BruddahMark
Well-known member
Just thought I would share:
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend at the last minute, the Northern California Ukulele Festival. I was invited by my good braddahs from Kauai, Wiki-boy and maki-boy(aka Hawaiian Eye Designs). I jammed with some old friends like Dominator and met really cool new ones (some representing UU!). It was awesome, I finally was able see how this, the longest standing main land uke festival, was all about. Granted it was somewhat different from the Southern California Ukulele Festival in Cerritos that we modeled in running the Inaugural Chicagoland Ukulele Jam Festival last year. Nevertheless, it was a great festival with continous music and lots of pure aloha.
I was surprised to see my friend Asa Young of Kamaka there, as I got word that the band he is in, "Sideorder" with Bryan Tolentino was not performing. Asa of course, was at the Kamaka Ukulele Booth with Chris & Fred Kamaka including the newest up and coming Kamaka sponsered ukulele phenom Kalei along his father, Dereck. After the festival we and all the boyz from Kamaka met for dinner. We must of spent 3 1/2 hours at the restaurant eating, talking story everything from Koa supply, exotic woods, Jake's ukulele & equipment to Calei playing. It was awesome talking all things ukulele the whole night with the "god fathers of ukuleles". Asa was busting us all up with his consuming of food, desert and his and wiki-boyz jokes.
We all left the restaurant with some good mana and vowed to get together more often. The next morning before I had to catch my flight out, Wiki-boy whips out his newest ukulele that he and Chris had collaborated design ideas on. Apparently Chris had completely finished setting it up and brought it to the festival for him. The Kamaka Concert Ukulele had been 5 years in the design, fabricating and it showed. I have seen many custom ukuleles before but this one was just unbelievable. From the perfectly matched curly fire Koa, the custom designed pin bridge to the intricate abalone inlays and binding. It said Kamaka all over it and sounded pure nani nani Kamaka. It was perfectly set-up and ready to play. Wiki had Chris put Jakes - D'addarrio ej45s on it and the action was just right.
R u kidding me? Of course I played it. In fact I had a hard time just giving it back to wiki-boy. The sound was "there" and I cannot imagined how much sweeter it will sound when it has matured. I told Wiki-Boy, all she needs is to be is played now.
Unfortunately, I didn't get far out the door when wiki-boy sent his vicious attack dog "kiko" to pull me back in. hehe- I won't tell you what this ukulele is worth. but enjoy and yes weep...... or dream. Sup!
L to R Gary, Dereck, Kalei, Fred Kamaka, me, Chris Kamaka, Lorie, Wiki-Boy, Asa Young. not pictured Maki-Boy he is taking the photo,
The Concert.
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend at the last minute, the Northern California Ukulele Festival. I was invited by my good braddahs from Kauai, Wiki-boy and maki-boy(aka Hawaiian Eye Designs). I jammed with some old friends like Dominator and met really cool new ones (some representing UU!). It was awesome, I finally was able see how this, the longest standing main land uke festival, was all about. Granted it was somewhat different from the Southern California Ukulele Festival in Cerritos that we modeled in running the Inaugural Chicagoland Ukulele Jam Festival last year. Nevertheless, it was a great festival with continous music and lots of pure aloha.
I was surprised to see my friend Asa Young of Kamaka there, as I got word that the band he is in, "Sideorder" with Bryan Tolentino was not performing. Asa of course, was at the Kamaka Ukulele Booth with Chris & Fred Kamaka including the newest up and coming Kamaka sponsered ukulele phenom Kalei along his father, Dereck. After the festival we and all the boyz from Kamaka met for dinner. We must of spent 3 1/2 hours at the restaurant eating, talking story everything from Koa supply, exotic woods, Jake's ukulele & equipment to Calei playing. It was awesome talking all things ukulele the whole night with the "god fathers of ukuleles". Asa was busting us all up with his consuming of food, desert and his and wiki-boyz jokes.
We all left the restaurant with some good mana and vowed to get together more often. The next morning before I had to catch my flight out, Wiki-boy whips out his newest ukulele that he and Chris had collaborated design ideas on. Apparently Chris had completely finished setting it up and brought it to the festival for him. The Kamaka Concert Ukulele had been 5 years in the design, fabricating and it showed. I have seen many custom ukuleles before but this one was just unbelievable. From the perfectly matched curly fire Koa, the custom designed pin bridge to the intricate abalone inlays and binding. It said Kamaka all over it and sounded pure nani nani Kamaka. It was perfectly set-up and ready to play. Wiki had Chris put Jakes - D'addarrio ej45s on it and the action was just right.
R u kidding me? Of course I played it. In fact I had a hard time just giving it back to wiki-boy. The sound was "there" and I cannot imagined how much sweeter it will sound when it has matured. I told Wiki-Boy, all she needs is to be is played now.
Unfortunately, I didn't get far out the door when wiki-boy sent his vicious attack dog "kiko" to pull me back in. hehe- I won't tell you what this ukulele is worth. but enjoy and yes weep...... or dream. Sup!
L to R Gary, Dereck, Kalei, Fred Kamaka, me, Chris Kamaka, Lorie, Wiki-Boy, Asa Young. not pictured Maki-Boy he is taking the photo,
The Concert.
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On the price scale, where does this special Kamaka fall?
