Ko'olau 20 Year Anniversary Custom Tenor "Ulu"

Ko'olau 20 Year Anniversary Custom Tenor "Ulu"
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Ko'olau 20 Year Anniversary Custom Tenor "Ulu"
$4,495.00 |or$409/month*

Noa has always been a talented craftsman, but he's continued to study his art and refine his skills. This 20 year anniversary model tenor was completely designed and built at Ko'olau's custom shop in Wahiawa, Oahu. It features master grade koa with amazing dimensional figuring, curly koa inlays across the radius ebony fretboard, a slotted headstock, and a perfect nitrocellulose gloss finish. A real treat to the eyes.

The tone is epic. I try not to use that word, being mostly overused, but this one really does sound epic. On top of that it plays so amazingly easy all the way up the neck. The sound, look, and feel are among the absolute best we've ever experienced and every one here at The Ukulele Site would just love to call this their own, but fortunately for you we are making this available to you. Take a listen as Corey samples this beauty.

These videos are done using transparent recording equipment and we are dedicated to showing true tone, as much as possible, so use quality speakers or headphones for the most accurate listening experience.

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In 1996, after 20 years as a gold warranty repair center for all major guitar makers, John Kitakis and Noa Bonk started building ukuleles at the foothills of the Ko'olau mountain range. From the very beginning they built the highest quality custom ukes excelling in both tone and precision craftsmanship, and ever since then it's only gotten better.

Noa has always been a talented craftsman, and he's continued to study his art and refine his skills. This 20 year anniversary model tenor was completely designed and built at Ko'olau's custom shop in Wahiawa, Oahu. It features master grade koa with amazing dimensional figuring, curly koa inlays across the radius ebony fretboard, and a perfect nitrocellulose gloss finish. A real treat to the eyes.

The sound, look, and feel are among the absolute best we've ever experienced. Take a listen as Corey gives a "raw" sound sample.

These videos are done using transparent recording equipment and we are dedicated to showing true tone, as much as possible, so use quality speakers or headphones for the most accurate listening experience.

"According to an etiological Hawaiian myth, the breadfruit originated from the sacrifice of the war god Kū. After deciding to live secretly among mortals as a farmer, Kū married and had children. He and his family lived happily until a famine seized their island. When he could no longer bear to watch his children suffer, Kū told his wife that he could deliver them from starvation, but to do so he would have to leave them. Reluctantly she agreed, and at her word, Kū descended into the ground right where he had stood until only the top of his head was visible. His family waited around the spot he had last been, day and night, watering it with their tears until suddenly, a small green shoot appeared where Kū had stood. Quickly, the shoot grew into a tall and leafy tree that was laden with heavy breadfruits that Kū's family and neighbors gratefully ate, joyfully saved from starvation."

The leaves from the ulu tree were the inspiration for the curly koa inlays on this 20 year anniversary Ko'olau. It makes for a natural and unique custom tenor that commemorates what Ko'olau has done for the last two decades. The sound, feel, and look is the culmination of many years of dedication to making the finest quality ukuleles. 

Includes Ko'olau arch top hardshell case, and Oasis humidifier.

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More Information
Specs

*Master Grade Koa body
* Radius Ebony fingerboard, bridge
* Macassar ebony faceplate
* Nitrocellulose Gloss finish
* Ebony pin bridge
* 12" radius fretboard
* Honduran mahogany neck 
* Waverly tuners w/Ko'olau koa knobs
* Abalone rosette
* Ko'olau tenor hardshell plush case
* Oasis humidifier
* Lifetime warranty

  • Total length: 26-38”
  • Body Length: 12-1/16”
  • Body width/Upper bout/Lower bout: 6-1/2” 8-15/16”
  • Body Depth upper bout/Lower bout: 2-9/16” 3-1/8”
  • Fingerboard width at nut and 12th fret: 1-3/8” 1-11/16”
  • Soundhole diameter: 2-5/8”
  • Scale length: 16-15/16”
Options

Includes a Ko'olau arched top hardshell case and an Oasis Humidifier.

From the Accessories tab above you can add other accessories when you win the ukulele!

This instrument will qualify for free shipping. Within the US will receive free FedEx 2-day shipping. Two days is the time in transit. For international orders, we include USPS Express shipping and can possibly upgrade that to Fedex international for you (subject to approval). Before it is shipped, your instrument will go through our setup department so that you get the best instrument for your money. For more information on our setup process, turnaround time, shipping, and return policies, refer to the links below Helpful Links at the bottom of the page.

Aloha!

Brand Ko'olau

Shipping Information

 

For more even more details and FAQ visit our Shipping Page under the Company Info tab at the header menu.

SHIPPING CARRIER OPTIONS:
FedEx is our primary shipping carrier, all orders that qualify for free domestic shipping will be sent using FedEx. UPS and DHL can also be chosen as alternative options upon checkout, USPS is only used for smaller accessory orders. 

