This is like a gorgeous chocolate box of Ukes. On my dream list, and when you played the first one I thought wow, then the next one and then the next one. Just like a kid in the sweet shop. Got to say they do have lovely figured woods as well. Thank you. Have a great week.
Thank you for this video, Alex and as always I love to hear those background informations that you share. The sound of all these Koalohas was a bit unfamiliar to my ears as they are strung with low g. And I agree, I don't know what to think about the Naupakas but the sound was great. The Red Label is above my budget.
There’s something that excites me about the Naupaka ukuleles. Maybe it’s partially that they only come around every few years, but there’s a thrill to them somehow.
Thanks for all the fascinating information, Alex ! I had been interested in Ko'aloha for quite a while, mainly due to the amazing distinctive sound these ukuleles have. But... UAS, ya know... Lol. Having too many ukes IS a thing ! Especially when you already have 2 absolutely perfect Kamaka and 2 beyond amazing Kanile'a. 😁 The main reasons why I haven't took the plunge yet are the very loud and very clear sound (that incredible projection !!), because I'm more into a mellower and velvety sound. The second reason is the headstock : I can't get over that overload of spikiness, lol. I don't like the tuners either, both their look and their weird position. Of course, this is absolutely subjective and personal. However, in order to get a bit of Ko'aloha's flavour, I got a Rebel uke I absolutely love. Unfortunately, I don't play it as much as it deserves because it's too loud for the night owl I am. So for the moment I admire Ko'aloha from afar, especially the Royal Pikake ones, with their soft satin finish... And I enjoy their unmatched powerful chime in your videos. 😄
For several years I had been bouncing around among other beautiful K brands, but as soon as I got my hands on a Koaloha Pikake tenor(January 2022, just before the royal’s came out), I knew I was home. It feels right, and the tone is so deep, full, warm, resonant. A few months later I picked up a Royal Pikake concert and feel the same about both Koalohas. Just love them…
They do not manufacture their own strings. They promote their own brand Japanese made fluorocarbon string. For over a decade KoAloha ukes came with Worth strings and that association only ended in recent memory. I'm not against stocking them again but they are the same as the lighter gauge Worth clear strings we sell which are the same price but you get two sets... If you ever want me to special order them I will; I just feel a bit guilty stocking them when we also sell Worth.
Hi Alex, do you find KoAloha ukuleles r not a great fit for particular styles of playing? I see a lot of people playing jazz and slower music with these ukes but not a whole lot of fast lively music
I've never really given that a lot of thought but just spent a few minutes scrolling through with some searches for KoAloha. When people demonstrate them, I see a lot of people fingerpicking them to get the best out of that unwound low G on the Tenor. When you delve deeper a lot of people use them for flamenco kind of strumming too but mainly high G. I wouldn't say a KoAloha is limited in any way. They are quite loud naturally so I personally play them quite gently on camera but that's my only gripe
You should mention, that the tuners may get busted quite soon. It may happen just in the wrong moment. You'll hear a click and the tuner will not tune anymore. Three of the four tuners of my Ko'Aloha KTM got broken already. I got them replaced one by one only. All of them should be replaced by a different brand. Regarding the price of the instrument this is ridiculous.
In 14 years of selling KoAloha, this is I think the second time someone has said this about a machine head on a KoAloha. It isn't a common problem but I am sorry to hear about your experience.
At some point you admit that KoAloha is not just the loudest but really sounds the best
I bought a Royal Pikake Concert recently at SUS, love KoAloha but the Concert is realy something special!
This is like a gorgeous chocolate box of Ukes. On my dream list, and when you played the first one I thought wow, then the next one and then the next one. Just like a kid in the sweet shop. Got to say they do have lovely figured woods as well. Thank you. Have a great week.
Thank you for this video, Alex and as always I love to hear those background informations that you share. The sound of all these Koalohas was a bit unfamiliar to my ears as they are strung with low g. And I agree, I don't know what to think about the Naupakas but the sound was great. The Red Label is above my budget.
There’s something that excites me about the Naupaka ukuleles. Maybe it’s partially that they only come around every few years, but there’s a thrill to them somehow.
Love them all
Thanks for all the fascinating information, Alex ! I had been interested in Ko'aloha for quite a while, mainly due to the amazing distinctive sound these ukuleles have. But... UAS, ya know... Lol. Having too many ukes IS a thing ! Especially when you already have 2 absolutely perfect Kamaka and 2 beyond amazing Kanile'a. 😁 The main reasons why I haven't took the plunge yet are the very loud and very clear sound (that incredible projection !!), because I'm more into a mellower and velvety sound. The second reason is the headstock : I can't get over that overload of spikiness, lol. I don't like the tuners either, both their look and their weird position. Of course, this is absolutely subjective and personal. However, in order to get a bit of Ko'aloha's flavour, I got a Rebel uke I absolutely love. Unfortunately, I don't play it as much as it deserves because it's too loud for the night owl I am. So for the moment I admire Ko'aloha from afar, especially the Royal Pikake ones, with their soft satin finish... And I enjoy their unmatched powerful chime in your videos. 😄
For several years I had been bouncing around among other beautiful K brands, but as soon as I got my hands on a Koaloha Pikake tenor(January 2022, just before the royal’s came out), I knew I was home. It feels right, and the tone is so deep, full, warm, resonant. A few months later I picked up a Royal Pikake concert and feel the same about both Koalohas. Just love them…
What a beautiful story
The Mango Pikake is the best ukulele I've ever had, and god knows I've had a few now. Took about ten years and all the K brands to find that out.
Knowing your collection like I do Laurence, that's saying something.
And that doesn’t even count the Opio line! Nice line up. Thanks.
KoAloha makes and uses there own strings as they are the only kind I will buy. As of now I only know of three places on the internet to get them.
They do not manufacture their own strings. They promote their own brand Japanese made fluorocarbon string. For over a decade KoAloha ukes came with Worth strings and that association only ended in recent memory.
I'm not against stocking them again but they are the same as the lighter gauge Worth clear strings we sell which are the same price but you get two sets... If you ever want me to special order them I will; I just feel a bit guilty stocking them when we also sell Worth.
Hi Alex, do you find KoAloha ukuleles r not a great fit for particular styles of playing? I see a lot of people playing jazz and slower music with these ukes but not a whole lot of fast lively music
I've never really given that a lot of thought but just spent a few minutes scrolling through with some searches for KoAloha. When people demonstrate them, I see a lot of people fingerpicking them to get the best out of that unwound low G on the Tenor. When you delve deeper a lot of people use them for flamenco kind of strumming too but mainly high G.
I wouldn't say a KoAloha is limited in any way. They are quite loud naturally so I personally play them quite gently on camera but that's my only gripe
My gold medal goes to the Red Label…..
You should mention, that the tuners may get busted quite soon. It may happen just in the wrong moment. You'll hear a click and the tuner will not tune anymore. Three of the four tuners of my Ko'Aloha KTM got broken already. I got them replaced one by one only. All of them should be replaced by a different brand. Regarding the price of the instrument this is ridiculous.
In 14 years of selling KoAloha, this is I think the second time someone has said this about a machine head on a KoAloha. It isn't a common problem but I am sorry to hear about your experience.