I find the gloss finish a little happier, which suits the uke. The matte seems more serious.
–Lori
Funny, the difference in views from a player and a builder.
If I were spraying a satin finish, it would be so easy, simply because I wouldn't bother pore filling, and have that "natural" texture come through (pores and all). Fortunately, I have a good gun, so finish sanding would be almost non-existent, as would taking the instrument across the buffing wheels. About the only thing necessary would be level sanding between coats, and not a whole lot of coats at that.
Spraying a good gloss finish takes time, and effort. I would skip a few steps doing satin finishes, but I find that I have to redo a gloss finish more often than not. In this case, redo usually means spraying another coat (not doing the whole thing over).
I know a builder that charges $400 (not sure what it is now) for a high gloss finish.
Personally, as a builder, I would prefer doing a satin finishes. Simply because its easier, and from a woodworker's perspective, shows the natural tone of the wood more. Gloss finishes are like looking at wood through a piece of glass - while there's no distortion per se, reflections may alter the view of the wood. Of course, this matters more when you use really nice wood.
Actually, as a builder, I do gloss finishes. Oddly enough, on really nice wood.
Just adding in a different perspective.
-Aaron