14

Pono TE & BE – the 2014 NAMM Pre Show

Pono's TE Options - Choose your Wood, Finish & Pickup  In the summer of last year we showed you this new model that would be coming from Pono. It is a solid chambered body tenor and we compared it with other similiar options on the market at this article- Pono Solid Body-Review & Compare. That one was an Acacia model with ...
13

Blackbird’s “Clara”

Clara- The 1st Plant Fiber based Composite Concert Ukulele Blackbird is a small group of luthiers in San Francisco doing some really cool things with alternative resources. For a few years now we have carried the carbon fiber tenors when available. They are different from traditional ukes because they are not made of wood but of carbon fiber. This makes ...
3

Pono Mango Line

Update– We now carry a full line of Pono Mango models in all sizes and even in the Pro Classic Pono line. See more at our store HERE.

Danish Musician Majors in Ukulele- Artist Profile -Tobias Elof

Tobias is a 25 year old ukulele player is visiting us from Denmark. In the second video on the right he talks about how he's in College majoring in ukulele. A major in ukulele? That's awesome! UH has to get with it. Maybe Mr. Elof will come back to head the program, he may be the only one qualified with ...
9

Koa Tenor Moore Bettah!

This is a new koa tenor from Chuck Moore. It's truly a phenomenal instrument. Extremely easy to play with super low action, yet has all the dynamics, body, and volume you'd ever want. Chuck shows meticulous craftsmanship and the design and materials are simply gorgeous. But even more telling is the sound; full, articulate, and musical. Undeniable excellence once again ...
45

Music Guy Mic, you will be missed greatly…

A dear friend and member of our team passed away yesterday. Michael Aratani, aka Music Guy Mic was fun lovin' and hard workin' with a musical gift and an undeniable charm. He was like family to us and a great friend to me. One example that comes to mind is when he helped me build my first shop in Kaneohe ...
7

Tommy Rodriguez

Tommy Rodriguez has been a renown guitar maker for many years. His unique, asymmetrical lattice braced nylon string guitars are considered to be among the best you will hear. Flamenco and classical guitarist Marija Temo says , “Tom is just amazing. I can’t imagine playing any other guitar." After listening to Marija's studio recording "Waves" I can hear why she ...
50

Comparing K Brand Tenors

This short video shows three Hawaiian made tenors played back to back. These are the three main ukulele makers here in Hawaii, Kamaka, Kanilea and KoAloha. This is a "dry" recording, unaltered, just like all of our comparison videos. See more videos from "the Listening Booth" at our Review Section here. Sound is one of the main factors in choosing an instrument. All ...
2

Ko’olau Baritone CE for James Hill

This is the James Hill Ko’olau baritone CE sound sampled by the man himself! What James does with a distortion pedal and technique truly rocks on this uke! Love this guy!