Design Your Own Ko'olau Custom
There is a continuity of build you only get when you have one master builder giving his attention and expertise into making the perfect instrument. From cutting the wood to stringing it up, Noa Bonk with Koolau consistently makes amazing tenors. This is a look at various Deluxe models. With the options here you can put together your own custom with everything just how you want! You will choose your body woods. You choose your binding, purfling, bridge, headstock, and finish. There is an optional pickup option, humidifier upgrade, and strings however you want. This will most likely be fun for some and option overload for others. As far as which woods to choose here is what John from Ko'olau writes, "we are often asked "what's best".... it's not a what's best decision, but instead, what sound is preferred. Most players, especially after becoming serious about guitar, ukulele, or any stringed instrument end up owning several instruments with a variety of combinations of woods." Each wood choice will pronounce different frequencies more but a Ko'olau deluxe always sounds like a Ko'olau deluxe. A good example is the all rosewood model. The higher density woods like rosewood will usually not be good for a soundboard, but when Ko'olau makes an all rosewood model, it sounds like a Ko'olau!-
Of the tenors pictured is a Myrtle Wood back and sides. This is how Ko’olau describes this wood – “Although this is not a locally grown hardwood, but imported from Oregon, we were so impressed with its beauty and tonal properties, we decided to include it in our line of available body woods. Myrtle has been used by well known guitar makers for many years. this wood almost reminds us of a rare Koa wood known as “white Koa” with similar grain patterns and blond to light brown colors. Also, as with Koa, each piece is unique, with different colors and grain patterns. Exceptional bass, treble, and projection, Myrtle combines qualities of Rosewood, Mahogany, and Maple.
The top is Spruce, which is the most commonly used soundboard tonewood, and for good reason, – It sounds Good! The body is framed of with : [curly koa binding
,
and a wood fiber striped purfling.
The next example also has a Spruce top but has a gloss finish showing off a beautiful birdseye maple! This gives a very clean note to note articulation while having the same fullness Ko'olau's are known for. After that you can see the Hawaiian Mahogany that has become a favorite for the few that have witnessed it. This is a very expensive and hard to get wood. As you can see, the Ko'olau gloss finish is perfect. They keep the neck satin for smoothness while playing and gloss the headstock to match. Kilin goes over some of his theory on finishing for Koolau here-
Abe Lagrimas Jr. has one deluxe with a spruce top and rosewood sides and back, thats the one with Abe inlayed across the fretboard, but this is his other custom Tenor Deluxe. He went with a slotted headstock Spruce/Myrtle-
These are hand built by Noa Bonk using the finest materials and techniques. If you are craving some serious tone from a tenor, this may be just what you want!
This was a few examples of the Ko'olau Tenor Deluxe. These instruments always have an amazing amount of body to the sound. The workmanship is second to none. Because of the small production of the Ko'olau custom shop, and their high demand around the world, this method of ordering is the fastest way to get one. We fit you into one of our build slots and you will have a Ko'olau Deluxe in 3-5 months. This ensures you a beautiful and professional level ukulele!
This is a tenor sized instrument and comes with a tenor hardshell case.
All Solid wood Ukuleles get a Humidifier for no extra charge!
