Anybody had a chance to play a Kamaka spruce top in person? I'm curious as to how it stacks up against the koa. I'm assuming it's more bright and clear? More sustain possibly?
Yeah, that's why I was asking about it. Perhaps it stills has a Kamaka-like tone to it? There's plenty of videos online, but it's just so hard to discern tone differences through video.
I have played many Kamaka ukes with Spruce tops...they are nice but usually they are on a custom(deluxe) model....and kind of expensive... hopefully you can play one in person before you buy it...as at that price range many other choices...
the tone almost same as a Koa Kamaka...but that is what I hear,impossible to answer your question on tone....IMO
When I was shopping for my Ohta-San, I was able to try a spruce top Concert Deluxe side by side against a koa Ohta-San. This was at NAMM and conditions were less than ideal, but the only difference I could really discern was that the spruce top seemed a little louder. To me, it didn't seem worth the extra money (plus IMO the koa top is so much prettier!).