How is Ohana for overall quality?

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Hey guys, I’m having a dilemma.

I’ve been considering a certain Ohana for a while now and it’s one that I’ll probably have to order rather than get locally. I decided to look at a different model to try to gauge the brand as far as quality is concerned and I’m split 50/50, so I come to you to tell me the good bad and ugly as is needed.

I was able to look at a nice TK-22 today, which is nice because I have a Kala that’s almost the twin of it (aside from finish, head stock and wood). The Ohana goes for about $190 and the Kala can be hard for $280, so I kept that in mind. Also both are solid tops with Grover’s

At first blush I was really impressed, the feel was good, thinner body overall and I was surprised by the volume and tone.

But when I got to really looking over it, I noticed some sloppy work, such as either excess glue or “finish” along the fretboard flaking off, a missdrilled tuner hole (way off from where the tuner would have been) and overall just a bit less quality than the Kala.

I could just be being picky, or not accounting for that nearly $100 price difference, so I’d like y’all’s honest feedback on the brand and if I just need to shut up 🤪

My main concern is that this is going to be a “big” purchase and I know the uke I want well sound good, but I need it to really be worth the cost to avoid that whole never meet your heroes “ feeling.


I appreciate this forum so much...
 
To be honest, I would never even consider an Ohana...especially after your description of that ukulele. I don't have anything specific to cite as my evidence. It is more of a vibe. I believe if I were at gunpoint and forced to buy a cheap ukulele or die, I would go for a Mainland Uke. I've seen people I respect playing them, they're solid wood, and I imagine they are set up adequately since they are made from a smallish company. ukuleles like Ohana, Shark, Waterman...they obviously have a market but they don't do it for me.
 
I have purchased a few Ohanas from both Mim's Ukes and Uke Republic, and all have been excellent, undoubtedly because those sellers do a thorough quality check and setup. I have bought ukes of other brands from The Ukulele Site, and they're awesome too, for the same reasons!
 
I own two Vita Ukes, one of which I won from a magazine, the other I bought used AFTER having had the first for more than a year, The other two are concerts - one an Art Deco style with a "D" shaped sound hole, and the other the quilted eucalyptus. Love 'em all.

The only issue I have had was with the one I won - the tuner buttons were cracking. I contacted Ken Middleton here on UU, He had someone from Ohana contact me. I sent photos, they sent replacement tuners, I installed them, and not an issue since. I use Worth Clears or Browns on them, and they are great.

Do buy an Ohana - get it from Mim or Uke Republic. Both do set ups, and stand behind their products, 100%.
 
riprock, interesting take on Ohana vs Mainland. They are both imports from China. I've heard some say that Ohana and Mainland might be made in the same factory, since there are similarities, I don't know for sure. But I once had solid hog tenors from both at the same time, an Ohana TK-35 and a Mainland Classic Mahogany Tenor, and overall they seemed very similar to me: the headstock shape was identical, and the scarf joint at the neck was identical. I've never seen a joint exactly like that on any other uke, it started slightly south of the nut, very distinctive. Those 2 features alone made me think they were the same exact uke from the same factory, just with different appointments like purfling, binding, rosette, etc. I still have one solid Ohana tenor, and like it fine.
 
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I've had 3 Ohana's, all from Mim, and they were perfect. Still have one. Even her B-stocks have very minor blemishes or finishing details which she photographs well to identify before you buy (for a discount). I think if she received one like you describe, she'd send it back. Plus she does a setup on everything that goes through her shop. I'm not saying they're the greatest brand, but they're great value for what they are. You just have to buy through a dealer who cares about and knows ukuleles. I'm sure Uke Republic is good too, but I haven't dealt with them, so don't know. HMS is great, but don't sell Ohanas.

Kala tends to impress me less, the higher the model. Their entry level models are great, but their mid-range models leave me flat (ironic that I use that term as I like the thinline Kalas). But that's purely my opinion of what I like, not based on quality.
 
I've enjoyed the three Ohana ukuleles I've had and some of their limited edition models are really nice. I've currently got a SK-38 mahogany soprano and for the price (I picked it up for US$240 new) it's a really nice uke.

They do a variety of solid wood combinations that are hard to get at that price point. Sure some will have minor defects like excess glue etc but the tonewoods and bling on some of their uke's would cost significantly more in other brands.

