Tag: koa

More Talk about Ukulele Strings

So, after my last post about my new Aquila Ukulele Strings, I got a fair amount of feedback from my Twitter buddies.  @ApollosTowel (from Finland, no less) had the following to say (I'm paraphrasing):

The rule I use is Koa Ukuleles sound best with Aquila or D'addario Strings.   Mahogany Ukes sound better with Worth. The exception to this is Koaloha. Spruce goes either way.
Laminates generally like Aquila Strings (except for Kiwaya) as well. I think Worths are so much better than Aquilas on Flukes and Fleas.
Kiwaya laminates tend to like the fluorocarbon types, including Worth. The same rule applies for their solid ukes. 🙂

@hermanvdc had this to say on the subject of Ukulele Strings:

Indeed, Aquila helps give more brilliance to cheap ukuleles but on good the better ones Worth and especially Orcas sounds better!

So, I figured that I should post this so that everyone can make up their own mind and then give you some links to buy Orcas and Worth Ukulele Strings.

World’s Prettiest Ukulele

I honestly think that I'm not exaggerating. I do believe that this is the prettiest ukulele I have ever seen. The inlays are incredible! I was just wandering through eBay while I was drinking a cup of tea (I'm freaking still getting over this cold) when I see this MAKANI SURF TENOR UKULELE FULL KOA CUSTOM by Kazu Mori.

MAKANI SURF TENOR UKULELE FULL KOA CUSTOM by Kazu Mori
MAKANI SURF TENOR UKULELE FULL KOA CUSTOM by Kazu Mori

Reading the auction notes, this ukulele looks to be custom built by Kazu Mori.  Apparently Kazu's father is a master builder himself.  The wood is Koa and there are beautiful inlays all over this thing.  Check out the surfer near the sound hole.  Also, there are abalone fret markers and the neck is bound in ebony?  Dang!  Unless I hit the lottery, I'm going to have to live with just looking at the pictures.  But, the pictures are so pretty that I might be able to live with that.   Also, if I did own this thing I'd almost be afraid to touch it, let alone play it.  It's like skateboarding on the roof of the Sistine Chapel or something.