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Islander - Tenor Mahogany - MT-4

Islander - Tenor Mahogany - MT-4

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Regular Price: $165.00

Special Price: $138.00

26 Review(s) | Add Your Review

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Islander by Kanile'a - Mahogany Tenor Ukulele!

Plus Free Oahu Tuner through Sep. 27

This was the model that really put Islander on the map. The MT-4 has such a big warm tone while still retaining the bright qualities that are uniquely ukulele.

This one really get towards that Kanile'a tone but with it's own voice. We're impressed with the volume and body of sound this model gives at such an affordable price and it's been the perfect fit for many of our customers.

The Islander has a 1.5" nut width allowing a little more space when compared to the 1 3/8" most companies do. That aspect makes it popular for those with larger hands or just players that want more space for chording.

Corey gives a raw sound sample.

If you are looking for an affordable , high quality sound in a tenor ukulele, this Islander MT-4 may be just right!

"The Islander Mahogany Series Ukulele offers a very bright yet balanced traditional Hawaiian tone that is so synonymous to this wonderful instrument. Our time-honored approach allows these instruments have a very clean, authentic ukulele look to them."

What is our "setup"? We don't make these ukuleles. We make them better! This includes saddle and nut heights, fret work (planing/ recrowning/ polishing), intonation checks, and a thorough inspection for major cosmetic flaw. You can usually find some kind of sign of human construction with these, so if you're super picky about that, this might not be your perfect uke. But we first weed out any obvious cosmetic or structural issues, then the setup work we include for free dials in the feel and tone and that's where this value will be hard to beat. The current special is about as good as it gets.

Get an ukulele from experts in the ukulele market. Get an Ukulele from Hawaii, home of the Ukulele!

Additional Information

Specs	MT - 4 Mahogany front, back and sides 19 Silver-Nickel Frets Abalone Fret position Marks at 3rd, 5th,7th,10th and 12th frets Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge with nickel fret wire Black Bridge Pins Mahogany neck Satin Finish NuBone nut and saddle Chrome Geared Tuners with Black Buttons (14:1 turning ratio) PREMIUM AQUILA CORDE NYLGUT STRINGS 17" Tenor Scale (Distance from Nut to Saddle) 26-1/4" Overall body length 11-7/8" Body length 6-3/4" Upper Bout 9" Lower Bout 5-1/2" Waist 3-1/8" tapered to 3-5/8" Arched Back Body depth 1-1/2" Nut width Total frets: 14 frets to the body and 18 frets total
Options	When you buy this ukulele you can get a canvas covered case at an additional discount. This is not required but suggested. The canvas covered hard case can be seen in our cases category, under the accessories tab at the top of this page. Other cases can also be chosen there. Setup Options Most people shop with us because of the extensive quality control and final setup work we provide at no extra cost on all ukuleles we ship out. However this is time consuming work and creates a delay in shipping. We are now offering an "Expedited Setup" for those wanting to receive their instrument faster. See details on the Full Setup and Expedited Setup options along with current turnaround times for each at the link- HERE. Put a note in the special instructions if you need to or would like to let our setup or shipping department know anything. After adding this instrument to your cart, you can still create your own package by adding a case or accessories from the website. Under the accessories tab you can also customize this instrument by adding strap button(s) or your choice of pickup for plugging in. Get a free shipping quote by adding this to your cart. If your cart reaches $400 dollars or more, orders to the US will receive free FedEx 2 day shipping. 2 days is the time in transit, your instrument will first 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 at our footer. Aloha!
Brand	Islander

Reviews

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Customer Reviews 26 item(s)

Great sound

Bought mine at Cosmo Music Toronto, prepped just right. Terrific sound for the price, matter of fact like the sound better than many of the more expensive ukes I tried. Sure there's no fancy inlays or exotic finish, but who cares? It's the sound that counts. Great sustain and projection for a laminate and stays in tune.

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Review by Bob / (Posted on 12/7/2016)

Sweet Uke

I ordered this uke from HMS a few months ago. It was a bargain. Very nice set up. It sounds like a little dream. It is easy to play. I have a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend it and HMS.

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Review by Wayne / (Posted on 6/6/2015)

love it, sort of

I purchased one at a higher price about a month and a half ago.
I love playing it, just wish I didn't have to look at it.

The finish is not what I am used to with my 3 other ukuleles.
Even my least expensive Cordoba 15CM is much more attractive.
The Islander MT-4 has grain "pits" all over the Mahogany surfaces - I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder - but I find it ugly.

I know it is relatively inexpensive but the two sides don't even come close to matching at the bottom of the ukulele and that joint is slightly depressed.
Also, the heel and the heel cap are part smooth and part indented - lack of quality control?.
There are several, what I think, are tiny air bubbles in the finish on the back of the neck which are distracting to feel once you notice they are there.

I it hard for me to rate price and value because the appearance is so off-putting to me. I play it a lot and enjoy it as a musical instrument. As a piece of art it leave me cold.

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Review by John / (Posted on 10/21/2014)

love it, sort of

I purchased one at a higher price about a month and a half ago.
I love playing it, just wish I didn't have to look at it.

The finish is not what I am used to with my 3 other ukuleles.
Even my least expensive Cordoba 15CM is much more attractive.
The Islander MT-4 has grain "pits" all over the Mahogany surfaces - I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder - but I find it ugly.

I know it is relatively inexpensive but the two sides don't even come close to matching at the bottom of the ukulele and that joint is slightly depressed.
Also, the heel and the heel cap are part smooth and part indented - lack of quality control?.
There are several, what I think, are tiny air bubbles in the finish on the back of the neck which are distracting to feel once you notice they are there.

I it hard for me to rate price and value because the appearance is so off-putting to me.

I play it a lot and enjoy it very much as a musical instrument. As a piece of art it leave me cold.

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Review by EMudgeSr / (Posted on 10/17/2014)

Great tenor uke

Just received the MT-4 uke from HMS. Great setup and love the "low g" tuning. The sound grows on you. Great value with the hard case. Workmanship on this unit is more than I expected. Many thanks to Andrew on helping me decide on this uke.

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Review by on / (Posted on 4/15/2013)

It's Okay but not great!

This is a well built Uke, but with low-g it's very muddy. The neck's on these are great and that's why I bought it. This is a great deal with the case and a great player... but not with a low-g.

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Review by Scot / (Posted on 2/27/2013)

Great sound but minor flaws

I had heard a lot of good things about the Islander so I decided to buy one sight unseen. I love the sound and feel of the instrument, it is a big sound with great tone and it really stands out. I went with low G tuning and it was a good choice for this uke. The only disappointment is in the finish. My uke must have slipped through the quality control as it appears to be delaminating around the lower bout, very rough and I have had a few small splinters. International freight charges made it uneconomic to return it so I am stuck with it. I am going to hand sand the rough part with very fine grade sandpaper and refinish that area with a good quality furniture varnish. I'd still be prepared to buy another (higher end) Islander though as the sound is magnificent.

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Review by od Iffinger / (Posted on 2/1/2013)

Great sound, excellent value!

I've had this uke about a year now and it's awesome! Bright sound, good build and awesome value. Cannot go wrong. I would buy again in a heartbeat! Great for beginner or seasoned pro alike.

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Review by Nick / (Posted on 12/30/2012)

Fabulous Starter Uke

After getting hooked on the uke with a cheap soprano, this was the first quality uke I bought. I've had it almost a year now and just love it. It feels very good. The sound still blows me away. Great sustain. I've tried many other ukes at our uke group and in stores and this one really hold its own even against more expensive ones. You cannot go wrong in this one, especially in this price range.

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Review by Glen / (Posted on 12/29/2012)

expect to be pleasantly surprised

I'm not easily surprised these days, but this sweet tenor uke did it!
The feel of the instrument and finger friendly neck made it a joy to handle. Even though a laminate, the sound projected nicely, held it's intonation well, and had a lovely warmth and clarity.
The value, for this price, is quite extraordinary and the good folks at HMS are a pleasure to do business with!

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Review by Sall / (Posted on 12/29/2012)

What a really great Uke!!

