Hand Crafted Custom Ukuleles Built By Raymond Rapozo Here On Kauai Hawaii For one, the company mills its own wood. KoAloha’s instruments are, for the most part, traditional, with soprano, concert, and tenor models available in standard or pineapple shapes. The Standard Ukulele, also known as the Soprano Ukulele, is the smallest ukulele and has a bright, rich, cheerful sound. Though the Ko`olau team uses plenty of koa in its instruments, it builds with a wider range of tonewoods than its Hawaiian counterparts—including native tropical ash and Brazilian rosewood for the backs and sides, and Adirondack spruce and redwood for soundboards. The wait time for these instruments is about three to four months—but worth it. Our goal is to have anyone feel the same whether they enter our shop or if we take a promotion on the road.”, KoAloha is a portmanteau of the words koa and aloha, and true to its name, the company makes predominant use of koa in the construction of its instruments. 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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. “TRU stands for ‘total resonating ukulele,’” explains Souza. “It’s so rewarding for us to continuing making ukuleles, carefully and using the highest-quality materials, that live up to the family name.”. There’s a KoAloha uke for every budget, with an Indonesian-made entry line (KoAlana) and Thailand-made mid-level line (KoAloha Opio) supplementing its flagship Hawaiian-made line. Ko`olau, whose shop is situated in the scenic area between the Ko`olau and Waianae Mountains, is presided over by luthier John Kitakis. From left to right Tobby, Steve Rapozo, Raymond Rapozo, Glenn Frey, Tobys Daughter, Sarah Rapozo, Seychelle Rapozo, Lucas, James Langtad, Alika Youn. “My grandfather always stressed that the bottom line is the sound of the instrument,” says Chris Kamaka. Prices for standard sopranos in these lines range from $175 to $800, but instruments produced in the company’s custom shop—Red Label (non-commissioned) and Black Label—can go for as much as $4,000. A decade later, as demand for his instruments grew, he enlisted the help of his two sons, Samuel Jr. and Frederick, then only grade-school students. They were at the cheaper end of the scale (although they are increasingly moving into higher-end ukes), but that has not stopped them from getting some high-level support. In 1991, at the age of 20, Souza took a pivotal apprenticeship with the master luthier Peter Bermudez. Islander MS-4 Soprano Ukulele Mahagoni; Soprano ukulele; top mahogany, back and sides mahogany, neck okume, fretboard inlaysDots ABS, fretboard and bridge rosewood (dalbergia latifolia), nut NuBone, 1st Gen Kanile'a bracing system, bridge pin technology, scale 343mm, nut wdith 38mm, … “The process of building a custom instrument is a long, detailed, and collaborative process,” says Kitakis. And it happens that four preeminent makers whose names begin with K—Kamaka, Kanile`a, Ko`olau, and KoAloha—are based on Hawaii’s third-largest island, Oahu, “The Gathering Place.”. This is probably the best value ukulele you can find on the Internet. Islander `Ukulele made a commitment in 2019 that for every Islander `Ukulele built, we will plant 1 Koa Tree. 66-560 #4 Kamehameha Hwy. Islander are actually the value brand wing of the hugely respected Hawaiian ukulele company - Kanile'a. This was the model that really put Islander on the map. Established in the mid-1990s, the patriarch of this family-based company is Alvin “Pops” Okami, an inventor and musician who once owned a thriving plastics factory. The construction time is between eight and 12 months, and involves extensive dialogue between the makers and the buyers. 243 likes. Visit the Kamaka website or shop for used Kamaka ukes at Reverb. The company’s signature headstock is in the shape of a five-point crown, sometimes mirrored at the upper edge of the fretboard, and the standard soundhole shape is inspired by a local foodstuff. Meet some of the world’s greatest ukulele players through profiles, photos, and more, with color photos showing more than 100 exquisite and unique ukes, vintage catalog illustrations, and witty ads that capture the craze of the 1920s and ’30s. Islanders include genuine rosewood fingerboard and pin bridge. Are you in search of Hawaiian Made Ukuleles? For players not able to spend the money on one of Kanile’a‘s Hawaii-crafted ukuleles, the company developed the Islander line. Please call if you have any questions 808-652-5467. His sleeping luthier woke up in him - this time using plastic. It's a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at eBay.com. Great deals on Vintage Ukuleles. Haleiwa HI, 96712 Call: +1 (808) 622 8000. support@theukulelesite.com Ko`olau’s custom instruments are its most tantalizing offerings. The guitarlele is about 1/8″ narrower than my Islander (Kanilea) guitarlele – that little difference makes the Kmise guitarlele easier for me to finger (I’ve always found the Islander neck just a tad too wide for comfort). Kamaka is the oldest and most storied of the four K’s, established in 1916 when Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka began making ukuleles and guitars in the basement workshop of his Honolulu home. You should be aware that Islander used Kanilea 1.5 