Unique Limited Edition Concert Ukulele: CK-450SMP

May 30, 2018 Ohana Music

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Ohana is excited to announce the arrival of a very special Limited Edition, the CK-450SMP. Featuring solid Spalted Maple, generous abalone inlay, and a unique slotted headstock, this concert scale instrument is a celebration of some of the most luxurious raw materials available.

Spalted Maple is prized for the unique graining patterns included in the wood. This patterning is created by some funky little fungi eating away the wood. Depending on the species of fungi that is present, the figuring can range from white to near black. Some folks are even trying their hand at spalting their own specimens for use in various projects.

The process of creating these wonderful patterns does create a bit of an issue— raw material that retains enough strength and integrity for a solid build is incredibly rare. Only about 1 in 100 sets of Spalted Maple are stable enough to create our CK-450SMP. At Ohana, we hand pick these sets, making each instrument a true labor of love.

I’ve always been a sucker for a sweet abalone inlay, and I think it pairs nicely with the Spalted Maple. It is almost as though each one is a small scale Rorschach test! The maple lends a lovely resonance to the instrument’s tone, and I dig the slotted headstock on this model.

-Stephanie Snell