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aNueNue really have their act together at the moment! The Bird series of instruments, characterised by the funky cutaways, comfort edges and offset soundhole rosettes are amongst the freshest sounding and looking instruments available today.
This 3 series Koa tenor is a feast for the eyes and ears alike. Using 4A grade solid Koa ensures that on rainy days when the view out of the window is as depressing as the pitter patter sound of raindrops, you'll always have the holographical depths of the figuring, and the sweet, perky sound to lose yourself in. Depending on the angle at which you view it, some parts of the Koa can look darker than others - move your viewing angle, and the darker patches move, or transpose to an area which was light before. This is very normal with quartersawn and bookmatched Koa. The effect is know as Chatoyancy, a word derived from the French for cats eyes. A few extra photos of the uke in its case show the exact angle at which the sides are even with no differentiation. These holographic changes are all just part of the fun of Koa!
As with all the best Koa instruments from the big Hawaiian K brands, this one has sustain, harmonics, poise and character aplenty in the sound. Superbly responsive, light plucking or strumming results in a surprising amount of volume, whilst vigorous strumming gives a huge, rich sound with no sign of muddiness or distortion that some of the lesser Koa/Acacia wood ukuleles can offer. There is no style I've tried that doesn't sound fabulous, and makes you want to keep you holding it and playing some more.
Yes, it is Chinese made - but honestly, I challenge anyone to come and try it against other instruments of a similar price made in the US or Japan and not think that it is a serious and credible alternative! It does not have the bombast of a KoAloha, nor the ultimate, effortless Hawaiian sound of a Kamaka, nor the shimmering poise and presence of a Kanile'a; but what it does have is a character uniquely its own - and is all the better for it.
Cool fact about the AnueNue Bird Ukuleles - They were designed by a superstar Japanese Luthier called Mitsuta Morihiko who spent more than a year tweaking the shape and bracing for the Birds working back and forth with James Hill, Kalei Gamiao and Kyas. He calls the unique central positioning of the soundhole and top brace the Mount Fuji-voice brace. Its subtle but the Bird' ukes have a unique body shape as well which you don't always spot because of the sheer cutaway design.
Spec:
Solid AAAA grade Hawaiian Koa top, back and sides Ebony headplate, bridge and fretboard Gotoh UPT tuners Mahogany neck Buffalo Bone Nut and Saddle aNueNue Black Water High G Strings 17" scale length 37mm nut width, with 28mm G to A string spacing Gloss finish Spalted Maple rosette and fretboard inlays Indian Rosewood binding Blue leather hard case
