You can check the individual review for each model: Ko'olau T100 Satin Ukulele: ruclips.net/video/W3752n70M68/видео.html Ko'olau T100 High Gloss Ukulele: ruclips.net/video/OsCGnIwDqRw/видео.html
Satin is warmer. As a wood worker I use bees wax oil to keep my ukulele’s nice. It enriches the fretboard and bridges. It also will bring a nice finish to the body too. 🤙
Hi Terry, The difference you are hearing is the wood not the finish. I have over 50 years of professional finishing and woodworking experience and have been custom finishing and restoring ukuleles for several years now. You are correct; that satin Ko'olao could be buffed to a very high gloss just by buffing its current finish. Recently I buffed a Satin Kamaka 6 String to gloss because Kamaka only had a Satin model and the customer wanted a gloss model. The store I work with asked if I could make it gloss before ordering it and I said yes. It sounded the same before and after the buffing process. It just looked a lot nicer after. The only way to really compare Satin and gloss is by buffing a Satin ukulele gloss and comparing before and after or rubbing a gloss finish to satin and comparing before and after. The type of finish and thickness of the finish are what impact the sound. Cheaper Chinese instruments often have very thick gloss finishes and those thick finishes do affect the sound. Its real easy to buff a thick finish to gloss in a high production setting. Yet a proper High gloss finish like one the Ko'olao you played is actually very thin. It only looks thick because you can see deep into the wood. That is also true when the satin finishes are put on real thick too. Type of finish is a whole other subject (penetrating finishes, topcoat finishes, hybrid finishes, etc). I have demonstrated what I am sharing with my own ukuleles for clients and friends.
Thanks for all the videos you do - I appreciate the opportunity to listen to them. I will say, however, that the accompaniment track makes it very hard for me to listen carefully to the ukulele - maybe it's my ADD.
How much difference would there be between matte or open pore vs gloss? I agree with the other person about the backing track getting in the way of hearing them properly. Thinking of what someone said about preferring the feel of satin, do you yourself find it easier to slide your hand along the neck of one over the other? What do you think are the best strings for gloss ukes ?
To me the gloss model sounds slightly louder, the satin a bit softer, a bit more natural and less edgy. But overall I prefer satin for the look and feel, the audible difference is subtle.
3:36 It is not that I didn't think the satin finish didn't have ANY spray on it... But I thought that the satin finish wouldn't would not have AS MUCH spray on it (compared to the gloss finish)!
3:48 Well, I think (most) mandolins are different - because they are hand-carved - one piece of wood - archtop, rather than flattop - so they are built differently... So maybe the spray that becomes the finish can impact those differently.
It's the finish. or maybe the wood, or it's because they'er two different Uke's. I believe if you make three Uke's out of the same piece of wood they are all going to have a slightly different sound. That's just the fun of searching for the instrument that you feel has the sound, feel, and look you like, and have a growing desirer to own.
I feel there is more of a bell tone from the gloss, is that what is meant by more focused? Not an extreme difference by any means. I would enjoy playing either one.
There isn't as much difference as I would have thought! From the first clip (without the music) I can hear just a little more low end projecting with the satin finish. This could definitely just be the fact they're two different instruments though (the same model doesn't mean it'll sound exactly the same), as Daniel Flores said: "The only way to really compare Satin and Gloss is by buffing a Satin ukulele and comparing the sound before and after you did it."
There isn’t much different between satin and gloss. Like you mentioned if you buff a satin finish it will become glossy. Now it’s a different story if you are spending of French polished finishes, like Pepe Romero’s
I’ve always been a lover of woods and have even been known to dabble in woodworking. I’ve always used Tung oil finish and I have to I still love the natural gloss that comes from rubbing, lots and lots of rubbing. Thanks Terry Another great video 🎸🎤🎼
@weirdscience6820 Funny... Because I actually thought that the satin finish trapped the sound more - and the gloss finish had more to it... I guess different sounds for different folks.
Before you share your opinion, I wanted to comment. To me, they are VERY similar. Maybe the gloss version is a little brighter? Just slightly though. It could be my imagination. They both sound great. I am going to buy a KoAhloha, and I am debating if I want the satin, or spend the extra $200 for the gloss. It would be a cosmetic choice only.
I don’t really hear enough difference between the two to choose based on sound. However, I do like the looks of a satin finish better than a gloss finish.
the satin sounds less bright and more natural. the gloss is bright but that is was gloss does and if you strip the gloss and put a hand rub like what's on Martins they will sound more full. it's just physics and someone that says their gloss sounds great and it may, should have it stripped down and then see how much more of a difference it is. i get it that gloss looks awesome blah blah blah but it does to a certain degree make it brighter and less resonate. I would love to see a Romero Creations stripped down and do a comparison because they are already amazing with that heavy gloss finish and they would be off the charts with some light hand rub.
