NatalieS
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,369
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Hi all!
Well I got a Kiwaya KTS-4 from MGM about a month ago as my birthday present. I was looking for a "vintage sounding" solid mahog soprano and had heard such wonderful things about the KTS line.
Based on Ken Middleton's video review, I changed out the stock strings to Worth clears, but was surprised by the "dead" sound with poor sustain that they produced. So I took the plunge and switched to Aquila Nylguts, even though Ken's video said they were a bit overpowering for this instrument. Presto-- volume! But now I had a mysterious buzz on the first fret, and the instrument still lacked that vintage tone. The KTS ended up sitting unplayed for days and days. What to do?
A couple days ago, I decided on a whim to tune the Kiwaya up to D. That did it!!! I still have the great sound of the Aquilas, but the buzz is gone and the instrument sounds like it popped right out of the 1930s. I just love it and can't put it down!
(Just thought I'd share...)
Well I got a Kiwaya KTS-4 from MGM about a month ago as my birthday present. I was looking for a "vintage sounding" solid mahog soprano and had heard such wonderful things about the KTS line.
Based on Ken Middleton's video review, I changed out the stock strings to Worth clears, but was surprised by the "dead" sound with poor sustain that they produced. So I took the plunge and switched to Aquila Nylguts, even though Ken's video said they were a bit overpowering for this instrument. Presto-- volume! But now I had a mysterious buzz on the first fret, and the instrument still lacked that vintage tone. The KTS ended up sitting unplayed for days and days. What to do?
A couple days ago, I decided on a whim to tune the Kiwaya up to D. That did it!!! I still have the great sound of the Aquilas, but the buzz is gone and the instrument sounds like it popped right out of the 1930s. I just love it and can't put it down!
(Just thought I'd share...)