Baritone Nui Model –
Tenor guitars have been manufactured for many years. Gibson, Martin, and others began production in the early 1900’s.
They were almost always steel string guitars, and thus X-braced to structurally handle the extreme tension of steel strings
However Pono Guitars has decided to try something different. They already make a Ko’olau Tenor Guitar with the traditional steel strings, which is fun to play and sounds great but when strung up with nylon strings, as has been tried with many other brands of Tenor Guitar, tone and volume are lost. So if a Tenor Guitar has classical style nylon strings, then it needs to be designed and braced differently. You can think of it like that or simply as a big baritone ‘ukulele.
Tenor guitars have been manufactured for many years. Gibson, Martin, and others began production in the early 1900’s.
They were almost always steel string guitars, and thus X-braced to structurally handle the extreme tension of steel strings
However Pono Guitars has decided to try something different. They already make a Ko’olau Tenor Guitar with the traditional steel strings, which is fun to play and sounds great but when strung up with nylon strings, as has been tried with many other brands of Tenor Guitar, tone and volume are lost. So if a Tenor Guitar has classical style nylon strings, then it needs to be designed and braced differently. You can think of it like that or simply as a big baritone ‘ukulele.
This particular model in the Nui Series is the BN-10D. For Pono Guitars the number 10 designates Acacia (20 is Mahogany, 30 is Rosewood). The D as with all Pono ‘ukuleles is “Deluxe”, which includes an ebony fingerboard and bridge, and gloss finish.
Slowly coming in is various TE models. These are the tenor electric chambered solid bodies based on the Ko’olau CE. They will be available in various pickup and wood options. Featured here is the Cedar Top Deluxe with the most affordable pickup option, Pono’s passive system. When wired into this uke I gotta say, the Pono pickup sounds really good!
See these models and more from Pono at our store hereThe Ukulele Site -Pono Ukulele
Comments 18
Man, the TG is beautiful and the sound matches its looks. Are you guys planning on carrying them? I tried to Google “Pono TG” for a bit more info on availability and general information, but got a bunch of no-no websites…
Thanks~!
Author
Thanks Netta, They’ll be available in February through our store.
I can wholeheartedly recommended the Pono TE. I absolutely love mine, its tone is awesome. Even unplugged it sounds great and it’s a really nice way to practice without waking everybody up.
It’s got a fantastic, jazzy blues sound when clean, and with the gain dialed up it’ll scream. So much fun.
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The TG looks to be exactly what I have been looking for. Can you tell us what scale it is built on and the other size spec’s.
Thanks!!
Author
It’s a 23.5″ scale, I’ll work on the other specs for you. Should be at our store soon.
Hello,
Could you tell me if your Pono Tenor guitars are available in, or could be shipped to, the UK? I am very impressed by their tone from what I can make out from the small video clips I have seen.
Many thanks
Dominic
Author
Hi Dominic, A few came in and were sold and more will come in 1-2 months. Thanks
I’m drooling over the TG, any news about availability and price?
Author
Still awaiting more. August looks like now. Thanks James.
The TG looks beautiful. What’s the width at the nut? (I’ve got big hands!)
Author
1 3/8″. Islander has the widest nut at 1 1/2″
Hey Andrew just read the post with guy with big hands , I have small hands . I do fine on a Kanilea string spacing . Is it common to find much variation among Luthiers
Author
Hi George, Most builders are about 1 3/8″ at the nut. String spacing can vary though within that. Kanile’a is 1 1/2″ at nut and is more comfortable for some, not for others, and many of us feel fine either way. There’s little girls that can play guitar and guys with big hands playing sopranos but everyone is different and some are more affected by these things.
Any word on availability?
Author
End of November on the TG.
Would like to get a TG(-30D) in Germany. But can’t find a dealer who can purchase it. Are you making them on request or as a limited series?
How a bout th eCE as tenor Guitar? Is it available?
Author
When those are back in stock we will be listing them again in about 6 weeks and we ship to Germany. They changed the model # to BN-30.