Pono vs. Kala - Thoughts on 3 Models I'm Considering

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Pono vs. Kala - Thoughts on 4 Models I'm Considering

I'm regretting selling the baritone uke that I had. Now, I'm looking these four options. I would like your $.02 on them. Which way would you go and why? Thanks!

Pono Acacia Baritone (AB)

Pono Mahogany Baritone (MB)

Pono Mango Baritone (MGB)

Kala Solid Acacia Baritone (KA-SA-B)
 
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I was in the exact same boat last year, so I called HMS. Spoke to Corey and he recommended the Kala. He told me the Pono baritones were great and well made, but the Kala was a better sounding baritone.
 
I would be aware of the thickness of the Pono neck. You cannot tell by the photos but it is thicker than the Kalas I believe. Anyone have depth measurements? I bought a Pono tenor and can only play it for a short period of time because my thumb fatigues faster with it. Just my .01c
 
Hard to argue when Corey has recommended the Kala over the Pono. Still, I much prefer Pono over Kala, and not just for sound and overall build quality, but for the company's philosophy and transparency about the production of their ukes (whereas it is impossible to get any infos about who actually builds the instruments labeled Kala, Lanikai, Cordoba, Islander, etc.).
 
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like either would be ok, I just don't want to put big bucks into this baritone. I will give it more thought. I appreciate the replies.
 
I was in the exact same boat last year, so I called HMS. Spoke to Corey and he recommended the Kala. He told me the Pono baritones were great and well made, but the Kala was a better sounding baritone.

That's a surprise, but sound is what a uke is all about. And there's a substantial price advantage with the Kala.
 
MANGO for me....all the way..

or get cedar top, rosewood Mainland baritone....hard to beat for the money
 
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Acacia Kala. No question in my book. :)

I have several baritones, and the Kala is by far my favorite.
 
Corey is 1 person with his own tastes, blessed with just exactly 2 ears. I live on Oahu & visit HMS from time to time. There are other, equally "expert" HMS folks that would prefer the Pono. However, these experts, also, only have 2 ears, like the rest of us. Tastes vary. Playing styles vary. Instruments vary -- even 2 of the same make & model number will not sound exactly the same.

The hog-top Pono sounds different from the cedar-top Kala, & both of these sound different from the spruce-top Pono.

The BEST way to buy is to go to the store & play the instruments then pick the one -- the VERY one -- that you like best. However, if circumstances dictate buying by mail order (a "blind date"), I think the best way is to play the odds. On a blind date, odds are the Pono will be a better built, better sounding instrument than a Kala.
 
I can only speak for the one I had which was the pono mango baritone and that sounded beautiful. Plus the mango looked incredible too

I'm hankering for a Pono Pro Classic Mango Baritone. I missed out on one of the last ones and can't stop looking at it, despite the fact that I'll never get it! Now I'll lay in wait until more appear and snap one up as fast as possible.
 
I take Pono Acacia Baritone (AB)

Because I prefer Pono's headstock to Kala


And both has Acacia
Pono Acacia Baritone (AB)
Pono Mahogany Baritone (MB)
Pono Mango Baritone (MGB)
Kala Solid Acacia Baritone (KA-SA-B)
 
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