Custom Cocobolo Kiku, u87, Review
What has 6 strings, a barione ukulele body and sounds like a dream?
A Lichty Kīkū! When an instrument evolves past its traditional design and sings with a voice that is unlike any other it stands out from the crowd and it stands alone. Such an instrument deserves a spotlight and begs for its own distinct name. So it is that the name Kīkū (pronounced kee koo) is born. It is a name coined by Zanuck Lindsey, acclaimed Hawaiian musician and Nara Cardenas, a Hawaiian Native language speaker and cultural consultant.
Lichty Guitars is proud to have been chosen to design and craft this custom Cocobolo Kīkū for an ongoing project with Zanuck Lindsey and Kimo Hussey, two highly acclaimed Hawaiian musicians.
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Review/
This instrument was purchased by Mark Khols after having seen and heard this beauty in concert with Zanuck and Kimo. We are grateful to Mark for sharing the following review …
Workmanship: Beyond Beautiful! The melding of the woods, Koa trim that catches the eye Immediately and draws one into the instrument! The treatment of the sound hole on the side of the body is like I have Never seen duplicated!
Tone: Such Mellow, Deep, Rich tones and Clarity at ALL levels! One has a hard time putting it down, and why would you want to?
I recommend this instrument to anyone looking for a Baritone with 6 strings. Kiku is an Awesome wood instrument designed by one of the best craftsman you will find in collaboration with an ukulele master that has been named by one of the finest guitar players you will ever meet! Back home in Hawaii we would say, No Ka Oi… The Best!
My story with Jay began about 2 years ago when dear friend Kimo Hussey brought one of Jay’s Baritone Ukulele’s to Huntington Beach, let me play it… and I LOVED it! Kimo put me in touch with Jay and we talked about creating one for me. For various reasons that didn’t happen.
I had been looking for a Baritone Ukulele for a number of years. Actually, I approached another Luthier to build one but, due to commitments on other projects, the timing for them was not good. Last March Kimo returned here with another good friend Zanuck Lindsey. This time they brought with them a unique Baritone bodied, 6 string instrument. Kimo collaborated with Jay to create this Beautiful musical creation that has been named “Kiku” by Zanuck. From the moment I touched this Beauty I knew I wanted to NOT LET IT OUT OF MY HANDS! Kimo and Zanuck took it with them and now,16 weeks later here Kiku is with me.
My thanks to Jay, Kimo & Zanuck! IMUA!
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Features: This model features a Lichty baritone ukulele size body, a side sound port, radiused fretboard and K&K pickup. Cocobolo back, sides and head plate, Carpathian spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard with koa binding, ebony bridge, slotted headstock, camel bone nut and saddle, cocobolo rosette
See images of this Cocobolo Kīkū construction from the beginning …
Audio Samples: Custom Colobolo Kiku
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Read more and hear samples … Kīkū – latest offspring in the ukulele family.
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