LOCALS Ukulele
RatingsLOCALS are a brand of ukulele that have cropped up on eBay recently and ,I must admit, I know very little about them. I Googled them and the first result was me - no help at all. So everything I know comes from their eBay listings: they're solid koa, made in Hawaii and, "the finest quality of ukuleles as like KAMAKAs or MARTINs but only half the price." The boldness of that claim coupled with the fact no one is talking about them make me a little suspicious.
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My dad just got back from Hawaii with a new uke in hand the other day. I saw it was a Locals ukulele, I had never heard of it before. After my first chord I fell in love with it! Im surprised how little there is about them on the web. LOVE IT! A++++
Thanks for the review, Paul.
I bought a locals uke in hawaii a few months ago from a small shop I personally love it but I dont have much experience with ukuleles however from what little I do know it is great quality
Aloha, I am the maker of Locals Ukuleles. I work out of home garage in Makakilo-Oahu, Hawaii. Just a little about myself and how I got started. I started back in 1996 with K.C. Moore of Kelii Ukulele Company. Kelii just started his company about 2 month before I started with him. It’s been 12 years of helping him to build the Kelii product to a household name in this industry. Every ukulele that went through there had my detail finish on it. Along with shaping all necks, which after got its final C & C machine made copies, to bridge design, head stock, intonation and so on. In 2008 it was time for me to move on and fulfill my own dreams and goals. So here we are today, “Locals” Is just one label I started. In May of 2010 be on the look out for “Ka’Ohana” Ukuleles. I am proud to say as a 60% blood Hawaiian, that these ukuleles have a true Hawaiian sound with the finest quality of craftsmanship. And, to all of you who bought one of my ukulele’s, I say with much Aloha and Mahalo for keeping our culture and heritage alive today. Aloha
I’ve played ukulele about for about five years was recently visiting family in Oahu and looking to get a better ukulele. I played a lot of instruments in music stores and also met a number of builders/dealers who had tables at places like the Aloha Stadium flea market, the Hula Festival and the 40th Annual Ukulele festival. Most of the instruments I liked were about $700 and up which was out of my range. I met Zachary from Locals and Ka’Ohana at the Hula Festival and played their instruments which are Koa, made in Hawaii by musicians yet starting at $300. To my ears, fingers and eyes, these were comparable to instruments selling for triple the price. I think my next ukulele will be a Ka’Ohana six-string. By making them in a garage, they appear to keep overhead way down and offer these exceptional instruments at an affordable price. For a serious musician on a budget to be able to support local artisans and get an instrument like this is a rare opportunity.
I just returned to the Mainland from Oahu and purchased two ukuleles while I was there. One was a “Locals” suprano, and the other was a “Ka’Ohana” concert size. Let me just say that for the price, one will not find a better uke anywhere…especially in Hawai’i! I own a beautiful, cutom-made “Kamaka” tenor and I have to confess that I enjoy the quality, tone, etc. of these two instruments just as much as the “Kamaka”. I don’t mean to compare and no disrespect, but until one plays and hears one of these fine instruments, there should be no critisism. Mahalo Noela for designing such excellent instruments!
I purchased a Locals Tenor Ukulele at Bob’s Ukulele in Honolulu last Summer. I had spent the previous 3 months backpacking the South Pacific and wanted to purchase a descent ukulele in Hawaii before I returned home to the Mainland. I purchased it for $550 with a case, but just saw the suggested retail price for a Tenor was $799 on the Le’ale’a Ukulele website, so I’m not sure that really means anything cuz SRP is always higher anyway. I just went to Bob’s site and he doesn’t even list Locals as a brand he carries, so not sure what to make of that either. I am an experienced guitar player, but not very experienced in the Ukulele so I don’t really know what to compare the sound to. It sounds awesome to me with a great and rich sound, but again I don’t really have a frame of reference for comparison. Overall, I am satisfied with my Locals Tenor Ukulele.
Ive got a Locals tenor. Its a wonderful uke! I own Kelii tenor a Koaloha super concert and a Kamaka long neck concert the Locals is as good as any of them. Great finish.great build, wonderful tone! Noela does an amazing job. For the price you can not beat this uke,
I just purchased a Ka’Ohana tenor ukulele yesterday. It is an awesome instrument. The tone is amazing. As a guitarist, I find the fingerboard of the tenor very easy to play. The Koa wood is irridescent. For the quality of instrument, this could easily sell for double or triple the price at a high end guitar store on the mainland. (I am already thinking about buying an 8 string tenor on my next visit.) Mahalo bradha Zachary for such craftsmanship and sharing the aloha.
I bought my tenor a few weeks ago from Zachary. I wanted a quality ukulele that was made by hands that cared. When he let me play the lot of tenors in his efficiently crammed workshop, it was like he was introducing me to his family. I picked out the one that spoke to me and expect to have it near me until I pass it on. My stubby guitarist fingers can chord up the neck just fine and it stays in tune after hard strumming or bending – really.
I love the hand-finished fit to everything. The body’s nicely flamed and he did a great job matching the grain. From some angles I see the math and science of it’s construction, but others show the flow of art. Deep color and grain in the bridge and an overall finish that makes the thing sound like it is breathing. Damn fine job.
I to spoke with Zach and he was very warm and welcoming over the phone. “Definetly felt the aloha spirit thru the phone” There was ZERO pressure on purchasing a ukulele at the time of the conversation! Like what was said above, I’ve heard very little about this company. And have only seen a few ukulele’s in person, but the one that I did see were BEAUTIFUL!
I can’t wait to purchase one of his beautiful instruments!
I plan on going back to Oahu in April / May so when I do I will definetly stop by a see bruddah Zach’s shop, he even invited me too
While on vacation I purchased a Ka’Ohana, Koa tenor ukeulele in June 2012 at The Music Exchange in Kailua-Kona. It is an excellent instrument. While I am new the the ukulele I have owned and played Taylor guitars so I know quality when I see and hear it.
I visited several music stores as well as the Holuloa Ukulele Gallery (saw several beautiful custom, local made ukeleles here). The custom ukuleles started at around $900 and looked and sounded beautiful. I paid somewhat less for my Ka’Ohana and am very satisfied with the quality and sound.
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