Finally got curious enough to try D tuning on my ukuMele mahogany soprano. And well, it was "interesting" in that mixed feelings kind of way.
What I liked about it was how precise the intonation up the neck was. This uke has 17 frets, and intonation was perfect to the 15th. I don't get it as accurately with C tuning on the same instrument, though it's not really "off", just not as perfect. I also liked how the higher tension and the "snappiness" of the strings felt for finger picking. Really enjoyed the brilliance of the former-A string (B in D tuning) rang on this particular instrument.
What I didn't like is the tension when strumming. This felt exactly like strumming on a tenor, and it's not my cup of tea. Great for picking, but strumming was too much washboard-like for me. I also "felt" the instrument less, as if it was more distant, more detached, less vibrant, which ties in with the next thing:
I had expected it to be louder in D tuning due to the higher tension, but that actually didn't happen. It didn't project better and it didn't resonate better. I recorded myself under the same conditions with both tunings to be able to compare the waveforms and the db, and this particular uke was louder and had a greater dynamic range in C tuning when strummed. Sustain was less in the lower third of the fretboard in D.
In other posts I had read that some sopranos are better suited for the C tuning and I think mine falls into that category (it's a little heavy, with the lower bout a tiny bit wider than a standard soprano, which is probably the reason). Sound aside, though, the high string tension is a deal breaker for me. I think tension-wise I enjoy the concert size the most, judging by my LN pineapple, though it does no doubt depend on the strings too. My tests were with Martin M600s and Worth Clears (medium).
One day I'll try this with my L&H Washburn from the mid, late twenties, but it needs some bridge repairs first. If I attempt this now, it will probably rip half of it off.
So, curiosity satisfied, and back to the C tuning! That was cheap, too! Much more affordable than my other point of curiosity... how a quality concert compares to my LN pineapple in an extended test. Well, one day I'll get to that.
What I liked about it was how precise the intonation up the neck was. This uke has 17 frets, and intonation was perfect to the 15th. I don't get it as accurately with C tuning on the same instrument, though it's not really "off", just not as perfect. I also liked how the higher tension and the "snappiness" of the strings felt for finger picking. Really enjoyed the brilliance of the former-A string (B in D tuning) rang on this particular instrument.
What I didn't like is the tension when strumming. This felt exactly like strumming on a tenor, and it's not my cup of tea. Great for picking, but strumming was too much washboard-like for me. I also "felt" the instrument less, as if it was more distant, more detached, less vibrant, which ties in with the next thing:
I had expected it to be louder in D tuning due to the higher tension, but that actually didn't happen. It didn't project better and it didn't resonate better. I recorded myself under the same conditions with both tunings to be able to compare the waveforms and the db, and this particular uke was louder and had a greater dynamic range in C tuning when strummed. Sustain was less in the lower third of the fretboard in D.
In other posts I had read that some sopranos are better suited for the C tuning and I think mine falls into that category (it's a little heavy, with the lower bout a tiny bit wider than a standard soprano, which is probably the reason). Sound aside, though, the high string tension is a deal breaker for me. I think tension-wise I enjoy the concert size the most, judging by my LN pineapple, though it does no doubt depend on the strings too. My tests were with Martin M600s and Worth Clears (medium).
One day I'll try this with my L&H Washburn from the mid, late twenties, but it needs some bridge repairs first. If I attempt this now, it will probably rip half of it off.
So, curiosity satisfied, and back to the C tuning! That was cheap, too! Much more affordable than my other point of curiosity... how a quality concert compares to my LN pineapple in an extended test. Well, one day I'll get to that.
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