Kamaka Ukulele Custom Shop Collection

Kamaka Ukulele was founded in 1916 by Samuel Kaiali'ili'ili'ili'ili Kamaka, who started his own business, Kamaka Ukulele & Guitar Works, in the basement of his home in Kaimuki, Hawaii. The company has been at the forefront of the ukulele scene since 2001, when the head logo was inlaid with shells and the label became a modern design. Kamaka Ukulele continues to innovate and carry on the tradition of the ukulele through his sons, Samuel Jr. and Frederick, and their sons Chris, Casey, and Fred Jr. With Sam's words, "If you're going to make an instrument and name it after a family member, don't make a piece of junk."

Currently, Chris is the Production Manager, Casey is in charge of Custom/Artist Relations, and Fred Jr. is the Business Manager, all of which are important pillars of Kamaka. Casey, in particular, is in charge of the Custom Department and Artist Relations, and is trusted by famous artists such as Jake Shimabukuro and Brian Tolentino, and is a central figure in the Kamaka sound.
　
Casey, who has been helping Kamaka since he was about 13 years old, going to the factory on summer vacations and holidays to put on head logos, string strings, etc., officially became a customizer right after he graduated from high school.' Under George Morita, who was in charge of customization in the '70s and early '80s, he started building little by little, saying "Let me do it myself" when a customer asked for a special model. He found that some of the bracing processes, etc., were similar to the basic principles of classical guitar making, so he referred to books and articles by guitar makers and attended workshops by various guitar makers. He incorporated them into his own work and developed his own style. When he builds custom models for artists in particular, he makes sure that everything is tuned with the utmost precision to maximize the instrument's capabilities. The wood and materials are customized, and the top material is formed thin with a certain degree of precision. In a normal production line, the instrument is made to a certain size and then fine-tuned, but the custom model is made from the very beginning with adjustments. It takes a lot of time, money, and a great luthier like Casey, who continues to innovate while inheriting the tradition, to create a Kamaka custom model that is a gem of quality and sound worthy of being called "the high end of the ukulele.

Kamaka HF-3 Jake Shimabukuro Model 00s

Jake Shimabukuro's signature model, produced in a limited edition of 100 around 2007, was a premium rare item that only the winners of the contest between July 15 and August 15, 2006 could obtain the right to purchase. Designed by Casey Kamaka to Jake's exacting specifications, each exquisite 4-string tenor ukulele was individually inspected, numbered and signed by Jake himself. The body is made of high quality curly koa with red trim, Akoya shell puffing, and an ebony fingerboard inlaid with Jake's new logo in avaloni with a "J" and an "S." Jake's new logo is inlaid on the fingerboard. It has been stored in a heavy genuine hard case and is brand new.

Model Specifications

Kamaka HF-2 SK '05

Fully custom-ordered special concert model with premium AAA grade Hawaiian koa. The koa body with the finest tiger grain, reminiscent of the gentle waves of Hawaii, the green tone around the fingerboard and on the body puffing and rosette, the avaloni inlays, the slotted square position marks with swan shells, and the luxurious maple body binding are all made of Hawaiian Koa Koa. The body binding and fingerboard binding made of maple are truly one-of-a-kind. This is a one-of-a-kind instrument with Casey's soul, with a custom order price of over $4,000- (480,000 yen at the time). Near mint condition.

Model Specifications

Kamaka HF-1 S '05

A completely custom-ordered special soprano model made of premium AAA grade Hawaiian koa. This is the ultimate soprano ukulele with carefully selected top quality koa wood, and the finest avaroni inlays with a tremendous luster on the fingerboard area, body puffing and rosette, as well as the position mark and head logo. The tone is perfect, with a wonderful response and light koa sound. Like the HF-2 SK, this is also one of Casey's special items with a custom order price of over $4,000- (480,000 yen at the time). Near mint condition.

Model Specifications

Kamaka HB-2D Concert Harb Ohta-san Model '07

Ukulele god Herb Ohta Model. This is a semi-custom order item that the previous owner specified the material and had it made. The overall size is concert type, but the body shape is similar to the dreadnought style of Martin guitars, with an angular shoulder. The frets are 18, jointed at the 14th fret, and the 4th string is a low G, one octave lower than the rest of the strings. The maple rope binding on the top gives it a prestigious look. Nearly unused near mint condition.

Model Specifications