KoAloha factory specials – how much discount?

[zivilars]

Hi everybody,

I am possibly in the market for a KoAloha factory special – does anybody know how much – in percent – they discount those specials from the suggested retail price? Or do they not have such a general rule of thumb and also make it dependent on how "bad" the cosmetic flaw is?

Wanted to ask here before I contact them – if the discount isn't that high, I'll probably prefer the "buy used" route ...

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[RichM]

Just email KoAloha and ask what they have available. It takes less time than following a thread on UU and you'll know exactly what they have and what it costs.

 

[zivilars]

Thanks for the reply, RichM. Asked here first because I suspect the discount isn't good enough to prefer a factory special over a used one, so that I didn't want to cause KoAloha trouble mailing me pictures etc. for nothing, but maybe I really should ask them directly.

 

[DownUpDave]

Thanks for the reply, RichM. Asked here first because I suspect the discount isn't good enough to prefer a factory special over a used one, so that I didn't want to cause KoAloha trouble mailing me pictures etc. for nothing, but maybe I really should ask them directly.

A used one in good shape will always be cheaper then a factory second. Their flaws are fairly minor and discount is usually around 10%, sometimes more. Take the time to fire them off an email because you never know what they might have.

 

[zivilars]

I will. Thanks for the info, Dave!

 

[Michele]

I purchased a KoAloha Noah factory special directly from KoAloha and was very satisfied. I emailed to see if they had a Noah in stock and was told they had one but it was a factory special. I asked what made it a factory special and they sent several photographs claiming it had a small ding. I received it very fast and it was packaged very well. To this day I still cannot find anything that would equal a small ding in my opinion. It is perfect but does have a label inside stating factory special. The discount was not huge, but I wanted a Noah and could not find one in stock anywhere else. One thing you might want to consider is shipping cost me $50 from Hawaii to the east coast. I asked if they could waive the shipping but they declined. Never hurts to ask. It's a beautiful instrument.

 

[zivilars]

Hi Michele, thanks for the info. I have to admit that I had to google the KoAloha Noah – wasn't aware of the existence of this size. A smaller scale than a Soprano, but not much, is that correct? What made you chose this one over a "normal" Soprano? Is it harder to play?

 

[Michele]

My first uke was a lower quality somewhat long neck soprano. I have very small hands with some arthritis and was having trouble reaching some frets. I thought a soprano that was just a wee bit smaller would be perfect without going to a sopranino size. My little KoAloha is beautiful and LOUD and is a great strumming instrument. The only real sacrifice is the limited number of frets. There are only twelve. If you play with a group of people and want to be heard, a KoAloha is a great uke. I don't know for sure but I think KoAloha discontinued this model and they wanted to move it, thus the factory special. I am happy to have it. Now that I have been playing a little longer, I find I prefer to fingerpick and now play a Martin cherry soprano. It is beautiful and has a more bell-like tone than my warm, mellow KoAloha. Although I still like to window-shop the internet for other sizes, I have finally settled on the traditional soprano size with a high G tuning.

 

[zivilars]

KoAlohas definitely have a great loud punch, no question. Owning a tenor, a T2 (soprano body, tenor neck) and a Opio Soprano for picking myself, love the sound of all three. Can't go wrong with a KoAloha. Thanks for the input, have fun with your Noah and your Martin soprano!