Kiwaya Ukuleles
Kiwaya ukuleles are made in Japan. Kiwaya were established in 1919 and are world renowned for their superb build quality and attention to detail. These are perfect ukuleles in every way. The build quality is second to none. They are extremely light instruments, and they really sing. The sopranos are especially bright and loud. You would be hard pushed to find a better quality mahogany soprano. The Kiwaya ukuleles are perfect for anyone looking for the same qualities as a vintage ukulele, a Martin for example, but would prefer to avoid the excessive prices asked for such instruments.
Kiwaya Ukuleles for sale in UK
As mentioned above, the Kiwaya offers a great option for anyone looking for a vintage Martin ukulele, but who wants to avoid the high prices of vintage instruments. In which case there's no better ukulele than the Kiwaya solid mahogany sopranos. In particular we like the KTS-4. There 5 and 6 have a few more frets and decoration, but in some respects the simple styling on the KTS-4 is nicer, and lets the elegant wood grain "do the talking". Plus with only 12 frets, the fretboard doesn't sit on the body of the ukulele. Some say this allows the KTS-4 to ring out, giving it a preferable tone and volume to other models.
Kiwaya KTS-4 Solid Mahogany Soprano Ukulele
See above for the best deals on Kiwaya ukuleles in UK.
About the Kiwaya Ukulele Range
Kiwaya offer various solid mahogany soprano models - the KTS 4, 5, 6 and 7. The KTS 7 is a beautiful instrument, but at the top of the range, is quite expensive. Although the quality of the wood is reputably higher in the KTS 7 than the other models, you can still get an exceptional Kiwaya without having to buy the top of the range.
The concert Kiwaya ukuleles are also of exceptional quality. Kiwaya offer a short neck concert ukulele which, as with the Soprano K4, allows the body to ring freely. The tenor Kiwaya ukuleles have all the same quality attributes as the smaller soprano and concert ukuleles, although come fitted with friction tuners. Many tenor ukuleles come with geared tuners, since the tension is greater on a tenor ukulele.