YogiTom
Well-known member
Double NUD, because I have a problem. Also because HMS kindly consolidated this with my Moon Bird...
I have been longing for a spruce top concert uke for awhile, and thought the KoAloha KCO-10S was the answer. Unfortunately, I compared it against the Rebel Double Creme concert we already have, and I couldn’t believe how much more I preferred the Rebel.
(While these guys also build the Opio line for KoAloha, their own brand has a very different build that I think I prefer. Same high quality execution, just different styles.)
So when I saw this pop on HMS, I jumped at it and returned the Opio.
Clean, simple build with a flair of modern appointments and style. Position markers are unique shapes of maple inlayed into the ebony fretboard, and match the geometric maple inlay in the headstock/the company’s triforce logo.
The spruce top has a lovely pattern that glimmers and shimmers as it moves in the light, as do the mahogany back and sides.
As for tone, it is just what I wanted. Bright treble notes from the spruce and some rich warm bass and an all around full sound across its range. Hard to find a place that the notes don’t sing out.
And then there is the size: concert body with a 17”-ish scale and 1.5” nut. Everything I could hope for in terms of comfort for my style and size (I’m 6’ tall, but Scandinavian build, so lanky fingers). Feels great to hold and play, and feels supremely light weight (similar to the Opio I returned and the other Rebel we have)
My one and only complaint is with the gig bag. It is straight out of some terrible 80s fever dream. I think I’ve previously said it looks like what John McEnroe may have used as a tennis racket bag during his prime.
In conclusion I love this uke. If you’re ever in a position to pick up a ukulele from these guys, I’d highly recommend it. Mim and HMS have them occasionally, and they always seem to go quickly. These ukuleles really punch well above their price point for both sound and build quality. Can’t recommend them enough!