This is the KPS-1M soprano ukulele from Kiwaya, part of their ‘strummer series’. In every other instance of this series on my website I’ve gone on about how that name, ‘strummer’ really doesn’t do the series justice. They’re great for strumming but they’re everything a modern, dynamic ukulele should be. I swore not to repeat myself yet again by mentioning it again this time but I fear that I’ve failed there!

The design is lovely, with a stylish headstock and (a particular weakness of mine), off-centre position markers on the super-smooth fingerboard. Worth Browns are fitted, which give good volume and sustain, and quality (well, excellent quality) Gotoh geared tuners. While Kiwaya might be famous for their vintage Martin-style reproductions, if anything this series of instruments shows the development and precision that can be achieved in the modern era.

I am not a soprano player in general, though I don’t mind playing one at all. I prefer 35/36mm nut width ukes, but this one is a wider 37mm. Yet while everything there suggests this isn’t the uke for me, it just does it for me. A bit like fancying the cool girl at school. You might be in the nerdy crowd and know she’s wrong for you, but you just can’t help yourself. That’s that the Kiwaya KPS-1M is like for me.

The nut width is on the wider side but this is paired with quite a flat neck profile, which I actually find very comfortable. That extra space makes me feel like I’m playing a larger instrument (that doesn’t make sense I know, but I simply don’t struggle with the size despite regularly playing tenors). In the looks department, this Kiwaya is sleek, and the all solid mahogany body has a deep brown stain, with lovely grain showing through. True, a mahogany uke isn’t ever going to hit the heights in terms of flair that a koa one would, but it still looks classy, with the simple soundhole decoration the only nod towards bling, and a very shallow nod at that.

There’s plenty of volume from the Kiwaya KPS-1M, with a rich, warm sound from the mahogany. This isn’t at all one-dimensional, with plenty going on in terms of harmonics and pleasing undertones. The attack isn’t immediately strong when you strike the strings, but that depth of tone, combined with great clarity, burst forth after a momentary mellow beginning. I don’t know, I’m being all flowery… but this uke makes me want to be so!

For a quick video demo of the Kiwaya KPS-1M, click additional info below.

For common accessories and customisations (like strap buttons / low G fitting) scroll down to the bottom of the page where you'll be able to add these common items to your basket.