As soon as the shipping label is created you will be automatically notified via email with tracking information. All packages will be shipped with a signature requirement by default. If you do not wish to have a signature requirement you will need to notify us, either by leaving a note in the “special instructions” when adding the item(s) to your shopping cart or by emailing our shipping department directly. Any shipping related requests (hold/delay/address change) should also be directed to our shipping department ( [email protected]). 

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: You may also be required to pay import duties/taxes, this will vary depending on your location and the value of the item(s). To estimate these taxes, you can contact your local customs office. Fedex also offers a helpful estimation tool: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/international.html

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE PERMIT: If your ukulele contains any amount of shell inlay (abalone or pearl) it will require a permit to be shipped internationally. The cost of this permit is $93.00 USD. We will handle the paperwork and file the permit for you, but the cost of all duties and fees are the responsibility of the customer.

SHIPPING COST will vary depending on the size dimensions and weight of the package as well as the destination. To get a quote, use the “Calculate Shipping Cost” link located next to the “Add to Cart button” on each listing.

This is made even easier when you are already logged in to your customer account. Follow this link to create an account if you don’t already have one go HERE.

FREE SHIPPING: All orders within the USA with a total over $500 will qualify for free FedEx 2-day air shipping.

SHIPMENT AND TRACKING NOTIFICATIONS are sent automatically via email as soon as the shipping label is created so please make sure your email address is accurate when placing the order. Outgoing shipments are picked up by our shipping carriers Monday through Friday. 

ACCESSORY AND CASE ORDERS: While non-instrument orders for cases and accessories do not require the same processing time needed for instruments, they do require time for processing and packing. The typical processing time for accessory/case orders is (1-4 business days) depending on current order volume. 

CURRENT SETUP PROCESSING TIMES AND DETAILS ARE LOCATED UNDER THE “SETUP OPTIONS” TAB.* 

*If you would like to receive your instrument as soon as possible you can forego the full setup process by selecting the “Basic QC Only” option or by selecting the “Full Setup RUSH” option when adding instruments to your shopping cart. More details are available under the “Setup Options” tab.

Setup Options

 

Current Turnaround Time: Amount of time it takes before shipment-

Full Setup: 10-14 Business Days

Basic Quality Control: 2-3 Days

BASIC QUALITY CONTROL covers inspecting the instrument for any major defects that would have been missed by the factory and any faults in construction that could potentially damage or limit the functionality of the instrument over time. Any defective instruments are rejected and replaced.  We make sure that each Ukulele meets the basic standard for a brand new instrument and will be ready to play once you receive it. A final cleanup is also included after inspection before packing and shipment.

Full Setup - FREE for all Ukuleles $399 and over / $20.00 for Ukuleles from $300-399 / $30.00 for Ukuleles Under $300


Includes:


-Overall QC evaluation: To find defects in construction as well as to get an overall view of the instrument and note the areas that need extra attention and adjustment during the setup.

-Saddle Adjustment: The height of the saddle is lowered to reduce the distance between the strings and the fretboard, making it easier to play than the factory setup, especially higher up the fretboard.

-Nut Slot Adjustment: The depth, width, and angle of the nut slots are adjusted to create a more comfortable playing experience especially on the lower frets.

-Fret Dressing: After adjusting the nut and saddle heights, high spots in the fretboard or uneven frets will potentially cause fret buzz, dead spots, or other unwanted problems. The frets are filed to create a more consistent level across the fretboard. We then crown the frets to return their rounded curvature back to the top of each fret creating a clear contact point for each string. We then smooth and polish the frets and condition the fingerboard to bring them back to new condition.

-Final Cleanup: We always do a final overall cleanup of the instrument to make sure it is in new condition and ready to play before it is prepared for shipment.

Rush Setup & Delivery - Additional $50.00
The RUSH SETUP AND DELIVERY service is for customers who would still like to receive everything included in the full setup but on a shorter time frame. One of our setup technicians will work overtime outside of normal business hours to complete the setup within 2-3 days of the order being placed and immediately hand it over to the shipping department for packing and shipment. The $50.00 rush charge is in addition to the cost of the full setup. 

Additional services (see individual product listings to add these services to your order)
Re-stringing: We will replace the factory installed stock string set with a new set of your choosing. Select the “replace stock strings” option when adding your desired string set to the shopping cart.

Strap Button Installation: 1-2 buttons are installed to allow the use of a strap. Color options available. 

Pickup installation: for players who would like the option to play or record with amplification.

Friction Tuner Upgrade (friction tuners only): We offer upgrade options for select instruments with friction tuners to be retrofitted with new geared tuners for better precision and comfort when tuning.

Left-handed Setup: Left-handed setups are also available upon request. Occasionally an additional charge may be added for compensated saddles on select models. 

 

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