I was looking for a really good uke to learn on that would sound good and last me for a while. I sent an email to the site asking for a recommendation and this was one that was suggested. I thought about it for a while and was concerned about ordering a uke with out hearing it's sound first. I did take the advise of the guys and ordered the Islander. I was really impressed when it arrived. It was Great. It looks fantastic and the sound is so clear. For the price, I could not believe just how good this sounds. Thanks for a really great recommendation and great customer service. Mahalo

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Review by Don / (Posted on 12/28/2012)

Great quality for the price

I was expecting a cheap build for this price, but you get incredible quality for the price! Feels great in your hands when you play, and the tone is amazing. I chose a low G string for this uke which brings out the rich tone. For my first uke, I think I chose the perfect one!

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Review by Hashim / (Posted on 12/27/2012)

wonderful!

This is my first ukulele, and I don't think I could be happier. It has a nice warm tone, is plenty loud, and plays easily. I don't feel that any part of this uke is cheap, and it looks great. You won't be disappointed with this ukulele.

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Review by Brandon / (Posted on 12/25/2012)

good value (esp. when plugged in and for travel)

I bought this to see if I liked tenors. I like the wider and thinner neck of Islander/Kanilea, though that's personal preference. Acoustically, the ukulele is loud, but it sounds better picked -- when strummed, it's somewhat muddy. Plugged in, it's cleaner and clearer. The HMS folks added a Pono passive pickup, and I don't need an external pre-amp unless going right into a PA; through my amp, it's plenty loud and clear. I also use this uke when I'll be taking it where I don't want to worry much about temperature or dryness/humidity. So while it's not as impressive unplugged and strummed, it's quite nice plugged in and as a travel uke.

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Review by B-town Uker / (Posted on 12/25/2012)

islander tennor

Shipped as promised and was packaged well. I purchased this uke for myself basically because of the name. For the price I found it surpassed any others in the same price range. You really do get what you pay for. Everything from set up to the look of the laminate was awesome. Thr sound,a bit tinny for my taste. I have since move on but my daughter loves it. This is a great buy for a beginner before they decide to get serious.

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Review by Steph / (Posted on 12/24/2012)

Great value, great sound, frets could be better

I have a Ko'olau tenor that I absolutely love, but I wanted a uke that I could keep in the office. I heard so many good early reports on the Islander that I decided to pick on up from HMS.

It is an incredible uke for the price. Obviously, this laminate is not going to be as resonant or alive sounding as the solid Koa uke, but I am pretty happy with the consistency of the tone throughout its range. The intonation is accurate and tuning is smooth and stable although lacking the precision feel of the high-end K-brand ukes.

The HMS setup was good, although the fret ends are pretty rough. I have a very early (2011) model, so I do not know if this is just an issue with mine or if it's prevalent in other models. I note that laminate Kala ukes, which are roughly in this price range, do not have this issue. I would have given quality 4 stars if it were not for the rough fret ends and I debated whether I should have knocked off yet another star, but ultimately felt that would have been too strong a knock on an otherwise impressive entry level model.

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Review by Gilman / (Posted on 12/24/2012)

justifiably, the standard for laminates in this price range

This is a shockingly good uke for the money.

Very good fit and finish. Excellent intonation. I love the feel of the fretboard (a little roomier, like a Kanile'a).

Terrific starter uke, or a great beater, if that's what you need.

The setup was spot-on. I didn't make a single tweak.

Thanks guys!

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Review by David / (Posted on 12/24/2012)

Great Uke

I've been playing this ukulele for 2 years now and it's put out amazing quality ever since. I was going to buy a different uke but was swayed towards this just because of the customer reviews around the internet. The sound quality that comes from this ukulele is great for the price that it is so I would highly suggest buying this if you are looking for a ukulele on a budget.

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Review by Liam / (Posted on 12/24/2012)

I love it like a mango!

I have played this everyday since I received it (3 months) and it has done nothing but bring me happiness. The playability is incredible. Barre chords are crisp and bright. Up and down the fret board the tone is consistent and amazing. I'm sure the set up HMS has a lot to do with that. The fit and feel reminds me of my favorite jean jacket, it just feels right. It is loud when it needs to be, it's soft when you want it to be. It's a do it all and great sounding uke!

