Should I Choose a Satin or Gloss Finish Ukulele? Sound Comparison Demo
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- A comparison of two ukuleles, identical apart from the finish (satin or gloss), to see what impact that finish has on a ukulele's tone.
You might also be interested in another video I made - looking at how different ukuleles of the same model (including the same finish) sound in comparison: • Do Different Models Of...
The ukuleles in this demo are large body tenor instruments from Millar:
Satin: worldofukes.co...
Gloss: worldofukes.co...
This confirms my personal observation in my own ukes that satin is more mellow and gloss sounds a little brighter. Both are good, it's just a matter of personal preference. At first I thought I was imagining it, or that it was strings or just different models, but over time I have come to believe the finish really does make a noticeable difference. Thanks for this very useful comparison. You can really hear the difference in these back-to-back comparisons.
Personally I find a satin neck more comfortable to play. However the gloss koa looks stunning and to me sounds crisper and brighter.
I could def hear a difference. I started out thinking I liked the Gloss fin sound better, and it is beautiful, however I think the warmer tone is more for me. Thanks 😊
Thanks Matt! Your demo gave us lots of opportunities to explore the “neck” and hear the different values. The satin finish had a lot of brightness when strummed. I’m a fan of the satin as it was able to explore both bright and darker tones. Great video! Thanks!
Thank you. I don't mind a gloss neck, but did edge towards the satin myself for sound.
Interesting question ! I feel the glossed uke has more projection and chime, whereas the satin one has a more earthy tone. But knowing which one was played might have added some subjectivity... Over the years my tendency has evolved towards a preference for instruments with a more natural finish and less bling. But I still love my glossed babies, lol.
Totally agree with you about how knowing which is which added subjectivity.
I can't tell any difference in sound between the two finishes
Obvious what any sensible person would do.. buy both for what kind of a mood you are in :) Satin more mellow, gloss zingier and both very good in their own right.
@@AlbertsDad I just wish there were more sensible people around ;)
Yup, I would agree, the satin sounds warmer, woodier - and I prefer that. I am a finger picker, and when I want my uke to sound brighter, I can use my nails. If your uke is already very bright, it could be hard to tone down, maybe?
Yes, good point - I think I'd agree.
The only way I can think to tone down brightness is with brown or black strings but problem is their lack of volume.
Very good point. I'm debating about getting a Pono MGTP or a MGTDP, and I can't decide... I think I'd prefer the satin if I can get a pretty one...
My question is: Is our preconceived notion of the satin vs. gloss finish affected by knowing which one is being played - as in how we “feel” it sounds? Perhaps a blinded test would have been better, in which you reveal which one is which later on!
I often feel the viewers would be better off blindfolded, so they don't have to look at me!
Gloss, just a tad more distinct with the individual note, especially with the higher notes and a little brighter overall.
Personally…..I like the look and the sound of gloss ukes best…. I don’t quite know why!
Great comparison, thank you. I lean towards the gloss one as it has more of a chiming sound which I've always loved.
Ok, so here’s the thing: if one sits and listens over a good set of speakers, maybe even studio monitors or some quality headphones, yes, absolutely there is an audible difference. Unfortunately this is not how the majority consumes music - just saying!
Then the fact that you are prepared and your eyes process info as well, certainly plays a role here too. If this was done blindfolded and not in a direct back-to-back comparison, one’s perception might be different. Now the question is: do I want an instrument, that is already fairly small and all above middle C, sound even more sharp and crisp or do I appreciate its sound to be a bit warmer, 'earthier' or 'woodier'? In an (acoustic-) band scenario or a strummer group, maybe the glossed version cuts better; maybe it sticks out b/c it doesn‘t gel all that nicely w/ the rest of the instruments … hard to say really!
Yes, interesting... and I agree with you. I had to watch it back at first with my eyes closed - it was more difficult to hear the difference when I could see the difference!
I prefer playing satin necks, satin instruments generally feel more tactile. Although the gloss Ukulele had a much nicer ring than the satin 🎶
Certainly a big difference.. The glossed sounded sharper, cleaner, clearer and brighter. Imagine it would be better for finger picking?
I actually liked picking with the satin one as the sustain I found a little cleaner. With the gloss, it was more resonant/complex, which has its own charm, but I liked the... simplicity(?) of the satin on that front!
Well, I play ukulele mostly for myself. I hear my instrument from the side. So far, I have not seen a comparison of ukes which considers: "How does it sound for the player?"
Next time in a instrument store which among others has Kai ukuleles with side soundports, I will try out some of those and compare them to comparable models without side soundport. I expect that to make much more of a difference than many other factors. Maybe there will be a difference which is so clear that it supercedes the room acoustics. Maybe not. Would be nice to hear what the professionals have to say.
It is a difficult one - as you can't really compare a uke with side soundhole with the same uke without it (you'd need two identical ukes one with and one without, to do that). A really good uke with no soundport is likely to sound better than an average one with one.
It's an interesting idea though, I will have to think about the practicalities of how much a test could be done on video, thank you.
@@WorldofUkes Thank you for considering my idea!
Maybe a first step would be to play one (the same) uke and record it at the same time with two mics: one in the standard position (listener position) and one in the player position: next to the players head, pointing towards the instrument. What is the sound difference? Then also do this comparison for (any) side soundhole uke. Is there a bigger or smaller difference compared to a standard instrument?
@@jensbomholt4529 Yes, good plan. I have a long list, but will put that on the list!
There’s a startling difference isn’t there? I wasn’t expecting it to be so marked. The gloss one rings out more, seeming to have more sustain and more in the way of distinct notes. Quite beautiful.
The satin was no slouch at all, but the gloss eclipsed it in each sample for me. There could be some styles of music where the slightly earthier satin sound would be better, but my preference is surprisingly clear, at least in this case.
Food for thought and a useful video. I *had* been wondering (mainly with the satin and gloss mahogany Millars).
Thanks Paul, interesting observations.
I agree with everything you said, except I prefer the satin, it's note has more dimension to it, and the gloss is thinner, less bodied sounding-it sustains higher frequencies better but not lower ones or the mid-range as much. I prefer the satin I think, but like both in difference contexts. Lead vs. rhythm for example.
The satin finish sounds better to my ears. More 'open' as you described it. And more depth perhaps?
A bit woodier perhaps - but not quite as crisp.
Fascinating, love both the Millar, surprisingly I prefer the satin strummed and the gloss picked. Great video, thanks.
Just goes to show one size doesn't fit all. I think I'm the opposite way around to you!