Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a KTR tenor (tenor shown).
Sound demo of a KTR Pro super tenor, serial 29110, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Sound demo of a KTR Pro tenor, serial 30108, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Kanile'a sound demo of a KTR tenor.
The Kanile'a KTR Mastergrade Hawaiian Koa Super Tenor Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made super tenor ukulele with a 17.08” scale, built from solid Master Grade Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece mahogany neck and ebony fretboard and bridge. It has TRU-Relief, TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, an oval side sound port, the Kanile'a Phoenix Slotted headstock with Cosmo black Gotoh Stealth tuners, a sand logo, rosette and position markers, black binding, a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle and a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze Low-G set. The KTR is built only in Kanile'a's Pro Series. It ships with a Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | KTR-ST + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Super Tenor |
| Series | Pro (the KTR is Pro Series only) |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Top | Master Grade Hawaiian Koa |
| Back & Sides | Master Grade Hawaiian Koa |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard & Bridge | Ebony |
| Headstock | Ebony, Kanileʻa Phoenix Slotted |
| Headstock Logo | Sand |
| Rosette | Sand |
| Top & Side Position Markers | Sand |
| Front Binding | Black |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Side Sound Port | Oval |
| Arm Comfort | TRU-Relief |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | Yes |
| Nut & Saddle | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ |
| Tuners | Cosmo Black Gotoh Stealth |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Low-G Set |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A, Low G |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 27” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 17.08” |
| Nut Width | 1.5” |
| Saddle Width | 2.25” |
| Lower Bout Width | 10.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 6.75” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Frets | 19 |
What is included
- A new KTR Super Tenor built for you
- Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your KTR Super Tenor by hand in Hawaiʻi. Photos marked as examples show an earlier KTR Pro super tenor, serial 29110. 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 KTR Super Tenor?
The KTR is a Master Grade Pro Series model from Kanile'a. It pairs a traditional round soundhole and an oval side sound port with the Kanile'a Phoenix Slotted headstock, Cosmo black Gotoh Stealth tuners, a sand headstock logo, rosette and position markers, black binding, TRU-Relief and TRU-Reduction soundboard etching.
What is a super tenor ukulele?
A super tenor keeps the tenor's 17.08” scale and string spacing but has a larger body, so it plays like a tenor with a bigger sound box.
What is TRU-Relief?
TRU-Relief is Kanile'a's arm comfort feature on the KTR, shaped into the edge of the body where your strumming arm rests.
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.
What is the difference between Kanile'a Natural, Core and Pro series ukuleles?
Natural Series: Select Grade Hawaiian koa with a UV natural finish. Core Series: Deluxe Grade Hawaiian koa with a UV gloss body and UV silk neck. Pro Series: Premium Grade Hawaiian koa (Master Grade in the KTR and DK models) with Pro features including a side sound port, a black graphite-infused TUSQ nut and saddle, and Low-G tuning. The KTR is built only in the Pro Series.
How does the KTR compare to the DK?
The KTR and DK are both Master Grade Pro Series models with an oval side sound port, black graphite-infused TUSQ nut and saddle, black binding and Cosmo black Gotoh Stealth tuners. The KTR has a traditional round soundhole, the Phoenix Slotted headstock, TRU-Relief and sand detailing, while the DK has a D-shaped soundhole, an ebony armrest, a thin traditional slotted headstock and white mother-of-pearl detailing.
Where is the Kanile'a KTR made?
The Kanile'a KTR 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 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.
