So I just got back from picking up my new (at least new to me) Koaloha KCM-00 Concert. Sold some other instruments and decided I wanted a higher end, really nice uke, and this one happened to pop up for sale. In another thread that I posted asking opinions on ukues from a few different manufacturers, the KoAlohas kept getting recommended, especially in the concert size. I am pretty new to ukuleles, but have been a guitar player off and on since my teens. The ukues I have owned so far have been on the lower end including a Lanai CKCGC, Kala KA-MT Mango Tenor, and an Ohana CK-35G. I still own the Ohana, but sold the Lanikai and the Kala.
Obviously the KoAloha is in a completely different class compared to the other ukes I own/have owned, but in another thread a poster asked about my initial impression on how it compared to those other ukes, so I will try to give my interpretation/impression.
There really is no way to fairly compare the KoAloha to the other ukes I have owned. The quickest and easiest way to explain the difference is this: take a blanket and put it over your stereo speakers. If you left it there for a while you may actually get used to it if you didn't know otherwise or have anything else to compare it to. And turning up the volume isn't going to make it any better, only louder. Now remove the blanket. That's the way the KoAloha sounds to me. The other ukes I've owned just sounded dull, wimpy and muffled. I have to give credit though to the Ohana because it actually sounds pretty nice, but it's also solid wood (mahogany) where the Kala and Lanikai were all laminate.
The KoAloha is strung with Worth clears (the personal preference of the previous owner) and they sound pretty darn good. I know the KoAlohas are known to be pretty bright and loud and I guess the Worth clears compliment that attribute pretty well, without sounding too harsh, and sound especially sweet when fingerpicking. Very clear and nice tone. To me it just sounds perfect. On the way home from getting this uke I stopped by a shop that has a few high end ukes and compared the KoAloha side by side to two other concerts I was considering, a Kanlie'a and a Kamaka. The Kanile'a felt very nice, was set up really well and had a nice sound, very nice fit and finish, but for what they were asking I didn't think it was THAT nice or worth it. The Kamaka is, well a Kamaka. No explanation needed. I think the look and fit and finish of the Kamakas are just beautiful and they are probably my favorite looking ukuleles hands down. Just very classic and classy. I'm not into lots of inlays, binding, etc, and would rather have a subtle looking, no frills instrument where your money is going more toward materials and craftsmanship resulting in a better sounding instrument, but that's just me. With that said, and how much I've always wanted a Kamaka, I was not impressed with the sound that came out of that particular concert. It played wonderfully and felt great but just sounded 'eh', possibly even dull/bland/uninspiring. Compared to anything else I had played the KoAloha was just perfection. Very crystalline and clear, but not harsh or tinny at all. wonderful note separation and to my amateur ear more balanced than the other high end ukues I tried out.
As far as fit and finish there is nothing to complain about with the KoAloha. Nothing fancy, nothing special, no rosette, crazy inlays or binding, but thats the way I like it. I even sort of prefer the subtle, laser engraved headstock logo that sort of offsets/balances the obvious 5-point distinctive headstock design. I actually prefer the gloss finish on this one compared to other gloss finished that I have seen on other ukuleles. Most other gloss finishes are, or appear to be way too thick and give an otherwise nice looking instrument a very plastic-like look, making them look cheap. This is the case with my Ohana CK-35 and it's probably the only complaint I have about it and would have preferred a satin finish on that ukulele. The KoAloha gloss finish could be compared to the old nitro finishes that you'd see on an old telecaster where you can still see and feel the pores in the wood and I really like that! With almost every other instrument that I have owned with a gloss finish (mostly telecasters because I am a tele guy!) I have always taken 000 steel wool to the back of the neck to get rid of the little bit of tackyness from the lacquer. Dunno if I can bring myself to do that on this uke though! Like I said, no complaints at all about fit and finish, but don't expect to have your socks knocked off from crazy inlays and what not. You're paying for the materials, craftsmanship and sound here!
The other thing that sort of sealed the deal on the KoAloha was their ridiculous warranty. Dunno of any other company out there that has one as good. AND from the videos I've seen they just seem like really nice people! That might sound cheesy, but that counts for a lot in my book.
With that said I am VERY pleased with this little ukulele, but I have only had it for a few hours and will have to revisit this thread to do it justice once the 'honeymoon' period wears off. I also ordered a few sets of KO'OLAU Mahana strings and am interested to see how they sound on both my KoAloha and my Ohana. I was originally going to sell the Ohana to justify the purchase of the KoAloha, but think I am going to hold onto it and make it my 'beater' instead. Take it to the beach, when I travel, etc. Not sure what the KoAlohas usually go for used, but feel like I got a decent deal. Paid $480 for the uke and it came with standard hardshell/soft styrofoam 'Uke Crazy' case that so many of us own. Have a Guardian CG-044-US on order and will use that for the KoAloha and the 'Uke Crazy' case for the Ohana.
