Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a Pōhaku (baritone shown) with its black-stained quilted maple body.
Terry Carter plays a Kanile'a Pōhaku baritone fingerstyle on the Uke Like The Pros channel.
Sound demo of a Pōhaku GL6 Pro, serial 28880, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio. Its photos are the example photos on this page.
Kanile'a explains the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
The Kanile'a Pōhaku Black Quilted Maple GL6 Guitarlele is a Hawaiian-made six-string GL6 guitarlele with a 20.06” scale, tuned A-D-G-C-E-A like a guitar capoed at the fifth fret, with a body of black-stained solid quilted maple, framed by black front binding, a fine ebony rosette and red-stained poplar position markers and logo. Pōhaku is built only in Kanileʻa's Pro Series, so every one has TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, an oval side sound port, a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle, the TRU-R Bracing System, a radiused back, ebony bridge pins and chrome 16:1 geared tuners. It ships with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | PHK-GL6 + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | GL6 Guitarlele |
| Series | Pro (Pōhaku is Pro Series only) |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Body | Black-Stained Solid Quilted Maple |
| Back | Radiused |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard & Bridge | Ebony |
| Headstock | Ebony, Kanileʻa Crown |
| Rosette | Fine Ebony |
| Headstock Logo | Red-Stained Poplar |
| Position Markers | Red-Stained Poplar |
| Front Binding | Black |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Side Sound Port | Oval |
| Nut & Saddle | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | Yes |
| Bridge Pins | Kanileʻa Exclusive Ebony |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Chrome Geared, 16:1 ratio |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon & GHS Phosphor Bronze GL6 Combo Set |
| Tuning | A-D-G-C-E-A |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 30.5” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 20.06” |
| Nut Width | 2.01” |
| Saddle Width | 2.57” |
| Lower Bout Width | 10.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 7” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Frets | 21 |
What is included
- A new Pōhaku built for you
- Kanile'a gig bag or case
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your Pōhaku GL6 Guitarlele by hand in Hawaiʻi. Photos marked as examples show an earlier Pōhaku GL6 Pro, serial 28880. Every quilted maple top has its own figure. Build time is usually 6 to 8 weeks, and we confirm it with you after you order.
Common questions
What is the Kanile'a Pōhaku?
Pōhaku means stone in Hawaiian. Kanile'a builds it from black-stained solid quilted maple instead of koa, with a fine ebony rosette, red-stained poplar position markers and logo and black front binding, and only in its Pro Series with every Pro feature.
Is the Pōhaku made of koa?
No. The Pōhaku body is black-stained solid quilted maple, which gives it its dark, stone-like look.
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 soundboard. The lighter, more flexible top vibrates more freely, which gives more projection and sustain without weakening the top.
How is the Kanile'a Pōhaku GL6 guitarlele tuned?
It is tuned A-D-G-C-E-A, like a guitar capoed at the fifth fret, on a Worth fluorocarbon and GHS phosphor bronze GL6 set.
Where is the Kanile'a Pōhaku made?
The Kanile'a Pōhaku 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 guitarlele 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.










