bynapkinart
Well-known member
Following a long saga of missed opportunities and late orders, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to take a soprano with me on my trip home. It wouldn't have been that bad, but I really wanted to show the kiddos that are getting their own ukes that they're playing the same size instrument that I enjoy the most.
I realized I had enough money stocked up, so I went ahead and ordered the uke that I've dreamed about since first picking the ukulele up...the KoAlhoa Soprano. It got here today, and I'm ecstatic. It sounds EXACTLY like what I wanted in my head.
It is kind of hard to explain the sound without sounding like every other review out there, so suffice it to say that it is balanced and punchy and very very loud, and I'll make a video when I get back home in a couple of weeks. The volume is surprising even though that it's the reason I went with the KoAloha. I thought my concert had some serious volume on every other uke that I've heard, but the KoAloha is louder than the concert! It really excels in the higher range, and it much brighter and punchier than the concert without sounding remotely plinky. It has more sustain than the concert does, and the fretwork/setup is perfect all the way up the neck, unlike the concert (which was last set up probably 80 years ago). The fretboard was bone dry when I opened up the box, so the first thing in order was a quick rubbing with fretboard oil. It had to go through the Rockies on it's way to me, so I'm thinking that it'll be fine and it just got dry in transit.
One interesting thing to note: this ukulele is sporting the older style KoAloha carved tie bridge, which I had thought they retired a few years ago (correct me if I'm wrong). I really prefer it to the Martin style bridge they have on their website...not only do I like tie bridges, but I love the etching they did on the bridge. It gives it that little bit of bling that makes it look a little more like a fine instrument than a factory production. I prefer the look of KoAlohas to Kamakas, even though Kamaka uses (usually) much prettier figured Koa on their ukes. I just feel like this little adornment adds a lot to the character of the KoAloha, and shows how fine these instruments are.
The top is fairly even and straight-grained...more orange than mahogany but about the same look. The back is pretty crazy looking, with orange, purple, red, and brown stripes:
Beyond that, it is about as utilitarian looking as Hawaiian ukes get...not a whole lot of bling, just a whole lot of tone. Sound is its very best feature, it's kind of like someone playing softly enough that no string overpowers another, but then turned the mic up to 12. So, so loud for a soprano; loud enough, in fact, that I'm taking it to a jam with a couple of guitar buddies and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to lead the way still.
I'm a huge huge fan of the KoAloha headstock, I think it's by far the most unique headstock out there and it's very well done. Again, kind of blingy in a very understated sort of way.
I think that in 60 or 70 years this headstock might be as instantly recognizable and ubiquitous as the Martin or Kumalae headstocks. Unique, cool, yet professional.
I'm thrilled with my first ever Hawaiian. I'm pretty sure that in the future I'll need to add to my collection, but this should set me up for a pretty long time. Fantastic job KoAloha!!!
I realized I had enough money stocked up, so I went ahead and ordered the uke that I've dreamed about since first picking the ukulele up...the KoAlhoa Soprano. It got here today, and I'm ecstatic. It sounds EXACTLY like what I wanted in my head.
It is kind of hard to explain the sound without sounding like every other review out there, so suffice it to say that it is balanced and punchy and very very loud, and I'll make a video when I get back home in a couple of weeks. The volume is surprising even though that it's the reason I went with the KoAloha. I thought my concert had some serious volume on every other uke that I've heard, but the KoAloha is louder than the concert! It really excels in the higher range, and it much brighter and punchier than the concert without sounding remotely plinky. It has more sustain than the concert does, and the fretwork/setup is perfect all the way up the neck, unlike the concert (which was last set up probably 80 years ago). The fretboard was bone dry when I opened up the box, so the first thing in order was a quick rubbing with fretboard oil. It had to go through the Rockies on it's way to me, so I'm thinking that it'll be fine and it just got dry in transit.
One interesting thing to note: this ukulele is sporting the older style KoAloha carved tie bridge, which I had thought they retired a few years ago (correct me if I'm wrong). I really prefer it to the Martin style bridge they have on their website...not only do I like tie bridges, but I love the etching they did on the bridge. It gives it that little bit of bling that makes it look a little more like a fine instrument than a factory production. I prefer the look of KoAlohas to Kamakas, even though Kamaka uses (usually) much prettier figured Koa on their ukes. I just feel like this little adornment adds a lot to the character of the KoAloha, and shows how fine these instruments are.
The top is fairly even and straight-grained...more orange than mahogany but about the same look. The back is pretty crazy looking, with orange, purple, red, and brown stripes:
Beyond that, it is about as utilitarian looking as Hawaiian ukes get...not a whole lot of bling, just a whole lot of tone. Sound is its very best feature, it's kind of like someone playing softly enough that no string overpowers another, but then turned the mic up to 12. So, so loud for a soprano; loud enough, in fact, that I'm taking it to a jam with a couple of guitar buddies and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to lead the way still.
I'm a huge huge fan of the KoAloha headstock, I think it's by far the most unique headstock out there and it's very well done. Again, kind of blingy in a very understated sort of way.
I think that in 60 or 70 years this headstock might be as instantly recognizable and ubiquitous as the Martin or Kumalae headstocks. Unique, cool, yet professional.
I'm thrilled with my first ever Hawaiian. I'm pretty sure that in the future I'll need to add to my collection, but this should set me up for a pretty long time. Fantastic job KoAloha!!!
