wickedwahine11
Well-known member
I got my new KoAloha uke yesterday. So far I only have iPhone pics since I won't be home until August 30th and this is my only camera. I originally ordered a curly koa tenor with a pickup and Pops told me that he remembered how much I liked the retired crown bridge style.
He said he found two old ones that were never used and he was giving one to me, and one to a woman in Nebraska for her tenor. I was overwhelmed at the gesture and thrilled.
When the uke arrived last month, the wood was beautiful but it had no pickup and no crown bridge. I was disappointed but figured I had no right to be since the bridge does not exist any more. But I did contact them about the pickup since I had paid for that. So I asked if I could bring it in to get the pickup installed when I was in Hawaii.
Pops called me back and said that he was going to build a brand new ukulele and that I should just bring the other back and exchange them. I felt bad since all he had to do was the pickup but he said he made a promise and was going to keep it.
So yesterday I went to the factory and got my new baby. So far it is incredibly loud (like all KoAlohas) but also sings like a dream. I was more than a bit embarrassed as he insisted I play it for them (plugged and unplugged) but it sounded a lot better in my hotel room when I did not have to play for a showroom full of people.
The koa is curly on the front, sides and back. Pops said the crown bridge is made of macasser ebony, and the fretboard is gaboon ebony. The pickup is an LR Baggs 5.0.
One nice touch was his pastor was there and he blessed the ukulele for me. I am not a very religious person but I thought it was very thoughtful of him.
I promised Pops that while I was sorry it would never be played to its potential, it would bring me joy in happy times and comfort me when I was down.
I also got to build a KoAloha keychain while I was there - yay! It is hanging from the tuner in the first photo. I hated giving up the other uke back to them as it was beautiful but I greatly appreciate all Pops did to get me this wonderful instrument.
He said he found two old ones that were never used and he was giving one to me, and one to a woman in Nebraska for her tenor. I was overwhelmed at the gesture and thrilled.
When the uke arrived last month, the wood was beautiful but it had no pickup and no crown bridge. I was disappointed but figured I had no right to be since the bridge does not exist any more. But I did contact them about the pickup since I had paid for that. So I asked if I could bring it in to get the pickup installed when I was in Hawaii.
Pops called me back and said that he was going to build a brand new ukulele and that I should just bring the other back and exchange them. I felt bad since all he had to do was the pickup but he said he made a promise and was going to keep it.
So yesterday I went to the factory and got my new baby. So far it is incredibly loud (like all KoAlohas) but also sings like a dream. I was more than a bit embarrassed as he insisted I play it for them (plugged and unplugged) but it sounded a lot better in my hotel room when I did not have to play for a showroom full of people.
The koa is curly on the front, sides and back. Pops said the crown bridge is made of macasser ebony, and the fretboard is gaboon ebony. The pickup is an LR Baggs 5.0.
One nice touch was his pastor was there and he blessed the ukulele for me. I am not a very religious person but I thought it was very thoughtful of him.
I promised Pops that while I was sorry it would never be played to its potential, it would bring me joy in happy times and comfort me when I was down.
I also got to build a KoAloha keychain while I was there - yay! It is hanging from the tuner in the first photo. I hated giving up the other uke back to them as it was beautiful but I greatly appreciate all Pops did to get me this wonderful instrument.
Last edited:
