Review Details

Pono Mango Tenor (MGT 8384) Includes Hardshell Case

Product Rating:

Product Review (submitted on October 18, 2017):

This is an upgrade from the mahogany tenor I bought while in Maui last May. That was my first ever uke, a fine tenor with a low G as I wanted a more guitar-like sound. Four months later I had a hankering for a higher pitched uke. I thought I might want to try a concert uke. I came across the Ukulele Review, which really helped me to narrow my search. Luckily I found some of the recommendations at a guitar store, like Kala, Luna, Cordoba, Mitchell, both concert and tenor. I realized a tenor would still suit me better, so perhaps a high G would work. Still, I wasn’t satisfied with what they had at the store. So then I found the Ukulele Site - such a smorgasborg of fantastic sounding ukes! I was especially drawn to the mango tenors, like Pono's Pro Classic Mango Tenor and others of that caliber, only they were beyond my budget.

After much research I decided to take a gamble ordering online. I decided to get Pono MGT as it sounded like a great bang for your buck, and I’m so glad I did! I do prefer to try an instrument before I buy so I had a little bit of anxiety (eventually eclipsed by excitement) about what I would get, and just placed my trust in the videos, reviews, and reputation of Pono makers, Ukulele Review and Ukulele Site/Hawaii Music Supply folks. I'm so glad that my gamble paid off!

I received a beautiful Pono MGT, lighter colored than what’s pictured. I may not be a luthier, but I am an artist and I can tell impeccable craftsmanship when I see, hear and feel it. The MGT is bright and crisp, resonant and so much fun to play each day. The videos do not do it justice (though still helped a lot, so kudos to Aaron and Corey). It sounds even better in your hands! It's great for strumming and especially fingerpicking, which really touches my soul.

Now I understand why my brother collects guitars. Each one becomes special in their own way. This just might be start of my own ukulele collection. :) As it turns out, within a month, the MGT went out of stock, so I’m so happy I got one just in time!

Thanks, HMS! You guys rock!!! Ordering online was very easy. Andrew was very helpful and answered my questions on email/phone. At the last minute I added a case to my existing order (which I also enjoy), and Andrew made that process seamless. I could really tell there was meticulous care in setup and packaging. I even got calls on the day UPS was dropping off my package to my workplace. Zach and Ashley wanted to make sure I received it just fine, and what a joyous day when I did!