Kamaka HB-3 'Bell Shape' Hawaiian Koa Tenor Ukulele w/Hard Case #241420

Kamaka have carved out a place in the hearts of millions over the last century as the true grandfather company of the Ukulele. Many of the things we take for granted now were developed by Kamaka during a golden period of musical design innovation in the 1920's and 1930's. If you want an instrument that bridges the gap between the Ukuleles humble beginnings as an instrument that arrived on the boat from Portugal in the 1800's to now; you only have to look at Hawaii's current and greatest musical exports Jake Shimabukuro and Taimane who both rock Kamaka ukuleles built in the same South Street factory in Honolulu that generations of the Kamaka family have built ukes since 1958. 

Join us on an adventure in Hawaii where we saw Kamaka building these Ukuleles firsthand.

In early 2025 I visited Kamaka in Hawaii and they discussed the need to offer instruments that retained the DNA of a Kamaka but gave the player a different sound and style. Kamaka first developed the Bell shaped Ukulele with Ohta San; a famous Hawaiian player of the last generation. The Bell shape is similar to a dreadnought guitar shape with a less curvy body and a very slight pinch in the waist of the instrument. This more open and full body creates a great deal more bass and compresses the overall sound of the Ukulele much less than a traditionally shaped Ukulele. The body is Hawaiian Koa air dried at Kamaka for many years and the wood is selected carefully and even tuned in a unique way to create the Kamaka sound. 

The original Ohta San model was a Concert size but the body created the effect of a bigger uke with a Tenor vibe and sustain. The modern evolved version of the Bell Ukuleles is available in a Tenor size but gives the listener more of the salty, dark sound of a Baritone in GCEA tuning.

The HB-3 is traditional standard Kamaka Ukulele spec with a Satin lacquer finish, mother of pearl inlays and dots - this is the model that most closely resembles the early Kamaka Ukuleles. If you are a purest, a purveyor of Hawaiian K brand Ukuleles or want a Ukulele that really sings with deep undertones whilst developing naturally in the years to come. This is a world class option.

Solid Hawaiian Koa top, back and sides
Bell Shaped Body
Schaller geared Tuners
Indian Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
Mahogany Neck
Mother of pearl dot fingerboard inlays
17'' tenor scale length
mm nut width (with mm string spacing at nut)
TUSQ nut and saddle
Black Nylon Strings w/Wound Low G
18 Frets (body join at 14th fret)
Natural Satin Nitrocellulose Finish
Comes in a Hard Case