Review Details

Pono Mahogany Baritone (MB 8549 with Oahu Baritone Case)

Product Rating:

Product Review (submitted on December 24, 2012):

This is not a custom ukulele, and it is not a "Made in Hawaii" by Hawaiians ukulele. If you can live with these two facts, then I'd argue this is the best (and really, this extends to all Ponos) ukulele on the market. Here's why:

1. The Tone. It's consistent and resonant. The basses are unmuddied, and the trebles are clear. You don't have to be a great player to notice it.

2. The Build. It's not the lightest uke, but it's well balanced, cleanly built and expertly set-up (HMS!). For someone who doesn't care about bling, it's form follows function perfected.

3. The Neck. It's beefier than Ohana's and Mainland's but not as wide and flat as Kanilea's Islander. For me, it's the easiest, most comfortable neck to play, especially barre chords.

4. The Price. If you compare it to other imports, you'll pay a little bit more for a lot more uke.

I've owned all the brands mentioned above (although not all baritones) and a few customs. For me, Pono is the best option short of a custom or Hawaiian made ukulele. If I were smarter, I would have bought a Pono sooner!