Hello Friends,
Here's the unboxing video for my new KST 5 Super Tenor made by Kanile'a Ukulele's of Hawaii.
I describe this instrument as the Rolls Royce of 5 strings the world over and would liken it to a hot rod ukulele that is capable of delivering stellar tone, ease of playability, great action, astounding aesthetics, punchiness without being too bright and a warmth that comes from a larger body and longer scale (19') and the tonal traits that are inherent in a curly/quilted maple body. I describe the sound as being a cross between a small baritone and a bright tenor, in other words, this instrument is a chameleon that can change colors on the drop of a dime, depending on what kind of race you are asking it to run.
The added bonus comes when you play it regularly and it begins to open up even more than when it first arrived at your doorstep and brought its first smile to your face.
It has been many years now that i have been playing a Kanile'a 5 string KST5 and i've grown very used to having both the high and low G strings paired together to give me extra grit, punch and character when i'm both strumming as well as when i want to lean into the instrument melodically and i don't want to miss out on utilizing a single inch of the instruments potential.
This instrument can handle big stages and festivals to small intimate spaces equally well. It has alot of character in the mid-range. It is super solid and stable in the 1st position and just sparkles and becomes brilliant as one moves and plays up the neck both chord-wise and melodically.
The larger body with its smoothed off, rounded ebony edges make this a joy to hold and even more delicious to hold and play. The days of sharp edges may be coming to an end with these kind of armrests, bevels and binding. I love it!
The Pohaku stain on the curly/quilted maple makes this instrument stand out in the crowd and commands attention for both its innate beauty as well as the sonic imprint that it etches on your soul when you hear this thing!
The frets are smooth and i do alot of sliding and syncopated strumming so ease of movement is very important to me and this instrument doesn't disappoint at all. Its better than butter baby!
All and all i am very happy with this build and can't wait to get it out there and give it alot of play time where it really matters at clinics and concerts across the USA.
My new KST-5 (serial #: 29683) is characterized by the following specs:
Size: Super Tenor 19'
Strings: 5
Front./Back/Sides: Curly Quilted Maple
Bracing: TRU-R
Sound Hole: Traditional
Side Sound Port: Oval
Rosette: .125' Ebony
Binding: Ebony
Headstock: Cobra Slotted
Position Markers: WMOP
Headplate: Ebony
Stain: Pohaku Stain Full Body
Finish: Gloss/Silk
Tuners: Gotoh Stealth
Nut and Saddle: Black Tusq
Pickup: Active w/Vol. Control
Strings; Kani X Worth 5
Case: Padded w/Kanile'a Logo
If any of you have any questions about this instrument, i 'd be more than happy to talk to you.
Just reach out to me via messenger or email me thru my website!
Please take a moment as well to visit the Kanile'a website at: www.Kanileaukulele.com
