I have the tenor version of this uke, and absolutely love it! I agree, the wider nut width & flat neck profile are super comfortable. Thanks for another great review!
I do love the sound of this. I have a Kiwaya long neck soprano from their student series that I bought second hand just as something to didle on so I didn't keep leaning so heavily on my Ko'Aloha l/neck and found its tone surprisingly good and it's just so playable. Have to say every Kiwaya I've seen or played has that instant playability that shines head and shoulders above just about anything else. I'm looking for a tenor version next ... 🤣
I would love a soprano version but this ukulele is fantastic. All I can say is I love it! Thanks Barry for a reviewing this one..a real company that knows how to make a ukulele….have a great week…. DOC
Beautiful instrument! I can’t justify buying anything new right now - just bought a new Bonanza for Christmas/birthday - but it was a treat to see and hear.
A real quality instrument all round. I hear the resonance coming through on this one. I think in most cases the Japanese are renowned for their quality products. You have reviewed many ukuleles and occasionally there are some brands that get it right too in all areas. Nice review.
I am in Tokyo, Asakusa, stumbled across a small ukulele shop in a quiet neighbourhood, went in and bought a soprano ukulele for my son. Knew nothing about Kiwaya, it sounds great.
Relatively expensive i'd say - when Hawaiian ukes are $1000 plus and even some Chinese - £800 for a Japanese made uke is a bit of a deal I think - in the scheme of things of course
I dig mahogany! Very nice instrument! Close to perfection! The price! Fair! Pay for quality!! oh … THANK YOU Matt @ WORLD OF UKES and also all donators supporting GOT A UKE?
Just like to add that due to your excellent review and sound samples here, I too have ordered one of these from Mike! He should give you a commission!!
I find it a bit odd that they didn't color match the wood for the neck joint when it comes to a pretty fancy uke like this but otherwise it seems amazing. Thanks for the great review.
I have a few Millar that look and sound beautiful, but none of my ukes come close to my Kiwaya in term of build quality, attention to detail in the construction and design, and more importantly that sound is so soulful, beautiful, precise and dynamic!
I have a Famous (their low-end line?) soprano, and it has the same joint st the head. Looking at it closer I think they might do it just so the grain pattern looks good both on the neck and the headstock. I love my Famous, by the way, and now I wish I could afford this one as well...
For the price they are asking in the USA (nearly $1,000 for concert and north of $2,000 for tenor at Elderly Instruments) I would expect and insist upon a solid neck.
@@GotAUkulele true enough. But I suspect it’s possible to achieve that with a one-piece neck. I prefer that to height-adjustable tuners. After all, I can change my break angle by the manner in which I wind my strings.
@@GotAUkulele still boggles my mind at how some of these models don’t come with cases. Koaloha does not offer a case either. I mean at that price point they could even hide the cost of a case. If koaloha charged me $1289, rather than the $1229 I paid, to cover the cost of a case, that extra $60 isn’t gonna be the deal breaker 🤷🏽
Do you think changing the strings to the Worth browns helped the overall sound or changed it from the original sound? I've never tried Worth strings. What do you think about them?
@@GotAUkulele thanks. Next time one of my ukes needs a string change I'll get a set of Worth and try them out. I usually use Martin fluorocarbons, but a change might be in order. If I change to a low G, would I have to modify the nut?
I'm really not trying to be cynical of your reviews, I do enjoy watching them, but why do you care so much about whether the heel and neck are one piece or not? If the instrument has a good sound then why should it matter? I personally wouldn't mind seeing a more decorative heel (just not anything over-the-top).
@@juliespeaksout Largely. But then, when a maker CAN make a joint invisible I think it's valid for me to point out that they failed to do that here. You could say the same about any part of an instrument. But to clarify - I don't care 'so much' it's just a very small detail. The uke got a 9.3!!
@@GotAUkulele I really wasn't talking about this particular uke. It's a very nice instrument. I was only asking about your practice, in general, of pointing out whether the neck and heel are two separate pieces or not. I particularly do not consider it a measure of quality.
@@juliespeaksout I never said it was - purely a visual thing. If a tuner was put on wonky it wouldn't affect the tone of the instrument, but I'd still mention it.
Definitely one of the best sounding ukes you have ever demoed. Very fine indeed.
Couldn't agree more!
Could hear the fine tone even over machinations of You Tube. Indeed, it did sound like 2 instruments playing.
