for. This is the lightest-weight, most flawlessly finished ukulele I've ever owned. I've tested the intonation all the way up to the 17th fret and can find no issues. Compared to my koa sopranos, it's much louder and has a very different sound quality, with a lot more sustain.
While I still love my koa Kamakas, in a week the Kiwaya has quickly become my main reentrant player. It's loud enough that I can be easily heard alongside my tenor-playing uke-mates, and the sustain surpasses that of any of my koa ukes.
This really makes me wish there were more Kiwayas out there on the shelves of uke stores. Those who know me know I'm a big fan of try-before-you-buy. Knowing that the Kiwaya I passed on some years back had intonation issues (it still does, I know the buyer!), yet the KTS-5 I bought does not, really underscores my belief that not all ukes are created equal - even if the same builder, size, and wood.
I consider myself really, really lucky that this one came to me when it did and I was able to try it out and give it careful consideration - thanks Eddie for being a great seller to work with!