This is an all solid Hawaiian koa, made for Risa in Vietnam. It’s a sleek, neat and light feeling instrument, with a smart gloss finish, black body binding and a maple soundhole decoration.

Really, I am just getting the visual side out of the way as while the koa is nice, the real star is the sound, which is full and warm, with a lovely chime and a pronounced bottom end. It’s got lovely harmonics and overtones, which almost seem to vibrate and… (I wish I could come up with a better way of decribing it)… warble, as the sound gently ebbs away in a warm glow.

These instruments are made in the same factory as Romero, Uluru and Big Island, so it’s a facility with a good pedigree and history of making impressive ukes. This Risa Deluxe koa acoustic tenor definitely stands up to those names more famous for acoustic instruments. It’s very impressive.

This Risa ukulele has a relatively slim body and feels easy to handle and not too heavy, with a 35mm nut width. Mine are fitted with aNueNue Green Planet strings, fluorocarbon strings which have a warm hue, while providing good sustain and an articulate nature to the trebles.

At the bottom of the page you’ll find some optional extras you might want to consider for this Risa koa tenor, including bags and hard cases, strap buttons and low G fitting.