This is a difficult thread for me to write. I really like my Pono tenors—I own six of them. (MGT; ATD; ETSH-PCC; PTEC-CE; RTC(S)-PC & MTSH-C-MS.)
Without reservation, I’ve steered several people towards buying them. Because, I’ve often considered their starting-level ukes to be some of the best bang-for-the-buck bargains on the market.
They were well made, durable and sounded great. I always thought they were a perfect, step up from an entry-level beginner’s tenor. (Provided the somewhat thick, C-shaped neck fit the person’s hand.)
I’m afraid that after attempting to buy my seventh, an MGTP pineapple tenor, I found the quality has declined.
I decided to get the base-level mango pineapple because it has a satin finish, and I feel that its sound was more open than the gloss-finished deluxe or PC versions.
The mango body of the instrument was excellent. Tight, smooth, and good-looking with an excellent deep, warm and mellow voice.
The neck, however, was another story entirely. The mahogany varied a lot in color. It had a light colored streak up its side and the three sections that make up the heel had angled color variations put together without regard to appearance. It looked crude, and called attention to the stacked heel. On top of that, the neck and headstock looked as though a stain was sprayed on to disguise some of the problems with the wood. (Attached photos.)
I sent pictures and complained to the vendor that I felt that the quality was of a B-stock instrument, and not that of a first-quality instrument. It wasn't up to Pono standards for a $400 tenor. Certainly, not something that I wanted to give as a gift to my niece.
I asked to exchange it for a better-made example, or to get a refund.
In response, I was told that the neck was not sprayed, that the color variations were all in the grain of the wood. (!?) Even if I accepted that explanation, it still does not excuse the way the neck was built. It should never have gotten through QC at the factory. Nor does it excuse it passing through the taking of listing photos, the full setup, nor packing for shipment, without someone pulling it for obvious quality issues.
They told me to send it back for a refund. With no offer to exchange it. Which tells me the other ones they have are no better.
I have a 2017 Pono MGT mango tenor that is excellent. The neck has some variation in grain and color. But it is subtle, and not at all objectionable. I still marvel at how well it is made and sounds.
To say I was disappointed in this pineapple tenor is an understatement. And, because the build quality was so poor on the neck, I can no longer recommend Pono for a starting-level tenor. People should also be wary of their other entry-level sizes, and perhaps the higher-costing models as well. For, if this is acceptable workmanship for this model, what are they passing through on the other ones?
If you decide to buy a Pono, I would strongly recommend that you get photos to make sure the build quality is what you expect it should be, before you pull the trigger.
Without reservation, I’ve steered several people towards buying them. Because, I’ve often considered their starting-level ukes to be some of the best bang-for-the-buck bargains on the market.
They were well made, durable and sounded great. I always thought they were a perfect, step up from an entry-level beginner’s tenor. (Provided the somewhat thick, C-shaped neck fit the person’s hand.)
I’m afraid that after attempting to buy my seventh, an MGTP pineapple tenor, I found the quality has declined.
I decided to get the base-level mango pineapple because it has a satin finish, and I feel that its sound was more open than the gloss-finished deluxe or PC versions.
The mango body of the instrument was excellent. Tight, smooth, and good-looking with an excellent deep, warm and mellow voice.
The neck, however, was another story entirely. The mahogany varied a lot in color. It had a light colored streak up its side and the three sections that make up the heel had angled color variations put together without regard to appearance. It looked crude, and called attention to the stacked heel. On top of that, the neck and headstock looked as though a stain was sprayed on to disguise some of the problems with the wood. (Attached photos.)
I sent pictures and complained to the vendor that I felt that the quality was of a B-stock instrument, and not that of a first-quality instrument. It wasn't up to Pono standards for a $400 tenor. Certainly, not something that I wanted to give as a gift to my niece.
I asked to exchange it for a better-made example, or to get a refund.
In response, I was told that the neck was not sprayed, that the color variations were all in the grain of the wood. (!?) Even if I accepted that explanation, it still does not excuse the way the neck was built. It should never have gotten through QC at the factory. Nor does it excuse it passing through the taking of listing photos, the full setup, nor packing for shipment, without someone pulling it for obvious quality issues.
They told me to send it back for a refund. With no offer to exchange it. Which tells me the other ones they have are no better.
I have a 2017 Pono MGT mango tenor that is excellent. The neck has some variation in grain and color. But it is subtle, and not at all objectionable. I still marvel at how well it is made and sounds.
To say I was disappointed in this pineapple tenor is an understatement. And, because the build quality was so poor on the neck, I can no longer recommend Pono for a starting-level tenor. People should also be wary of their other entry-level sizes, and perhaps the higher-costing models as well. For, if this is acceptable workmanship for this model, what are they passing through on the other ones?
If you decide to buy a Pono, I would strongly recommend that you get photos to make sure the build quality is what you expect it should be, before you pull the trigger.