Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a ʻIlikai (tenor shown) with its red-to-blue stained maple body.
Sound demo of an ʻIlikai GL6 guitarlele, serial 28359, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Kanile'a demonstrates the sound of its ʻIlikai and Pōhaku models.
The Kanile'a ʻIlikai Red to Blue Quilted Maple GL6 Guitarlele is a Hawaiian-made six-string GL6 guitarlele with a 20.06” scale, tuned A-D-G-C-E-A like a guitar capoed at the fifth fret, and a body of solid quilted maple stained in a red to blue gradient, with a single-piece mahogany neck and an ebony fretboard, bridge and headplate. It has a thin black rosette, teal-stained poplar position markers and logo and black front binding. ʻIlikai is built only in Kanileʻa's Pro Series, so every one has TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, an oval side sound port, a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle, the TRU-R Bracing System, a radiused back, ebony bridge pins and chrome 16:1 geared tuners. It ships with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | ILIKAI-GL6 + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | GL6 Guitarlele |
| Series | Pro (ʻIlikai is Pro Series only) |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Body | Red to Blue Gradient Stained Solid Quilted Maple |
| Back | Radiused |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard, Bridge & Headplate | Ebony |
| Headstock | Kanileʻa Crown |
| Rosette | Thin Black |
| Headstock Logo | Teal-Stained Poplar |
| Position Markers | Teal-Stained Poplar |
| Front Binding | Black |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Side Sound Port | Oval |
| Nut & Saddle | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | Yes |
| Bridge Pins | Kanileʻa Exclusive Ebony |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Chrome Geared, 16:1 ratio |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon & GHS Phosphor Bronze GL6 Combo Set |
| Tuning | A-D-G-C-E-A |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 30.5” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 20.06” |
| Nut Width | 2.01” |
| Saddle Width | 2.57” |
| Lower Bout Width | 10.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 7” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Frets | 21 |
What is included
- A new ʻIlikai built for you
- Kanile'a gig bag or case
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your ʻIlikai GL6 Guitarlele by hand in Hawaiʻi. Photos marked as examples show an earlier ʻIlikai Pro tenor (serial 29002); we have no ʻIlikai GL6 photos yet, so your GL6 will have the same look on its own body with six strings. The sound demo above shows a real ʻIlikai GL6. Every quilted maple top has its own figure, and the stain blends a little differently on each one. Build time is usually 6 to 8 weeks, and we confirm it with you after you order.
Common questions
What is the Kanile'a ʻIlikai?
The ʻIlikai is Kanile'a's red to blue stained quilted maple model, with a thin black rosette, teal-stained poplar markers and logo and black front binding. Kanile'a builds it only in its Pro Series with every Pro feature.
Is the ʻIlikai made of koa?
No. The ʻIlikai body is solid quilted maple, stained in a gradient that runs from red to blue.
What is TRU-Reduction soundboard etching?
TRU-Reduction is a Kanileʻa process that uses laser etching to remove wood from selected areas on the inside of the soundboard. The lighter, more flexible top vibrates more freely, which gives more projection and sustain without weakening the top.
How is the Kanile'a ʻIlikai GL6 guitarlele tuned?
It is tuned A-D-G-C-E-A, like a guitar capoed at the fifth fret, on a Worth Fluorocarbon and GHS Phosphor Bronze GL6 set.
Where is the Kanile'a ʻIlikai made?
The Kanile'a ʻIlikai is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How does Build to Order work?
Pick Build to Order and check out as usual. We place your order with Kanileʻa, who build the guitarlele by hand in Hawaiʻi, and the build usually takes 6 to 8 weeks; we confirm the timing with you after you order. It ships to you with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
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📸 NOTE ON PHOTOS
The photos show a representative example of this model. You will receive an instrument that matches the specs and quality shown — it may not be the exact piece pictured. Questions before ordering? We're happy to help.
