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Blackbird Tenor Ukulele through Roland Guitar Synth Pedal

Sometime last year I was talking with Joe from Blackbird and said, "You guys should make a uke that can get synth access." His reply was, "we already have". You just have to get the RMC preamp to convert to 13 pin. So I ordered one from him and it came in last week. A few days ago I got ...

Ko’olau CS – Sinker Redwood/ Hawaiian Mahogany

Today we were handed a new tenor from Noa at Ko'olau and it's quite impressive. The refinement of a Ko'olau really sets them apart. This is one of the lightest Ko'olau ukes I have played, partly due to the Madagascar rosewood and bridge. This wood is very light yet dense and has become Noa's favorite for the bridge and fingerboard. ...
9

DeVine Ukulele

Eric Devine- Custom Luthier on Maui Here is a look/listen at two tenor ukes from Eric DeVine. DeVine uses his own form of Kasha bracing with many deviations from your average ukulele design. He uses amazing woods and has his own ornate purflings and detailed inlays. Here is a look at a Spruce top tenor with extremely curly koa back ...
5

Moore Bettah – Peacock Tenor

Chuck Moore Custom Tenor "Peacock" We just got this instrument in from our friend on the Big Island, Chuck Moore. In case you guys didn’t already know, I’m a huge fan of Chuck’s Moore Bettah Ukes. So how’s this one stack up? As my buddy Len said, “it’s just ridiculous”. As in, so incredible it’s mind blowing. But primarily because ...
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!

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New Deluxe Kamaka Models

These are deluxe models just made available in the concert and tenor size. We got the concert HF-2DC, cedar top. The HF-3D & 3DL (long neck), both super beautiful. Actually all of them have totally amazing koa and sound and feel great. The tenor comes in a Spruce Top and Cedar Top also. Besides a few NAMM customs these are ...