CELEBRATING 20 YEARS: KANILE`A PLATINUM 2018 COLLECTOR’S EDITION `UKULELE
KĀNE`OHE, HAWAI`I – A 20 year milestone for Kanile`a `Ukulele is celebrated in this exquisite instrument designed by company co-owner and master luthier Joe Souza. Starting with a 5A Master Grade curly koa solid body and contrasting koa binding, elements of the number 20 can be seen: with emerald green leaves in the rosette, 20 mature koa leaves encircling the sound hole and 20 keiki leaves in the lower center of the rosette. And then there are Kanile`a exclusive enhancements that players of all levels will truly appreciate. The Kanile`a Platinum 2018 introduces the all new redesign of the Kanile`a traditional thin slotted headstock outfitted with ultralight 16:1 ratio Gotoh Stealth geared tuners. Add to that the company’s exclusive TRU-R (Total Resonating `Ukulele Redesigned) bracing and a Mass Reduction Channel for even more vibration and resonance and you have an `ukulele that is a delight to play.
Only 200 of these timeless instruments will be built. Available only in 2018. All orders must be in by October 1, 2018. Retail: $3,995 USD. Order at (808) 234-2868 or orders@kanileaukulele.com.
Platinum 2018 Specifications:
• Kanile`a Tenor 4-string `ukulele
• 5A Master Grade Curly Koa body
• Radiused back
• TRU-R (Total Resonating `Ukulele Redesigned) bracing system
• Curly Koa front binding
• Ebony bevel “scoop” cutaway
• Ebony armrest
• Exclusive Ebony rosette featuring 20 adult and 20 keiki Koa green leaves with Black-Curly Koa trim
• Side sound port in a three Koa leaf design
• Redesigned Kanile`a Traditional Thin Slotted headstock
• Ebony fret board, bridge & head plate
• Curly Koa position markers & logo
• Gold Gotoh Stealth tuners
• Black TUSQ nut and compensated saddle
• Aquila Corde strings
• UV Cured High Gloss body / UV Silk neck finish
About Kanile`a `Ukulele:
Joe and Kristen Souza are the dynamic husband-wife team who founded Kanile`a `Ukulele in July of 1998. Joe apprenticed under master luthier Peter Bermodez in 1990 and still continues to collaborate with “uncle Pete” to integrate traditional Hawaiian building techniques with today’s 21st century technologies. This mash up of old and new has proven effective in creating a full-bodied, rich sound that is distinctive of these playable masterpieces. All Kanile`a instruments are handcrafted in the Souzas’ hometown of Kāne`ohe, Hawai`i. Kristen oversees administrative operations, retail sales and dealer support. Together, the Souzas employ a team of expert artisans, retail salespeople and admin staff members.
Kanile`a `Ukulele are available worldwide through authorized dealers and directly from the factory. For more details, call (808) 234-2868 or visit kanileaukulele.com.
About the Kanile`a Platinum Series:
Introduced in 2015, the Kanile`a Platinum series showcases master luthier Joe Souza’s continuing development of `ukulele design features that take sound, intonation, resonance and aesthetics to a whole new level. “Joe is a brilliant builder with so many incredible ideas,” says Lina Langi of Kanile`a `Ukulele. “He is always looking into new ways to showcase features that would appeal to different players without touching our tried-and-true models. The best way to do that was to create an entire series based on these innovative ideas.” The Platinum is built-to-order starting the first business day in January and the last order is accepted on October 1st. On December 31st, the specs are put away and a new Platinum is introduced.
“A series like this keeps us on our toes,” continues Lina. “We are always searching, listening to player feedback, doing R&D through the year, sharing ideas…the Platinum 2018 is the fourth in our series and we cannot wait to premiere it, especially in our 20th year of creating Hawaiian masterpieces to enjoy for generations. It’s a beauty and the sound is exquisite!!” Not only does this stretch the creativity of Joe Souza and his team, known as the Kanile`a Krew, it also makes this instrument super-exclusive, with just 200 built in a calendar year.
And as with every Kanile`a built, a koa tree will be planted to live out its life in a native Hawaiian forest via Saving Hawaii’s Forests. For more information, visit kanileaukulele.com/savinghawaiisforests.
To order a Kanile`a Platinum 2018 Limited Edition or for more information, email orders@kanileaukulele.com or call (808) 234-2868.
