Kala KA-HIBISCUS-T Tenor Mahogany Ukulele, Hibiscus Design
- Vendor
- Kala
- Regular price
- $129.00
- Sale price
- $129.00
- Regular price
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$169.00 - Unit price
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- Specs
- Humidity Care
*These are stock photos. Actual color and pattern may vary.
For 2024, Maōri cultural artist Sam Mangakahia created two unique new pieces of art for The Voyage Collection. The soft ivory color of this duo’s artwork stands out in contrast to their mahogany ukulele canvas. With the themes of ‘Resilient’ (Gardenia) and ‘Resourceful’ (Hibiscus), these two floral designs are the embodiment of enduring beauty. Each Voyage Collection ukulele comes with a Voyage Collection gig bag, and story card hang tag telling the unique message of each piece of art.
Resourceful • koki’o kea (Ko-kee-o kay-ah)
- CASE/GIG BAG: Gig bag included.
White Hawaiian Hibiscus
This incredible plant serves as a reminder to be resourceful and to utilize all of our available resources to uplift others around us.
This design is inspired by an endemic species called Hibiscus arnottianus, also known as Koki’o kea (Ko-kee-o kay-ah) in Hawaiian, and more commonly understood as the White Hawaiian Hibiscus in English. This flower has three subspecies that vary in look and shape and has many uses, both ancient and modern.
The Koki’o kea was used for adornment in lei making and for medicinal purposes. For example, the bud was used in conjunction with the bark of the taproot to detoxify the body, and the stem was used to create cordage for a variety of uses on land and at sea. This variety of hibiscus is native to the moist and wet forests of the mountains of Moloka’i and O’ahu.
- SIZE: Tenor
- TOP: Mahogany
- BACK & SIDES: Mahogany
- NECK: Mahogany
- FINISH: Satin
- FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
- HEADSTOCK: Standard
- NUT & SADDLE: Graph Tech NuBone®
- TUNERS: Open Gear Chrome
- STRINGS: Aquila Super Nylgut®
- STRAP BUTTON: Black x1
- Scale Length: 16.875 inches
- Overall Instrument Length: 25.75 inches
- Body Length: 11.75 inches
- Number of Frets: 18
- Width at Upper Bout: 7.0 inches
- Width at Lower Bout: 9.3125 inches
- Width at Waist: 5.625 inches
- Body Depth: 3.125 inches
- Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1.375 inches
- Fingerboard width at neck/body joint: 1.8125 inches
Acoustic guitars and ukulele are made of wood, and wood is sensitive to changes in climate. Shifts in temperature or relative humidity can affect your instrument in multiple ways, some of which can lead to costly repairs if you’re not careful. Solid woods in particular are especially prone to the effects of climate fluctuation. For example, extended exposure to low relative humidity (below 40% RH) can dry out the wood, causing it to shrink and run the risk of cracking. Similarly, excessive humidity can cause the wood to absorb moisture and swell, potentially causing other problems. Without adequate humidity control (especially in drier local climates), acoustic instruments can crack and their necks can warp, causing problems with fretting, intonation and playability.
So how do you prevent this kind of damage? Easy: by keeping your guitars and ukulele properly humidified (ideally between 40-60% RH). The easiest way to do this is by storing your instruments in a case with a case two-way humidifier inside. A two-way humidifier will slowly absorb or release moisture inside your case, maintaining humidity to help ensure your instrument doesn’t suffer damage. Using a digital hygrometer can help you monitor humidity levels around your instrument.
Symptoms of a dry acoustic instrument:
- Low action. Strings are very close to the fretboard.
- Hump on the fretboard where the neck joins the body.
- Sunken top across the soundboard between bridge and fingerboard.
- The back of instrument looks very flat when it is dried out.
- Sharp fret ends extend beyond the edge of the fretboard.
- The plane of the neck angle on a dry instrument hits above the top of the bridge.
Symptoms of a wet acoustic instrument:
- High action. Strings that are unusually high off the fretboard, making it difficult to play.
- Unusually swollen top
- Unusual warp on the top, back or both at the end-block
- Improper neck angle. Sighting the neck to the bridge, the frets will appear to hit below the bridge.
The D’Addario Two-Way Humidification System
Using patented technology, the D’Addario Two-Way Humidification System features disposable, moisture-filled packets with a breathable membrane that provides two-way humidity control, meaning it can either release or absorb moisture to consistently maintain a predetermined relative humidity (RH) level of 45-50 percent.
Music Nomad Humilele Ukulele Humidifier
Music Nomad the leader in equipment care products, has developed an easy to use, no mess, and low maintenance Ukulele humidifier. The Humilele rests securely on top of the strings to safely and evenly hydrate your Ukulele to avoid these problems.
Final Notes on Humidity Control
To monitor the amount of humidity your instrument is receiving, we recommend the purchase of a digital hygrometer, a device that gauges and provides a read-out of humidity levels. It can be kept in the room where you store your instruments, or, better yet, in a central location inside the instrument case, preferably Velcro’d to the outside of the accessories compartment (facing the heel). The optimal range for your guitars and ukulele is 45-55% RH.