'Oli L2-TSFM-LB All Solid Spruce/Flamed Maple Sunburst Tenor Gloss Ukulele w/hard Case

They are finally here in the UK! Oli are the Ukulele brand that have been creating the most buzz worldwide for the last 12 months and we can confirm with first hand experience; the hype is justified!

The L2-TSFM-LB is part of 'Oli's 3rd tier of instruments. Aimed at intermediate/professional musicians this ukulele is light in the hands, resonant and with incredible sustain and colour to the sound. Limited models such as this also feature a gorgeous light tobacco sunburst and a remarkable inlayed tribal motiffe on the headstock faceplate.

Andrew Kitakis along with his famous team at Ukulele Site in Hawaii have been designing and refining the range of Ukuleles for several years already. Present company included; there is really nobody more in tune with what makes a good ukulele that players can bond with. 

The L-2-TSFM-LB is built with a combination of Solid Spruce a lovely figured flamed Maple that gives it a voicing more akin to a small parlor guitar. The low notes hit the maple and get coloured with a natural warmth and compression that allows the combination of full strummed chords to sing and resonate loudly but with a natural softness to them. Maple is a fascinating wood; it resembles a lot of the lullaby textures and timbres of Hawaiian Koa but has the ability to remain loud and open when paired with a good soft wood top like Spruce.

The playability choices and aesthetic details of the L2 series are worth discussing; What you can see at first glance is obviously that iconic and vintage looking sunburst but the side mounted fret markers popular on many ukes from brands like Flight. They give you a visual clue as to where you are playing on the fretboard without the need to tilt the instrument towards you. The nut is wider at 37mm with a nice wide string spacing and a modern, smooth C shape to the neck which curves well with the natural curves in your hand. The tuners are Gotoh Planetary tuners which are commonly seen as being the top Ukulele tuner out there. 

The Gotohs weigh nothing which balances the instrument better and allows the wood to vibrate freely. When you play the instrument you will feel the bag vibrate as you play. The bevelled edge is subtle to look at but very comfortable under the arm as you play. The side sound port is done in a subtle way and gives the player more control over the naunce in what they hear when they play. 

The body is gloss but the neck is satin making the uke feel more played in from new. The sunburst continues throughout the neck in addition to the body which looks great and the tribal inlays on the headstock are subtle enough you may not be drawn to them immediately but you will certainly appreciate them when you examine them more closely.

The attributes you don't see on this ukulele are part of the magic; it has lattice bracing which is a grid like trellis structure of bracing under the top which is stronger than traditional bracing and makes the top naturally stiffer. I have to say, I think it also reduces the weight of these instruments compared to the X braces series ukes we have received. Finally, the fingerboard has a slight radius to it which makes barre chords slightly easier for many.

Finally, the choice of factory strings is a Ko'olau fluorcarbon with a smoothwound gold alloy G. A popular choice for modern players and one that has been chosen to really make the notes you want to stand out. The whole thing is a really professional presentation that gives players a slice of a custom ukulele at a price more similar to something like an AnueNue Whale.

Engelmann Spruce Top
North American Big Leaf Maple Sides and Back
Maple faceplate with ebony inlay
Radius ebony fingerboard
Ebony bridge
Ebony rosette
Maple Binding - Top, back, fretboard, headstock
Maple Arm-bevel
Mahogany neck with dual action truss rod
Bone nut and saddle
Gotoh UPT 4:1 ratio tuning keys
Sunburst Gloss finish body - Satin finished neck
Ko'olau Aho Fluorocarbon Smoothwound Low G string set
Includes hardshell case
Total Scale Length: 16 15/16”/ 43 cm
Body Length: 12”/ 30.48cm
Overall Length: 26.25”/ 66.75cm
Nut Width: 1.44" / 36.5 mm
Saddle Length: 2.19”/ 55.63mm
Lower Bout Width: 9”/ 23 cm
Upper Bout Width: 6.5”/ 16.5cm
Lower Bout Depth: 3” / 7.85cm
Upper Bout Depth: 2.75”/ 7cm