FYI: in LA, a Koaloha Concert for $500. NEVER USED!<SOLD>

lowstrung · Jan 7, 2012

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/2787266917.html

Sure is nice. Wish I had an extra 500 laying around to buy this beauty. Anyway, my wife would kill me; I bought a new Kamaka Concert a few months ago!

Just thought I would share the find with you all.

Travis

peewee · Jan 7, 2012

Thanks, that might fill the concert size hole in my stable! email sent.

lowstrung · Jan 7, 2012

Good luck!

peewee · Jan 7, 2012

Thanks I might need the luck to fend off the Mrs.! Let you know how it turns out.

peewee · Jan 7, 2012

Got it!
Looks clean. 10/2006 build. Very slight bridge separation and high action, it's off to the doctor.
peewee

peewee · Jan 8, 2012

Oh yeah - The seller says she and her spouse were gifted two Koalohas at the same time, this concert and a soprano.
She also mentioned wanting to sell the soprano (for $400) if anyone's interested. Soprano probably also suffering from no setup and possible neglect issues, but unplayed. I did not see it.
Concert was built in 2006, Soprano probably same age.
PM me and I'll put you in touch.
LA sale only.

Eagerly awaiting the Luthier's call to get my new toy back..

lowstrung · Jan 9, 2012

That's really awesome! I'm glad you got it. Maybe someone will get a good deal on the soprano too! 400 is a steal.

Drew Bear · Jan 9, 2012

What does a luthier charge to repair a slight bridge separation and do a setup?

peewee · Jan 9, 2012

In my not so vast experience with Luthiers, it's never cheap. Skilled labor and all that.
No exception here, asking $70 to remove and re-glue the bridge, and do the setup. Reputable place, so that's what it costs..

Drew Bear · Jan 9, 2012

Not bad. I thought it might be more in the $100 range. Congrats on the new-to-you uke.

mds725 · Jan 9, 2012

peewee said:
..... No exception here, asking $70 to remove and re-glue the bridge, and do the setup.

I'm glad you didn't get burned by the seller. The CL listing described the uklulele as "new" and didn't mention the detached bridge, although it was pretty clear from the photos that the bridge was crooked.

peewee · Jan 9, 2012

And a big thanks to lowstrung for the heads-up!

lowstrung said:
That's really awesome! I'm glad you got it. Maybe someone will get a good deal on the soprano too! 400 is a steal.

peewee · Jan 9, 2012

Hi
Bridge is not crooked, just lifting in the upper corner, maybe 15-20% detached. Not visible on the photos.

mds725 said:
I'm glad you didn't get burned by the seller. The CL listing described the uklulele as "new" and didn't mention the detached bridge, although it was pretty clear from the photos that the bridge was crooked.

cahaya · Jan 9, 2012

I thought Koaloha uke is high end product, how come it has high action? Wouldn't Koaloha check first before put it into the market?

chrimess · Jan 9, 2012

cahaya said:
I thought Koaloha uke is high end product, how come it has high action? Wouldn't Koaloha check first before put it into the market?

... there are ambient conditions and other factors that can turn a perfectly setup instrument into a slide ukulele in no time...

Drew Bear · Jan 9, 2012

cahaya said:
I thought Koaloha uke is high end product, how come it has high action? Wouldn't Koaloha check first before put it into the market?

I get the impression this particular solid koa instrument has been unused and improperly stored for several years. Even so, there was a good chance KoAloha would have made repairs and adjusted action if peewee had wanted to wait for them to make the repairs and ship to/from Hawaii.

peewee said:
Soprano probably also suffering from no setup and possible neglect issues, but unplayed. Concert was built in 2006...

Drew Bear · Jan 9, 2012

lowstrung said:
Maybe someone will get a good deal on the soprano too! 400 is a steal.

I have to disagree, especially if it costs another $70 to have a luthier fix it up. You can get a new KoAloha Soprano for $470 (see today's discount), though you may have to wait a few weeks for delivery straight from the factory: http://stores.cymbalismmusic.com/-strse-1747/KoAloha-Soprano-Ukulele-Ukuleles/Detail.bok

lowstrung · Jan 9, 2012

Drew Bear said:
I have to disagree, especially if it costs another $70 to have a luthier fix it up. You can get a new KoAloha Soprano for $470 (see today's discount), though you may have to wait a few weeks for delivery straight from the factory: http://stores.cymbalismmusic.com/-strse-1747/KoAloha-Soprano-Ukulele-Ukuleles/Detail.bok

Drew, you have a point, especially if it needs fixing. Perhaps a potential buyer could make this point and talk the price down.

I'm glad peewee is stoked about his.

peewee · Jan 12, 2012

I remain stoked, especially as the doctor visit was only $50. Neither the luthier nor I knew that the bridge is in fact held on by screws, so he didn't take it all the way off after all, just scraped out the old glue, reinjected and clamped..
Sure I could have bought a lot of clamps and sandpaper (for the bridge) for $50, but I would have had a nervous breakdown trying to get the bridge off with the screws in there.

It's pretty, loud, and effectively brand new, with old style bridge and a one piece back. As for all you naysayers, you cannot harsh my mellow as I am strumming my new uke, and I will smite you with my mighty Up Down Down Up move. Hiii-YAAA!

Kanaka916 · Jan 16, 2012

Thread closed since it has been sold to peewee.

FYI: in LA, a Koaloha Concert for $500. NEVER USED!<SOLD>

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