This video destroys that notion in my head that x-bracing is superior over fan-bracing. In the end, it really depends on how the luthier would want to voice the instrument. Thank you for doing this video! Finally get to get to hear the sound comparison on them with really just the the bracing style as the differentiating factor. 😊 Awsome job! 😊
Such a deeply fascinating comparison. It is hard to ascribe words to perceived sound but, subjectively: when listening to the X-brace, it sounds as if the notes are resonating off crystals in a cave but hearing the fan-brace makes me feel nostalgic for sunsets. Two very different sounds from such a seemingly minor change; what a grand depth of choice.
oh … WOW! This indeed is super interesting and exciting! I highly recommend to put a set of quality 🎧 on! I never would’ve thought the difference would be that significant! The X is more mellow, warmer, whereas the fan is crisper, has more punch!
@@WorldofUkes Hard to say! Depends on what you need, what you’re after. I imagine the fan might cut a bit better in a mix, maybe. For a ukulele solo piece I’d prefer the X though!
Awh Wow … 🤩😍🤩…What fantastic ukuleles you make Martin Humbeck 🥰🥰.. The X brace does have a beautiful mellow sound but I think the Fan brace has my attention the most the strings ring out so much on this lickle ukulele and it sounds so sweet … it’s FANTASMAGORICALLY SUPERB 😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰😁🦋
Very interesting comparison. I prefer the the warmer, richer sound of the X braced uke but didn’t dislike the brighter sound from the Fan braced uke. I closed my eyes & just listened the 2nd time through & still agreed that No.177 is the one I’d pick if I was in the lucky position of being able to purchase one. Both ukuleles to be proud of Mr Beck! 👍🏻😁
Fan bracing had more volume and overtones. X bracing had more clarity and roundness. Both sounded awesome. I preferred the X when strumming, the fan for fingerstyle.
Thanks for posting this. I could really hear the differences. I have always liked my x-braced ukes. Makes more sense to me know because I prefer warmer-sounding ukes.
I agree with most everyone here, the X bracing is a warmer, bigger sound, Fan was cleaner. As I am mostly a strummer, I prefer the fullness of the X braced uke. But I think if I mostly finger picked I'd opt for the Fan. Great side by side!
Hi Matt absolutely fascinating and I agree that the x is warmer and the fan punchier. I prefer the x bracing if I was fortunate enough to be able to chose. But whoever owns any is going to appreciate any as they both are stunning.
I prefer the X brace, which surprised me because it is a bad bracing system, it's only excuse being the heavy tension of steel strings. Goes to show that the actual executiontion of the bracing system is more important that any given approach.
Wow! I didn't expect there to be so much difference in sound between the two due to the difference in bracing. One is more mellow and the other a bit more crisp. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Uke with the Fan Bracing. Each note seems to ring more clear to me. However, it's subjective and depends what you want as a player. This really has opened up my eyes to what a difference bracing can make. Thanks Matt. Very interesting.
I generally prefer fan bracing because of the articulation. ( and would buy it) But I like the depth and warmth of the X bracing…Thank you for this video…super interesting!
Hi Matt, I personally prefer the fan bracing for how it activates the Cross Dipole mode of vibration which creates more full and articulate high notes. X bracing really emphasizes the Monopole mode of vibration which produces more warmth, yet at the expense of fullness and clarity in the high notes without the addition of properly placed tone shaping braces. The same is true for the fan braces. They can be shaved and shaped to enhance the Monopole mode of vibration and bring more warmth into the instrument while retaining the full, rich, articulate high notes, as long as they are not shaved too much.. It is just a matter of preference and the sound Martin wishes to achieve.🙂
A fascinating level of detail. I said my experiment wasn't scientific, but obviously there have been scientific tests done. I'll have to delve a bit deeper into it, thanks.
Intervesting.. Very Intervesting! Hardly any difference as I could tell on phone speaker. Maybe the x bracing was slightly more resonant and chimey. Thanks for the video Matt!
Fan is my preference for these in low g. I liked the warmth of the X braced. But preferred the distinction and clarity of notes on the fan brace. I think I would prefer the X braced for a high G more resonance in the sound.
