New Uke Day (NUD) - New UKE’s + comparison vid re Pono PC/MC/Oli/Ko’olau (2024)

First let me say that I’ve never had two ukuleles arrive in the same day and the excitement + overwhelm kind of gets you.

Very excited after all for forum talk to have a Pono Master Series with lattice bracing from TUS and an Oli! You all, literally, talked me into them Both are tenors which I’m better able to play with the radius fretboards, although, concert is more my preferred size. I, also, went with tone woods I do not currently have: Master Series is Acacia and Oli is flames maple and spruce top.

In the video I’m playing simple and quickly a silly song from Juno to try and showcase the differences since there has been so much discussion about them. The two new I’ve had for less than 2 hours so not yet accustomed to them. The Pono is the Pro Classic rosewood and cedar top and the ko’olau is a basic KC-10 concert koa. And I’ve only been playing since January… so I know I’ve still got a long way to go.

Ooooo the NUD I requested! I promise to reciprocate soon.

Reading now; will respond in an edit.

EDIT: Dang those are some nice ‘ukulele! Some quick thoughts:

• the Pono Pro Classic cedar/rosewood is surprisingly warm (almost dark) for the wood combo. Focused and slightly closed yet in possession of a sutbly vital sweetness
• the Pono Master Series all-acacia has a wonderfully fast attack and focused, complex tone
• the ‘Oli spruce/maple is warmly yet projects with punchy highs and exhibits very good note separation
• the Ko’olau KC10 has a classic, dry sound and gives a strong nod to Noa’s focused tonal signature.

Thank you for sharing the comparison video. I’m glad that ‘Oli landed in your hands; a uke like that is amply rewarding to progress alongside. Between it and the Master Series, you will have a companion for wherever the musical life leads you.

Ukrlover2023 said:

First let me say that I’ve never had two ukuleles arrive in the same day and the excitement + overwhelm kind of gets you.

Very excited after all for forum talk to have a Pono Master Series with lattice bracing from TUS and an Oli! You all, literally, talked me into them Both are tenors which I’m better able to play with the radius fretboards, although, concert is more my preferred size. I, also, went with tone woods I do not currently have: Master Series is Acacia and Oli is flames maple and spruce top.

In the video I’m playing simple and quickly a silly song from Juno to try and showcase the differences since there has been so much discussion about them. The two new I’ve had for less than 2 hours so not yet accustomed to them. The Pono is the Pro Classic rosewood and cedar top and the ko’olau is a basic KC-10 concert koa. And I’ve only been playing since January… so I know I’ve still got a long way to go. View attachment 175120View attachment 175121View attachment 175122View attachment 175123View attachment 175124View attachment 175125View attachment 175126

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What a GREAT day and with both my favorite makers!!!
CONGRATS!!!

thegadgetfish said:

Gorgeous ukuleles, and it's a nice variety of sound. I really liked the first one you played.

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The first one is great and due to my one in one out policy is in the marketplace, but the comparison today has me rethinking that decision

scrambled_eggs said:

Oh my goodness it's the whole family!!! I'd love to get a Ko'olau one day... and like 20 other awesome ukes Sounds like the strings might be settling in a bit still on the new ones, but beautiful instruments all of them! Big congrats and thanks for sharing your playing!

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They are settling, which is a new experience for me. The first Pro Classic and Ko’olau were new to me but very settled in and the other instruments I have purchased have been new but haven’t needed to settle like it seems this Pono MC and Oli seem too. They both had pro set up (which was worth the wait) and humidity is relatively similar to Hawaii right now in Brooklyn. I tuned them but they seem slightly off quickly. Both are exceedingly beautiful and the sustain is really there… the strings were vibrating as I was setting them down. I do understand what some people have mentioned about Acacia as a tone wood - mostly I have koa and mango (one mahogany) and acacia sounds more “subdued” but I’m glad to have it.

The ko’olau is not even entry level these days. It’s was a short spirt when they tried to make an affordable low level in Hawaii, but still I love it. One day I’ll save for a ko’olau that’s like the ones on the market today.

Ukrlover2023 said:

One day I’ll save for a ko’olau that’s like the ones on the market today.

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…and you will not regret it.

Your ‘Oli really is a well-dressed instrument. I added my initial thoughts on each uke to my earlier post.