I've been a guitar player since the late 60s and only recently (2011) began to appreciate and understand fit and finish and tonewoods. Until 2011 I was fat and happy with my Cedar topped Mahogany b/s guitar. Took it everywhere, never humidified and really didn't give it that much thought ... I just played music. That all changed in 2011 when I began to read up on luthery and the variety of materials used in building instruments. All of that to say I'm beginning to understand the wood combinations I like and the builders that know their tradecraft.
That is why I was excited about this uke. I love the warm dark sound of Cedar and Ebony Macassar and it's high density brings a unique clarity and depth of tone. Ko'olau/Pono's build is tight and clean. At this point I am quite happy with the sound and the looks. Gonna take some time to get to know this uke.
Relating to sound HMS says ...
Clean and crisp, rich with overtones and singing sustain, and coupled with a cedar top, the tone of this macassar is absolutely perfect for what many look for. Cedar has a "broken in" quality or a sweetness in sound that it takes other woods many years to attain. The Macassar Ebony adds definition, projection and reverberating sustain.
Sound clip from HMS (Corey Fujimoto)
Model: Pono ETSH-PCC
Top: Solid Cedar
Back and Sides: Solid Macassar Ebony
Binding: Koa
Headstock: Slothead
Headplate: Macassar Ebony
Rosette: Abalone
Fretboard and Bridge: Macassar Ebony
Fretboard Position Dots: MOP
Fretboard: Radiused
Nut and Saddle: Bone
Finish: Gloss
Dual Action Adjustable Truss rod
Ko'olau Pono Hardshell Case
Total length: 26 3/8”
Body Length: 12 1/16”
Body Width - Upper bout/Lower bout: 6 1/2” / 8 15/16”
Body Depth - Upper bout/Lower bout: 2 9/16” / 3 1/8”
Fretboard Width at Nut/12th fret: 1 3/8” / 1 11/16”
Soundhole diameter: 2 5/8”
Scale length: 16- 5/16”
Pics ... please pardon the reflections ... did my best (man this thing is glossy!)
That is why I was excited about this uke. I love the warm dark sound of Cedar and Ebony Macassar and it's high density brings a unique clarity and depth of tone. Ko'olau/Pono's build is tight and clean. At this point I am quite happy with the sound and the looks. Gonna take some time to get to know this uke.
Relating to sound HMS says ...
Clean and crisp, rich with overtones and singing sustain, and coupled with a cedar top, the tone of this macassar is absolutely perfect for what many look for. Cedar has a "broken in" quality or a sweetness in sound that it takes other woods many years to attain. The Macassar Ebony adds definition, projection and reverberating sustain.
Sound clip from HMS (Corey Fujimoto)
Model: Pono ETSH-PCC
Top: Solid Cedar
Back and Sides: Solid Macassar Ebony
Binding: Koa
Headstock: Slothead
Headplate: Macassar Ebony
Rosette: Abalone
Fretboard and Bridge: Macassar Ebony
Fretboard Position Dots: MOP
Fretboard: Radiused
Nut and Saddle: Bone
Finish: Gloss
Dual Action Adjustable Truss rod
Ko'olau Pono Hardshell Case
Total length: 26 3/8”
Body Length: 12 1/16”
Body Width - Upper bout/Lower bout: 6 1/2” / 8 15/16”
Body Depth - Upper bout/Lower bout: 2 9/16” / 3 1/8”
Fretboard Width at Nut/12th fret: 1 3/8” / 1 11/16”
Soundhole diameter: 2 5/8”
Scale length: 16- 5/16”
Pics ... please pardon the reflections ... did my best (man this thing is glossy!)
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