Detail 01
Tenor size
Longest scale of the common uke sizes. More fret spacing for adult hands, more string tension, louder and deeper than a soprano.
Product detailSKU #1327552780139
MartinT1K Koa Tenor Ukulele Natural
brightarticulatecomfortablefolkhawaiianrock
1/4
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Martin's koa tenor ukulele at $549.99. For a player who already knows the instrument and wants the largest common uke size with real wood.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Guitarists moving to uke who want more room per fret
- Singers who want a fuller, lower-pitched uke voice
- Players stepping up from a laminate starter instrument
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- First-time buyers unsure they'll stick with ukulele
- Anyone wanting the small, classic soprano uke sound
- Players needing to plug in without adding a pickup
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Koa
Koa runs bright and focused with a hard attack. It tends to open up and warm slightly with playing time.
Detail 03
D neck shape
Fuller, rounder back than a shallow C profile. Fills the palm — good for chord work, less so for thumb-over grips.
Detail 04
Natural finish
No stain hiding the grain, so figure and color variation show. Every unit looks slightly different.
Detail 05
$549.99
Above the plywood-starter tier. You're paying for wood and build, not features — there are no electronics or extras here.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Budget separately for a case or gig bag
- 02New strings stretch for days; expect constant retuning at first
- 03Wood ukes need humidity control in dry climates or winter heat
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is a tenor too big for a first ukulele?
No, and adults often find it easier — the frets are further apart. It's louder and deeper than the soprano sound most people picture when they think ukulele.
02How is this different from the concert C1K?
Same koa, longer scale. The tenor has wider fret spacing, more string tension under the fingers, and a deeper, bigger voice. The concert is more compact.
03Can I plug it in?
Not as it comes. You'd add a soundhole or under-saddle pickup, or mic it. Many players just use a clip-on mic for small gigs.
04Why does koa cost more than mahogany?
It's Hawaiian and harder to source, and it's the traditional ukulele wood. Tonally it's brighter and snappier than mahogany, with more visible grain figure.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsPlayability
- Neck Shape
- D
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Natural
