Koa Pili Koko VS Koloa KU 620

What would you choose if you had to?

  • Koa Pili Koko Solid Acacia

    Votes: 18 90.0%

  • Koloa Solid Mahogany

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • Kala KA-C?

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Kamoa E-C?

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • Luna Tattoo??

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    20
morningrose

morningrose

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First off, thank you for reading this! I bet there are many threads like this on this website, but I wanted to personalize my own

A few months ago I started hunting for my first ukulele with a $100-$150 budget and starter laminate concert Ukulele in mind. I had it narrowed it down to Kala KA-C, Luna Tatto Concert and the Kamoa E-C, but recently I came across the Koa Pili Koko Solid Acacia (online) for $200 and my heart was set Until I also saw a Koloa Solid Mahogany (also online) for also around $200

Mahogany and Acacia solids. Which one is better? Or are they both fine and it depends on personal preference? Can someone describe the tone of each to me? (I have no way to access either of them without purchase and I'm not sure youtube videos are always accurate...) I was pretty shocked to find solid woods under $250...even more shocked under $200 (the Kaloa). Are they too good to be true? (obviously I'm not expecting them to sound like a $500 Uke, though..haha~)

Also I'd love suggestions on other solid wood concerts $200 or under (doesn't have to be mahogany or acacia). Now that I know it's possible (or want it to be), I can be hopeful that there are others, right? Or maybe that would make my decision harder if there were...?? haha <3

Thank you!!
 
Aloha,
I voted for the KPK cause I have 1 tenor, and 1 concert. Great value in my opinion and Jason (the seller) is a pleasure to deal with with excellent customer service. I have'nt tried a Kamoa but heard good things about them.
Comparing my KPK Acacia to my Mele Mahogany, and Mele Koa: the Acacia is the brightest, the Koa is the sweetest, the Mahogany is the warmest. Of course this is just my opinion with my ears only.
Best would be if you could play different ones with different woods, then YOU decide.
Good luck.............................BO.......................
 
I tried both, and depends on which model Kamoa you get....but I prefer the KPK it is a great solid acacia uke...when I got mine some time ago, it was 139.00 hope it helps..Happy strummings and
good luck...
 
I wasn't familiar with Koloa, so thanks for mentioning them! I've been playing since the beginning of the year, and am planning to upgrade in a few months. I've been considering the KPK because, in addition to the excellent price, I have heard really good things about Jason and the set-up he gives the 'ukes and his great customer service. (I don't mean to sound like a commercial! Honestly, I've never spoken to him, and I don't own a KPK. This is just what I've been reading here on UU, but I've read these things over and over, so I'm planning to look into it further.)

I looked at the Koloa website, and my biggest concern is that the dealers they list do not appear to be 'uke specialists. I've ordered accessories from Elderly and I've heard good things about them here, and Folkmusician.com says they do set-ups on mandolins so perhaps they do a nice set-up, but my personal preference would be to order from someone who really knows their way around a 'uke and who can get me off to a good start. I should say also that where I live there is NO 'ukulele activity, and I don't have any experience in lutherie, so I need to be sure my instrument is ready to go when it gets here.

These are just my observations and my own thoughts, but perhaps a couple other things to think about. I hope it is helpful, and again, thanks for bringing up Koloa! Best of luck in your search, and please let us know what you end up deciding!
 
808boy said:
Aloha,
I voted for the KPK cause I have 1 tenor, and 1 concert. Great value in my opinion and Jason (the seller) is a pleasure to deal with with excellent customer service. I have'nt tried a Kamoa but heard good things about them.
Comparing my KPK Acacia to my Mele Mahogany, and Mele Koa: the Acacia is the brightest, the Koa is the sweetest, the Mahogany is the warmest. Of course this is just my opinion with my ears only.
Best would be if you could play different ones with different woods, then YOU decide.
Good luck.............................BO.......................
Click to expand...

