To those who aren't appreciating the new tuners, the gear ratios are consider my higher than the standard planetary style. I have the grey ones on my Anniversary models and at 1:21 ratio they are the most accurate and smoothest I've ever used. Cheers.
I love the way you give details in your ukulele comparisons and descriptions in your videos. You are so concise and thorough. It is a joy hearing you and watching you. Thanks, Alex, for all your great work in getting out the information on all the ukuleles I love. After this video I’m going to buy the KoAloha over the Pono or AnueNue. I’ll have to save up for it but it’s worth the wait for my dream ukulele. ❤️🔥
I just purchased a tenor pikake a couple of weeks ago, and I love this ukulele. I would hold the sound and richness of this instrument against any other. It’s so warm and yet, there is a ring and vibrancy to the upper notes that’s just stunning. Also, the feel and playability…I’m thrilled with the Pikake.
I enjoy your video's tremendously, not only for the wonderful evaluations on each Ukulele but also the playing, so we can get a very nice feel to evaluate the instrument. I only wish you where 20 minutes for my location then 3,000+ miles. I know I'm not moving, and for some reason I don't think you want to move to Texas. I'll just have to keep watching your website sight until my wife and I take another trip to the UK.
Thank you so much, Alex. I have dreamed of owning the Tenor model for years and your video reinforces that longing. I must say I was surprised to hear the difference between the gloss and mat finished instruments. Both beautiful but both very individual. I do wish the dollar exchange was closer between our two countries. Thanks again, Wes
Hi Alex. This is another excellent video. I am interested in KoAloha ukuleles, particularly the tenor. I currently have an Hawaii Ukulele Company (HUG) solid acacia tenor, which I bought on the big island in 2019. While it sounds fine, I’m interested in the punch of the KoAloha Hawaiian made models. Best wishes. - Tim.
Oh man, is that what they did? Tame the sound over the years? The owner’s family is a family friend of ours so we’ve been using them for a while. So we all have concert models going many years back. I love the sound of my brother’s from probably 10-12 years ago and I’ve been changing strings trying to get the feel his has, but it both sounds and feels wildly different. It plays so much looser than the 2017ish model I have now. Tbf, my stolen ‘06ish model it replaced didn’t sound or play as good as my brother’s either so his must just be special lol. Anyway, this was extremely informative as always, thank you!
They have smoothed out the sound in recent years I agree. The volume was always a double edged sword on the old ones as they were built almost to the point of destruction and we would see a bit of hawaiian belly on the top after moderate use.Moving the bridge made for a more stable instrument but a little bit less rowdy.
Thanks Alex, great video. I have the KCM-00 and I ❤ it, you mentioned in the video putting dark strings gives it a very traditional sound, can you recommend the name of the strings ?
Love your reviews! Hopefully soon I will be able to purchase one of Koalohas... 😊 I have a small suggestion though. Why don't you give a play of all of the comoared models at the end of the video one after another so that we could better judge the sound? If you think it's better as you do right now, sorry for my interfering 😉
I have about 90 minutes a week to film and produce a video. Sometimes I play around with the formula but if someone really wanted to do an indepth comparison they could just open the video in multiple tabs. The videos main purpose is to go in the listing for instruments on our website so the majority of viewers are not going to he A/Bing different sizes. Thanks for your suggestion though
I love my KoAloha Concert that I recently bought from SUS. I am still trying to find strings that I like (maybe with a low G) but haven't got there yet after trying two sets haha! I'll check out the video you suggested re strings. Is the KoAloha logo still on the Tuner buttons on the concert? "They should call it the KoAloha Swiss Army Knife Concert". Made me laugh! Interesting hearing the sound difference between the Gloss and Satin Tenors. Thanks for this video Alex. As always, truly enjoyed and very much appreciated. By the way Alex, did you receive the card and delivery I sent to you at SUS? Hope nobody has nabbed them ;)
Wendy. I did receive your absolutely amazing and wonderful card and shame on me for not seeking you out yet... we've had a bit of a time of it at the shop with staff shortages but it's not excuse. You made my year!!! THANKS SO MUCH Please do send me an email at ukeswithalex@gmail.com- I would love to send you something low g string shaped to reciprocate for your lovely gift.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Aww Alex, there's no need. I just wanted to make sure that you had received the card and goodies that's all. I have actually ordered The Fremont Soloist Low G single String, will see how I go on with that. And I had to have the SUS cap you are wearing in this video.
