KoAloha KSM-03RPMG Royal Pikake Mango Pineapple Long Neck Soprano Ukulele w/Hard Case #1

The long awaited first run of KoAloha's royal mango series is here and I can say with no hesitation that the select pieces of mango and a satin finish is an absolute match made in heaven for KoAloha. Gorgeous looking mango of all shapes and sizes that produce a truly earthy tonal experience.

Mango has gained massive notoriety as a high end ukulele tonewood in recent years because it carries so much of the Hawaiian tone found in Hawaiian koa, it can shimmer and sparkle and sound like a harp being played on a fluffly cloud by a hula dancer with angels wings but, mango also has hidden depths and a bottom end bass frequency range that can be boomy and ripe (pun intended) when you need it.

Usually on high end ukuleles you see mango under a gloss finish which gives it more natural attack and immediacy but the benefit of this satin finish is that the Mango can breathe more and as a result the low frequencies really cut through here creating a full bodied sound. This is relevant to a high G player who wants the root note of the chord on the C string to stand out in the mix and really comes to life on low G ukuleles where the player wants a droning, deep note to carry the song.

The pineapple ukulele shape has always had a unique sound too... Offering more of the mid range and darker frequencies than a traditional sound, the pineapple ukulele is just undeniably very cool with its more historic Hawaiian look that harkens back to the early days of Kamaka and Kumalae. This one benefits from a soprano pineapple body with a Concert neck which has become the most popular combination in modern times.

Being a KoAloha Ukulele, you can rely on the unique feel of the neck with its wider nut width but standard string spacing. If you play with lots of vibrato, a KoAloha is your best friend as you have more space on the fingerboard to bend notes or shake every inch of sustain out of them. The improved geared tuners, made for KoAloha by Der Jung look extremely stylish in an almost pearlescent black finish.

Aesthetically, there is a lot about a KoAloha that keeps it looking different to the other classic ukes out there. The 5 point KoAloha crown is iconic, as is the Musubi rice bowl soundhole. Even when they are just a few days old, KoAlohas look like they have told a thousand stories and look like they have thousands more to tell for generations to come.

The darker ebony faceplate and abalone inlay on the headstock are a callback to KoAloha's silver series and even the cases they come with have lightly aged brass clasps. Its these little details and callbacks to Pops Okamis original design that makes KoAlohas so exciting... I highly recommend watching the video below and hearing the uke for yourself.

Listing shows actual instrument... Yes. I know, it's so pretty!

Specification:
KoAloha royal mango series
Solid mango top, back and sides
Satin finish
Ebony fingerboard and bridge
5 point crown headstock and fingerboard edging
CNC shaped mahogany neck
TUSQ nut and saddle
Paua fret markers
Abalone headstock inlay
Ebony faceplate
KoAloha custom geared machineheads
Musubi 'rice bowl' soundhole
Laser etched wooden label
Made in Hawaii
17-fret fretboard, joined at the 13th fret
38mm nut width
27mm string spacing at nut
15'' concert scale length
Pineapple soprano body - concert neck
Comes with KoAloha woodshell hard case