Lanikai Lu8 v. Kala Ka8

notgeorgeformby · Oct 29, 2013

I'm getting my head turned by 8 string tenors. Does anyone have any experience of the Lanikai Lu8 or the Kala Ka8? Which would you recommend. They seem about the same price and I like both brands so I'm finding it hard to choose between them.

jcarlos · Oct 29, 2013

Lu8 is the one I have more experience with, I tried the kala one several times and to me they sound very very similar. I honestly think they might be the made by the same manufacturer and then they just put the Kala or Lanikai name on them. Fretboard felt the same, nut size and scale felt the same, even both of them had black nylon, dont remember the brand but the strings felt the same as well. I would say you go with either one you will be getting a very similar sound from both.

haolejohn · Oct 29, 2013

I've only played the Lanikai 8 string ukes. I love them. I am not a lanikai fan, except for the 8 string ukes. The spruce top ones are really hard to beat.

jcarlos · Oct 29, 2013

Yes, if you can afford a Spruce top one, I would go for that one.

equina · Oct 30, 2013

I prefer this: http://www.ukerepublic.bigcartel.com/product/ohana-8-string-tenor-solid-spruce-mahogany
It's made of all solid woods. If you're willing to stretch your budget a little, this may be a better buy.

haolejohn · Oct 30, 2013

equina said:
I prefer this: http://www.ukerepublic.bigcartel.com/product/ohana-8-string-tenor-solid-spruce-mahogany
It's made of all solid woods. If you're willing to stretch your budget a little, this may be a better buy.

I had no idea Ohana was making 8 stringers...hmmmmmmm

notgeorgeformby · Oct 30, 2013

@haolejohn & @jcarlos Is this the one you mean?

@equina The Ohana looks lovely but Southern Ukulele only seem to have the 6 string. That's the problem here in the UK, not a great choice.

jcarlos · Oct 30, 2013

Yes thats the one.

the Ohana looks interesting too, I would like to hear some samples of it.

equina · Oct 30, 2013

jcarlos said:
the Ohana looks interesting too, I would like to hear some samples of it.

Here: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=mhEotOwF7V8

PhilUSAFRet · Oct 30, 2013

Solid mahogany with a spruce top.....at that price, the Ohana is practically a "no brainer." I have been trying to convince them to make a taropatch based on the CK-35 for a few years now....maybe one day.

notgeorgeformby · Oct 30, 2013

It looks like I'd have to buy the Ohana from the US, unless anyone knows somewhere in Europe that sells them.

PhilUSAFRet · Oct 30, 2013

notgeorgeformby said:
It looks like I'd have to buy the Ohana from the US, unless anyone knows somewhere in Europe that sells them.

Ken Middleton would be the best source of info on that I think. http://www.kenmiddleton.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

Tommy B · Oct 30, 2013

So if I understand correctly from that video, the Ohana's C course is tuned in unison, right? Every other 8-string tenor I've played had the C course in octaves (regular C and high C), and I've always liked what that high C did for the overall voice. I wonder why Ohana decided not to do that.

notgeorgeformby · Oct 31, 2013

Tommy B said:
So if I understand correctly from that video, the Ohana's C course is tuned in unison, right? Every other 8-string tenor I've played had the C course in octaves (regular C and high C), and I've always liked what that high C did for the overall voice. I wonder why Ohana decided not to do that.

I'd imagine you can please yourself with the tuning, same as with other ukes. It's bound to make a difference to the character of the instrument.

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I have taken the plunge and ordered a Lanikai UO-8. Managed to find one in the UK at a price within my budget. But I will still have to wait about a fortnight for it. I'll let you know what I think when it gets here.

FiL · Oct 31, 2013

notgeorgeformby said:
Thanks for your comments, everyone. I have taken the plunge and ordered a Lanikai UO-8. Managed to find one in the UK at a price within my budget. But I will still have to wait about a fortnight for it. I'll let you know what I think when it gets here.

I've said it on these boards many times. I love my O-8E! It's my regular player.

- FiL

Tommy B · Oct 31, 2013

Congratulations, notgeorgeformby. I have the bargain-basement LU-8, and I think it's one of the most satisfying strummers in my collection. Have fun!

notgeorgeformby · Oct 31, 2013

@FiL I just took a look at your YouTube channel and you certainly get some sweet sounds out of it!

@Tommy B Thanks, I'm looking forward to it! :drool:

notgeorgeformby · Nov 1, 2013

Gah! The shop can't supply the O8 until after Christmas. Back to square one.

FiL · Nov 1, 2013

PhilUSAFRet said:
Solid mahogany with a spruce top.....at that price, the Ohana is practically a "no brainer." I have been trying to convince them to make a taropatch based on the CK-35 for a few years now....maybe one day.

Despite what it says on the Uke Republic website, I don't think the back on sides of this one are solid. Everywhere else I've seen a description, the back and sides are just listed as "mahogany", which leads me to believe that it has laminated back and sides.

- FiL

equina · Nov 1, 2013

FiL said:
Despite what it says on the Uke Republic website, I don't think the back on sides of this one are solid. Everywhere else I've seen a description, the back and sides are just listed as "mahogany", which leads me to believe that it has laminated back and sides.

- FiL

Mims is also selling it. According to her description, the b/s are solid mahogany.

Lanikai Lu8 v. Kala Ka8

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