If I might make a suggestion - I play the Worth Brown mediums with a low G (BM-LG) on my Koaloha Concert and they are my current favorite. Deep and warm with excellent sustain. Cheers.
KoAloha … 💚 The newly shaped tenors are super sexy! Total shame they came out w\ these new tuners though! Especially on the concerts & sopranos … Also I am glad my Naupaka has that mirrored crown from the headstock to end the fretboard!
The label, tuners and gloss are different. The shape changed a bit more on the Tenors in 2019 but not on the models featured today. Sorry that wasn't clear Edit: the gloss might be the same type but it's definitely better now and more resonant.
Can you describe your impression of the difference between gloss and satin? How much difference do you notice with the models a few years older? Thanks for this excellent video!
I don't feel an appreciable difference with modern gloss Koalohas 'opening up with age'. I have heard older satin ones that sounded and looked practically vintage and I have owned a KoAloha gloss concert from 1998 that looked practically satin by the time I came to own it in 2018...
Hi there, It's a piece I wrote for these videos. There is a video lesson on it that answers most people's questions here; ua-cam.com/video/YvloC5mWt24/v-deo.html
@@SouthernUkuleleStore 🙌🏻 thanks man I have the Opio sophrano for myself, is a original Kohaloa so much better to play? I'm thinking about whether I want the new ksm00. I have the opio with a spruce top.
There is a difference to the feel and sound but the Opios are just about the best possible copy of KoAloha they could have made so the neck for example won't feel any different.
Not without leaving holes that need refilling. This is not something we could offer help with. Some luthiers might be up for doing this modification but it would probably never be invisible.
i feel like an idiot asking this but it looks like the highest string is at the top? thinking of the low-G strung tenor here... did you just flip it round and play a right-handed-strung uke left handed? (around 12:00)
Thanks for the video, the instruments have so much character. I like the responsiveness of Koalohas; it's easier to dial down an ukulele with presence, than to try to extract sound from a shy one, I feel. Appreciating that Koaloha is innovating without over-dramatic changes in design. The KTM 00 really sounds mature and confident. I love the warmer tones of the KTM 10 Pikake...coveting And I now also need a GAP shirt
Shame about the tuners, love my soprano and glad I used the Gotoh planetary tuners on the upgrade. A ukulele of that price needs to play and sound amazing as well as looking good, those tuners just don’t suit the soprano size at all. My new Martin tenor has the plastic ratio tuners and even these lower quality, plastic tuners would be more beneficial in my eyes. I know tuners are a marmite conversation.
Those new tuners look ugly as sin regardless of the size of the uke. There's zero reason why they couldn't use rear-facing planetary tuners. I mean Der Jung already make such tuners... Call me picky but I'm actually put off by the brand with this change...
I love your passion... I think it's just one of those things people have strong feelings about. I prefer these to der jung planetary tuners but can see why someone wouldn't.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Well, passion is one way of describing it. I'd call it something like stubbornness. :D I genuinely get why they changed the tuners as so few quality uke brands use friction tuners anymore but I just can't get over the looks. That said, that's just my own personal gripe. I'd never dissuade anyone from buying a KoAloha just because of the tuners.
To those who aren't appreciating the new tuners, the gear ratios are consider my higher than the standard planetary style. I have the grey ones on my Anniversary models and at 1:21 ratio they are the most accurate and smoothest I've ever used. Cheers.
*considerably
I love the way you give details in your ukulele comparisons and descriptions in your videos. You are so concise and thorough. It is a joy hearing you and watching you. Thanks, Alex, for all your great work in getting out the information on all the ukuleles I love. After this video I’m going to buy the KoAloha over the Pono or AnueNue. I’ll have to save up for it but it’s worth the wait for my dream ukulele. ❤️🔥
I just purchased a tenor pikake a couple of weeks ago, and I love this ukulele. I would hold the sound and richness of this instrument against any other. It’s so warm and yet, there is a ring and vibrancy to the upper notes that’s just stunning. Also, the feel and playability…I’m thrilled with the Pikake.
Good choice!
I enjoy your video's tremendously, not only for the wonderful evaluations on each Ukulele but also the playing, so we can get a very nice feel to evaluate the instrument. I only wish you where 20 minutes for my location then 3,000+ miles. I know I'm not moving, and for some reason I don't think you want to move to Texas. I'll just have to keep watching your website sight until my wife and I take another trip to the UK.
