Doc_J
Well-known member
Another uke on my bucket list arrived recently, a TODA Tenor Cutaway. Until this one, I'd only seen videos and read reviews.
The instrument lived up to the reviews and my expectations.
Here's the specs:
The construction is exactly as you would expect from a Japanese master builder, perfection. The neck profile is comfy, I'd say as thin as a Ko'olau or MBU. I believe the re-entrant strings could be a version of Worths or other FC strings. The notes are clean and crisp (as you might expect with spruce and rosewood). It has the clarity near that of a koa Ko'olau with similar chime-tones, but with a little more warmth, just the right amount.
This is one of those ukes that sounds great either played fingerstyle (nice separation) or strummed. This TODA has good volume, but it's not my loudest uke. The very even and balanced tone is definitely more uke than guitar. My cedar rosewood LFdM might have the edge on re-entrant tone, pleasing to my ears (at the moment), but Luis' ukes are part Flamenco guitar. Weight wise, Ko'olau and Collings tenor feel a bit little lighter. It might be the weight of the Madagascar Rosewood showing.
Had to sell a couple great ukes to get this one, but it was worth it.
The sound and build quality are right up there with the very top builders.
Here's a first day sound sample:
https://app.box.com/s/0bb2550xrimepmo6lgsqr4parqijantk
... and a few pics.
The instrument lived up to the reviews and my expectations.
Here's the specs:
- Body:Tenor Cutaway
- Head stock: Slotted
- Top: Solid German Spruce
- Side & Back:Solid Madagascar Rosewood
- Neck:Honduran Mahogany
- Finger Board (flat):Ebony with custom markers and side dot of Paua
- Finger Board Binding: Madagascar Rosewood
- Body Binding: Koa, front and back
- Bridge:Ebony
- Bracing:X-Bracing
- Back Construction:2 piece
- Neck Width At Nut:35mm
- Scale Length:435mm
- Tuning Machines: Gotoh gunmetal color
- Rosette:Hawaiian Koa with paua dot
- Pick Guard:Hawaiian Koa
- Bone nut and saddle
- Finish: Satin lacquer
The construction is exactly as you would expect from a Japanese master builder, perfection. The neck profile is comfy, I'd say as thin as a Ko'olau or MBU. I believe the re-entrant strings could be a version of Worths or other FC strings. The notes are clean and crisp (as you might expect with spruce and rosewood). It has the clarity near that of a koa Ko'olau with similar chime-tones, but with a little more warmth, just the right amount.
This is one of those ukes that sounds great either played fingerstyle (nice separation) or strummed. This TODA has good volume, but it's not my loudest uke. The very even and balanced tone is definitely more uke than guitar. My cedar rosewood LFdM might have the edge on re-entrant tone, pleasing to my ears (at the moment), but Luis' ukes are part Flamenco guitar. Weight wise, Ko'olau and Collings tenor feel a bit little lighter. It might be the weight of the Madagascar Rosewood showing.
Had to sell a couple great ukes to get this one, but it was worth it.
The sound and build quality are right up there with the very top builders.
Here's a first day sound sample:
https://app.box.com/s/0bb2550xrimepmo6lgsqr4parqijantk
... and a few pics.