Mya-moe vs. Larrivee spruce top baritones , prefer?

Sound preference? Mya-moe Baritone vs. Larrivee Baritone

  • No preference

    Votes: 3 10.3%
  • Mya-moe Baritone

    Votes: 9 31.0%
  • Larrivee Baritone

    Votes: 17 58.6%

  • Total voters
    29

Doc_J

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Attached are two sound samples of
1) Mya-moe bear claw spruce & rosewood baritone with Mya-moe strings
and
2) Larrivee spruce and silver oak baritone with Martin strings.

I play the same tunes in both using the same Yeti/Audacity set up. Same distance from mic. Would like to see if you have a sound preference (hence the poll). Here's pics of the two. Comments and opinions appreciated.

Mya-Moe sample:https://app.box.com/s/vrv8qwelrlxmgayiiyh8uio0bpx28arm
Larrivee sample: https://app.box.com/s/5n1vku0dwqj826bb1resl62tjluo8x1o

** Update to include the Mya-moe a half-step up in tuning, same Mya-moe strings (FC on the trebles). Noticeable difference to me.
https://app.box.com/s/krv7hbl9bzpl6tqpphywlf2snohv5ebk
and for comparison ...
the Larrivee a half step up with Martin strings. https://app.box.com/s/td55iyjap9wxggvr9kexoaj76l2o791v

P1080785 https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/

P1080787 https://www.flickr.com/photos/150516092@N02/
 
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Hey Hodge great job as always. I love your sound sample comparisons, gives a lot of food for thought. You know I own a Mya Moe baritone almost identical to yours, mine is bearclaw and cocobolo. These Mya Moe baritones are really resonant and warm sounding even with the bright wood combo of spruce and hard wood back.

The big surprise is I liked the Larrivee better, it had a more balanced and controlled tone. I experimented PLENTY with strings on my Mya Moe before I tamed the super warm resonant tone. I ended up with high tension classical guitar strings for the wound D and G and the Aquila Carbon Blacks from the baritone set for the B and E strings

They are both great instruments it is just a personal tonal preference
 
The Larrivee by just a little bit. Both are Ukes I dream to be able to own.... Heck they are a dream to even get to play either of them.
Thanks so much for sharing, it was a joy to get to hear the comparison.

Cheers,

Steve.
 
I also prefer the Larrivee. Begs the question, have you tried the same string set on the other? I'm guessing you have already chosen what you feel are the best strings for each, but had to ask.
 
Great comparison, thanks for doing this, Hodge. I might prefer the Mya Moe. I thought I heard a bit more clarity and depth, perhaps slightly more sustain. From what I can tell from the pictures, the scale and the body of the MM look a bit longer, so that might be one of the reasons for that.
 
Thanks guys. The Larrivee with Martins was my gut reaction preference from the clarity and very even tone, although the warmth and deeper tones of the Myamoe are outstanding. The Myamoe strings are thicker than the Martins and tend to a warmer, deep resonate sound,a bit more sustain at the expense of clarity/brightness.

I’ve had the Myamoe just a couple weeks, and anticipated the strings from Myamoe would be great fit. I’m definitely going to try Martins next on the Myamoe.

Originally I thought I might rehome the Larrivee when my Myamoe arrived. But thinking now this Larrivee is staying.
 
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Thanks guys. The Larrivee with Martins was my gut reaction preference from the clarity and very even tone, although the warmth and deeper tones of the Myamoe are outstanding. The Myamoe strings are thicker than the Martins and tend to a warmer, deep resonate sound,a bit more sustain at the expense of clarity/brightness.

I’ve had the Myamoe just a couple weeks, and anticipated the strings from Myamoe would be great fit. I’m definitely going to try Martins next on the Myamoe.

Originally I thought I might rehome the Larrivee when my Myamoe arrived. But thinking now this Larrivee is staying.

I like the Mya Moe best ... I have played Dave's and the neck profile is nice and flat ... which I like.

However, if I had my druthers ... I would still prefer my Pono RBSHC Spruce top over the two of them ... something about the sound I just love. So I am happy I bought it, and have it. I think you had a Pono Baritone Spruce top a while ago ...

Great post, Hodge.
 
These are always fun, Hodge. I preferred the Larrivee (gorgeous by the way) as I think the Mya Moe sounded a bit boomy, less focused. Have you tried tuning the Mya Moe up a half step or two? Maybe try tuning to A?
 
These are always fun, Hodge. I preferred the Larrivee (gorgeous by the way) as I think the Mya Moe sounded a bit boomy, less focused. Have you tried tuning the Mya Moe up a half step or two? Maybe try tuning to A?

Great suggestion Eddie, I will try a tuning the Myamoe up a step.
 
Thanks for another of these threads, Hodge.
I like the warmth and depth of the Mya Moe uke
and adored the clarity and note separation of the Larrivee.
I'll take them both thanks. :)
 
Great suggestion Eddie, I will try a tuning the Myamoe up a step.

I think a good idea too, mate.
That extra step up just might clean things up a bit,
and the notes will still go forever
 
I think that the Mya-Moe is in another class. To me there is much more depth and nuance to the tone- more colour.
 
I think a good idea too, mate.
That extra step up just might clean things up a bit,
and the notes will still go forever

Just tried up half a step. Wow, amazed to see just that. Cleaner trebles and more richness.

I think that the Mya-Moe is in another class. To me there is much more depth and nuance to the tone- more colour.

I do agree. The half-step up tuning really brings out the depth and richness of the Myamoe.

Here's the Mya-moe a half-step up in tuning, same Mya-moe strings (FC on the trebles). Noticeable difference to me.
https://app.box.com/s/krv7hbl9bzpl6tqpphywlf2snohv5ebk
 
Just tried up half a step. Wow, amazed to see just that. Cleaner trebles and more richness.



I do agree. The half-step up tuning really brings out the depth and richness of the Myamoe.

Here's the Mya-moe a half-step up in tuning, same Mya-moe strings (FC on the trebles). Noticeable difference to me.
https://app.box.com/s/krv7hbl9bzpl6tqpphywlf2snohv5ebk

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Sounds much better!
 
Much better. The original sounded like too low tension to me as well but the sound was there.
 
Is the MM a 20.5 inch scale length and the Larivee 19 inches?
 
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