Review Details

Kanile'a Koa Gloss Super Tenor (K-1 ST, #19259)

Product Rating:

Product Review (submitted on December 8, 2014):

I have always been a fan of Kanile'a-- my first quality uke was a K1-S gloss. Over the years my taste switched to larger ukes, but I have small hands and am used to the soprano scale. Also, tenors always seemed a bit awkward to hold in comparison to a little soprano. It took me several tries to find a larger instrument that fit me well. I was surprised to find that this big booming tenor is one of the most comfortable ukes I've ever played. The neck is relatively shallow, and the large lower bout is perfect for resting on your leg while seated. I can even play this instrument while standing, without a strap, in absolute comfort.

The sound is exactly what I've been looking for: lots of volume, mellow but full-voiced. I had my uke strung with clear plain low-G Worths, and they're serving their purpose well. As a fair warning, it did take about a week for the new strings to really settle in.

The setup by Joel is impeccably done. I have owned about 30 ukes over the years, and the setup that HMS offers is absolutely what sets this uke apart from any other I've had. The frets are seamless and smooth, with no sharp edges. The build and gloss finish by Kanile'a are flawless. The appointments are very minimal and tastefully done. After many many tries, this uke is the one for me.