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Sound:
Previously, I owned a Kala curly mango tenor ukulele. It was all laminate construction. I paid $225.00 for it. It looked nice but does not compare to the Lanikai NKT. The solid koa top on the NKT is the difference. It sounds full with strong sustain. Harmonics have a bell-like quality. It also has plenty of volume and projects well. I gave it a 9 in sound when compared to other ukuleles in the same price range. I never give 10's for sound because there may be something that sounds better at the same price point - but I think you will have a hard time finding it.
Feature:
I give it a 9 only because the sides and back are laminate koa - although, it is very pretty koa and appears to be a very high quality laminate. The solid koa top, mahogany neck, flamed maple bindings on the neck and body, abalone rosette, abalone & flamed maple binding on the top, ebony fretboard, ebony bridge with abalone design, abalone inlay Lanikai logo and ebony head plate make this ukulele look as good as it sounds. The 18:1 gold Grover tuners with ebony buttons compliment the look of the ukulele while keeping it tune.
Ease of Use:
It came set up with low action and zero fret buzz - very impressive for a factory set up. I give it a 10 because I didn't need to adjust the set up and it plays smooth.
Quality:
I give it a 9 because there is a little glue on one of the internal braces and the wave disign inlay under Lanikai on the headstock is slightly flawed. The fit and finish is very nice. The ploy finish is excellent with no buffing marks. Over all, I am pleasantly surprised with the build quality. I believe this ukulele will last a lifetime.
Value:
I give it a 9 without hesitation because I feel that it compare well to ukuleles that cost twice as much. i would give it a 10 if it was all solid koa.
Manufacturer Support:
I never had to deal with the company.
The Wow Factor:
It is a gorgeous instruments. The koa, ebony, flamed maple and abalone make it very appealing without being over done.
Overall:
I give it a 9 over all. I am very happy with it. I think it's a great value. I think it's a great ukulele for intermediate and advanced players. I doubt a beginner would hear a tonal difference between this model and a $90.00, all laminate model. I may considering upgrading to a made in the USA tenor ukulele if my love for playing grows. Generally they run in the $900 - $1500 range. I think that reflects well on the Lanikai NKT - I believe that I will need to pay 3 to 5 times more for an upgrade.
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A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
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