Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a P-1 Pro pineapple tenor (the curly mango version is shown; this page is the koa P-1).
Terry Carter reviews the Kanile'a 2019 Platinum Pineapple Tenor, the limited edition the P-1 grew out of.
Sound demo of a P-1 Core tenor, serial 29257, recorded by Kanile'a.
Kanile'a explains the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
The Kanile'a P-1 Hawaiian Koa Pineapple Tenor Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made tenor ukulele with a pineapple-shaped body and a 17.08” scale, built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a solid mahogany neck and an ebony fretboard, bridge and headplate. Kanile'a calls it an extension of its 2019 Platinum Pineapple Tenor. It has the Kanile'a Pineapple custom logo, white mother-of-pearl position markers, the Kanile'a Cobra headstock with gold 16:1 geared tuners, ebony bridge pins, a radiused back and the TRU-R Bracing System. Choose the Core, Pro or Natural Series below; each one ships with a Kanile'a case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | P-1-T + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Pineapple Tenor |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Body Shape | Pineapple |
| Top | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back & Sides | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back | Kanileʻa Exclusive Radiused |
| Neck | Solid Mahogany |
| Fretboard, Bridge & Headplate | Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Ebony |
| Headstock | Kanileʻa Cobra |
| Headstock Logo | Kanileʻa Pineapple Custom Logo |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Top & Side Position Markers | White Mother of Pearl |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Gold Geared, 16:1 ratio |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing System |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A (High G on Core and Natural, Low G on Pro) |
Series differences
| Core | Pro | Natural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koa Grade | Deluxe Grade | Premium Grade | Select Grade |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | Single Layer UV Cured Natural (satin) |
| Nut & Saddle | White NuBone | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ | White NuBone |
| Side Sound Port | No | Yes | No |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | No | Yes | No |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon High-G | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Low-G Set | Worth Fluorocarbon High-G |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A, high G | G-C-E-A, low G | G-C-E-A, high G |
| Case | Kanile'a Premium Case | Kanile'a Premium Case | Kanile'a Oha Case |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 27” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 17.08” |
| Nut Width | 1.5” |
| Lower Bout Width | 9.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 6.75” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Frets | 19 |
What is included
- A new P-1 built for you in the series you choose
- Kanile'a Premium Case (Core and Pro) or Kanile'a Oha case (Natural)
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your P-1 Pineapple Tenor by hand in Hawaiʻi in the series you choose. Photos marked as examples show earlier P-1 Core tenors (serials 29918 and 29257); we have no Pro or Natural P-1 photos yet. Your koa grain will be different. Build time is usually 6 to 8 weeks, and we confirm it with you after you order.
Common questions
What is the Kanile'a P-1?
The P-1 is Kanile'a's pineapple-shaped tenor ukulele in solid Hawaiian koa, an extension of its 2019 Platinum Pineapple Tenor. It has the Kanile'a Pineapple custom logo, white mother-of-pearl markers, the Cobra headstock and gold geared tuners, and Kanile'a builds it in the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
What is the difference between the Core, Pro and Natural P-1?
All three share the same solid koa pineapple body, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, Cobra headstock, gold tuners and TRU-R Bracing. The Core has Deluxe Grade koa with a UV gloss body and silky neck. The Pro uses Premium Grade koa and adds Kanile'a's four Pro features: a side sound port, TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, a black TUSQ nut and saddle, and a low-G string set. The Natural has Select Grade koa with a single-layer UV cured natural (satin) finish and comes with an Oha case.
How does the P-1 sound?
Kanile'a describes the P-1, a one-of-a-kind tenor-sized pineapple ukulele, as having a sound unlike any other, with the warm, resonant tone of koa.
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 koa soundboard. The lighter, more flexible top vibrates more freely, which gives more projection and sustain without weakening the top. It is one of the Pro Series upgrades.
How is the Kanile'a P-1 tuned?
The Core and Natural come with Worth fluorocarbon strings and a high G for standard re-entrant G-C-E-A tuning. The Pro comes with a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze set with a wound low G.
Where is the Kanile'a P-1 made?
The Kanile'a P-1 is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How does Build to Order work?
Pick a series with Build to Order and check out as usual. We place your order with Kanileʻa, who build the ukulele 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 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.