Indeed a beautyful uke with fantastic sound. Thank you so much for letting us see and hear it ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
I realize the video actually IS amped, but few of your test ukes actually SOUND amped. This one does! BTW, my birthday is only 7 months away!
Wow, that is such a complex sound. Clear craftsmanship showing through. Thanks for the review.
Glad you liked it!
I have the tenor version of this uke, and absolutely love it! I agree, the wider nut width & flat neck profile are super comfortable. Thanks for another great review!
Totally agree!
This company should look into a Got a Ukulele limited edition ukulele.. Stellar review !!!
Its so lovely to see your joy while playing! This uke goes on my wishlist.
Go for it!
I agree that the name Strummer does not do this instrument justice - although it strums magnificently. It sounds great fingerpicking, as well.
Yeah - odd name
Boy howdy, that is some volume! Looks and sounds great at a decent price.
I think so too!
I do love the sound of this. I have a Kiwaya long neck soprano from their student series that I bought second hand just as something to didle on so I didn't keep leaning so heavily on my Ko'Aloha l/neck and found its tone surprisingly good and it's just so playable. Have to say every Kiwaya I've seen or played has that instant playability that shines head and shoulders above just about anything else. I'm looking for a tenor version next ... 🤣
Thanks for sharing!
What a beauty with a sound to match. For the price, I think it's lovely! Thanks, Baz!
I agree!
I agree, it’s astounding!
What a beautiful Uke! That mahogany is stunning and sounds sooo good. Thank you for sharing with us.
My pleasure!
Would love to see a video of about your personal ukulele collection and a little about why each one was added.
Really don't own that many - but I have made videos of the ones I own - look for videos labelled as 'Retrospective'
I would love a soprano version but this ukulele is fantastic. All I can say is I love it! Thanks Barry for a reviewing this one..a real company that knows how to make a ukulele….have a great week…. DOC
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a beauty. It even sounded great as you were tuning it!
Yes it was!
Beautiful instrument! I can’t justify buying anything new right now - just bought a new Bonanza for Christmas/birthday - but it was a treat to see and hear.
Happy birthday!
A real quality instrument all round. I hear the resonance coming through on this one. I think in most cases the Japanese are renowned for their quality products. You have reviewed many ukuleles and occasionally there are some brands that get it right too in all areas. Nice review.
There's a level of demanding precision from the Japanese that translates through into their products - wonderfully so too.
I am in Tokyo, Asakusa, stumbled across a small ukulele shop in a quiet neighbourhood, went in and bought a soprano ukulele for my son. Knew nothing about Kiwaya, it sounds great.
Great brand!
Wow!! I’m speechless Barry! Simply sublime! What a treat to hear!
Thanks for listening
@@GotAUkulele ❤️
Phwoar! That is getting into my dream ukulele territory. I’m going to have to start saving my pennies.
Worth every penny!
Cannot ask for more ❤
What a performer, one terrific Uke
indeed!
Expensive but worth it. Smile + Barry = Good Ukulele.
Relatively expensive i'd say - when Hawaiian ukes are $1000 plus and even some Chinese - £800 for a Japanese made uke is a bit of a deal I think - in the scheme of things of course
Absolutely stunning. Up there in sound with Flight perhaps better. This is one of the most best sounding ukes to date. Keep well Barry
With all due respect to Flights - this is leagues above
I dig mahogany! Very nice instrument!
Close to perfection! The price! Fair!
Pay for quality!!
oh … THANK YOU Matt @ WORLD OF UKES and also all donators supporting GOT A UKE?
To be clear - they didn't donate it - it's on loan - going back next week!!
@@GotAUkulele Oh, I’m sorry! I was referring to all the lovely UkulelePeople who donate towards GOT A UKULELE! So I specified my comment above!
I’m amazed at how the Japanese got this mahogany to sound as good as koa. At least to me, it does.
absolutely incredible tone on this one, very unique. Thanks for the review!
Glad you like it!
Excellent ukulele, looks and sound,, nice to see and hear
Many thanks!
What an amazing instrument! Love the sound of it. Definitely out of my budget, but c'mon this is like a dream uke to have. Thanks for the review 🙌
Glad you like it!
Gorgeous!
Yep!
One of the best sounding ukuleles I've heard! WOW!!!
Yep - they are pretty special!
Just like to add that due to your excellent review and sound samples here, I too have ordered one of these from Mike! He should give you a commission!!
Thank you - enjoy it!
I find it a bit odd that they didn't color match the wood for the neck joint when it comes to a pretty fancy uke like this but otherwise it seems amazing. Thanks for the great review.
