Hilo Baritone or Soprano Ukelele

Ukulele construction is similar to that of a guitar, but generally uses less bracing because of the small size of the instrument. They can have 4, 6 or 8 strings, but the extra strings are pairs with the same 4 note course. The most common wood used in high-end ukulele building is the Hawaiian koa tree, which is known for it's density, resonance and, most notably, it's beautiful golden curls in the grain of the wood. Makers like Kamaka, G-string, Kanile'a and Po Mahina use koa to build instruments that are both sonically and aesthetically pleasing. With the depletion of koa forests, other types of wood are becoming popular in 'ukulele construction, like mahogany, mango, and cedar, but they don't hold the same desirability as the traditional koa uke. With a shrinking supply of koa for ukulele, prices of koa instruments in the past decade have risen sharply, and the trend will only continue.