The sound is close. Different ukes will always sound different. Even those made from the same tree. There is no definitive answer between which sounds better between satin & gloss. Which ever sounds best to your ears is the uke to get. I have 5 uks and my fav is a 2020 Koaloha Tenor 00-25 Gloss(Starlord) This uke beats out 4 others costing more. Don't know why. Don't care. Its my go to uke until a better one comes along
Hi Terry, I like the gloss finish better. The sound is brighter and the uke sings more. But is it to be ore not te be the gloss that makes the difference... 😉
Hello everyones ! I prefer the look of the satin finish but not easy to find on the ukes i bought earlier. I also think that for medium prices ukes, gloss finish is easier and cheaper to achieve a good looking aspect. I have 2 Pono's uke, made under Ko'olau supervision, in Asia : very nice sounding ukes, well made ! My dream is of course one of these 4 Hawaïan brand, sound and look fabulous ! I reserve this for a future trip I hope in Hawaï... And Terry : may be not the best thing to play on a backing track to compare the sounds of these 2 ukes, difference if there is, is so subtil... And yes I think also that difference come mainly from the wood (koa for both of them but each instrument is unique) than from the finish... Interseting video anyway... and comments too ! Aloha !
It's Terry's fingers that change the sound. One is played with unwashed fingers, just rinsed off and the other he uses soap and then lotion making his fingers less slippery. Actually.... I noted a slight difference, but then no two guitars or ukuleles should really sound exactly alike in time. I would say the differences are slight.
It was close, but the satin Uke, seems to have a warmer sound. The high gloss Uke was a little sharper in sound. I have satin and a high gloss Ukes. The satin does have a warmer tone than my high gloss.
You can check the individual review for each model:
Ko'olau T100 Satin Ukulele: ruclips.net/video/W3752n70M68/видео.html
Ko'olau T100 High Gloss Ukulele: ruclips.net/video/OsCGnIwDqRw/видео.html
Satin is warmer. As a wood worker I use bees wax oil to keep my ukulele’s nice. It enriches the fretboard and bridges. It also will bring a nice finish to the body too. 🤙
Hi Terry,
The difference you are hearing is the wood not the finish. I have over 50 years of professional finishing and woodworking experience and have been custom finishing and restoring ukuleles for several years now.
You are correct; that satin Ko'olao could be buffed to a very high gloss just by buffing its current finish. Recently I buffed a Satin Kamaka 6 String to gloss because Kamaka only had a Satin model and the customer wanted a gloss model. The store I work with asked if I could make it gloss before ordering it and I said yes. It sounded the same before and after the buffing process. It just looked a lot nicer after. The only way to really compare Satin and gloss is by buffing a Satin ukulele gloss and comparing before and after or rubbing a gloss finish to satin and comparing before and after.
The type of finish and thickness of the finish are what impact the sound. Cheaper Chinese instruments often have very thick gloss finishes and those thick finishes do affect the sound.
Its real easy to buff a thick finish to gloss in a high production setting. Yet a proper High gloss finish like one the Ko'olao you played is actually very thin. It only looks thick because you can see deep into the wood.
That is also true when the satin finishes are put on real thick too.
Type of finish is a whole other subject (penetrating finishes, topcoat finishes, hybrid finishes, etc). I have demonstrated what I am sharing with my own ukuleles for clients and friends.
What a great comment! thank you so much for sharing Daniel! I really appreciate it
That is quite interesting! Thank you!
Love both of them!😊✨💕
They were exactly the same, and I have a good ear for music.
Thanks for all the videos you do - I appreciate the opportunity to listen to them. I will say, however, that the accompaniment track makes it very hard for me to listen carefully to the ukulele - maybe it's my ADD.
How much difference would there be between matte or open pore vs gloss? I agree with the other person about the backing track getting in the way of hearing them properly. Thinking of what someone said about preferring the feel of satin, do you yourself find it easier to slide your hand along the neck of one over the other? What do you think are the best strings for gloss ukes ?
Satin finishes can sound a little more open but the only difference between satin and gloss is how much the instrument is buffed
To me the gloss model sounds slightly louder, the satin a bit softer, a bit more natural and less edgy.
But overall I prefer satin for the look and feel, the audible difference is subtle.
No real difference between the satan and gloss finish.
3:36 It is not that I didn't think the satin finish didn't have ANY spray on it... But I thought that the satin finish wouldn't would not have AS MUCH spray on it (compared to the gloss finish)!
3:48 Well, I think (most) mandolins are different - because they are hand-carved - one piece of wood - archtop, rather than flattop - so they are built differently... So maybe the spray that becomes the finish can impact those differently.
2:54 Based on that, I actually think the one with the gloss finish sounded bigger and fuller (surprisingly)!
It's the finish. or maybe the wood, or it's because they'er two different Uke's. I believe if you make three Uke's out of the same piece of wood they are all going to have a slightly different sound. That's just the fun of searching for the instrument that you feel has the sound, feel, and look you like, and have a growing desirer to own.
