They are finally here in the UK! 'Oli are the ukulele brand that have been creating the most buzz worldwide for the last 12 months and we can confirm with first hand experience; the hype is justified!
The X2-TTSRR is part of a new limited edition X braced series from 'Oli. Aimed at intermediate/professional musicians this tenor ukulele is light in the hands, resonant and with incredible sustain and colour to the sound. The reinforcement in the top makes for a thicker, tighter and more compressed traditional bottom end sound on your ukulele.
Andrew Kitakis along with his famous team at Ukulele Site in Hawaii have been designing and refining the range of ukuleles for several years already. Present company included; there is really nobody more in tune with what makes a good ukulele that players can bond with.
The X2-TTSRR is built with a combination of Canadian torrefied sitka spruce top and a rare figured rosewood back and sides. Torrefied spruce is a specially developed tonewood, which is heated and vibrated to artificially age it over time. This synthesises the "opening up" process of the ukulele, offering more resonance, clarity and sustain right out of the factory.
What you can see at first glance is the side mounted fret markers popular on many ukes from brands like Flight. They give you a visual clue as to where you are playing on the fretboard without the need to tilt the instrument towards you. The nut is wider at 37mm with a nice wide string spacing and a modern, smooth C shape to the neck which curves well with the natural curves in your hand. The tuners are Gotoh Planetary tuners which are commonly seen as being the top ukulele tuner out there.
The Gotohs weigh nothing which balances the instrument better and allows the wood to vibrate freely. When you play the instrument, you will feel the bag vibrate as you play. The fingerboard has a slight radius to it which makes barre chords slightly easier for many.
Finally, the choice of factory strings is a Ko'olau fluorocarbon with a smoothwound gold alloy G. A popular choice for modern players and one that has been chosen to really make the notes you want to stand out. The whole thing is a really professional presentation that gives players a slice of a custom ukulele at a price more similar to something like an aNueNue Cedar Bird.
The 'Red' rosewood used on this ukulele is an extremely figured and texted looking piece of wood that bucks the trend of what Rosewood should look like. It has quirky grain twisting and turning throughout the back, sides and butt of the ukulele along with deep red and purple hues to the visual appearance under bright light.
Listing shows actual ukulele you will receive.
Specification:
X braced torrefied spruce top
Super rare "Red" rosewood sides and back
Rosewood faceplate
Radius ebony fingerboard
Tamarind side/fret bar markers
Rosewood string through bridge
Rosewood rosette
Rosewood binding - top, back, fretboard, headstock
Mahogany neck with dual action truss rod
Bone nut and saddle
Gotoh UPT 4:1 ratio tuning keys w gold hardware
Gloss finish body - satin finished neck
Ko'olau Aho fluorocarbon set
Includes 'Oli hardshell case
Total scale length: 16 15/16”/ 43 cm
Body length: 12”/ 30.48cm
Overall length: 26.25”/ 66.75cm
Nut width: 1.44" / 36.5 mm
Saddle length: 2.19”/ 55.63mm
Lower bout width: 9”/ 23 cm
Upper bout width: 6.5”/ 16.5cm
Lower bout depth: 3” / 7.85cm
Upper bout depth: 2.75”/ 7cm
