Recently I was lucky enough to get my hands on a used Koaloha Opio KTO-10, sold by our own @ZJS on facebook uke market. Excellent transaction, quick shipping and uke in excellent condition. I recommend you all check out his other sales here on the forum.
Anyway, even since I first even heard a Koaloha online I thought "Wow, those sound unique and full!" I've always wanted to get my hands on one, but have never even had a chance to play one, even when I visited Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI. While a new uke is not in my budget right now, I was able to sell off my Bonanza Homestead Baritone which essentially resulted in a trade for me. While the Opio is Koaloha branded, we know it is actually made in Thailand in the same workshop that makes Rebel ukes and they have representation here on the forum.
In fact, I've always really enjoyed the relationship Koaloha has with Opio as their "lil bro" and I really wanted an Opio specifically for a few reasons.
PROS:
CONS:
OPINIONS: I have played a few ukes in the < $1000 range in person, and this one is really excellent and tremendous value. Of course Rebel also falls into this range for some instruments, and as it's from the same shop probably gives the Opio a run for it's money as well. This instrument definitely convinced me to looking into getting a Rebel into my mix of instruments in the near future. I also love how passionate and excited they seem at Rebel, experimenting with things just for the love of it. Both of these companies just seem really passionate and sincere in their work, and it shows. This uke has now become my regular player for the time being!
Images attached. Sound sample as well. Not the greatest performance as I've only played this one a handful of times.
EDIT: Forgot to include the above short showing off the gloss and flaming on the body of the standard KTO.
Below info taken from The Ukulele Site
Materials
Acacia body
Semi-gloss finish
15 Frets to Body 20 Frets Overall
Mango fretmarkers
Mahogany Fingerboard and Bridge
Mahogany neck
Black deluxe KoAloha geared tuners
Measurements: Tenor
Total Scale Length: 17.25”/43.82cm
Body Length: 11.75”/29.85cm
Overall length: 26.75”/67.95cm
Nut Width: 1.5”/38.15mm
Saddle Width: 2.75”/69.75mm
Lower Bout Width: 8”/20.32cm
Upper Bout Width: 5.75”/14.61cm
Lower Bout Depth: 2.34”/5.94cm
Upper Bout Depth: 2.34”/5.94cm
String Spacing
At Nut: G to C = 9.92mm G to A = 28mm
At 12th fret: G to C = 12.3mm G to A = 33.75m
At Saddle: G to C = 13.82mm G to A = 42mm
Anyway, even since I first even heard a Koaloha online I thought "Wow, those sound unique and full!" I've always wanted to get my hands on one, but have never even had a chance to play one, even when I visited Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI. While a new uke is not in my budget right now, I was able to sell off my Bonanza Homestead Baritone which essentially resulted in a trade for me. While the Opio is Koaloha branded, we know it is actually made in Thailand in the same workshop that makes Rebel ukes and they have representation here on the forum.
In fact, I've always really enjoyed the relationship Koaloha has with Opio as their "lil bro" and I really wanted an Opio specifically for a few reasons.
- It's been called by more than a few one of the best ukes under $1k you can get
- It's a way to get that KoAloha sound and quality a bit more affordably
- It's a sample of Rebel's craftsmanship and quality in case I am interested in a Rebel in the future
- I love that Rebel is a small independent workshop and active here on the forum! @just yo
PROS:
- Remarkably easy to play and well set up right from the factory. Impeccable fit and finish. It just asks to be held and played. Comfortable thin feeling neck
- Responsive, loud, and full sounding. Very mid-y
- I love the very smooth branded tuners. I've never really cared about tuners one way or another before, but these are really smooth!
- BEAUTIFUL instrument with some flaming throughout the whole body acacia and the neck and faceplate as well.
- I actually really love the finished and stained bridge, very pretty
- It FEELS good. Both the neck feel, the fingerboard, and the feedback you get as a player. You get a tone of feedback from the back of the instrument, the neck, pretty much everywhere. There is, specifically, a ton of TACTILE feedback
- Pretty lightly built, a bit heavier in the headstock. Some consider this a positive aspect
- This uke is kind of good at everything, all techniques and sounds, etc.
- I love the fingerboard. Did I say that twice? I also love the bound fret ends and how much room you have so you don't slip off on a stretch.
- Excellent intonation. Nice and clear up and down the neck
CONS:
- With the back being involved in the sound a lot, it is better to probably play it with the back not touching your body, which isn't super comfortable. It can be played either way though
- Probably the least player sound feedback of all my ukes. The shape of the projected sound is very much out the front and back and less so from the sides than other ukes. These would really benefit from a side soundport tbh, but not a dealbreaker at all since it's already a loud instrument.
- Musubi soundhole? I'm sorry, am I crazy? That's onigiri shape, not musubi! Is Paul Okami on here, someone must ask him I need answers.
OPINIONS: I have played a few ukes in the < $1000 range in person, and this one is really excellent and tremendous value. Of course Rebel also falls into this range for some instruments, and as it's from the same shop probably gives the Opio a run for it's money as well. This instrument definitely convinced me to looking into getting a Rebel into my mix of instruments in the near future. I also love how passionate and excited they seem at Rebel, experimenting with things just for the love of it. Both of these companies just seem really passionate and sincere in their work, and it shows. This uke has now become my regular player for the time being!
Images attached. Sound sample as well. Not the greatest performance as I've only played this one a handful of times.
EDIT: Forgot to include the above short showing off the gloss and flaming on the body of the standard KTO.
Below info taken from The Ukulele Site
Materials
Acacia body
Semi-gloss finish
15 Frets to Body 20 Frets Overall
Mango fretmarkers
Mahogany Fingerboard and Bridge
Mahogany neck
Black deluxe KoAloha geared tuners
Measurements: Tenor
Total Scale Length: 17.25”/43.82cm
Body Length: 11.75”/29.85cm
Overall length: 26.75”/67.95cm
Nut Width: 1.5”/38.15mm
Saddle Width: 2.75”/69.75mm
Lower Bout Width: 8”/20.32cm
Upper Bout Width: 5.75”/14.61cm
Lower Bout Depth: 2.34”/5.94cm
Upper Bout Depth: 2.34”/5.94cm
String Spacing
At Nut: G to C = 9.92mm G to A = 28mm
At 12th fret: G to C = 12.3mm G to A = 33.75m
At Saddle: G to C = 13.82mm G to A = 42mm
Attachments
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What ukulele?
He actually really loves it when I play for him, as you can tell from his tail wagging. He really adores being played for softly.
But Tigre is definitely my baby, he follows me around all day 
very happy it’s found such a great home!!! 