inch nut width which means the string spacing is slightly wider than the vast majority of ukuleles. Yes, our reforestation project is in Kealakekua, Kona, located on the Big Island of Hawai`i. And then asked me to make new ones.”, Eventually, Kitakis was joined by his sons, Noa and Andrew, repairing guitars for Martin, Gibson, Taylor, and other major manufacturers, as well as custom-making guitars and mandolins. Some years back they realised that for many people, owning a solid, hand made Kanile'a from Hawaii is beyond many budgets so, like several other 'big brands', decided to apply their skills and designs to create far eastern equivalents for a much lower price point. I know you'll enjoy all my ukes and guitars which will become heirlooms that you can pass down to your keiki (children). Visit the Kanile’ a website or shop for Kanile ‘a ukes at Reverb. These days, the 29-employee company makes about 3,000 instruments per year, with stock models ranging from $895 to $2,495, all up to the lofty standards established almost 100 years ago by the senior Kamaka. Island Ukulele Of Kauai Hand Crafted Custom Ukuleles Built By Raymond Rapozo "Growing up here on Kauai, Hawaii I have 20 years of experience selecting the best wood in custom instrument production. Almost 25 years later, Souza, a master luthier himself, oversees his team of 21 employees in building about five to six professional-grade ukuleles per day, or 1,400 per year. ... Vintage 1900's Leonardo Nunes Hawaiian Made Soprano Ukulele for Geo. Samuel Jr.’s son Chris is now the production manager, and his other son Casey builds custom orders; Frederick’s son, Frederick Jr., is the business manager. This produces a deep and richer sound to the Standard Ukulele. Today, “Pops” is the senior vice president of the company, and Pat “Moms” Okami is the treasurer; son Alan is the president, and son Paul is vice president and master luthier. Kanilea Ukuleles are a Hawaiian company run by Joseph and Kristen Souza. We Ship Fast, Usually Within One Business Day. Curved headstock instead of straight and a 1/8 saddle instead of 3/32. Finely handcrafted, one-by-one, for those who are price-conscious but unwilling to sacrifice quality, looks, or feel. Souza says, “I had no way of knowing how important learning from ‘Uncle Pete’ would be in my life and career.”. Islander Super Tenor Add-Ons Select all that apply Install One Strap Button - custom feature renders item non-returnable (+ $10.00) Install Two Strap Buttons - custom feature renders item non-returnable (+ $20.00) Install GraphTech 6:1 Ukulele Tuners -Custom feature renders item non-returnable (+ $59.95) Install Mi-Si Pickup - custom feature renders item non-returnable (+ $179.00) In turn, the next generation of Kamakas was drafted into the company. Visit the Ko`olau website or shop for Ko`olau ukes at Reverb. Shop now! Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Frederick joined the company as its general business manager in 1972, after retiring from a career with the U.S. Army. Birkel Co . All stock models have soundboards, backs, and sides made of koa; mahogany necks; and rosewood fretboards and bridges. Kanile`a is headquartered in Kaneohe, a census-designated place within Honolulu. Fast & Free shipping on many items! His business diversified into almost anything that could be made by injection molding- like clothespins and tiles and in the 1970’s 8-track and later cassette tape cases. Ko`olau, whose shop is situated in the scenic area between the Ko`olau and Waianae Mountains, is presided over by luthier John Kitakis. 1 talking about this. When the factory went bust in the early 1990s, Okami reinvented himself as a maker of tiny playable ukuleles before moving on to full-size ones, and soon, other family members joined the business. All their ukuleles are made in Hawaii and you can take a tour of the factory if you happen to be on Oahu (you can find out more on their website).. More recently they’ve come out with the entry-level Kanilea Islander range which has been getting excellent reports.. Kanilea Ukulele Review “We eat together each day and host guests from time to time to join us. However, it is fulfilling orders for Specials—stock instruments that are semi-customizable, with upgrades like AAA or AAAA koa, spruce soundboards, wood or shell rosettes, ebony fretboards and bridges, fretboard inlays, long necks, and passive or active electronics. Kanile`a. We want clear communication, and in the end, complete understanding and satisfaction.”. Famous Hawaiian Koa Wood supplier from the Big Island uses expertise in tonewoods to create the HONU series ukulele by BIG ISLAND UKULELE Co. that are suited for every level of player, from recreational to paid professional. (Long necks are an option on smaller-bodied models.). Initially, their ukuleles were made in China from laminated wood. The new CNC has been doing a great job on the finish of the frets and bridges much smoother and a nicer finish. Much like an old house, no one really wants to fix them, but they do it for both the challenge and job security. ALL five of these ukuleles have been compared with Kamaka and Martin ukulele and all five have better sound all around, with and without guitar amplifier.
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