Kanile'a KTR-T Premium Hawaiian Koa Tenor Ukulele #28347

2025 is a year where Kanile'a tweaked everything; the tried and tested grading system they have used for 2 decades on Koa has changed now when they offer a 'PRO' model you know that what you are getting is a seriously tricked out ukulele with a quarter century of unique technology and aesthetic perfection with some of the best Hawaiian Koa ever to sprout out of the ground. The KTR-T 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. 

This particular KTR-T was one of the last ones to be made in 2024 and comes with the now discontinued 2024 Premium specifications. What does that mean? Well basically, it means that you get all the features of the 2025 model as the KTR-T was always Kanile'as step into what was to come.

The KTR-T benefits from the PRO spec 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 pheonix 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.

I saw this Ukulele on my trip to Hawaii in Jan 2025 and just had to bring it home from Kanile'a to be sold here at SUS. Visually, it caught my eye from across the room and the sound is to die for!

This premium model mirrors Kanile'as modern Pro Series and has Kanile'as 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 additonal $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.

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:
Premium 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
Premium Kanile'a gigbag included
Kanile'a Fluorocarbon strings with smoothwound low G