Got A Ukulele Reviews - KoAloha Opio Spruce Tenor

[@Uke_in_Flight]

Excellent review! Sums up why the Opio has stayed on my want list. The likely reason the Spruce looks weird is because for decades the major guitar manufacturers have applied a tint to their spruce tops, and now companies like Martin have chased the Vintage "look and sound" with aging processes that tint their spruce tops to that Golden ERA aged look of an older spruced topped instrument. In other words, "an Instant Vintage looking instrument". Some are tinted darker than others, some more honey looking than others depending on what they're going after. Here KoAloha has given us a purely natural untainted Spruce top that will over the years darken on it's own with exposure to the lighting of the environments it's exposed to in that time. One advantage to receiving an untainted and unstained top is that the manufacturer is not hiding any wood or grain flaws or abnormalities that get utilized in instruments with tops that receive darker stains or a "sunburst" treatment. Prior to KoAloha releasing their Spruce Opio, I was all set to buy the all-acacia model, but the extra bit of clarity the Spruce provides over the acacia has derailed my plans and have kept my purchase plans at bay as I further play and compare as many as I can before making my final decision. But I am leaning towards the Spruce.

[@GotAUkulele]

True - but i'd still expect to see at least some grain lines.

[@Uke_in_Flight]

GotAUkulele There must be some variations out there. The several I was able to sample in person the last 2 weeks had more "normal" looking Spruce grain lines while others were more like the one in your video with the grain lines being less pronounced or hard to see at all. There was a one on HMS that had very well defined grain lines on one of their spruce models they had for sale, while another was far more plain, almost painted looking. But all are unstained which adds to that "bare" look which is odd compared to what is typically done with spruce and throws off what we tend to expect. Those tints also can bring forward the grain in contrast. Thanks again for the review, it's nice to have to detailed opinion with all around views and sound samples. Keep up the great work!

[@faethe000]

@@GotAUkulele That really uniform super pale spruce looks like plastic to me.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@faethe000 Know what you mean. Not a lot of interest in it

[@Uke_in_Flight]

With the help of your review and the many positive owner comments over on UU, I finally took the plunge late last week and purchased a new Opio, but in the all-Acacia version... Should be here by Thursday... Cheers!

[@GotAUkulele]

Marvellous instruments

[@bumblebee5926]

I recently bought the concert uke, exactly that design in Hawaii. I love it!! It has a warm full sound. A contrast from my koa concert Martin ukulele.

[@GotAUkulele]

Good choice!

[@loriglass1]

The price has escalated a lot in 6 years, but I was lucky to find a used one. Its sound is tremendous-rich and lots of volume. I love to strum, but as you said, wow-this is a ukulele that shines with finger picking. The pale color doesn’t bother me, probably because I am absolutely in love with the pineapple (or crown) design on the headstock and at the bottom of the fretboard (why has KoAloha changed to a straight bottom?) along with their unique sound hole. It feels good in my hands and it’s comfortable to play. Your review cemented my decision to splurge and I am glad I did. Thank you for all your reviews. I look forward to them each week.

[@GotAUkulele]

Glad you found one!

[@intoitreviews]

I've always thought about a concert long neck one of these ... Might help with the strumming. Thanks for info on the tenor...

[@GotAUkulele]

No problem!

[@mr.keebler7927]

I whole heartedly agree with you about the fabulous head stock shape.

[@GotAUkulele]

Lovely aren't they?

[@denisesheehan9189]

Thank goodness it sounds good for finger picking style. Just got on and is a bit worried that it's so loud and bright.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yes, definitely more of a pickers instrument IMHO

[@pajamasflannel]

I played an Opio Acacia tenor and thought it amazing except for its low volume. Based on this review, though, as well as a theukulelesite.com review citing projection, I bought this spruce top tenor. Oddly enough, with their comprehensive setup, theukesite's offering it for $680, US!

[@chuckvt5196]

What a wonderful sounding uke, and really as you say, not a bad price. I am with you on the color...kind of a washed out look, but it still plays beautifully! Thanks for a great review!

[@GotAUkulele]

I feel the camera may have done it a disservice - though it is REALLY pale

[@1019helent]

Hi thank so much for reviewing many brands and type of ukus!!! Really helpful for us in Asia to listen to these different models while actual models are limited in Asia. Love the bright tone of traditional Koa uku. Seems this spruce top does a good job to match that for a more affordable price. Would like your advice, which one do u think is better for value, this one compare to Koahloha Acacia Opio concent or Pono -MCD- Mahogany Concert Deluxe? The price range are around the same. Aesthetic wise all good for me. However, for sound quality wise would like your advice. Also heard about the thick neck profile of Pono. Would that be a problem for small hand people? Thanks a lot!

