Ohana USA - Semi-Tonic Semi Hollow All Solid Quilted Maple/Mahogany (Koa Cap) Tenor Ukulele Prototype w/gigbag

Brad Kahabka from the Ohana USA custom shop is constantly pushing the envelope, designing, developing and refining better and better ukuleles from the California workshop.

This prototype is a pre-curser for a future tenor ukulele model on its way from the Ohana USA workshop, however I do want to emphasise the prototype. We picked this ukulele up from Brad who readied it for the 2026 NAMM show as something brand new to showcase and to be honest, we love it!

At a quick glance you may think its Ohana's twist on a Revelator but it really isn't. It's more of an experimental modern twist on a standard tenor ukulele inspired by traditional instrument building values called the "Semi-Tonic". The goal was to emulate the technique of carving a one piece hollow instrument (much like an old violin). How Brad arrived at this as a final product only he knows, but it is a weapon of a prototype with a gorgeous quilted maple top mounted on mahogany with some really beautiful AAA Koa used for a rear cap.

The shape, as I said could fool you into thinking it's a thinline but it does hold a standard(ish) body depth, maintaining a full and rich timbre with glossy maple highs and sweet koa mids. The neck is carved to feel like an electric ukulele neck for a more noodler style of playing and of course coming from the Ohana USA workshop it is piled high with extra features, like the totally unique off centre soundhole, rear body bevel for comfort and is liberally adorned with abalone purfling on the body, neck and headstock.

If all that wasn't enough, this ukulele is also fitted with a powerful LR.Baggs 50 pickup system with end pin jack socket and comes in a padded gigbag.

This latest collection of instruments coming from the Ohana USA workshop are really something special. The thought put into every single component of the Semi-Tonic, like the headstock shape reflecting that of the body, shows dedication to craft and the real joy melted directly into every single ukulele coming from their workshop. This prototype being totally unique and probably a one of a kind.

Specification:
Prototype model
Tenor scale
Solid quilted maple top
Mahogany body
Solid AAA koa back cap
Mahogany electric style neck
Abalone purfling
Abalone fretboard and headstock trim
Gotoh tuners
LR Baggs 50 pickup system
Padded gigbag included