It's impossible to tell a difference between the ukes with the backing track competing, IMO
The gloss finish sounds brighter to me and therefore better
4:20 Again, I thought that the gloss finish actually sounded bigger and fuller!
6:43 Yeah, I definitely feel like the gloss finish gives it so much of a bigger sound!
I feel there is more of a bell tone from the gloss, is that what is meant by more focused? Not an extreme difference by any means. I would enjoy playing either one.
There isn't as much difference as I would have thought! From the first clip (without the music) I can hear just a little more low end projecting with the satin finish. This could definitely just be the fact they're two different instruments though (the same model doesn't mean it'll sound exactly the same), as Daniel Flores said: "The only way to really compare Satin and Gloss is by buffing a Satin ukulele and comparing the sound before and after you did it."
There isn’t much different between satin and gloss. Like you mentioned if you buff a satin finish it will become glossy. Now it’s a different story if you are spending of French polished finishes, like Pepe Romero’s
I’ve always been a lover of woods and have even been known to dabble in woodworking. I’ve always used Tung oil finish and I have to I still love the natural gloss that comes from rubbing, lots and lots of rubbing. Thanks Terry Another great video 🎸🎤🎼
Very cool! Thanks Janine!
I seem obsessed with owning a gloss ukulele but the gloss one does sound tighter. I might be better off sticking to my satin finish one instead!
Yeah I like the look of the gloss but it seems to trap the sound in comparison.
@weirdscience6820 Funny... Because I actually thought that the satin finish trapped the sound more - and the gloss finish had more to it... I guess different sounds for different folks.
I cannot feel difference
Before you share your opinion, I wanted to comment. To me, they are VERY similar. Maybe the gloss version is a little brighter? Just slightly though. It could be my imagination. They both sound great. I am going to buy a KoAhloha, and I am debating if I want the satin, or spend the extra $200 for the gloss. It would be a cosmetic choice only.
I don’t really hear enough difference between the two to choose based on sound. However, I do like the looks of a satin finish better than a gloss finish.
Yes, the satin finish is really cool!
the satin sounds less bright and more natural. the gloss is bright but that is was gloss does and if you strip the gloss and put a hand rub like what's on Martins they will sound more full. it's just physics and someone that says their gloss sounds great and it may, should have it stripped down and then see how much more of a difference it is. i get it that gloss looks awesome blah blah blah but it does to a certain degree make it brighter and less resonate. I would love to see a Romero Creations stripped down and do a comparison because they are already amazing with that heavy gloss finish and they would be off the charts with some light hand rub.
The sound is close. Different ukes will always sound different. Even those made from the same tree. There is no definitive answer between which sounds better between satin & gloss. Which ever sounds best to your ears is the uke to get. I have 5 uks and my fav is a 2020 Koaloha Tenor 00-25 Gloss(Starlord) This uke beats out 4 others costing more. Don't know why. Don't care. Its my go to uke until a better one comes along
Hi Terry, I like the gloss finish better. The sound is brighter and the uke sings more. But is it to be ore not te be the gloss that makes the difference... 😉
What would you recommend for a left handed playing the right handed uku? I find it hard to manage the chord changing on the fret board
I really do not hear much of a difference. They both sound great.
Hello everyones ! I prefer the look of the satin finish but not easy to find on the ukes i bought earlier. I also think that for medium prices ukes, gloss finish is easier and cheaper to achieve a good looking aspect. I have 2 Pono's uke, made under Ko'olau supervision, in Asia : very nice sounding ukes, well made ! My dream is of course one of these 4 Hawaïan brand, sound and look fabulous ! I reserve this for a future trip I hope in Hawaï... And Terry : may be not the best thing to play on a backing track to compare the sounds of these 2 ukes, difference if there is, is so subtil... And yes I think also that difference come mainly from the wood (koa for both of them but each instrument is unique) than from the finish... Interseting video anyway... and comments too ! Aloha !
Thanks Patrice for the comment! :)
No big difference, gloss maybe is more focused in mid.
It's Terry's fingers that change the sound. One is played with unwashed fingers, just rinsed off and the other he uses soap and then lotion making his fingers less slippery. Actually.... I noted a slight difference, but then no two guitars or ukuleles should really sound exactly alike in time. I would say the differences are slight.
😂😅
Really I had to focus to pick any difference.. imho the satin was slightly warmer but less crisp than the gloss but the difference is barely audible
yes, totally, it's not a huge difference, they are both amazing!
The satin had a deeper tone to me, therefore better.
I don’t hear a difference.
It was close, but the satin Uke, seems to have a warmer sound. The high gloss Uke was a little sharper in sound. I have satin and a high gloss Ukes. The satin does have a warmer tone than my high gloss.
Oh nice that you have both!
Sound the same to me
I had difficulty hearing the difference
They both sounds really good!
Hello please notice me can i have free ukulele? I just need ukulele to sing for the Lord btw i love the quality, and color of your ukulele♥️