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John S. Kinnard – Premier Luthier!

Today we acquired two ukes made by John Kinnard. John has been a luthier for over 40 years in the San Diego area. He's a one man operation and it shows (in a good way). You can tell he has built instruments for many years. He has also pursued art as a painter and a jeweler. I can tell this ...
5

KoAloha & The Legend of Naupaka

KoAloha is never afraid to go "outside the box". This new model that will be available in their 3 sizes at about the same price as the regular models is the yin and yang of two lovable Hawaiian woods. It looks cool in my opinion, but the reason I really like it is because the tone is sweeter. It mellows ...
5

Charlie Fukuba’s I’iwi Ukuleles

Here's a look at two new ukes from custom builder Charlie Fukuba. Charlie is a full time custom builder in Makakilo on our island here and he makes some of the nicest ukes you will ever find. He's a musician and veteran luthier and one of my favorite ukulele builders in the world. These two really blew me away. Both ...

Moore Bettah Rope Bound Koa Tenor Ukulele

Chuck Moore makes phenomenal ukes. Every time we get one, it's a treat. This is an all koa tenor with rope binding. Real vintage style rope binding. Rope is now commonly used as a purfling that goes inside of a binding, but this way is the classic look. Of course Chuck takes classic ideas and makes amazing art. Beyond the ...
12

New Models from Pono

Here's a sneak peak at a few new models that are about to hit our store - The Ukulele Site The first model here is an AT2. The 2 series have a cedar top and a radius fingerboard, like many of the pro classics, but with the less expensive lineup. These will be around 500 with a case and also ...
17

12 Tenor String Sets on Kamaka HF-3

New Kamaka Tenor HF-3's are extremely consistent. They have been making ukes for 98 years now so there is a wide variety of Kamakas out there, no doubt, but new Kamakas are as uniform as you will find. In fact I would say that this model is as good as it gets for a test like this. Now I've done ...
3

Pepe Romero Series 5 in 3 Wood Options

Today Pepe Romero hand delivered these 5 series 14 fret to body tenors. The 5 series has top of the line woods (as you can see), and usually abalone purfling going around the top, and a super fat abalone rosette, but this koa one is the first of it's kind and features a unique wood rope purfling and rosette. All ...
8

Hive Ukulele Review

Today we have the pleasure of featuring a great luthier that was the ukulele builder at Compass Rose for years. Recently he's been stunning players with his own line, called Hive. We just received this spruce top, rosewood side and back tenor from him. We'll take a close look and listen, and you can see what you think. Share your ...
1

New from Moore Bettah Ukuleles!

At the far east corner of Hawaii's largest and oldest island there's an artist in a solar powered shop making ukuleles that just epitomize what I consider to be great tone. Chuck Moore's instruments always have their own unique voice. Very balanced, not boomy, but rich and with a sparkling sustain that really captures you in the sweetness of the ...
3

A Project Worthy of Our Support!

Paul Hemmings plays Jazz and Blues music in his own prolific style. The fact that he is using an ukulele to do that is an afterthought. Before you hear ukulele, you hear classic jazz and blues expressions, emotional and thoughtful music. Paul Hemmings is a musician that I truly admire and enjoy. Perhaps you feel the same way, but if ...