You get certainly get your money's worth and then some with this baby. I was looking for something affordable with a great sound, fit and feel and found it right here in the MT-4. That's what I paid for and that's what I got. I guess, like the case, the good looks were free. Everyone who has heard me play it say the same thing "Wow, that has a real nice sound."

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Review by Oahu Pete (of California) / (Posted on 12/23/2012)

Great value

This instrument brings a well tested design from higher end models into the kind of price range new players can afford. Excellent playability and sound that is a huge step above other laminate based ukes, comparable with many solid wood designs.

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Review by david / (Posted on 12/23/2012)

A really great uke!

My first uke was a makala dolphin. With this uke i got excited to look for a a next stap uke. For me it was the tenor. I got most exited by seeing the video's from Aaron where he is playin the Islander ukes. the main reason to order from hawaii music supply was for the setup of the uke before they send it. The other reason is that in the Netherlands there are no shops who sells brands like Islander. So in this review my only comparison is with a sopran makala dolphin ukelele. I bought the Islander MT-4 with case.

So the package was packed well and the delivery time to the Netherlands was ok. The uke feels good and in my opinion it also looks good. Every part looks well build and finished nice. It gives me the feeling and idea that the company took care of it. It is a laminated uke, but what really surprised me was the sound. I also checked the video's from Aaron playing the Islander but i really love the sound for a laminated ukulele. I have no idea how a solid uke sounds like, but for me this is a great sound. My makala dolphin sopran is bright, crips and not to loud. The MT-4 with aquilla makes is very loud in a good way. The sound is warm and bright. The playability in comparison with a makala dolphin is a really a big stap forward for me. It's plays soft, gentle and sliding from the first fret to another goes very smooth. There where no buzzes up and down allong the frets. I have pretty big hands so for me it's more easily to play.

The only think i didn't like is a cosmetic thing. On the head you have the logo of a mountain and the text Islander. For me it is too much. I am more a visual man so only the logo would be good or only the text.

So this is my first tenor uke. The price is in my opinion very valuable for what you get. The build quality is very nice and good. The playability is also very good. Also thanks for the setup by Hawaii Music Supply before sending (standard service). I think it has a big influence for playing. I am a really happy uke player. My next step would be probably a solid uke, but for know i am really happy. Only for the variety I would like to have an other uke. So if you are looking in the lower priced range, and want a great tenor uke then you will be more then pleased buying the mt-4 Islander.

So a full 5 stars award if you looking to price quality, price and value. So bang for the buck.

Greatings,
Marco from the Netherlands

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Review by Marco / (Posted on 12/23/2012)

AMAZING

I got this ukulele and I fell in love the moment I started playing. My action is a little high, but that's all my fault. Great tone, especially for the price and the quality is great. This uke is highly recommended!!

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Review by Pandaman / (Posted on 11/19/2012)

Great Uke!

This ukulele is my first real ukulele. It has awesome sound and playability! I have played it every day since I got it and I couldn't be happier. With the pro set up and hard case it is a hard deal to bet. I would highly recommend this ukulele to anyone looking to get a really nice instrument at a great price.

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Review by JSoell / (Posted on 7/27/2012)

Excellent Ukulele!

This is my first real ukulele and I love it. It has awesome sound, nice looks and is well built. It has great playability, and with the pro set up and hard case it is a great value! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get a nice middle end starter ukulele. I have played it every day since I got it and couldn't be happier.

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Review by JSoell / (Posted on 7/26/2012)

Great!

This is my first Ukulele- it was recommended to me by someone at the store when I called for advice. Great customer service.
I love this uke. It's got a great tone, awesome playablity... I really enjoy playing this instrument.
I brought it to a uke teacher and he was blown away by the sound, and even more impressed when he learned how little it cost for how great it plays... get one!

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Review by MG / (Posted on 7/17/2012)

Amazing value

With a budget of less than $200, I was looking for great tone and playability.
The Islander was highly recommended and it didn't disappoint. There is a minor scratch on the lower back of the neck and some very minor cosmetic issues, but nothing I wouldn't do to it on my own. As a guitar player and tone snob, I'm thrilled with the Islander.

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Review by Ukulele Bear / (Posted on 6/12/2012)

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Islander - Tenor Mahogany - MT-4

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