After the retirement of the luthier who made these, this model has now been discontinued.

This is an elite-level TODA ukulele, made from all solid Hawaiian koa. He’s one of the finest luthiers on the planet and his instruments are in such demand that he has no web presence, no phone, no e-mail. He just makes the ukes that he wants to makes - and they never hang around. Only a handful are produced each year and they don’t hang around long.

It’s a beautiful, cleanly made instrument, with ever single curve executed to perfection. The headstock is extremely sleek and sext, faced with ebony and fitted with top of the line Gotoh geared tuners. The ebony fingerboard is gorgeous and smooth and inlaid with stylish mother of pearl position markers, and there’s a figured eboby scratchplate on the top which, of course, has its own harmonious, organic curve. The builder clearly likes curves, with an unusual assymetrical bridge, which is elongated and has two chambers that both look interesting, but also enhances the tone.

The koa used is subtly flamed and an attractive, warm hue, which looks lovely, especially with the koa and turquoise soundhole rosette. Just another example of how well the decoration is thought out. Always in keeping and never overly flashy, but all working together to make one classy-looking ukulele.

This TODA tenor uke is supplied in a hard case and has a 35mm nut. aNueNue Clear Water fluorocarbon strings are fitted too.

The sound is beautifully balanced, with the high notes being crystal clear and responsive, working very well with advanced playing techniques, particularly vibrato. But the bottom end isn’t lacking either, with the X-bracing conjuring up a nice fullness too. There’s lots of sustain, lots of harmonics working together in… well… harmony, and plenty of punch should you want to use all of the potential for voume. Played gently, it’s sweet and soulful and, dare I say it, a touch melancholy - lending itself for meaningful melodies. (Maybe that’s just me, who has personal preference for sad songs!).

Of course, there’s a downside… it is quite an investment! But, with a tiny output and great demand and worst you could view this TODA ukulele as an investment. But that would be a crude outlook giving the many, many hours of pleasure this thing will give its owner.