Honu or Pono?

NordicUke

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
83
Reaction score
0
Location
Sweden
I'm finally in the market for a new uke!
And I've been looking around, sadly theres not the best availability in Europe. But I've found a couple nice ones in UK and Germany.

These two seem to be in my pricerange which is about 800$ max :

The Pono Pro classic with slotted headstock at 860$ :
http://www.theukulelesite.com/shopbyprice/400-699/pono-mhtsh-mahogany-tenor-slotted-head

or:

The Honu Rope Tenor with Curly koa body and neck at 949$ ?
http://www.bigislandukulele.com/products/index.html#product02
 
If you have $949 to spend on a uke...
Why not save another $141 and get a Kamaka tenor?
 
I've seen a lot of people writing about the Kamaka Tenor Ukulele, is it really that good? I have a http://www.kalaukulele.com/detail.asp?product_id=KA-STE-C
Kala KA-STE-C Tenor Cutaway w/EQ
Will I notice a really big change in sound and playability if I get a Kamaka? (I have a feeling I will, but please share any experiences) I need to defend this purchase to my Gf :p
 
I've seen a lot of people writing about the Kamaka Tenor Ukulele, is it really that good? I have a http://www.kalaukulele.com/detail.asp?product_id=KA-STE-C
Kala KA-STE-C Tenor Cutaway w/EQ
Will I notice a really big change in sound and playability if I get a Kamaka? (I have a feeling I will, but please share any experiences) I need to defend this purchase to my Gf :p

To NordicUke's girlfriend..
You will never regret getting a Kamaka...it has a rich and deep sound...note even a hint close in the level of sound quality of most lower level ukes.. if you want to see him happy and improve...
this is the way to go.....for better and improved playability you can change the stings to a lighter tension strings on the Kala..
 
I like both of those, and I have a Pono, but I wouldnt pay $900 for either of them. Save up a few hundred and get the Kamaka or (I prefer) Kanilea, or KoAloha. At that price point, Get the one you like the best.
 
To NordicUke's girlfriend..
You will never regret getting a Kamaka...it has a rich and deep sound...note even a hint close in the level of sound quality of most lower level ukes.. if you want to see him happy and improve...
this is the way to go.....for better and improved playability you can change the stings to a lighter tension strings on the Kala..

Kamaka is a uke that will be treasured for a long, long time!! Since you are right there with the amount of money, go the little bit extra and have no regrets!!
 
I agree with Stan and molokinirum. If you are going to spend nearly that much money anyway, grab a Kamaka HF-3. What a beautiful ukulele and only $100+ more than your existing budget. Another great option would be a Mya Moe tenor tradition model which start at $1000 - right in your ballpark: http://www.myamoeukuleles.com/optionsPricing.html You won't find many sweeter sounding tenors than what the folks at Mya Moe are serving up. Order one now and it'd be finished by end of September. Lots to think about! Happy shopping NordicUke! :)
 
Another great option would be a Mya Moe tenor tradition model which start at $1000 - right in your ballpark: http://www.myamoeukuleles.com/optionsPricing.html You won't find many sweeter sounding tenors than what the folks at Mya Moe are serving up. Order one now and it'd be finished by end of September. Lots to think about! Happy shopping NordicUke! :)

Just took delivery of my Mya-Moe (Koa Tenor Tradition) and I can't say enough good things about the uke or the experience of working with Gordon and Char. A little out of NordicUke's stated price range, but about as much uke as you could ask for. Plus, now that Eddie Vedder played one on Letterman, all the kids will want one and we'll have to wait in line! :)

I'll concur with other posters here that once you're in the $800+ range, you have an awful lot of good choices. I recognize that being in Europe there are probably costs I'm not no considering (postage, taxes, import fees) that might drive up costs. Heck, even the super-hot Kanile'a custom I sold last month would fit into that price range!
 
I have a Kala cedartop concert and a Kamaka concert. While the Kala is great for the money, the Kamaka is on another level entirely. I would agree with the other posters: Save just a little bit more and get the Kamaka, you won't regret it. Since this is your second tenor ukulele, I would think it a better idea to step up significantly in quality.
 
This is really an easy one....like everybody has already said, at that price range a "K" brand uke is well within your reach. You buy one, you won't regret it!!!
 
I'm finally in the market for a new uke!
And I've been looking around, sadly theres not the best availability in Europe. But I've found a couple nice ones in UK and Germany.

These two seem to be in my pricerange which is about 800$ max :

The Pono Pro classic with slotted headstock at 860$ :
http://www.theukulelesite.com/shopbyprice/400-699/pono-mhtsh-mahogany-tenor-slotted-head

or:

The Honu Rope Tenor with Curly koa body and neck at 949$ ?
http://www.bigislandukulele.com/products/index.html#product02

I have or had both the Pono and the Honu. Both are good but a K brand is from another dimension. I love my Kanilea Tenor(absolutely amazing sound!!!) and my KoAloha Concert(very easy and fun to play with super hawaiian sound!).
 
NordicUke,

I can see that you are in a tough predicament. Everyone is telling you to go with a K brand, and that may be difficult to find where you live. I haven't spent enough time trying a Pono, I did get a chance to play a Deluxe Honu Concert and it was stellar, but I also played a Deluxe Tenor and I was disappointed. I think that may be the problem. You may get a stellar Pono/Honu or you may not and the amount of money involved is substantial.

If you can find someone on this forum who is selling one of the K brands, ask the questions, hear a sample and see if you can have is shipped to Germany, you just may be better off buying used. Especially if the person has been around the forum for a while and knows his/her stuff. I personally like KoAlohas, but any of the other K brands are just as good.

John
 
Wow! I didn't expect this much of a reply when I posted this thread, and clearly the K-brands is something people feel strongly about.
Thank you for GREAT feedback! :)

I have been thinking a lot about it and I am convinced. I have even convinced my GF about a Kamaka (slightly understating the pricetag ^^) I have contacted the Kamaka factory about the order and I am eagerly awaiting their reply on shipping to Sweden(!)
If you know about any dealers shipping to europe please let me know :)
 
Top Bottom