Description
Terry Carter reviews the Kanile'a KPA Pro tenor; the 8-string tenor has the same KPA appointments and body with four doubled courses.
Terry Carter plays a Kanile'a 8-string tenor (K-1 shown) so you can hear the doubled-course sound.
Sound demo of a Kanile'a 8-string tenor (K-1 Core, serial 29771) recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Kanile'a explains how the KPA compares to its ISL and HNS models.
The Kanile'a KPA Hawaiian Koa 8-String Tenor Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made eight-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, a traditional round soundhole with a thick Pāua abalone rosette, Pāua abalone logo and position markers, tortoise binding, gold open-geared tuners and the Kanile'a Crown headstock. Its four doubled courses, tuned G-g-C-c-E-E-A-A, give a full, shimmering, 12-string-guitar-like sound with both high and low G. Choose the Core or Pro Series below; each one ships with a Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | KPA-T8 + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Tenor 8-String |
| Number of Strings | 8 |
| Top | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back & Sides | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard, Bridge & Headplate | Ebony |
| Headstock | Kanileʻa Crown |
| Headstock Logo | Pāua Abalone |
| Rosette | Thick Pāua Abalone |
| Front Binding | Tortoise Plastic |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Top & Side Position Markers | Pāua Abalone |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Gold Open Geared |
Series differences
| Core | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Koa Grade | Deluxe Grade | Premium Grade |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck |
| Nut & Saddle | White NuBone | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ |
| Side Sound Port | No | Oval |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | No | Yes |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze 8 String Combo Set | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze 8 String Combo Set |
| Tuning | G-g-C-c-E-E-A-A (4 doubled courses) | G-g-C-c-E-E-A-A (4 doubled courses) |
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
- 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
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your KPA 8-String Tenor by hand in Hawaiʻi in the series you choose. We have no photos of a finished KPA 8-string yet, so the examples show earlier Kanile'a K-1 8-string tenors (Core serial 29771, Pro serial 29675) with the same tenor body, eight strings and Crown headstock; the KPA adds the Pāua abalone rosette, logo and markers, tortoise binding and gold tuners. 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 difference between the Core and Pro KPA 8-string tenor?
Both are solid Hawaiian koa KPA 8-string tenors with the same body, neck, eight strings, Pāua abalone rosette, logo and markers, tortoise binding, gold tuners and Kanile'a TRU-R Bracing. The Core has Deluxe Grade koa and a white NuBone nut and saddle. 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. Both use the same 8-string combo set.
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 Series does not have it. Both series share the same Kanileʻa TRU-R Bracing.
What is the Kanile'a KPA?
The KPA is Kanile'a's Pāua abalone model: a traditional round soundhole with a thick Pāua abalone rosette, Pāua logo and position markers, tortoise binding and gold open-geared tuners. Kanile'a builds it in the Core and Pro Series.
How does the KPA compare to the K-1 and D-1?
They share the same Hawaiian koa grades, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and Crown headstock. The KPA adds the Pāua abalone rosette, logo and markers, tortoise binding and gold tuners; the K-1 has a plain round soundhole with white mother-of-pearl inlays, and the D-1 has Kanile'a's D-shaped soundhole.
How is the Kanile'a KPA 8-string tenor tuned?
It is tuned G-g-C-c-E-E-A-A on a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze 8-string combo set. The strings are paired in four courses: the G and C courses have an octave string, and the E and A courses are doubled in unison. You play the same chord shapes as a four-string tenor while each note rings with a fuller, chorus-like sound that includes both high and low G.
Is the Kanile'a KPA 8-string tenor solid wood?
Yes. Every Kanile'a KPA 8-string tenor, Core or Pro, is built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck.
Where is the Kanile'a KPA ukulele made?
The Kanile'a KPA ukulele is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How do I choose the exact ukulele I get?
Every Kanile'a KPA 8-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 Premium Gig Bag 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.
