Kanile'a KTR-ST PRO Master Grade Hawaiian Koa Tenor Ukulele w/TRU-Relief #28816

Kanile'a took a step back at the end of 2024 and reviewed the companies well known wood grading system... To our surprise they took a broader look at the whole catalogue and changed many popular models for the first time and simplified each model into a Natural, Core or Pro specification.

The Natural series are simple with satin finishes and a more stripped back traditional ukulele personality, the Core series are the most similar to what they have done previously with TRU reduction bracing but a more standard Kanile'a spec. The Pro series were the ones that impressed us the most with several upgrades that Kanile'a say are the most requested add-ons in their custom shop.

The Pro Series has Kanile'a's trademarked TRU reduction which is laser thinning on select points of the top to tune the instrument and offer more stability whilst allowing the top to vibrate more freely. A side sound port which allows the player to hear everything back as if they are the audience (particularly useful if you play in loud rooms).

The pro-series also features a black TUSQ nut and saddle which as a standalone component can cost as much as an additional £120 when Kanile'a build them custom to order. The black TUSQ components create more sustain and volume. Finally, the Pro series ukes feature upgraded wood; premium or master grade koa selected for its curl, aesthetic quality (Kanile'a call is 'drama') and personality in the wood.

Now let's talk about this model which in itself is top-end Kanile'a tenor, with a unique body contour we will talk about in a moment, deluxe inlays and with master grade Hawaiian koa... Last but not least, this model is the famous Kanile'a super tenor size and shape! 

A super tenor is a conventional tenor with a stretched lower bout to the body to simulate the sound and tone that a baritone ukulele might produce on a more conventional size. Super tenor ukuleles have a natural depth and boom about them that you can't reproduce on a normal Tenor; the jumbo of jumbo ukuleles without having to have something that feels like a small guitar in your hands.

The KTR-ST is the top end production model and it throws several unique custom shop offers on a production model for the first time. The first being the TRU-relief body contour which slopes the entire lower bout on one side towards the bridge at a contoured angle similar to an electric guitar. This reduction uses a completely unique updated version of the TRU-Relief bracing pattern and takes a huge amount of weight out of the instrument on the whole. When looking head on, you can't see a difference but from certain angles you see an incredible four dimensional shift in the whole shape and body of a ukulele and how it sits against the player on the whole. 

The KTR-ST also benefits from TRU-reduction which is where the top is thinned in strategic places between and around the bracing to make the top lighter, somehow stiffer and more ready to vibrate freely than literally any other ukulele on the planet.

The other new striking feature is the phoenix headstock which pays homage to recent platinum models but on a non-limited model for the first time. It's a bit like Ferrari making a concept car available to everyone for the first time for half the price. Whilst I appreciate these Kanile'a Ukuleles are still very much premium priced instruments, the features on display debuted on even more premium priced instruments that took in themselves years of development to refine.

The lighter weight of these ukuleles paired with the more dynamic attack of the slotted headstock make for a very responsive uke with a traditional koa sound but plenty of gorgeous undertones to fill the entire sonic scope of what you play. Let's not forget the master grade Hawaiian koa itself which on this is as good as anything else we have EVER seen. It's a premium priced ukulele for sure but even at 100 meters distance with your eyes squinting; you can see this is special.

Kanile'a Ukuleles always sound a bit like you've put them in front of an expensive microphone and added some reverb to the sound - they are just naturally full of zest and character when you hear them as well as being perhaps the most refined and poised ukulele out there in your hands.

Specification:
Master grade Hawaiian koa top, back and sides
Pheonix slotted headstock
TRU-relief - body contour scoop
TRU-R bracing - reduced weight bracing
TRU-reduction - reduced weight shaping under the top
38mm nut width, 30mm string spacing at nut
Kirinite acrylic rosette and headstock inlay
Kirinite diamond position markers
Satin finished South American mahogany neck
Black TUSQ nut and saddle
Ebony fingerboard and bridge
UV gloss finish to body
Front black binding
Gotoh stealth tuners
Super tenor shape with 17'' tenor scale length
Premium Kanile'a gigbag included
Kanile'a Fluorocarbon strings with smoothwound low G