[@GotAUkulele]

I'd get this myself - it's terrific, but I love Ponos - never felt their necks are particularly thick myself. Keep reading this - never found it.

[@MrJoshDoty]

That is a beauty! Classy looking. I am just learning about ukuleles. Do the necks have a truss rods? I have a soprano that does not. I am really liking your reviews. Thanks.

[@GotAUkulele]

Most don't have them Joshua - the reason being, truss rods on guitars are there to compensate for the high tension of steel strings. You just don't get that tension in ukuleles. Saying that, some brands fit them ((Pono being one) - never quite understood why myself as the worlds greatest ukuleles don't have them

[@ZaoZaoZao]

My OCD prohibits me from getting anything thats not the same color on each side.

[@GotAUkulele]

Front and back you mean? That rules out a Vast number of instruments and pretty much all spruce topped instruments there are. Spruce is too bright and too soft to be used on the back and sides.

[@ZaoZaoZao]

@@GotAUkulele Yeah, it does kind of bother me even though that is a lot of instruments. I actually bought the Koaloha Opio Tenor acacia yesterday.

[@GotAUkulele]

Very nice ukuleles those!

[@ZaoZaoZao]

GotAUkulele how would you go about cleaning these instruments bodies? Polish?

[@GotAUkulele]

Bennie I personally use nothing - see - www.gotaukulele.com/2010/12/beginner-tips-cleaning-my-ukulele.html?m=0

[@Greg-vd5om]

I do like the looks of this one. I do wonder about the darker (acacia) one. Not bad sound either......Does sound a little echo. Thanks again for your review.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks!

[@janeeleanor4849]

How do you think this compares with their Opio solid acacia tenor? I'm torn. Thank you

[@GotAUkulele]

Sorry, not played that Opio

[@yso5797]

What is the song called where you are finger picking? It sounded gorgeous!! Also, what a lovely instrument!

[@GotAUkulele]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzOanaOhpZ0kLc

[@yso5797]

Thanks so much!

[@starlightamarie]

Hello! I just recently found your channel, and I really appreciate your honest reviews! Super helpful! I'm not certain if this is the right place to ask this, but I was wondering if some time in the future you would consider reviewing the Donner Concert Ukulele and the Lohanu Concert (or tenor, I would appreciate either) Ukulele? I've been playing for about a half a year now and I'm looking to upgrade pretty soon (I currently use the Makala Dolphin Uke). Those 2 ukes have been on my radar for some time now, but I haven't been able to find any adequately thorough reviews on either, so I don't know which one to get, or if I should even get either of them (though what I have read on both is overwhelming positive)! I just want to be sure before my purchase. Thanks in advance either way! :)

[@GotAUkulele]

Your luck is in - I have a Donner ukulele review coming in a few weeks!

[@starlightamarie]

Awesome! Thanks! :D

[@marlondayday]

My friend, please review also the Kamaka Ukulele Soprano, Concert, & Tenor.

[@GotAUkulele]

Extremely unlikely. Most of my reviews are loaned to me by the brands and then get sent back. very expensive to get one from Hawaii. Also - Kamaka really dont need my assistance with marketing!

[@marlondayday]

did you approach the Kamaka Center about it? Oh i see its wonderful also to know what would be reviews looks like, if it is good or not. Yup definitely the price now i observe its getting high price its increase in $100.

[@GotAUkulele]

no I didn't, but I can assure you - they are outstanding ukuleles

[@marlondayday]

Maybe 101 years now they are making Best Ukulele, Can i make request review also the Martin 1T IZ Tenor Ukulele?

[@GotAUkulele]

Same issue - Martin dont send out review instruments. They dont need to!

[@brent__earl]

Great review Barry! I am on the fence between getting the Opio acacia tenor model or just going for the koa KoAloha tenor (wondering how big of a difference in quality and sound there is since its half the price of the koa). Have you had a chance to see or play the acacia model and how does it compare to the spruce reviewed here and its big brother koa model? Thanks!

[@GotAUkulele]

Haven't played the acacia sorry. I have played the regular Koa Tenor - the quality is close - the sound is very different. Putting it another way - these Opios are as good as regular Hawaiian KoAlohas were 6 or 7 years ago on quality control - if not better.

[@Kwood10]

Brent E. I have played an all acacia Koaloha tenor & it played & sounded really awesome.

[@mmbrown82]

I'm torn between getting a KoAloha Opio Concert All Solid Acacia KCO-10 and a Mr. Mai M-M80 Solid Koa Concert. Whatcha think?

[@GotAUkulele]

Sorry - I never make comparisions like this - just far too subjective and personal. The two ukes are also too different to compare. I like both very much!

