I can only buy one UKE this year... and I think it's this one

ed531 · Jul 22, 2009

Hi Folks,

So the story is I will only be able to buy one UKE this year... I've researched and considered getting this one.

I've never played a Pono and the reviews on the web is both positive and negative.

Does anyone have any experience with the Pono Tenor - spruce/ebony line ?

Any replies would be appreciated...

haolejohn · Jul 22, 2009

Is that the model they are about to discontinue? The only neg I have heard on ponos is the ohai wood ones. I just ordered a pono mango 8 string. (Pending wife's approval). That spruce ebony is stunning.

experimentjon · Jul 22, 2009

No personal experience with that specific uke, but man, that thing looks hot. Vine inlay, headstock inlay, other abalone inlays everywhere, ebony body, spruce top. Go for it. Pono makes quality stuff from what I've sampled. I own a PKT-1 myself. Solid uke.

Pippin · Jul 22, 2009

That sure is a beautiful instrument. I don't think I could resist that.

Raygf · Jul 22, 2009

I own a solid mahogany Pono PT tenor and it is a fine instrument. The action was painfully high when I got it (did not purchase from MGM) and I recently got brave enough to take out the saddle, mark it and sand it down a bit and man did that make a difference. I've been playing it a lot lately. The next thing I need to do is take it by my local shop and have the nut slots lowered ever so slightly to make the action just right.

Hey, that ebony body is jaw-dropping gorgeous. Not so sure what kind of sound ebony produces, but the spruce top has much more to do with sound production that the body.

Also, mine came with a wound low G and wound C and I took them off. Did not like them at all. Tried Worth Browns with Low G and eventually took them off. I have Worth Clear High Gs on now and she sings.

Regards,
Ray

sukie · Jul 22, 2009

That is one fine looking ukulele. Never played a Pono but if it's looks you are after, that one has it.

RevWill · Jul 22, 2009

I've never played one, but that is drop-dead gorgeous.

12imnew · Jul 22, 2009

if i had the cash, i would buy that thing for looks alone...

Uke Republic · Jul 22, 2009

ed531 said:
Hi Folks,

So the story is I will only be able to buy one UKE this year... I've researched and considered getting this one.

I've never played a Pono and the reviews on the web is both positive and negative.

Does anyone have any experience with the Pono Tenor - spruce/ebony line ?

Any replies would be appreciated...

I love them!:nana: They sound and look beautiful. Get them while you can as Pono has stopped making this line and also the mango line Oh yeah and the deluxe mahogany line.They will be bringing a cedar topped rosewood model out soon.
Pono has in limited availability of the ebony with cut-away. The figured ebony is becoming more rare and more costly.

ed531 · Jul 22, 2009

haolejohn said:
That spruce ebony is stunning.

MGM is selling the same model, the back of that one is pretty wild.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LIMITED-500-EDI...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1205|293:1|294:50

GX9901 · Jul 22, 2009

I briefly owned a Pono ebony deluxe with cutaway and pickup last year. I ended up selling it because it was relagated to case confinement after I received a custom William King tenor a few weeks after getting it. I thought it was a very nice uke though. Great looking and sounded nice, although I didn't come close to playing it enough to open it up a bit. I made a comparison video at the time playing it and two other ukes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgmvpZncKn8

I would say get it if it appeals to you. Even at around $800, this is the cheapest macassar ebony uke you could get. A KoAloha ebony/spruce Sceptre costs $4000+, and custom builders charges well over $1000 for ukes built out of macassar ebony. My current go-to uke is a King concert built out of macassar ebony and adirondack spruce (sound sample) and it has more or less put a stop to my UAS for the time being. I'm definitely a fan of macassar ebony ukes. One thing to consider though, if you have not handled one, is that it is very heavy. The ebony uke will feel like it's twice as heavy as a lightly built mahogany uke. Both the Pono and King felt significantly heavier than any other uke of similar size I've handled.

ed531 · Jul 22, 2009

GX9901 said:
I briefly owned a Pono ebony deluxe with cutaway and pickup last year. I ended up selling it because it was relagated to case confinement after I received a custom William King tenor a few weeks after getting it. I thought it was a very nice uke though. Great looking and sounded nice, although I didn't come close to playing it enough to open it up a bit. I made a comparison video at the time playing it and two other ukes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgmvpZncKn8

I would say get it if it appeals to you. Even at around $800, this is the cheapest macassar ebony uke you could get. A KoAloha ebony/spruce Sceptre costs $4000+, and custom builders charges well over $1000 for ukes built out of macassar ebony. My current go-to uke is a King concert built out of macassar ebony and adirondack spruce (sound sample) and it has more or less put a stop to my UAS for the time being. I'm definitely a fan of macassar ebony ukes. One thing to consider though, if you have not handled one, is that it is very heavy. The ebony uke will feel like it's twice as heavy as a lightly built mahogany uke. Both the Pono and King felt significantly heavier than any other uke of similar size I've handled.

That was some great info... thank you.

WhenDogsSing · Jul 22, 2009

MGM had one of those a while back, I haven't looked lately...You can check him out...That is one drop-dead gorgeous ukulele...

Get it, play it, and love it dearly...

ed531 · Jul 22, 2009

WhenDogsSing said:
MGM had one of those a while back, I haven't looked lately...You can check him out...That is one drop-dead gorgeous ukulele...

Get it, play it, and love it dearly...

He still has it and is selling it for $800. The back on his uke is crazy looking.

RevWill · Jul 22, 2009

ed531 said:
He still has it and is selling it for $800. The back on his uke is crazy looking.

I, for one, LOVE crazy looking wood grain.

itsme · Jul 22, 2009

The woods are absolutely gorgeous, but the abalone purfling and fretboard inlay are a bit of a turnoff for me. The rosette and headstock are okay, but the rest is just a bit over the top for my (simple) tastes.

Gcow55 · Jul 23, 2009

I've heard nothing but praise towards the Ebony Delux line. I waited too long to pull the trigger on purchasing one. However, I have a Pono mahogany/spruce, and it sounds FANTASTIC. I can only imagine that the ebony will sound just as great, if not better. The build quality of Ponos are great as well. Go for it!

Link · Jul 23, 2009

I think gcow and ronva both have this uke. Hopefully one comes along this topic.

sukie · Jul 23, 2009

Ok, I take back all the things I think about UAS! I bow down in apologies. That uke of MGM's is to die for. It's gorgeous!

iamdanielle · Jul 23, 2009

my god, that is gorgeous.

I can only buy one UKE this year... and I think it's this one

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