My thoughts exactly
Thanks for the review, amazing ukulele! Any chance that you review the L.Luthier Le rose tenor?
Not heard of that one?
I have a few Millar that look and sound beautiful, but none of my ukes come close to my Kiwaya in term of build quality, attention to detail in the construction and design, and more importantly that sound is so soulful, beautiful, precise and dynamic!
Agreed - I don't think there are many that come close to Kiwaya!
Had this Uke for a while and it is fantastic. Love it . Don’t play anything else now.
Yep - terrific ukes!
Lovely, rich sound. High gloss finish pops. Does the gloss neck stick? Did it come with a nice case? Would hate to see this finish marred.
I too would prefer a satin neck. No case.
I have a Famous (their low-end line?) soprano, and it has the same joint st the head. Looking at it closer I think they might do it just so the grain pattern looks good both on the neck and the headstock.
I love my Famous, by the way, and now I wish I could afford this one as well...
Famous are not just low end - the brand name for identical Kiwaya's sold in Japan - there's a review of a Famous model on this channel somewhere!
@@GotAUkulele I know - if I remember, I have the exact same or a sister model to it. It's excellent.
For the price they are asking in the USA (nearly $1,000 for concert and north of $2,000 for tenor at Elderly Instruments) I would expect and insist upon a solid neck.
No technical difference to the uke though. I'd take a jointed uke with this profile over a solid that was chunky myself
@@GotAUkulele I would too.
@@GotAUkulele true enough. But I suspect it’s possible to achieve that with a one-piece neck. I prefer that to height-adjustable tuners. After all, I can change my break angle by the manner in which I wind my strings.
Gorgeous ukulele! I thought it was mango at first.
It is!
Sounds phenomenal! Does this come with a case or bag of any sort?
No, it doesn't
@@GotAUkulele still boggles my mind at how some of these models don’t come with cases. Koaloha does not offer a case either. I mean at that price point they could even hide the cost of a case. If koaloha charged me $1289, rather than the $1229 I paid, to cover the cost of a case, that extra $60 isn’t gonna be the deal breaker 🤷🏽
Do you think changing the strings to the Worth browns helped the overall sound or changed it from the original sound? I've never tried Worth strings. What do you think about them?
I like em - good strings - as for the change - that's a very subjective thing. If Matt put them on he will have chosen to do so for good reason though
@@GotAUkulele thanks. Next time one of my ukes needs a string change I'll get a set of Worth and try them out. I usually use Martin fluorocarbons, but a change might be in order. If I change to a low G, would I have to modify the nut?
Possibly is the answer - it depends on how severely the gauge changes
Kiwayas actually come with Worth strings. Although they have their own parameters which are slightly different than regular Worths.
@@shinodex On their own website these are listed as coming with 'Kiwaya Fluorocarbon'. They also used to ship with Fremont Blacklines
👍👍
Kiwaya great quality but rare on quantity here in Oz Barry
They were rare here for a while - until we got a decent distributor. Oz needs a decent instrument dist to get in touch with them!
Your t shirt should say DGBE 😜
i got the answer from kiwaya that its african mahogany top/b,s
For the price, i'd expect so. Actually Khaya wood
I bought one of these from Matt. It certainly stops you wanting to buy anymore. UAS gone.
Know what you mean!
I hope you don’t send it back. I hope you keep it and play it!
Out of my budget at the moment - on loan and going back next week!
@@GotAUkulele I wish for you greater monetary prosperity! I’d really love to see you own one of these, my friend.
I'm really not trying to be cynical of your reviews, I do enjoy watching them, but why do you care so much about whether the heel and neck are one piece or not? If the instrument has a good sound then why should it matter? I personally wouldn't mind seeing a more decorative heel (just not anything over-the-top).
Because it looks ugly.
@@GotAUkulele But that is a subjective opinion.
@@juliespeaksout Largely. But then, when a maker CAN make a joint invisible I think it's valid for me to point out that they failed to do that here. You could say the same about any part of an instrument.
But to clarify - I don't care 'so much' it's just a very small detail. The uke got a 9.3!!
@@GotAUkulele I really wasn't talking about this particular uke. It's a very nice instrument. I was only asking about your practice, in general, of pointing out whether the neck and heel are two separate pieces or not. I particularly do not consider it a measure of quality.
@@juliespeaksout I never said it was - purely a visual thing. If a tuner was put on wonky it wouldn't affect the tone of the instrument, but I'd still mention it.
That heel ruined a near perfect instrument ☹️