[@mmbrown82]

@@GotAUkulele It would be nice if someone could do a comparison video because they are pretty much head on competition to each other. It's hard to lay down a bunch of money on two things I can't handle at the same time.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@mmbrown82 Next to impossible i'm afraid - 95% of the ukuleles featured are sent to me on short term loan and are then sent back. It's very rare I have two comparable ukuleles with me at the same time. These were a year apart and I don't have them any longer.

[@richardcourt3042]

I think the head-stock looks like a character from "The Simpsons". (-:

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep- very traditionally Koaloha - but yes, looks like Lisa Simpson!

[@clawhammer704]

I was thinking duck feet

[@bakedbean37]

You really shouldn't be put off by the colour of new spruce. In time it will become a beautiful warm honey colour as it is exposed to UV radiation. Much nicer than staining. just keep it out of it's case. I'm not suggesting leaving it in direct sunlight as the heat could cause warping and cracking. Just normal ambient light levels is sufficient. If you really can't wait you can pop it in a sun bed to speed up the process.

[@GotAUkulele]

True - but you have to live with it whilst it looks pale...

[@bakedbean37]

Just close your eyes and play it :-) You have to live with the sound whilst it plays in too don't you? Pretty much the same difference as far as I'm concerned. Spruce takes a little longer to "play in" compared to other tonewoods. I'm no expert but I did build a classical guitar with a spruce soundboard and have intimately followed how the sound (and appearance) develop over time. My observations lead me to believe that a spruce soundboard is a solid long term investment and takes some time to "mature". Colour is just one of the aspects that develops over time. Think of it as a fine wine. It may be a little brash when it's young but give it time and the correct conditions (for this example read play the f**k out of it) and your patience may well be rewarded. By all means go for stained wood or coloured lacquers but don't be put off by the whiteness of new spruce as you still face a relatively long playing in period during which time the natural colour will develop along with the sound.

[@GotAUkulele]

Of course - and that’s why I gave this one of the highest scores I’ve given - the looks don’t really bother me, but they are part of my scoring. Saying that, if I was buying for myself, I’d never personally buy a spruce top uke as I don’t like the sound or look compared to many other ukes. Have several spruce guitars though. Still - this is a great ukulele regardless.

[@memoowo]

GotAUkulele actually same here. That's why I bought the all Acacia one from HMS (still on its way!)

[@Dr.Turkey]

What a coincidence. I've been looking for a nice Hawaiian (or at least American) made soprano ukulele. I know it's silly but that's how I am, I"m one of those folks who cares too much about aesthetic too. The K brands are appealing to me, have you tried anything by Kamaka?

[@GotAUkulele]

Aesthetics aside - this is still a fantastic ukulele. I've played a Kamaka yes - wonderful instruments

[@Dr.Turkey]

GotAUkulele I see some old used ones floating around in the 500-700 usd range, do you think that's a good deal?

[@Dr.Turkey]

I'm also considering the Kala or Lanikai that are around 1000 USD

[@GotAUkulele]

I'd NEVER pay that for a Lanikai myself - the Kala on the other hand - the Elites are amazing

[@GotAUkulele]

Used in good conditon - that seems like high prices to me. HMS had them on for $500 - $680 new

[@markharveyorpiano1023]

what is expensive ukulele kanilea or ko aloha

[@GotAUkulele]

About the same really

[@garyniblock8864]

Not to be picky as I love your reviews. They are tops! But...your Hawaiian pronunciations leave a lot to be desired. Pono is P-OH-NO as in "oh no!" with a P on the front end. Opio is Oh-PEE-oh with the accent on the "i" which is pronounced hard E in Hawaiian. You've got KoAloha down. Well done and thank you for your excellent reviews! Mahalo (Mah-HAH-low);-).

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks for the lesson! I'm from the UK - trust me, we get mighty annoyed by the amount of English words that Americans pronounce wrongly too. But then we relax and realise that language is a moveable feast and changes with location vernacular - always has, always will. The various pronunciations and indeed spellings of the word ukulele being a case in point.

[@GotAUkulele]

And I have yet to find a single American to pronounce Iraq and Iran correctly...

[@garyniblock8864]

@@GotAUkulele You are absolutely spot on and I should apologize in advance for my Americanized and very fractured English pronunciations. I live in California and Maui and one of my best friends is a kumu olelo or Hawaiian language teacher. She is a stickler (truly!) for correct pronunciation and I guess some of that is rubbing off on me. Again hoaloha (friend), mahalo for so many wonderful ukulele reviews!

