coolkayaker1
Well-known member
I'm sure you're right, Rick. Satin's innate thinness bested by French polish's super thinness. Gloss a relative laggard to both, especially if thick.It's not the gloss nor the satin, it's the finish thickness. If you want the ultimate in thin gloss, then go for French polish..
Gordon has mentioned several times in his videos, most recently two months ago in Lizzie P's Mya Moe video, that Mya Moes have reduced volume when a customer orders gloss. I've never actually owned or played a gloss Mya Moe, but owner/collector and UU member, Lizzie P, said her gloss MM was the quietest of the twelve or so MMs that she owns. .
I have owned two gloss Ponos, and two non-gloss Ponos; the gloss of those is a thick, lacquer-like finish, and I noted a distinct difference in sustain and volume in those that I owned. In fact, my gloss concert size, acacia Pono was so subdued, I sold it, on eBay, to a more loving home (hopefully to someone skilled at pickup installation...lol). So, my experience bears out your perspective, Rick. Yes.
To me, gloss's detrimental effects on sound are particularly noted in two instances: first, on woods that tend toward warmth, like Koa, acacia, etc. (I still own a gloss spruce-topped maple Pono tenor where the volume is less affected), and second, on smaller-bodied instruments (concerts and sopranos) that have less volume of air movement, and thus soundboard movement, to overcome a heavier gloss. Larger-bodied instruments (tenors and baritones) can better move that soundboard. Perhaps this is one of the reasons vintage Martin sopranos sound so special: no gloss (and the very vintage ones, as you say, Rick, are one step better, French polish).
Of course, these are generalities, as most will next mention a gloss KoAloha as being loud as an alley cat in heat. Which is true due to the monobrace, but also the relatively thin gloss, as to your point, Rick.
I've never had an issue with holding a gloss uke or excessive fingerprints, however.
Staci, when you after-market glossed your Kamaka (which did bring out the beauty, no question), did it affect the sound?
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