Pete Howlett AAA Hawaiian Koa - Hawaiian Style Traditional Tenor Ukulele #HST2023

Pete Howlett is officially an architect of dreams, a true dream weaver, ukulele luthier extraordinaire'... This AAA Hawaiian koa HST (Hawaiian style tenor) is just incredible on the eyes, ears and in the hands.

This tenor ukulele was made to resemble the early Kamaka ukuleles. It would set you back similar money in 2023 to a Kamaka HF-3 standard koa tenor but there is nothing standard about this ukulele. It vibrates against the body when you play it and each note is dramatic, dripping in oomph and practically symphonic.

Pete made his name and built a career on his Hawaiian style tenor ukuleles and it is so easy to see why... In some ways it is a shame Pete doesn't build more of them as they are true bucket list ukulele made to be played, loved, used, lightly abused and handed down to the next generation of ukulele player. Hawaiian koa is chimey, bell like and tuned for lullaby-esque sub harmonic frequencies and Pete has dusted off a tenor wood set from his wood collection to make this instrument. 

As the world begins to swoon over the new crop of great ukulele builders such as Coast ukuleles, OulCraft, Alex Potter and Joshua Johannson; it's important to take a step back and see who influenced the new generation of great builders with Pete and his flawless take on the Hawaiian classic tenor being an important building block for which the entire ukulele community stands proud.

Under the top of this ukulele, Pete is experimenting with a new bracing pattern. It's hard to tell what tweaks he has made but the top on this instrument is incredibly resonant and it absolutely sings with the silverwound low G on it.

Specification:
AAA Hawaiian koa body
Mahogany neck
Santos rosewood faceplate (CITES friendly)
Santos rosewood fingerboard and bridge
Unique bracing pattern
Traditional slot bridge
Wooden strap button
Corian nut and saddle
36mm nut width
Open gear Der Jung tuners
Silverwound low G, aluminium wound C, Worth Brown trebles (low G GCEA)
Comes in a UKE Crazy pod case