Here are a few quick pics I took once I got home. Thanks to everyone who gave there opinions and advice in the previous thread I posted!
Obviously the KoAloha is in a completely different class compared to the other ukes I own/have owned, but in another thread a poster asked about my initial impression on how it compared to those other ukes, so I will try to give my interpretation/impression.
There really is no way to fairly compare the KoAloha to the other ukes I have owned. The quickest and easiest way to explain the difference is this: take a blanket and put it over your stereo speakers. If you left it there for a while you may actually get used to it if you didn't know otherwise or have anything else to compare it to. And turning up the volume isn't going to make it any better, only louder. Now remove the blanket. That's the way the KoAloha sounds to me. The other ukes I've owned just sounded dull, wimpy and muffled. I have to give credit though to the Ohana because it actually sounds pretty nice, but it's also solid wood (mahogany) where the Kala and Lanikai were all laminate.
The KoAloha is strung with Worth clears (the personal preference of the previous owner) and they sound pretty darn good. I know the KoAlohas are known to be pretty bright and loud and I guess the Worth clears compliment that attribute pretty well, without sounding too harsh, and sound especially sweet when fingerpicking. Very clear and nice tone. To me it just sounds perfect. On the way home from getting this uke I stopped by a shop that has a few high end ukes and compared the KoAloha side by side to two other concerts I was considering, a Kanlie'a and a Kamaka. The Kanile'a felt very nice, was set up really well and had a nice sound, very nice fit and finish, but for what they were asking I didn't think it was THAT nice or worth it. The Kamaka is, well a Kamaka. No explanation needed. I think the look and fit and finish of the Kamakas are just beautiful and they are probably my favorite looking ukuleles hands down. Just very classic and classy. I'm not into lots of inlays, binding, etc, and would rather have a subtle looking, no frills instrument where your money is going more toward materials and craftsmanship resulting in a better sounding instrument, but that's just me. With that said, and how much I've always wanted a Kamaka, I was not impressed with the sound that came out of that particular concert. It played wonderfully and felt great but just sounded 'eh', possibly even dull/bland/uninspiring. Compared to anything else I had played the KoAloha was just perfection. Very crystalline and clear, but not harsh or tinny at all. wonderful note separation and to my amateur ear more balanced than the other high end ukues I tried out.
As far as fit and finish there is nothing to complain about with the KoAloha. Nothing fancy, nothing special, no rosette, crazy inlays or binding, but thats the way I like it. I even sort of prefer the subtle, laser engraved headstock logo that sort of offsets/balances the obvious 5-point distinctive headstock design. I actually prefer the gloss finish on this one compared to other gloss finished that I have seen on other ukuleles. Most other gloss finishes are, or appear to be way too thick and give an otherwise nice looking instrument a very plastic-like look, making them look cheap. This is the case with my Ohana CK-35 and it's probably the only complaint I have about it and would have preferred a satin finish on that ukulele. The KoAloha gloss finish could be compared to the old nitro finishes that you'd see on an old telecaster where you can still see and feel the pores in the wood and I really like that! With almost every other instrument that I have owned with a gloss finish (mostly telecasters because I am a tele guy!) I have always taken 000 steel wool to the back of the neck to get rid of the little bit of tackyness from the lacquer. Dunno if I can bring myself to do that on this uke though! Like I said, no complaints at all about fit and finish, but don't expect to have your socks knocked off from crazy inlays and what not. You're paying for the materials, craftsmanship and sound here!
The other thing that sort of sealed the deal on the KoAloha was their ridiculous warranty. Dunno of any other company out there that has one as good. AND from the videos I've seen they just seem like really nice people! That might sound cheesy, but that counts for a lot in my book.
With that said I am VERY pleased with this little ukulele, but I have only had it for a few hours and will have to revisit this thread to do it justice once the 'honeymoon' period wears off. I also ordered a few sets of KO'OLAU Mahana strings and am interested to see how they sound on both my KoAloha and my Ohana. I was originally going to sell the Ohana to justify the purchase of the KoAloha, but think I am going to hold onto it and make it my 'beater' instead. Take it to the beach, when I travel, etc. Not sure what the KoAlohas usually go for used, but feel like I got a decent deal. Paid $480 for the uke and it came with standard hardshell/soft styrofoam 'Uke Crazy' case that so many of us own. Have a Guardian CG-044-US on order and will use that for the KoAloha and the 'Uke Crazy' case for the Ohana.
Here are a few quick pics I took once I got home. Thanks to everyone who gave there opinions and advice in the previous thread I posted!
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). I just sold mine but only because I got my real dream - a KoAloha longneck soprano. 
