Comments on: Why’s this koa ukulele so cheap?

By: 1st time beginner

1st time beginner — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 07:19:02 +0000

I have done a lot of looking for my first uke, I would like to start with a solid koa wood uke . I’m a beginner , never played before and I am finding a lot of adds say ” Koa” but how can one be sure the wood used is actually “Koa” I’m looking at USA, UK, Taiwan, Vietnam, . cannot find one in Australia. who can I trust ????????

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:32:47 +0000

I bought an inexpensive baritone ukulele made out of Maple body with a mahogany finish and a mahogony fretboard. I actually like the sound.
My question is, because it’s made out of maple and mahogany, would it be considered a good ukulele?

By: Biscuitbum

Biscuitbum — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:29:32 +0000

There is a lot of snobbery in the ukulele world. If you have a laminated uke, the instument is immediately dismissed as having little merit musically. Even ukes with a solid wood soundboard like mine, are disparaged by those who swear (despite no evidence, and even some to the contrary) that all solid ukes have a much better tone. It would be interesting if someone were to produce an all laminated uke which sounded so superb that they couldn`t ignore it.

By: Uke Guy

Uke Guy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:21:36 +0000

Also you have to take into consideration where they are manufactured. Oscar Schmidt is made in China as is Ohana, Bushman and many others. Cordoba also makes an ukulele that they call koa, but isn’t made with Hawaiian koa wood. It’s acacea, the same family as Koa