Great video Alex it inspired me to buy my KTM-10RP Today I won't sleep a wink now until it arrives, superb service from yourself Thank you very much
I love the hat! And these KoAlohas you speak of are not too shabby. :D
The ksm-00 is my dream ukulele. Your soooo lucky to be able to hold all of those beautiful ukes!
Thank you so much, Alex.
I have dreamed of owning the Tenor model for years and your video reinforces that longing. I must say I was surprised to hear the difference between the gloss and mat finished instruments. Both beautiful but both very individual.
I do wish the dollar exchange was closer between our two countries.
Thanks again,
Wes
I own a 2021 Super concert and a pikake tenor 2021; I am 100 % satisfied! And fantastic video; you have a beautiful touch!
Thanks Alex, they look and sound great. Thanks for the demo, gotta love that sound. Really like the concert.
Hi Alex. This is another excellent video. I am interested in KoAloha ukuleles, particularly the tenor. I currently have an Hawaii Ukulele Company (HUG) solid acacia tenor, which I bought on the big island in 2019. While it sounds fine, I’m interested in the punch of the KoAloha Hawaiian made models.
Best wishes. - Tim.
Oh man, is that what they did? Tame the sound over the years? The owner’s family is a family friend of ours so we’ve been using them for a while. So we all have concert models going many years back. I love the sound of my brother’s from probably 10-12 years ago and I’ve been changing strings trying to get the feel his has, but it both sounds and feels wildly different. It plays so much looser than the 2017ish model I have now. Tbf, my stolen ‘06ish model it replaced didn’t sound or play as good as my brother’s either so his must just be special lol. Anyway, this was extremely informative as always, thank you!
They have smoothed out the sound in recent years I agree. The volume was always a double edged sword on the old ones as they were built almost to the point of destruction and we would see a bit of hawaiian belly on the top after moderate use.Moving the bridge made for a more stable instrument but a little bit less rowdy.
Great Review, Im disappointed that you didnt include the KTO-10 Opio model. I have one, and it is very satisfactory for me.
The video is specifically about Hawaiian Koa ukes. We've made sooooo many about the Opios over the last decade. They are great too!
Thanks Alex, great video. I have the KCM-00 and I ❤ it, you mentioned in the video putting dark strings gives it a very traditional sound, can you recommend the name of the strings ?
D'addario EJ53C or Kamaka S-1 Sop/Con
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thanks
Love your reviews! Hopefully soon I will be able to purchase one of Koalohas... 😊 I have a small suggestion though. Why don't you give a play of all of the comoared models at the end of the video one after another so that we could better judge the sound? If you think it's better as you do right now, sorry for my interfering 😉
I have about 90 minutes a week to film and produce a video. Sometimes I play around with the formula but if someone really wanted to do an indepth comparison they could just open the video in multiple tabs. The videos main purpose is to go in the listing for instruments on our website so the majority of viewers are not going to he A/Bing different sizes.
Thanks for your suggestion though
Each one of those ukuleles is stunning. Both tenors sound bang on but I think it's a low g thing.
Great video as always. Interesting and informative… but if I was buying a Hawaiian uke, for me it would have to be Kanilea
Nothing wrong with them!
I love my KoAloha Concert that I recently bought from SUS. I am still trying to find strings that I like (maybe with a low G) but haven't got there yet after trying two sets haha! I'll check out the video you suggested re strings. Is the KoAloha logo still on the Tuner buttons on the concert? "They should call it the KoAloha Swiss Army Knife Concert". Made me laugh! Interesting hearing the sound difference between the Gloss and Satin Tenors. Thanks for this video Alex. As always, truly enjoyed and very much appreciated. By the way Alex, did you receive the card and delivery I sent to you at SUS? Hope nobody has nabbed them ;)
Wendy. I did receive your absolutely amazing and wonderful card and shame on me for not seeking you out yet... we've had a bit of a time of it at the shop with staff shortages but it's not excuse. You made my year!!! THANKS SO MUCH
Please do send me an email at ukeswithalex@gmail.com- I would love to send you something low g string shaped to reciprocate for your lovely gift.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Aww Alex, there's no need. I just wanted to make sure that you had received the card and goodies that's all. I have actually ordered The Fremont Soloist Low G single String, will see how I go on with that. And I had to have the SUS cap you are wearing in this video.