I've had good experiences with Kala as well. I've owned a concert banjo uke, Acacia Sweet Pea tenor and a Tri back and spruce tenor. All good uke's for the price.

I do think you do get what you pay for regardless of the brand though and a lower end Kala and Ohana are not the best examples of those brands.
 
Funny I just posted something about Ohana yesterday. I have a ck-39 all hog concert which should be a higher end product in their line but I wasn’t impressed. It’s too light (although some people said it’s a good thing, but I appreciate something more substantial.) almost feels cheap.
I also have a mainland mango soprano glossy finished. To me the mainland is in the next category, so much better than the ck-39. I don’t know if the gloss finish makes mainland more substantial. Maybe I should try a gloss Ohana as well?
I don’t just judge by the weight of course. The sound of Mainland is just nice, even with the stock strings. Ohana is a little dead to me. Based on my experience, I would not want to purchase another Ohana. But I won’t be hesitated to get a mainland again.
 
I LOVE Ohana ukes, Kala ukes, and Mainland ukes! But like any brand, you should order from a dealer who does a good setup on them, or you may be disappointed with whichever instrument you purchase.
 
Three Ohana solid mahogany, long neck soprano, giraffe neck soprano, & long neck concert, great ukes with fluorocarbon low G stings (Living Water in my case).

These, & my KoAloha Opio solid acacia long neck concert, are my favourite ukes, (& I've got a few!). :)
 
I've reviewed a lot of Ohana ukes, but I am consicious that the ones I had reviewed had all first been through specialist ukulele dealers - they were all in good order and I liked them.

Some time later I worked with Ohana direct and they sent three over from USA to UK for review - you'd expect the same thing - knowing they were going to a reviewer. Two were fine. One was really poor in a lot of departments - poor setup, scruffy finishing. I was staggered.

But it led me to the view I have heard from some others who grabbed them from 'non specialist uke stores' who also came across poor examples - that they are a brand that really DO need a once over from a specialist. I know Mim does a great job on the ones she sells and am sure other specialists do too. Would I buy one from another channel though? No, I wouldn't.
 
Funny I just posted something about Ohana yesterday. I have a ck-39 all hog concert which should be a higher end product in their line but I wasn’t impressed. It’s too light (although some people said it’s a good thing, but I appreciate something more substantial.) almost feels cheap.
I also have a mainland mango soprano glossy finished. To me the mainland is in the next category, so much better than the ck-39. I don’t know if the gloss finish makes mainland more substantial. Maybe I should try a gloss Ohana as well?
I don’t just judge by the weight of course. The sound of Mainland is just nice, even with the stock strings. Ohana is a little dead to me. Based on my experience, I would not want to purchase another Ohana. But I won’t be hesitated to get a mainland again.

I read your other post and you really need to try some fluorocarbon strings on that Ohana before condemning it and the Ohana brand in general. My first all solid wood uke was a Ohana limited edition (sinker redwood, rosewood) which came with Aquila (nylon) strings. Once I got over the initial excitement of a new uke where objectivity is kind of pushed to the background, I grew more and more disappointed with the sound. I found the sound to be dull and kind of muddy. My first instinct was to blame the uke. I was under the (false) impression that strings were strings and one was pretty much like the other. I was really disappointed having spent so much money on a uke which was supposed to be nice but had such a disappointing sound. I then put some Martin fluorocarbon strings on it and I couldn't believe the difference it made. It sounded like a different uke! I liked the feel of the fluorocarbon strings better as well. The string change totally changed my impression of the uke.

I'd be among those people who would tell you that a light uke/light build is a good thing. I also have a long neck, all solid mahogany soprano Ohana uke which is light. When I first picked it up the word "airy" came to mind when I thought of the feel. It would be considered to be on the lower end of the "non-starter" ukes but I'm very happy with the sound and feel of it. Knowing I didn't like Aquila strings, I had it strung with Worth brown (fluorocarbon) strings before I bought it.

Having said all that, I really like the Ohana brand. Three of my five ukes are Ohanas and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another were I in the market nor would I hesitate to recommend them to others. I would also advise buying through Mim, Uke Republic or other specialist who do their own inspections and set-ups and who are familiar with the brand. My one Ohana was purchased through an independent seller who didn't do inspections and set-ups and I did have to take that uke into a guitar/uke tech guy at a music store to get set up properly and to change out the tuners because it came with tuners that were different that what I was expecting.
 
