This is something very special, an all solid Hawaiian koa tenor ukulele, the aNN-KWhale model. It is inspired by Asian ukulele virtuoso Kyas Ryo, who provided the specification for the (exquisite decoration), which features whale inlays on the fingerboard and a whale tail at the base of the top. And while these features are beautiful, perhaps the wood used to make it steals the show.

The Kyas Whale is made from all solid Hawaiian koa. This is described by aNueNue as their ‘private reserve’. These words bring to mind a fine bourbon (possibly because it’s late afternoon and I could just fancy a drink!). Seriously though, aNueNue use koa in some of their other premium lines, and this stuff has been kept back for a special, strictly limited edition project. They found a use for it with this fantastic instrument.

The whale inlays on the ebony fingerboard are made from black and white mother of pearl, and are executed wonderfully. My own favourite feature is the off-centre soundhole decoration, taking inspiration from the ocean in mother of pearl, curly maple and semi-precious turquoise stone. Then there’s the tail, at the ukulele’s tail… which is brilliantly done in maple and rosewood.

I’ve spent a long time describing the looks, and perhaps fairly, as you’d not consider spending this much money without liking the look of it! But more importantly, the uke is an absolute gem whatever it looks like. There’s a beautiful, rich chiming quality and plenty of volume which ebbs gently away with smooth, long lasting sustain.

The uke is supplied in a top quality blue aNueNue hard case and is fitted with superb Gotoh UPT tuners and fluorocarbon Black Water strings.

So that’s that then isn’t it? A beautiful uke that sounds beautiful? No cons whatsoever… ah… well, apart from the price. Phew! This is a limited edition ukulele - there’s simply not much koa around that is this striking. It has been made by aNueNue’s top luthier, so there’s a lot of work, by the best, that’s gone into it. And the artistry displayed with its visual appointments is wonderful (and not to mention time consuming to the craftsman who executed it).

That’s my little speech there to justify the price. Except, of course, you can’t really justify spending this much on a ukulele. It’s a luxury. A high end, beautiful instrument, yes. But is any ukulele worth that much? Well, the materials are fantastic (and expensive), and the time taken to make it and put the visual extras in place also pushes the price up. But if you look at it like cars… a Ford will get you to the supermarket, meaning in reality a Ferrari shouldn’t need to exist. It does the same as the Ford, just a bit faster. But it turns heads. It’s the pinnacle of luxury. It’s desirable. The only way to justify this then is to say you’re treating yourself. You’re giving yourself that one, final ukulele. (And at least it’s not as much as a Ferrari).

If you click additional info below, there’s a demo from Kyas Ryo playing this instrument. It does sound gorgeous, but they do make you a bit sick being that good!