The X is a bigger mellow sound. The bracing design is somewhat influenced by the stress of strings trying to peel the bridge off of the top and the counteracting of distortion of the top if the bracing was absent. That said, I have always wondered why the use of a tail stock to attach the strings to the bottom edge of the top deck, was not used (as in a violin). The forces from the bridge would then be simply straight down. If compromises in the brace design are made to the detriment of sound performance, this might give some additional design freedom. I think I have seen one or two of such, but it is not popular. Kasha Bracing is sort of a star pattern, but has a large under bridge plank. Comments?
There’s a roundness to the tone with the fan bracing, which means I prefer it. The X bracing has a really appealing mellowness though. Both are special and distinct.
For me, the x-braced uke had a deeper and warmer tone than the fan-braced one, which was definitely brighter. If I was so fortunate to choose between these two fine instruments, I would go with the x-braced uke.
Seems a bigger difference than I would think 🤔 the fan bracing seems more pronounced in the notes and the X bracing was more punch 🤜 and less individual notes !
Both sound lovely. However I prefer the fan braced ukulele. The X brace made the low G more pronounced. The fan braced gave each string more definition and I could hear each string clearer.
I thought the instruments sounded pretty equal while you were playing in the lower half of the neck. As you played closer to the body the fan braced ukulele was more crisp while the x braced was more mellow. For that reason I would prefer the x bracing because I found the mellowness to be more consistent up and down the neck
This video destroys that notion in my head that x-bracing is superior over fan-bracing. In the end, it really depends on how the luthier would want to voice the instrument.
Thank you for doing this video! Finally get to get to hear the sound comparison on them with really just the the bracing style as the differentiating factor. 😊
Awsome job! 😊
I'd go with the fan brace, The tone is so complex and the harmonies sparkle!
Such a deeply fascinating comparison. It is hard to ascribe words to perceived sound but, subjectively: when listening to the X-brace, it sounds as if the notes are resonating off crystals in a cave but hearing the fan-brace makes me feel nostalgic for sunsets. Two very different sounds from such a seemingly minor change; what a grand depth of choice.
Very eloquently put!
oh … WOW! This indeed is super interesting and exciting! I highly recommend to put a set of quality 🎧 on! I never would’ve thought the difference would be that significant! The X is more mellow, warmer, whereas the fan is crisper, has more punch!
Definitely worth those headphones yes! If you had to pick one? (I like the control of the fan, just, myself)
@@WorldofUkes Hard to say! Depends on what you need, what you’re after. I imagine the fan might cut a bit better in a mix, maybe. For a ukulele solo piece I’d prefer the X though!
Followed the quality headphones and completely agree could add anything more.
Awh Wow … 🤩😍🤩…What fantastic ukuleles you make Martin Humbeck 🥰🥰.. The X brace does have a beautiful mellow sound but I think the Fan brace has my attention the most the strings ring out so much on this lickle ukulele and it sounds so sweet … it’s FANTASMAGORICALLY SUPERB 😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰😁🦋
Very interesting comparison. I prefer the the warmer, richer sound of the X braced uke but didn’t dislike the brighter sound from the Fan braced uke. I closed my eyes & just listened the 2nd time through & still agreed that No.177 is the one I’d pick if I was in the lucky position of being able to purchase one. Both ukuleles to be proud of Mr Beck! 👍🏻😁
Thanks Joyce, very interesting. I'm slightly in the other camp - only just!
Fan bracing had more volume and overtones.
X bracing had more clarity and roundness.
Both sounded awesome. I preferred the X when strumming, the fan for fingerstyle.
Thanks for posting this. I could really hear the differences. I have always liked my x-braced ukes. Makes more sense to me know because I prefer warmer-sounding ukes.
I agree with most everyone here, the X bracing is a warmer, bigger sound, Fan was cleaner. As I am mostly a strummer, I prefer the fullness of the X braced uke. But I think if I mostly finger picked I'd opt for the Fan. Great side by side!
Hi Matt absolutely fascinating and I agree that the x is warmer and the fan punchier. I prefer the x bracing if I was fortunate enough to be able to chose. But whoever owns any is going to appreciate any as they both are stunning.
I'll have the fan if you have the X ;)
@@WorldofUkes As long as I can site you in my divorce papers when I am found out.
@@mikek4708 Not for adultery I hope! ;)
@@WorldofUkes if you count coveting another’s instrument. Then may be.
