KoAloha KTM-10 Pikake Solid Hawaiian Koa Tenor Ukulele Satin #25-1

For years we have said that KoAloha ukuleles had sustain, tone and looks to die for... and we rightfully said they have some of the best tenors available. Nothing else can match their full and rich sound, and particularly the bass register in the Tenor size.

As KoAloha approach their 30th year; the big changes they made on their 25 series anniversary models are still being felt. Changes to the bridge positioning and shape of the waist brought about a more streamlined appearance and new geared tuners across the range as well as expanding upon the redesigned Tenor body which moved the neck join down to the 14th fret, made the waist of the Tenors more pronounced and rounded out the bottom bout out both on the ear and to the naked eye.

What does this all mean? Well it means that KoAloha are moving into a new period in the companies history and I can tell you hand on heart that all of these changes have made for a more exciting and refined Ukulele. KoAloha were to us here at SUS the cheeky sibling of the Hawaiian K brands with an untamed and open sound. These new designs have given the wilder frequencies a bit of a haircut and the overall appearance of modern KoAlohas and the sound is sleeker and smoother. These new appointments and the quality of the wood make for an instrument at 'standard' Hawaiian prices that more closely resemble the popular factory/custom Red Label Ukuleles that we would fawn over in previous years.

The Pikake KoAloha KTM-10 tenor ukulele has a smoother, more rounded and a little more open voice than the gloss finish KTM-00 standard version. It feels very light in the hand, and very balanced indeed. What you notice most when you play is the clarity of its voice common to all KoAloha instruments, with great note separation and a huge expressive range, which extends all the way up the neck.

You'll find that playing right up at the dusty end is a very satisfying thing, which each note just pinging out beautifully and effortlessly. This is in no doubt partly down to the unique way that KoAloha instruments are braced, with unit bracing in place of the more common ladder or fan bracing, which allows more of the top to ring for longer, which makes more sound for longer.

The KoAloha Pikake tenor is a total joy to play. Pictures show actual instrument you will receive.

As with all KoAloha ukuleles, no grain filler is used before the finish is applied. This helps the instrument to sound so open and natural, but means that features and grain in the wood can show through, causing small anomalies and flaws in the finish.

In an effort to keep these instruments as affordable as possible; this Ukulele does not come from KoAloha with a hard case. The cost of shipping these ukuleles from Hawaii to the UK in a hardcase can often increase the price by as much as £150. They will fit in any of our Tenor bags or cases and you will have still saved quite a bit of money.

Specifications:
All solid Hawaiian koa body
CNC shaped mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard and bridge
TUSQ(tm) nut and saddle
KoAloha 5-pointed crown headstock
20-fret fretboard joined at the 14th fret
Wooden soundhole label
Fretboard dots and headstock inlay made of abalone
KoAloha's patented "Musubi" soundhole
Satin finish
Abalone headstock
37mm nut width
28mm String Spacing at nut
Clear fluorocarbon low G strings