Vic D
Well-known member
Don't look at me, I'm a noob. So what do you look for in a tone wood? I like poplar (tulip?), but where can I find quartersawn poplar? I'm sure I'll think of more questions to ask as the thread progresses.
So many variables. Would think Redwood would sound great. Assume you've tried different strings?It ( the poplar I've used so far ) has a nice ring to it when thick but not like say walnut... but at the right thickness it's more like a bassy wood block. The one uke I've built from it didn't dissapoint me either... combined with a one piece spruce top I got a nice bassy warm tone with good sustain. Redwood did fool me though, it was much brighter than I expected. Of course it could have been the particular piece of redwood. The stuff was supposed to be air dried for like 50 years or something. Some folks like bright though.
Cut a thin slice of Walnut the other day and it to has a very nice ring or chime with nice harmonics and sustain.
I've watched some videos on the tap tuning deal and I'm convinced.
Hey Vic, we must have been typing at the same time. Got any links for those vids?
Ken, thanks for your post. All you said makes a whole lot of sense and I think you provided some good relevant insight. If you get shot at, I'll stand with you. :~).I'll probably get shot completely out of the water for this reply because I'm going to reference another instrument....but not a guitar, because guitars are not ukuleles. I realize that mountain dulcimers are not ukuleles either, but they are stringed and fretted instruments that get much of their tonal quality from the vibration of their top. Part of the beauty of this instrument is the variety of sounds that you get by making them out of various locally grown woods. I guess that is part of their "folkiness." Those made of cherry and poplar have a bright bell-like tone, walnut is warm and rich, put on a spruce or ceder top and you get lots of sustain...you get the idea. I realize that those building professionally may be uncomfortable straying too far afield from what are considered the traditional woods, but I encourage others who are not building for the market to build and enjoy locally grown wood. Dave G.....I've seen your videos...I know that you get this. Maybe that is how koa became so popular on the Island. It's local and beautiful.
Chuck, it may just sound like I'm nit-picking again. Perhaps it is a bit of my nature but please don't take it personally. Your talking about tap tuning which I think is a bit different than taping wood for tone as part of the selection process. One of the books I read a while back suggested that you tap your wood at each step of the process and listen to the change as the result of what you just did..... added a brace or what ever. It went so far to suggest that you could learn to tune your braces and tone bars using this process. While the article did not tell me precisely what I would hear or even what to listen for, it seemed very plausible and made perfect sense. While it did not give me a precise tangible measurement I ended up thinking it was a skill I could develop over time and with practice. At no time did I feel I was dealing with a shifty eyed car salesman and since I had already bought his book, he had nothing more to gain. When I pick up a piece of wood and rap it, I can hear its musical qualities. That is something that is very tangibly there. As I said earlier I don't know what that means yet. As Pete says, it may not mean anything for a ukulele. Maybe if one just wanted to make loud plunkers it would not matter (I don't mean Pete or you or anyone else here). I gotta think there's something to it.Ever notice how guys who tap tune NEVER look you in the eye when they attempt to explain what they're doing? Hah! They sound like politicians. I took a workshop recently on tap tuning. Couldn't get one straight or definitive answer. Entertaining show though, lot of smoke and mirrors. Ever buy a paring knife from one of those carnies who are able to carve perfect roses out of radishes?
Perhaps I'm being a but harsh though........
Me? What Pete said in his item #1, followed by deflection testing of the actual plates.