My first uke was a Koaloha soprano bought at Kapiolani Mall in Honolulu in 1998. Over time I acquired a few more K brand ukes. The custom uke thing blew right over my head. When I found UU, the custom uke aficionados here were speaking a foreign language.
About a year ago a local collector became quite aged, developed dementia, and rapidly sold off his ukes. In the process I bought a few not really knowing what I was buying. Many of his ukes, which I now know were quite valuable, were badly damaged and I passed them up, but among them I bought two Kawikas. One of the Kawikas was casually tossed about with no case but surprisingly undamaged. The other had a case. I also picked up a couple of other lesser known customs.
Wow! Now I know what I have. These are truly amazing ukes. The sound has depth and complexity, sustain, the right amount of volume, clarity. They also have character. Each has a feel and identity of their own. Each of the customs, whether Kawika or others is is some way special. Utlmately I did sell one - a tenor - because I wanted to raise some money to cover this, and because while it was spectacular I really don't care to play tenor much. I have bought a couple of other used customs, had one made for me, and I'm on the list to get one made.
This gets to the point of this post. Now I see why people get UAS over custom ukes and I'm seriously thinking of selling most of my K brand ukes. Each custom has its own story and its own voice. Depending on the builder it may or may not have a level of uniformity or perfection as a K brand uke, but it may also have fit and finish on a higher level. But it is like each one has its own soul.
About a year ago a local collector became quite aged, developed dementia, and rapidly sold off his ukes. In the process I bought a few not really knowing what I was buying. Many of his ukes, which I now know were quite valuable, were badly damaged and I passed them up, but among them I bought two Kawikas. One of the Kawikas was casually tossed about with no case but surprisingly undamaged. The other had a case. I also picked up a couple of other lesser known customs.
Wow! Now I know what I have. These are truly amazing ukes. The sound has depth and complexity, sustain, the right amount of volume, clarity. They also have character. Each has a feel and identity of their own. Each of the customs, whether Kawika or others is is some way special. Utlmately I did sell one - a tenor - because I wanted to raise some money to cover this, and because while it was spectacular I really don't care to play tenor much. I have bought a couple of other used customs, had one made for me, and I'm on the list to get one made.
This gets to the point of this post. Now I see why people get UAS over custom ukes and I'm seriously thinking of selling most of my K brand ukes. Each custom has its own story and its own voice. Depending on the builder it may or may not have a level of uniformity or perfection as a K brand uke, but it may also have fit and finish on a higher level. But it is like each one has its own soul.