Ko'olau CE1 Koa (Stock)

wearymicrobe

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
Messages
647
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Location
San Diego
Features

  • Made by Ko'olau and family.
  • www.koolauukulele.com
  • 1-2A Solid Koa Body, Rosewood Neck, Koa Top Plate, Gold tuners, logo in MOP
  • Matte Spray/Rub
  • (Tenor)
  • Non Compensated Tie Bridge.
  • Neck is thin and fast, strange stickiness when new.
  • Comes with a HARD case, cards.
Action, Fit & Finish

  • Its a Ko'olau, its great, for 899$ or so typical sale prices its really good. It is a bolt neck though and I don;t like the knob positions.
  • Its a solid body, its a matte finish, there is one knob what more or less could you want.
  • You could kill a mugger with this uke, its SOLID. I would have no trouble gigging this in a Biker bar then dragging it behind the bikes and playing it again.

  • For some reason it likes a Aquila high G string, and ko'olau gold lowers. Don't know why.
Reliability/Durability

  • Will this ukulele withstand live playing?
    • YES and then some
  • Does the hardware seem like it will last?
    • YES forever, just remember a second 9 volt.
  • Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
    • Yes and the amps and other stuff will die long before this.

Customer Support

  • Check the website for the war. on the CE1 though it would take something catastrophic to damage it.

Overall Rating

  • How long have you been playing?
    • A while
  • What other gear do you own?
    • Almost every major modern builder
  • Is there something you wish you had asked before buying this ukulele?
    • I wanted the gloss finish, I expect that I will take this one apart and send it out to be sprayed and buffed out someday. Or have the top sunburst died and Nitro sprayed.
  • If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else?
    • No I would order the CE3
  • What do you love about it?
    • Price point, durability, fast playability.
  • What do you hate?
    • I dislike the location of the volume knob but it is a forgivable sin.
  • What is your favorite feature?
    • Its a electric ukulele that's like a cool factor of 11.
  • Did you compare it to other ukuleles? Which ones?
    • nothing else in this range but the Howlet's which I think are just as good for less cash depending on what side of the pond you are on. Plus I like his wood selection and staining a lot better.
Personal Opinion

Tone is dependent on your gear and your skill. The pickups do a good job of a accoustic knockoff but a real one with mic would sound better. The body is extreamly thin compared to most ukes so ladies I have handed off to like it as it clears there bits and pieces better then most.

This also makes a excellent sitting on the couch ukulele not plugged in to practice and not annoy the wife.

Bad picture, will post a better one later.
5.jpg


Feeling sick so stuck on the computer and throne for most of the day. So many many reviews being formatted to be uploaded later.
 
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