New Uke Day (NUD) Kamaka HF-1. "Holy Grail" Obtained!

[Mercury59]

Ten years ago I visited Hawaii with the family, and left without picking up a K-brand ukulele! Something I grew to lament. Today, I finally had the opportunity to correct that grave mistake. Purchased this early 2020 Kamaka HF-1, in great condition, for about 40% of the current retail price here in Australia (~600 USD). No surface flaws, apart from a small dent in the finish on the headstock, visible in the lower right-hand corner, which I may, or may not (mojo effect?), have fixed down the track. It's been recently re-strung by the previous owner with some Japanese-brand nylons, and so far, am loving the thing. Nothing wild about the Koa, but it's still pretty enough, and the Gotoh planetary tuners are amazing!

 

[CPG]

Sweet little uke!

 

[rhiggie]

Great uke, nice straight grains! Enjoy!

 

[badhabits]

Congrats!

 

[Joe T]

Worth the wait. Congratulation Mercury 59! Wishing you many happy hours of playing time.

 

[Eggs_n_Ham]

Love my little old kamaka, she's a happy little uke! Congrats on a keeper!

 

[Shaw]

I think a clean, strait-grained koa suits the HF-1 perfectly. Enjoy!

 

[JEngle1122]

I like this koa a lot. Personal preference of course but I think it looks absolutely outstanding and could spend many hours rocking it back and forth enjoying the grain. Great find. I hope you have many years of enjoyment.

 

[DuckyI]

Congratulations. I bet it sounds wonderful. And you got the Kamaka case as well, these look the cat's whiskers.

 

[ailevin]

Very lovely! There is something very special about the Kamaka sound, and the HF-1 is iconically Hawaiian. Kamaka calls it The Standard for good reason.

 

[just yo]

Congrats for your lovely uke

 

[Patty]

Congratulations. That’s a stunning little uke and should give you many years of pleasure. Even the case is pristine-looking. And if I were you I’d leave that tiny dent. Think of it as a beauty mark.

 

[EDW]

There is a good reason that Kamaka has been around so long. Enjoy!

 

[Mercury59]

Congratulations. I bet it sounds wonderful. And you got the Kamaka case as well, these look the cat's whiskers.

Yes, it was a great find. I was about to give up on the idea of ever owning something like this. Prices on instruments are wild here now.

I like this koa a lot. Personal preference of course but I think it looks absolutely outstanding and could spend many hours rocking it back and forth enjoying the grain. Great find. I hope you have many years of enjoyment.

Must admit, it's starting to grow on me. It was raining today, so Imagine it will look even better in the sunlight. Cheers!

Sweet little uke!

Thank you. The family love it too, We spent the afternoon reminiscing over our great time in Hawaii, all those years ago, whilst I was strumming it.

Great uke, nice straight grains! Enjoy!

Thanks! Will do!

Congrats!

Thanks!

Love my little old kamaka, she's a happy little uke! Congrats on a keeper!

They're kinda special, aren't they?

I think a clean, strait-grained koa suits the HF-1 perfectly. Enjoy!

Thanks! Don't get me wrong, even on the Standards, I think the Koa used is excellent.

 

[Mercury59]

Congratulations. That’s a stunning little uke and should give you many years of pleasure. Even the case is pristine-looking. And if I were you I’d leave that tiny dent. Think of it as a beauty mark.

Thanks! The family agrees. Gives it character.

There is a good reason that Kamaka has been around so long. Enjoy!

Thank you. Amazing, they're up to the 4th generation. Most family businesses never make it past the 1st, let alone the 2nd.

 

[firesgt911]

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

[Shaw]

And if I were you I’d leave that tiny dent. Think of it as a beauty mark.

One of my favorite parts of buying a used instrument is that someone else has already put the first ding or scratch on it. Then I don't feel a need to baby it or feel horrible guilt when I inevitably mar it, which means I get it out of the case and play it more. I agree with Patty, leave the little imperfection and start adding more of your own.

 

[man0a]

I think cosmetic issues on a used ukulele are like buying a used car. Performance is the same as a new ukulele, but price is much lower.