Pono guitars - tell me about them please.

[Rockin2Slowly]

Originally Posted by JohnW63

Just a list of recent Pono guitar threads

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...highlight=Pono

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...highlight=Pono

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...highlight=Pono

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...highlight=Pono

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...highlight=Pono

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...highlight=Pono


I'd love to try one out, after all the good reviews here.

Thanks for the links. I thought the 6th one was a treatise on wines. Beautiful guitar, tho.

[Br1ck]

The OP 30 is now only sold as a cutaway. Most wanted one as it is a 12 fret. I don't so am glad to have the OP 30-D.

Just pick up the phone and call them.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I've seen the name entioned here, and just checked out their website.

I see that they are made in Java- doesn't concern me. (I found their exaplantions very reasonable.

I don't think the guitars are avaiable in the UK, but would be interested to hear from ayone who has a Pono guitar and can compare with other better known makes tonally/qualty etc.

Thanks in advance.

John (Kitakis, Pono owner) is coming up with a few new models in second half of 2015 such as the OO mahogany or rosewood-spruce, the Uku li'i UL (11.25") style 5 / Terz guitar, and the smaller nylon hybrid.

The popular slope shoulder Dreadnaught D30 will feature a couple of upgrade versions with abalone purfling and fretboard Pikake flower inlay, and there will be a Macassar Ebony Dreadnaught D400 (!) ....

Pip

[eljay]

This thread is killing me! I have a RW parlour on order

[tippy5]

Diggin' Mine. I have the acacia Parlor. Great harmonics and nice design. They really have thin ( planed ) yet high quality, tone wood.
They look cool, too.

What I would improve on them is :
the tuners
fret ends rounded
fretboard edge rolled

I would pay the extra couple hundred for this added labor list.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by tippy5

Diggin' Mine. I have the acacia Parlor. Great harmonics and nice design. They really have thin ( planed ) yet high quality, tone wood.
They look cool, too.

What I would improve on them is :
the tuners
fret ends rounded
fretboard edge rolled

I would pay the extra couple hundred for this added labor list.

Hi Tippy,

I totally agree with you re: tuners on Pono guitars, as they used to be fitted with Der Jung "vintage" open-back which can feel a bit stiff. I even got one tuning machine stuck (and quickly got a replacement from John Kitakis, the Pono owner, with no fuss whatsoever). That's why I was so glad that they have since changed over to Grover Stat-tite 1:18.

I was a bit perplexed initially by your comments on the fret board edge and fret wire ends because the Pono fingerboard set up was one of the forte I have identified since my first Pono guitar. Now I realized probably because I never use the technique of wrapping my thumb around the upper edge of the fingerboard and thus never bothered by the two issues you mentioned.

Pip

[MikeB1]

Their FAQ page (http://ponoguitar.com/faq) says they are planning the following:

3/4 Size Nylon Hybrid: Overall Length 30 1/2 inches. Classical style, 11 1/4" body, 23" scale, slotted headstock,

- UL-20NC Mahogany with Cedar top. $949
- UL-30NC Rosewood with Cedar top. $1049

I would love to hear this, but I think this is a very ambitious project. I have tried a lot of smaller bodied guitars and they all sound boxy.

Good Luck PONO…!!!...I hope you guys do it!!!

When are they coming???

Pippin, you mentioned a smaller version of the nylon hybrid. Is there any more information on the specs?

Thank you!

[TBman]

Originally Posted by MikeB1

Their FAQ page (http://ponoguitar.com/faq) says they are planning the following:

3/4 Size Nylon Hybrid: Overall Length 30 1/2 inches. Classical style, 11 1/4" body, 23" scale, slotted headstock,

- UL-20NC Mahogany with Cedar top. $949
- UL-30NC Rosewood with Cedar top. $1049

I would love to hear this, but I think this is a very ambitious project. I have tried a lot of smaller bodied guitars and they all sound boxy.

Good Luck PONO…!!!...I hope you guys do it!!!

When are they coming???

Pippin, you mentioned a smaller version of the nylon hybrid. Is there any more information on the specs?

Thank you!

I like the L-30 and L-40 parlors, really good looking. We need a video of the L-40 though, lol.

[Mischief]

I have an L-30 and love it. I recently equipped it with a lyric and using an acoustic play as my DI.
I'm still dialing in the acoustic play EQ but it's sounding better then any guitar I've owned.

I highly recommend Pono













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[MikeB1]

I agree, the L-30, L-40 look like a perfect size for a parlor: 12 1/4 lower bout and 24 5/8 scale sounds perfect to me!

I'm afraid they are going too small on the nylon for me: 11 1/4 lower bout and 23 inch scale might be a bit cramped for me.

Still tempting though...we need a Pono dealer in the Northeast!!!

[Gitarre]

Originally Posted by MikeB1

I agree, the L-30, L-40 look like a perfect size for a parlor: 12 1/4 lower bout and 24 5/8 scale sounds perfect to me!

I'm afraid they are going too small on the nylon for me: 11 1/4 lower bout and 23 inch scale might be a bit cramped for me.

Still tempting though...we need a Pono dealer in the Northeast!!!

Direct from John Kitakis. No dealers. The costs stay a little lower that way. There's the tryout period though.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Mischief

I have an L-30 and love it. I recently equipped it with a lyric and using an acoustic play as my DI.
I'm still dialing in the acoustic play EQ but it's sounding better then any guitar I've owned.

I highly recommend Pono













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That's a good looking little guitar. I wonder what the tonal differences there are between yours and the L-40. What does ebony really sound like in person?

[Rosewood99]

You guys are making me miss my OP-30

[Mischief]

I'm not a 100% not having compared both in person. I'm told the L-40 is a little brighter and snappy.
On such a small guitar I opted for a little extra warmth.
In reality I don't think there's a lot in it. Tone wise I'm sure you can hear a difference A/B. I'd suspect though both sound equally fantastic in their own way and the difference is probably subtle. There's probably a lot more in the look then in sound difference.

Ask John he'll be totally upfront and has more experience then anyone here. He won't try and up sell you, he'll just tell you what's what.
[emoji106]🏼



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[Pippin]

Originally Posted by MikeB1

Their FAQ page (http://ponoguitar.com/faq) says they are planning the following:

3/4 Size Nylon Hybrid: Overall Length 30 1/2 inches. Classical style, 11 1/4" body, 23" scale, slotted headstock,

- UL-20NC Mahogany with Cedar top. $949
- UL-30NC Rosewood with Cedar top. $1049

I would love to hear this, but I think this is a very ambitious project. I have tried a lot of smaller bodied guitars and they all sound boxy.

Good Luck PONO…!!!...I hope you guys do it!!!

When are they coming???

Pippin, you mentioned a smaller version of the nylon hybrid. Is there any more information on the specs?

Thank you!

Hi Mike,

I have no additional information on top of what you've posted (from Pono FAQ site) re: 3/4 nylon hybrid.

I doubt, however, that anything short of "outstanding quality-cost ratio" will ever come out of John Kitakis...may be time to upgrade my trusty Yamaha Guitalele?