YogiTom
Well-known member
I’ve hemmed and hawed for some time about buying a KoAloha ukulele. Not because I don’t like the sound, look, or build, but mainly because I was searching for a LN soprano that really grabbed me. Failing that, I opted for something more affordable and a better trial run before any further money disappears to this hobby.
Loved the look of the new design of the Spruce/Acacia Opio line (minus the ginormous position markers...more on that later), and “needed” a new spruce top and concert ukulele since my wife claimed both of those in our collection. So, checking a lot of boxes (and despite some negative views of non-bound spruce top instruments in this thread here), I grabbed one from HMS, hoping it would be as pretty as the stock photo model and sound as nice as the sound samples provided.
I’m happy to say it fulfilled both for me. I love the pattern on the back and sides, and the top has its own understated beauty. There is a hint of curl throughout in the right light that makes me smile.
The first impression I had picking up to tune was it was supremely light (a quality I noticed with The Rebel mango concert we have), and easy to hold. The build is tidy and clean throughout, and the laser stamp on the inside heel join says Nov. 2018 as the build date.
I love the vibrant tone this has, as well as the sustain and dynamic range. It can whisper a lullaby and thrash in a metal band with equal ease, though without any electronics this one may be poorly suited for the latter.
My only real complaint is the size of the maple position markers on the fretboard. They are easily larger than a No.2 pencil in diameter. I guess that makes it easy for others to follow along with you, but kinda looks goofy to me with the otherwise sleek design and build. On the bright side, the grain is perfectly perpendicular to the grain the fretboard, so A+ on execution.
Has this ukulele sold me on KoAloha as a brand, even though this wasn’t made “in house”? Sure. The design is great and sleek, but it really just reinforces my belief that they have a great team in Thailand (a la the guys at The Rebel) making these more affordable models, and the build on every one I’ve held has been supremely clean and neat.
Loved the look of the new design of the Spruce/Acacia Opio line (minus the ginormous position markers...more on that later), and “needed” a new spruce top and concert ukulele since my wife claimed both of those in our collection. So, checking a lot of boxes (and despite some negative views of non-bound spruce top instruments in this thread here), I grabbed one from HMS, hoping it would be as pretty as the stock photo model and sound as nice as the sound samples provided.
I’m happy to say it fulfilled both for me. I love the pattern on the back and sides, and the top has its own understated beauty. There is a hint of curl throughout in the right light that makes me smile.
The first impression I had picking up to tune was it was supremely light (a quality I noticed with The Rebel mango concert we have), and easy to hold. The build is tidy and clean throughout, and the laser stamp on the inside heel join says Nov. 2018 as the build date.
I love the vibrant tone this has, as well as the sustain and dynamic range. It can whisper a lullaby and thrash in a metal band with equal ease, though without any electronics this one may be poorly suited for the latter.
My only real complaint is the size of the maple position markers on the fretboard. They are easily larger than a No.2 pencil in diameter. I guess that makes it easy for others to follow along with you, but kinda looks goofy to me with the otherwise sleek design and build. On the bright side, the grain is perfectly perpendicular to the grain the fretboard, so A+ on execution.
Has this ukulele sold me on KoAloha as a brand, even though this wasn’t made “in house”? Sure. The design is great and sleek, but it really just reinforces my belief that they have a great team in Thailand (a la the guys at The Rebel) making these more affordable models, and the build on every one I’ve held has been supremely clean and neat.
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