Making the Kapono Ukulele

Each Kapono Ukulele is hand crafted to be the best. Hawaiian koa wood is hand-selected by John Hewitt (master luthier) and shipped to New Zealand for cutting. The wood is sliced and thicknessed to within 0.1 mm accuracy and made ready for bending and assembling. Every Kapono ukulele is made by a highly trained team of luthiers and under the watchful eye of John Hewitt. The ukulele bodies, once assembled then have the necks fitted carefully to make sure each instrument has the correct string length and intonation. Once the necks have been fitted, the ukuleles are rubbed down and finished by hand until they are ready for varnish.

 The varnish is applied by hand to achieve the best finish and with the least amount possible. Too much varnish will certainly dull the tone of even the finest instrument. When the final coat has dried, the ukuleles are then checked thoroughly for playability and correctness. The best fittings and strings available are then fitted to complete the whole process.

   

Kapono ukuleles are now sold throughout the world and have developed a good reputation for beauty, precision, and colourful tone.

Kapono Ukulele Company & Hewitt's Fiddle Shop
861a Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 (09) 629 0324   Fax: 64 (09) 629 0599
Email: hewitts@fiddleshop.co.nz