Description
Terry Carter reviews and plays the Kanile'a KPA-B Pro baritone.
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a KPA Premium (Pro) baritone.
Terry Carter plays a Kanile'a KPA Premium baritone on the Uke Like The Pros channel.
Sound demo of the KPA Core baritone in the example photos, serial 30060, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
The Kanile'a KPA Hawaiian Koa Baritone Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made baritone ukulele 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, tuned D-G-B-E like the top four strings of a guitar. 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-B + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Baritone |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| 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 |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Baritone Combo Set (wound D and G) |
| Tuning | D-G-B-E, low D |
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 |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 30” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 20” |
| Nut Width | 1.5” |
| Saddle Width | 2.25” |
| Lower Bout Width | 10.5” |
| Upper Bout Width | 6.75” |
| Body Length | 13.5” |
| 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 Baritone by hand in Hawaiʻi in the series you choose. Photos marked as examples show an earlier KPA Core baritone (serial 30060); a Pro adds the oval side sound port and black TUSQ nut and saddle. 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 baritone?
Both are solid Hawaiian koa KPA baritones with the same body, neck, 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.
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 baritone tuned?
It is tuned D-G-B-E, the same as the top four strings of a guitar, on a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze baritone set with wound D and G strings. Guitar players can use the chord shapes they already know.
Is the Kanile'a KPA baritone solid wood?
Yes. Every Kanile'a KPA baritone, 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 Baritone 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.