[@GotAUkulele]

Totally get why people are sticklers. I suppose we are too - but I just started to realise that it becomes a losing battle. To be fair that is a good reason TO BE a stickler. But still. Language does change as it crosses boundaries. I get lots of people saying I pronounce ukulele wrong. I most certainly do compared to the Hawaiian which on the face of it seems a strong argument. But the argument falls when you consider vernacular - how language changes en masse when in moves around the globe. When virtually everyone in the UK pronounces it YOOK -ULL- AY- LEE - that becomes the vernacular and the defacto pronuncication. Wouldn't work if it was just ten people, but when millions change a pronunciation - then the language itself has changed and it becomes convention.

[@garyniblock8864]

@@GotAUkulele Trudat Brah! 🤙🏻

[@LarryShone]

funny, I was saying to myself that the top looks like it's made of plastic and then you said similar. I know of Koaloha as I follow them on instagram. High end ukes. It's just too pale for my taste

[@patrickkerns2022]

you can get the real one koa tenor 949.00 reverb .again just my opinion but seems these guys are trying to get close to same prices for mid price. dont be fooled you only pay couple hundred more and you get the real deal unless u want bling bling bling then u pay pay pay no matter but for kt-00 tenor is 950.00 then u pay 750 for opio to me wht the hell dont you just buy the real one or buy a real mid priced uke which should be between 400-650 range anything higher is over priced for mid level .and then my god used u can get great deals mint shape for same price as these over priced mid level ones.i payed 750 new for my kanelia concert and i probably will get this koaloha kt-00 for 950.00 another place had it for 1,100 .but 200 more for no opio on the headstock and solid koa hawaii made.come on man u ship this overseas unless you are stupid you know these should be much much cheaper they are over priced for foreign made ukes dont care what anyone is telling you .overseas labor is dirt cheap and these guys charge you to much for foreign made ukes.your choice make them rich .i like the pono series they sound great .to me i have not heard a great islander yet not sure of big island have been checking them out .prices seem to be going up so you gotta look for good deals.but mid level is what it says so is 750.mid level when u get real deal 950.00 to me hell no not even close but just my view mid level should be 400-650 range any higher your getting ripped off making money on cheap labor and not giving you the best price they could.cheers thank for your reviews i enjoy them

[@GotAUkulele]

These aren't made by cheap labour though - they are made by luthiers, not in a factory. I think the price is pretty fair for the quality. Why don't you buy the real thing? Well, probably because some people don't like Koa sound.

[@patrickkerns2022]

maybe but still over priced for me .dont like koa must not like the ukelele that much lol never met a player didnt like koa hawaii ukes kinda defeats the whole uke thing but i guess is preference i only have 1 koa out of about 20 ukeleles but if i didnt like it how sad it is great warm tone no matter what u prefer unless u are deaf .but i guess some players maybe dont like koa kind like saying you like cars but no gas motor lol oh well to each thier own if you dont like koa you have hearing issues even you dont prefer it just my view.is ok to prefer a certain wood but all tone woods sound different even 2 koa same ukes can sound different .but you have mexican martins hawaian ukes made in thialand idnonesia where fender gibson make same claim but yet half the price .no difference to me overseas = cheap guitars ukes should be no different i think is hype over priced anything over 650 .00 for overseas is over priced but thats just me i will by ponos and the tone wood they have between 400-600 and you wont beat the sound anywhere for the same price maybe big island are 600 range not sure .if i didnt like koa my god thousands of ohana kala higher qaulity cheaper ukes all between 400-600 every wood u can think of.maybe i just cant grasp paying over 600 for mid priced overseas ukes crazy to me .but i think these ukes maybe pono makes good qaulity im not impressed with islander but love my kanelia but islander sounds like a kaka compared to it i dont think pono sounds like kaka to thier mother brand in fact they are quite good .i will look at big island they look pretty nice also but dont know much about them.im looking to buy another uke or 2 but pono look the best or just go koaloha .myself i prefer all woods unless they sound dead.thanks for the reply barry keep up the good reviews thanks

[@GotAUkulele]

I like both - but sometimes you just want something different. I don’t think koa is ‘all that’. Yes it has Hawaiian connection, but you can’t over look the Martin mahogany ukes for heritage too. Room for all. I’ve owned koa Koalohas in my time and I’d gladly own this for something different you can’t get in their Hawaiian range

[@patrickkerns2022]

true i also love the cedar tops im kinda burned out on mahoghany but i still strum them for that vintage sound i love it too .getting ready to watch the kala comfort edge review you did cedar top looks like a nice tenor for average price.to me the best uke barry isnt koa it comes from asia the moonbird.but just my opinion everyone has favorites but the moonbird can get more sounds tones than any uke i have heard yet but i have not heard them all lol thanks

[@patrickkerns2022]

oh world of ukes has the cedar top moonbird wow i bet it sounds incredible