Review: Ohana TK-6 and CK-7 Have First-Class Features and Elegant Details
BY EDDIE SCHER | FROM THE SPRING 2024 ISSUE OF UKULELE
The arrival of a pair of Ohana ukuleles at my house was not unexpected, but it was unusual. Usually, I know quite a bit about a ukulele before receiving it for review. But these CK-7 and TK-6 models were yet to be released to the public, and my internet research yielded nothing. I wondered if not knowing the particulars or the price would influence my impressions of these ukuleles? After sending a note off to Ohana asking for information, I tuned the ukuleles up and got started with the most important part of any review: just playing to see how an instrument sounds and feels.
I won’t make you wait to know the results; these instruments sound and feel first-class, with features that are unusual on a ukulele in their price range. In general, entry-level and lower-priced ukuleles are made of laminated wood, with solid woods generally reserved for higher-quality instruments. These Ohanas are solid-wood ukes, but, as I later discovered, at a very reasonable price. They are perfect for someone ready to take their playing to the next level with a higher-quality instrument.
The ukuleles I received for this review were prototypes of new 2024 models, which is why I couldn’t find info about them online at the time. Both feature acacia back and sides, a mahogany neck, walnut fingerboard and bridge, and a slotted headstock with a unique design that reminds me of an Art Deco architectural feature. The TK-6 has a Sitka spruce top, while the CK-7 has an acacia top. Both ukuleles come with a gloss finish that is not too thick, and first-class Grover tuners. I was a little disappointed that these beautiful ukuleles are sold without cases, though Ohana does sell wonderful hardshell cases that fit them superbly.
TK-6
The TK-6 is a handsome-looking instrument with a light, natural-colored spruce top and an inlaid dark acacia rosette offset with a stripe of red. The top and back are bound in dark rosewood with lines of the same red and thin black binding. It’s an unexpected, subtle, and beautiful look. The neck and fingerboard, along with the headstock, are unbound, but the beauty of the wood shines through. The abalone fret markers are slightly oversized. This ukulele is not lacking in the visual elegance department.
The straight-grained spruce top delivers a highly responsive, woody, and bright tone. The neck is a full C-shape that feels great in the hand, with a comfortable width that will benefit guitar players making the move to the ukulele. The uke didn’t sound particularly loud to me, though I suspect it will open up with time. I found myself drawn to fingerpicking to take advantage of the sweet tone and string spacing that allows plenty of room for my not-petite fingers.
The TK-6 has a “comfort edge,” meaning that the top of the lower bout is angled where your strumming arm rests. Instead of a corner, your forearm sits on an angled piece of acacia. I have to admit that I’ve never found myself complaining about pain from resting my arm on a ukulele, but this is a feature that I associate with high-end boutique instruments. And it works—this uke is comfortable to play.
CK-7
The first thing I noticed picking up the CK-7 was the Florentine-style cutaway that peels sharply away from the body and gives your hand plenty of room to reach and comfortably play to the 19th fret. The acacia top reminds me of the classic koa used by Hawaiian builders, and lends to a rich, sweet, and round tone. Already surprisingly snappy and loud, I suspect this ukulele will just get richer and sweeter with time.
Strumming the CK-7 is a pleasure, and though Ohana is based in Long Beach, California, the connection to Hawaii is clear in this instrument. When I pick up this uke, I just hear a tropical island melody.
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The top and back are bound in mahogany, but the visual highlight of the body is the rich, colorful abalone inlay that runs across the rosette, top, back, back center, and end. The mahogany neck on the CK-7 has a wood binding that is slightly darker than the neck and dresses the frets comfortably with a nice, subtle touch.
WRAPPING UP
Even without the benefit of the specs from Ohana on these instruments, it’s easy to see the value for anyone looking for a reasonably priced, great sounding, solid-wood ukulele. Receiving the information from the company only confirmed my initial observations. As I discovered, with or without the details on paper these ukuleles speak for themselves.
TK-6 SPECS
BODY Tenor size (concert also available) with acacia comfort edge; solid acacia back and sides; solid Sitka spruce top; walnut bridge; rosewood binding; gloss finish; acacia inlay rosette
NECK Mahogany with 17-1/16″ scale; 19-fret walnut fingerboard; slotted headstock; Grover tuners; abalone fretboard markers
OTHER Worth clear strings
MADE IN China
PRICE $459 street (concert size available for $429)
CK-7 SPECS
BODY Concert size (tenor also available) with Florentine cutaway; solid acacia top, back, and sides; walnut bridge; mahogany binding; gloss finish; abalone inlay rosette
and purfling
NECK Mahogany with 15-1/16″ scale; 19-fret walnut fingerboard; slotted headstock; Grover tuners; abalone fretboard markers
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OTHER Worth clear strings
MADE IN China
PRICE $459 street (tenor size available for $499)
