Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a ISL tenor on the Uke Like The Pros channel; the 5-string has the same ISL appointments and body with a fifth string.
Terry Carter explains how a Kanile'a 5-string with high and low G compares to a 4-string (shown on the super tenor, which uses the same 5-string setup).
Sound demo of a Kanile'a 5-string tenor (K-1 Core, serial 29376) recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Kanile'a explains how the ISL compares to its HNS and KPA models.
The Kanile'a ISL Islands Hawaiian Koa 5-String Tenor Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made five-string tenor ukulele with a 17.08” scale, built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, bridge and headplate, and the Hawaiian Island chain inlaid on the soundboard (Pāua abalone on the Core and Pro, Kailua beach sand on the Natural). It adds a Pāua abalone logo and position markers, tortoise binding, gold 16:1 geared tuners, ebony bridge pins, a radiused back and the Kanile'a Crown headstock. It is tuned G-g-C-E-A with both a low G and a high G, for a fuller low end with the classic re-entrant sparkle. Choose the Core, Pro or Natural Series below; each one ships with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | ISL-T5 + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Tenor 5-String |
| Number of Strings | 5 |
| Top | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back & Sides | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back | Radiused |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard, Bridge & Headplate | Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Kanileʻa Exclusive Ebony |
| Headstock | Kanileʻa Crown |
| Headstock Logo | Pāua Abalone |
| Front Binding | Tortoise |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Top & Side Position Markers | Pāua Abalone |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Gold Geared, 16:1 ratio |
| Tuning | G-g-C-E-A (low G and high G) |
Series differences
| Core | Pro | Natural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Island Chain Inlay | Pāua Abalone | Pāua Abalone | Kailua Beach Sand |
| 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 | Oval | No |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | No | Yes | No |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze 5 String Combo Set | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze 5 String Combo Set | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze 5 String Combo Set |
| Tuning | G-g-C-E-A | G-g-C-E-A | G-g-C-E-A |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 26.75” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 17.08” |
| Nut Width | 1.5” |
| Saddle Width | 2.25” |
| Lower Bout Width | 9.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 6.75” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Body Depth | 2.75” |
| Frets | 19 |
What is included
- The ukulele for the series and serial number you choose, or a new one built for you when you choose Build to Order
- Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag (Core and Pro) or Kanile'a Oha case (Natural)
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your ISL 5-String Tenor by hand in Hawaiʻi in the series you choose. We have no photos of a finished ISL 5-string yet, so the fronts show earlier Kanile'a K-1 5-string tenors (Core serial 29019, Natural serial 29276) with the same tenor body, five strings and Crown headstock, and the back shows an earlier ISL tenor (Core serial 28978). The ISL adds the Hawaiian Island chain inlay, Pāua abalone logo and markers, tortoise binding and gold tuners. Your koa grain and the exact placement of the island inlay 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 difference between the Core, Pro and Natural ISL 5-string tenor?
All three are solid Hawaiian koa ISL 5-string tenors with the same body, neck, Hawaiian Island chain inlay, Pāua abalone logo and markers, tortoise binding, gold tuners and Kanile'a TRU-R Bracing. The Core has Deluxe Grade koa with a UV gloss body and UV silk neck. The Pro uses Premium Grade koa and adds an oval side sound port, TRU-Reduction soundboard etching and a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle. The Natural has Select Grade koa with a single-layer UV cured natural (satin) finish, and its island chain is inlaid in Kailua beach sand instead of Pāua abalone.
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; the Core and Natural Series do not have it. All three series share the same Kanileʻa TRU-R Bracing.
What is the Kanile'a ISL Islands model?
The ISL is Kanile'a's tribute to Hawaiʻi: the Hawaiian Island chain is inlaid on the soundboard (in Pāua abalone on the Core and Pro, in Kailua beach sand on the Natural), with a Pāua abalone logo and position markers, tortoise binding, gold geared tuners, ebony bridge pins and a radiused back. Kanile'a builds it in the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
How does the ISL compare to the KPA and K-1?
All three share the same Hawaiian koa grades, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and Crown headstock. The ISL has the Hawaiian Island chain inlaid on the top; the KPA has a thick Pāua abalone rosette around the soundhole instead; the K-1 has a plain round soundhole with white mother-of-pearl inlays and chrome tuners.
Is the Kanile'a ISL 5-string tenor solid wood?
Yes. Every Kanile'a ISL 5-string tenor, Core, Pro or Natural, is built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck.
How is the Kanile'a ISL 5-string tenor tuned?
It is tuned G-g-C-E-A on a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze 5-string combo set. The G course has a wound low G next to a high G, so chords ring with both the classic re-entrant sparkle and a fuller low end, using the same shapes as a four-string ukulele.
Where is the Kanile'a ISL ukulele made?
The Kanile'a ISL ukulele is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How do I choose the exact ukulele I get?
Every Kanile'a ISL 5-String Tenor is hand-built from solid koa, so no two have the same grain. When a finished ukulele is in stock, it is listed under its series and its own serial number with Ships Now, and its photos show that exact ukulele. Choose Build to Order to have Kanileʻa build a new one for you.
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 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.