I prefer the X brace, which surprised me because it is a bad bracing system, it's only excuse being the heavy tension of steel strings. Goes to show that the actual executiontion of the bracing system is more important that any given approach.
Wow! I didn't expect there to be so much difference in sound between the two due to the difference in bracing. One is more mellow and the other a bit more crisp. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Uke with the Fan Bracing. Each note seems to ring more clear to me. However, it's subjective and depends what you want as a player. This really has opened up my eyes to what a difference bracing can make. Thanks Matt. Very interesting.
Great - it must be rare to have two similar instruments with just that difference. Had to get it made quick before one goes!
I haven't yet, but they don't tend to stick around!
I generally prefer fan bracing because of the articulation. ( and would buy it) But I like the depth and warmth of the X bracing…Thank you for this video…super interesting!
No problem, thought it was a good opportunity to experiment!
Hi Matt,
I personally prefer the fan bracing for how it activates the Cross Dipole mode of vibration which creates more full and articulate high notes. X bracing really emphasizes the Monopole mode of vibration which produces more warmth, yet at the expense of fullness and clarity in the high notes without the addition of properly placed tone shaping braces.
The same is true for the fan braces. They can be shaved and shaped to enhance the Monopole mode of vibration and bring more warmth into the instrument while retaining the full, rich, articulate high notes, as long as they are not shaved too much..
It is just a matter of preference and the sound Martin wishes to achieve.🙂
A fascinating level of detail. I said my experiment wasn't scientific, but obviously there have been scientific tests done. I'll have to delve a bit deeper into it, thanks.
@@WorldofUkes You are welcome and enjoy the research.🙂
Intervesting.. Very Intervesting! Hardly any difference as I could tell on phone speaker. Maybe the x bracing was slightly more resonant and chimey. Thanks for the video Matt!
I think you are right. I think I personally prefer the richness of the fan bracing, but I have a feeling I might be in the minority!
Fan is my preference for these in low g. I liked the warmth of the X braced. But preferred the distinction and clarity of notes on the fan brace. I think I would prefer the X braced for a high G more resonance in the sound.
Interesting. Martin has urged me to try the X with high g, which is on my list of 'difficult jobs' ;)
The X is a bigger mellow sound.
The bracing design is somewhat influenced by the stress of strings trying to peel the bridge off of the top and the counteracting of distortion of the top if the bracing was absent. That said, I have always wondered why the use of a tail stock to attach the strings to the bottom edge of the top deck, was not used (as in a violin). The forces from the bridge would then be simply straight down. If compromises in the brace design are made to the detriment of sound performance, this might give some additional design freedom. I think I have seen one or two of such, but it is not popular. Kasha Bracing is sort of a star pattern, but has a large under bridge plank. Comments?
There’s a roundness to the tone with the fan bracing, which means I prefer it. The X bracing has a really appealing mellowness though. Both are special and distinct.
I feel the same!
For me, the x-braced uke had a deeper and warmer tone than the fan-braced one, which was definitely brighter. If I was so fortunate to choose between these two fine instruments, I would go with the x-braced uke.
Thanks very much, interesting :)
Seems a bigger difference than I would think 🤔 the fan bracing seems more pronounced in the notes and the X bracing was more punch 🤜 and less individual notes !
Yes, I think in mind my mind I had the fan bracing down as more... controlled, tighter, but less explosive.
The X back seemed to have a broader tone. But I believe I prefer the fan braced uke. Itis amazing that there is such a difference between them.
I was a fan fan too Paul :)
I actually thought the x bracing was the sharpest at high notes which I like. The sound production was great.
Hi Matt, they both sound good however to my ears the fan braced instrument was the winner.. Cheers. Trev. 🤔
And for me, by a fine margin.
Both sound lovely. However I prefer the fan braced ukulele. The X brace made the low G more pronounced. The fan braced gave each string more definition and I could hear each string clearer.
Interesting (and agreed)
I thought the instruments sounded pretty equal while you were playing in the lower half of the neck. As you played closer to the body the fan braced ukulele was more crisp while the x braced was more mellow. For that reason I would prefer the x bracing because I found the mellowness to be more consistent up and down the neck
Interesting observations, thank you!
Hi Matt, I think the Fan bracing has better intonation.
I think the fan bracing had been tuned in for longer!
I preferred the sound of the fan braced uke.
To me the X bracing was a stand out, it was boomier and more clarity.