Aloha! :D
Thank you VERY much for the tone descriptions! I wish I could play them myself to see what I liked best, but there are no stores in my area that carry them :/ I'll have to watch youtube video review of them, even if some have bad sound quality ^^'

mm stan said:
I tried both, and depends on which model Kamoa you get....but I prefer the KPK it is a great solid acacia uke...when I got mine some time ago, it was 139.00 hope it helps..Happy strummings and
good luck...
Click to expand...

I can only afford the E series, E-3 if I considered a soprano instead of concert. But if you prefer the KPK (which I've been doing some looking around and it seems a lot of people on this site recommend it...) then that will put it higher on my list :) $139?! Lucky you! :D

ukuLily Mars said:
I wasn't familiar with Koloa, so thanks for mentioning them! I've been playing since the beginning of the year, and am planning to upgrade in a few months. I've been considering the KPK because, in addition to the excellent price, I have heard really good things about Jason and the set-up he gives the 'ukes and his great customer service. (I don't mean to sound like a commercial! Honestly, I've never spoken to him, and I don't own a KPK. This is just what I've been reading here on UU, but I've read these things over and over, so I'm planning to look into it further.)

I looked at the Koloa website, and my biggest concern is that the dealers they list do not appear to be 'uke specialists. I've ordered accessories from Elderly and I've heard good things about them here, and Folkmusician.com says they do set-ups on mandolins so perhaps they do a nice set-up, but my personal preference would be to order from someone who really knows their way around a 'uke and who can get me off to a good start. I should say also that where I live there is NO 'ukulele activity, and I don't have any experience in lutherie, so I need to be sure my instrument is ready to go when it gets here.

These are just my observations and my own thoughts, but perhaps a couple other things to think about. I hope it is helpful, and again, thanks for bringing up Koloa! Best of luck in your search, and please let us know what you end up deciding!
Click to expand...

Thank you for letting me know your observations of the Koloa makers! I'm not exactly sure how to spot professional vs non professional ukulele makers, so it's something I will consider :) I will definitely post on here what Ukulele I pick!

I've heard Jason mentioned a lot on this site as being a reputable seller...For my future reference, where do I purchase from him?
 
morningrose said:
I've heard Jason mentioned a lot on this site as being a reputable seller...For my future reference, where do I purchase from him?
Click to expand...

pilikoko.com or ebay seller localz.kine. Cheaper from the website if you use discount code SUMMER10 and Google Checkout. I used my $10 discount to buy the bone nut/saddle upgrade.
 
I can only afford the E series, E-3 if I considered a soprano instead of concert. But if you prefer the KPK (which I've been doing some looking around and it seems a lot of people on this site recommend it...) then that will put it higher on my list $139?! Lucky you!

If It is the "E" series...I'd Go with the KPK....there is only two KPK dealers in the US... it's either Jason or Ken and they both are good to buy from...yes reputable sellers... my friend is friend with
Ken...Give him a call, he may have some seconds with finish blems for sale...I bought a couple before from him for way less than the price... here is his Ph number..808 722-6619 Good Luck
 
Last edited:
bpedaci said:
pilikoko.com or ebay seller localz.kine. Cheaper from the website if you use discount code SUMMER10 and Google Checkout. I used my $10 discount to buy the bone nut/saddle upgrade.
Click to expand...

Whoa, thank you for the discount code! I will probably purchase from there if I do get the KPK :) I've heard that the bone nut and saddle make the Ukulele project more, but does it change the tone?

Also another question to anyone here...I know it's silly, but what do you think of the inlay vs the non inlay version? Of course it depends on personal preference, but my personal preference is that it's pretty either way..haha :eek: I could pull of either (if that matters) so since I've never seen it in person, I thought it might help to get others' observations/opinions :)

Another thing (I'm a worry wart...sorry~). Have the construction issues with excessive cracking (even when humidified) been resolved? I heard they were, but I'm a little skeptical... :confused:
 
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