Custom Ken Potts Tenor Ukulele
Custom ukuleles handcrafted by Ken Potts of Maui, HI. A beautiful Custom KP Tenor Ukulele handcrafted in Lahaina, Maui by master luthier Ken Potts. This custom tenor ukulele has been meticulously crafted from the finest building materials by one of the Maui’s most seasoned ukulele luthiers.
The back and sides of this particular piece is handcrafted from Hawaiian Maui-grown Kolohala, otherwise known as pheasant wood, and is not known to grow anywhere outside of Hawaii. Kolohala is a prized wood in Hawaii and is very rare, valuable, and stunningly beautiful as well. The wood produces shades of light to dark brown with fine black grain, which very much resembles the feathers of our local Hawaiian pheasant. It is often badly stained from minerals in the soil and so only a few ‘clean’ sets are typically available from a tree that is instrument grade wood and quartersawn. This is a perfect example of a premium set of Kolohala wood. Kolohala is a relatively heavy and dense wood and is an excellent tone wood for ukuleles. It is less common to see ukuleles handcrafted from Kolohala due to the rarity of the wood and the difficulty in obtaining pieces large enough for an ukulele. Only some of the most skilled luthiers in Hawaii utilize this wood on ukuleles due to its value and difficulty in acquiring instrument grade sets.
Extremely gorgeous Kolohala ‘Pheasant wood’ back and sides with highly regarded soundboard wood – Port Orford cedar. Mahogany wood neck for added stability and a ebony wood fretboard and bridge. Ebony wood top and back binding with top, back, side, and fretboard purfling lines for elegant appeal. The uke is fitted with professional slotted-headstock Waverly machine tuners for precise tuning. Zero fret set up for spot on intonation and nice low action, making for easy of play all the way up the neck. Bound fretboard and cutaway feature for smooth playing up on the neck. Slotted headstock for added sustain. [ KP ] inlay in paua ‘abalone’ shell on headstock and more.
The neck is a little wider than most, but not by much. If you prefer a slightly wider neck or perhaps come from a guitar background this is a great uke. Very comfortable as you progress up towards the body. The set-up is also perfect and the uke is very easy to play and has exceptional projection, volume, and sustain. The tones are bright, crisp, and resonant all the way up the neck. The sweetness and sustain compliment the clarity and articulation and provide a nice fluidity to phrasing of note and chord progressions. Very rich, chocolately, and complex deep tones as well, classic Indian rosewood. This uke would be great for both fingerpicking and strumming. Great player uke and highly recommended for the ‘weekend gigger’ or a solid backyard jam!
Price: SOLD