😁
If I might make a suggestion - I play the Worth Brown mediums with a low G (BM-LG) on my Koaloha Concert and they are my current favorite. Deep and warm with excellent sustain. Cheers.
@@Brew-cf6kw Hi Brew, thanks for the tip! I do like Worth Brown strings. Will give those a try. Appreciate it. (I've just ordered some)
KoAloha … 💚
The newly shaped tenors are super sexy! Total shame they came out w\ these new tuners though! Especially on the concerts & sopranos … Also I am glad my Naupaka has that mirrored crown from the headstock to end the fretboard!
Are you referring to the shape revamp KoAloha did at around 2017 or are there any new changes in these 2021 models?
The label, tuners and gloss are different. The shape changed a bit more on the Tenors in 2019 but not on the models featured today. Sorry that wasn't clear
Edit: the gloss might be the same type but it's definitely better now and more resonant.
Can you describe your impression of the difference between gloss and satin? How much difference do you notice with the models a few years older?
Thanks for this excellent video!
I don't feel an appreciable difference with modern gloss Koalohas 'opening up with age'. I have heard older satin ones that sounded and looked practically vintage and I have owned a KoAloha gloss concert from 1998 that looked practically satin by the time I came to own it in 2018...
No sopranos left, any idea when you’ll get more please?
Sadly not. Probably Feb/March... if you send us an email we can contact you when they come back in.
Great great video
Greetings from Germany
What song is your test song at the sophrano?
Sounds nice
Hi there,
It's a piece I wrote for these videos. There is a video lesson on it that answers most people's questions here;
ua-cam.com/video/YvloC5mWt24/v-deo.html
@@SouthernUkuleleStore 🙌🏻 thanks man
I have the Opio sophrano for myself, is a original Kohaloa so much better to play?
I'm thinking about whether I want the new ksm00. I have the opio with a spruce top.
There is a difference to the feel and sound but the Opios are just about the best possible copy of KoAloha they could have made so the neck for example won't feel any different.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Ok!
Thanks a lot 👊🏻
Hi Alex, I am interested in soprano but… is it possible to switch the geared tuners to friction tuners like the ones Kiwaya kts-4 has? Thank you!
Not without leaving holes that need refilling. This is not something we could offer help with. Some luthiers might be up for doing this modification but it would probably never be invisible.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thank you, Alex! I hope they are not too much heavier than friction tuners 🤔
They aren't heavy at all. I think you'd find the planetary goto tuners are a touch heavier.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Awesome! Thank you, Alex 👍
i feel like an idiot asking this but it looks like the highest string is at the top? thinking of the low-G strung tenor here... did you just flip it round and play a right-handed-strung uke left handed? (around 12:00)
I am a left handed player playing right handed ukes upside down
Thanks for the video, the instruments have so much character. I like the responsiveness of Koalohas; it's easier to dial down an ukulele with presence, than to try to extract sound from a shy one, I feel.
Appreciating that Koaloha is innovating without over-dramatic changes in design. The KTM 00 really sounds mature and confident.
I love the warmer tones of the KTM 10 Pikake...coveting
And I now also need a GAP shirt
Ever the trend setter me 😆
Shame about the tuners, love my soprano and glad I used the Gotoh planetary tuners on the upgrade. A ukulele of that price needs to play and sound amazing as well as looking good, those tuners just don’t suit the soprano size at all. My new Martin tenor has the plastic ratio tuners and even these lower quality, plastic tuners would be more beneficial in my eyes. I know tuners are a marmite conversation.
Those new tuners look ugly as sin regardless of the size of the uke. There's zero reason why they couldn't use rear-facing planetary tuners. I mean Der Jung already make such tuners... Call me picky but I'm actually put off by the brand with this change...
I love your passion... I think it's just one of those things people have strong feelings about. I prefer these to der jung planetary tuners but can see why someone wouldn't.
@@SouthernUkuleleStore Well, passion is one way of describing it. I'd call it something like stubbornness. :D
I genuinely get why they changed the tuners as so few quality uke brands use friction tuners anymore but I just can't get over the looks. That said, that's just my own personal gripe. I'd never dissuade anyone from buying a KoAloha just because of the tuners.