I heard a sound clip from HMS a few years back on a Pono tenor all rosewood (top, back and sides) which IMO really sounded nice. I was going to order it but it was a sold out and it appears it was a limited run.
I have one of the all-rosewood Ponos (I believe there were only eight). After three years, it's still one of my favorites - partly the sound and partly the way it feels in my hands.
I have an all Rosewood Bruko concert (top, back and sides). Lovely instrument. It has the characteristic Bruko bright tone which I have mellowed a bit by tuning down to Bb. I have some You Tube clips with it. I'll see if I can find a relatively recent one and post it here.
Generally, I would assume that a hardwood top makes for a rather harsh, percussive sound.[/QUOTE]
In general, not a safe "assumption." Could vary among different instruments based on the specific piece of rosewood....variety, seasoning, grain, thickness, etc,. etc. Some, including one or two I've heard, are nowhere near harsh, and I imagine some are.
Percussive and plonky is what a Brüko does best. Not only that, but I've heard it said that it matters not what a Brüko is made from, they all sound the same. Whilst that's obviously a generalisation, I think individual manufacturers do have distinct tonal qualities. Comes down to the fact that different wood choices make less of a difference to the sound than how it's put together.
As for Brüko, they're fabulous instruments, I'm sure you'd be pleased with it.
Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts and really appreciate the video links.
I found pics of a Koolau all Rosewood tenor model from a while back, can't be bad as a top wood if they decided to use it.
I Just heard back from Bruko, their UK website is down so had to ask how to pay. Turns out it's actually a concert size, it is advertised as a tenor for some reason. It's a bit of a mixture of woods really, Rosewood top/back, Zebrawood sides, Maple neck, Ebony bridge/fretboard.
Its either that or a mahogany satin Pono anyway, the Bruko is winning at the moment!
Done! Should arrive next week, pics and stuff coming soon.
Must have had at least 5 Bruko sopranos in the last few years.
I've sold every one for whatever reason, but something always draws me back in and I keep buyin em!
Here's hopin this ones a keeper