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I have four Ohanas, and I've seen nothing to complain about. Of course, if you buy from a good dealer, you can return it if you see defects. If you mention your concern when you order it, you can bet the dealer will check it over to make sure there's nothing you wouldn't like.

I've bought some ukes that were listed as factory seconds, and I was never able to find a flaw. Maybe that means I don't have a critical enough eye. :D
 
I really like the Ohana brand, mainly because they offer many options that deviate from the main shapes and sizes such as multi-string ukuleles at affordable prices. But when it comes to your basic 4-string sopranos, concerts, and tenors, I perceive very little difference between Ohana and any other mass production brand. The vast majority of instruments differ mainly in colour and other specs, and reflect the average due to the sheer number of ukes made, and there will be a few that are really great, and a few that are really terrible. Ohana is one of the biggest brands so they are closest to the average. But there can be a distinction between brands, as pricing is an important part of their marketing strategy. For example, in a recent thread it was revealed that Luna seems to be performing below the average at a given price point. So the tricky thing would be to find some brand that performs above average and provides best bang for the buck. Some of the newer Chinese brands that sell directly without having to go through stores, have received some favourable mention here on UU in that regard.
 
Funny I just posted something about Ohana yesterday. I have a ck-39 all hog concert which should be a higher end product in their line but I wasn’t impressed. It’s too light (although some people said it’s a good thing, but I appreciate something more substantial.) almost feels cheap.
I also have a mainland mango soprano glossy finished. To me the mainland is in the next category, so much better than the ck-39. I don’t know if the gloss finish makes mainland more substantial. Maybe I should try a gloss Ohana as well?
I don’t just judge by the weight of course. The sound of Mainland is just nice, even with the stock strings. Ohana is a little dead to me. Based on my experience, I would not want to purchase another Ohana. But I won’t be hesitated to get a mainland again.

Interesting perspective. I associate heavy with cheap construction and less resonance. In my mind, it takes more talent to build something light and is still strong enough to stay together.

In the end, if the Ohana doesn't have the sound you want and you're otherwise not in love with it, a string change might not do much to change your mind. Everyone has their own criteria.
 
I think I’m going to see if I can borrow it and make a video of the “issues” since this site hates mobile pics. Might help some with showing what I perceive as issues

Also from what I’m told it came direct from Ohana so who knows.
 
I have two. Neither is a beginner level bottom tier ukulele. I like them both. I also own a Mainland.
 
I have one ohana, i thought it was quite high quality. No obvious flaws when i got it. Of course it has lots of flaws now :)
 
I'd be curious to see the video. Sometimes "issues" are issues and sometimes "issues" are nit-picking and inconsequential. I'd be interested to see what the issues are.
 
I'd be curious to see the video. Sometimes "issues" are issues and sometimes "issues" are nit-picking and inconsequential. I'd be interested to see what the issues are.

Honestly it’s probably not picking. I made a video (a few times) and what I could see in order of concern are:

1, Head misdrilled for a tuner mounting screw and hole not filled
2, There’s a hole between the fretboard and the neck around the 3rd fret that actually looks like a someone took a fret saw to it (hole looks squared off). Hole is about the same size as a thumb tack would make
3, the nut isn’t centered and is shifted right about a business card width.
4, The glue/stuff around the fretboard edge. This is on the board that’s over the body.
5, Glue at the end of the fretboard is sloppy and could have been cleaned up better
6, Owner said that when he got it, a he found a few “strings” on the actual strings like they were frayed. (Actual description was that in a few spots the strings looked like peeling string cheese)
7, frets over the body a little sharper than the rest.

There’s a couple other REALLY picky things (they used black/dark wood filler on a blonde neck, binding discoloring) that by themselves wouldn’t matter.


And after looking at it more and seeing the good things about it, I’m satisfied at least for the time on the quality.

As for the good things:

Light
Thinner than a Kala Concert surprisingly
Grover tuners (altho I don’t like the buttons)
Solid top with a decent finish
I like the binding
Strap buttons
Surprising sound

I’m just a picky ass 🤪
 
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