New Uke Day (NUD) NUD: KoAloha Soprano

[gustophersmob]

KoAloha Soprano Value?

Hey everyone, Of all things, a KoAloha soprano has popped up on my local Craigslist for what I think is a good price and I’m going to check it out today. It’s an older one with the crown shape at the end of the fretboard and their name laser engraved on the bridge. I think it’s a KSM-00, but...

forum.ukuleleunderground.com

From my other thread, I saw this uke on Craigslist for a very goood price and I ended up getting it. It is a May 2012 KoAloha soprano, the KSM-00, I think. It’s in really nice shape, with only a couple minor bumps here and there.

I like the aesthetics of this era with the engraved bridge and the crown at the end of the fretboard.

It’s nice and loud. A little more neck heavy than I expected, but nothing bad, just different. The neck is also a little thicker front to back and a more round shape than my vintage ukes. Again, not bad, just different.

I really like the koa, particularly the back. This is the first koa and Hawaiian made uke that I’ve owned, and pretty pleased to pick it up.

Sorry for the poor pics, the light is t very good inside, and it’s a bit too cold to take it outside today.

 

[rainbow21]

Great purchase! I always liked their sceptre fretboard and the KoAloha bridge. Their dark koa is a favorite of mine.

Enjoy!

 

[TerryM]

Great koa, bridge, fretboard and tuner buttons = nice score. Congratulations!

 

[Ukecaster]

Congrats, sure looks like a classic koa soprano. Great looking wood and a nice dark finish.. I hope it plays/sounds as good as it looks.

 

[merlin666]

Congrats that is a great looking uke with many prime features that may make it more valued than a new one. Also consider KoAloha warranty where you can trade it in for a new one if something goes wrong with it. Great score!

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

A beauty! IMHO, the KoAloha bridge alone was worth the purchase. I much prefer it to Pops’s current Wow! bridges.
Congratulations on finding such a uke, especially through Craigslist.

 

[gustophersmob]

Thanks everyone!

 

[gustophersmob]

Congrats that is a great looking uke with many prime features that may make it more valued than a new one. Also consider KoAloha warranty where you can trade it in for a new one if something goes wrong with it. Great score!

That’s interesting, I didn’t know about the warranty. I wonder if it only applies to the original owner? Looking on their website, it’s pretty sparse on any information.

Regarding feature changes, I think the only newer one I would like in this one is the new headstock inlay. All the others I dont prefer as much (not that the new ones are bad, they’re beautiful too, just like this flavor more).

 

[John Colter]

Congratulations! Great find. It looks exactly like mine which is dated Jan 2015. The Koa is lovely and it sounds wonderful.

 

[Patty]

I think the embossed headstock logo is classier than an inlaid one. Suits the aesthetic of the rest of the uke.

 

[rhiggie]

A beauty! IMHO, the KoAloha bridge alone was worth the purchase. I much prefer it to Pops’s current Wow! bridges.
Congratulations on finding such a uke, especially through Craigslist.

I always like the engraved bridge, 2 of mine have it. Not sure why KoAloha went away from it but my guess is to save some money on the build side. Congrats on an excellent find, and only 20 mins away... SCORE! If you love it and it's a keeper, you might consider replacing the tuners with Gotoh UPT's.. Pretty easy change (but the tuners aren't cheap!). I've swapped out a few KoAloha friction tuners, but if your used to friction tuners, these are pretty nice!

 

[Contrails]

That’s interesting, I didn’t know about the warranty. I wonder if it only applies to the original owner? Looking on their website, it’s pretty sparse on any information.

Regarding feature changes, I think the only newer one I would like in this one is the new headstock inlay. All the others I dont prefer as much (not that the new ones are bad, they’re beautiful too, just like this flavor more).

Koaloha warranty stands irregardless of how many owners. Hence the “better than the weather warranty” they coined.

 

[MarTay6]

Wow, beautiful find!! Love it- especially the engraved bridge!

 

[gustophersmob]

Koaloha warranty stands irregardless of how many owners. Hence the “better than the weather warranty” they coined.

That’s very cool. Love it when companies stand behind their products. Hopefully I’ll never have to take them up on it, though.

 

[gustophersmob]

I always like the engraved bridge, 2 of mine have it. Not sure why KoAloha went away from it but my guess is to save some money on the build side. Congrats on an excellent find, and only 20 mins away... SCORE! If you love it and it's a keeper, you might consider replacing the tuners with Gotoh UPT's.. Pretty easy change (but the tuners aren't cheap!). I've swapped out a few KoAloha friction tuners, but if your used to friction tuners, these are pretty nice!

I wonder if they moved away from koa since it’s softer than the ebony they’re now using? Maybe the tie style wears more quickly in koa?

Not sure if that would have anything to do with dropping the engraving.

 

[rhiggie]

Koaloha warranty stands irregardless of how many owners. Hence the “better than the weather warranty” they coined.

I'm not sure if that's true, maybe they honor it if you have something obviously a defect but here's what it says:

 

[rhiggie]

Koaloha warranty stands irregardless of how many owners. Hence the “better than the weather warranty” they coined.

Uke Republic says it this way:
KoAloha offers a limited Lifetime Warranty. The instrument is covered 100% for Manufacturer defects. This will be determined by KoAloha after visually inspecting the `ukulele. This applies to the first purchaser. The warranty is non transferable. You must provide receipt of purchase. If purchased from UKE Republic please contact UKE Republic directly. We will assist you further. Please refer to terms and conditions, Limitation on Obligations and Claim Procedures.

 

[badhabits]

Uke Republic says it this way:
KoAloha offers a limited Lifetime Warranty. The instrument is covered 100% for Manufacturer defects. This will be determined by KoAloha after visually inspecting the `ukulele. This applies to the first purchaser. The warranty is non transferable. You must provide receipt of purchase. If purchased from UKE Republic please contact UKE Republic directly. We will assist you further. Please refer to terms and conditions, Limitation on Obligations and Claim Procedures.

Not sure that's 100% accurate, but might be what they choose to put in writing. These boards are full of stories where Koaloha has taken care of their customers, whether first owner or not, with/without receipt. IIWM I'd bypass Ur and go straight to Koaloha if I had any warranty questions/issues (I've gotten better results that way with another brand).

 

[merlin666]

I wonder if they moved away from koa since it’s softer than the ebony they’re now using? Maybe the tie style wears more quickly in koa?

Not sure if that would have anything to do with dropping the engraving.

They changed bridge design often. The change away from koa occurred when they switched to ebony fretboard. I prefer the feel and sound of koa fretboards and am fortunate to have Kamaka and KoAloha ukes with them. But they change colour with finger contact and can look quite messy after a few years of heavy playing. The ebony fretboards don't do that, but they are heavier and more slippery.

 

[gustophersmob]

Interesting discussion. Hopefully I’ll never need to find out what the parameters of any warranty coverage is, it seems a well made instrument.