pulelehua
Well-known member
There are a zillion threads about the sound of a ukulele. About the sound of a desired ukulele. A zillion. I counted.
I'm not a luthier, and I've only played about 10 types of ukulele.
In my limited and under-educated view, a ukulele's sound is based on:
1. Size (including dimensions specific to builder/brand)
2. Shape of body
3. Wood type: back, sides and top
4. Wood thickness (especially on the top)
5. Bracing pattern, type, array, etc.
6. String material
7. String thickness
8. String tension
9. Relation of string tension to soundboard flexibility
10. Fingers of person playing it (skin texture, fingernail length)
11. Relation to body of player (is the vibration being dampened?)
12. Weight of headstock
13. Space/room in which ukulele is being played
14. Differences between samples of same make, model, etc.
When we talk about what a ukulele sounds like, I don't think there's much point talking about 10, 11 or 13. After all, those factors would be different for us. But when we watch a video, those factors might be significantly influencing our view.
Based on observation, we mostly talk about 1, 3, 6, 7 & 8 around here.
I know there's a certain difficulty in talking about some of the other points, but I think we sometimes come to conclusions which are a bit naive (myself included).
My Kala ukulele, I'm convinced, has a sound negatively affected by its top thickness and possibly bracing. That's because I've played some ukuleles a bit like it, and so can compare, and try to work out what's different.
My custom is totally unlike any ukulele I've played. So what makes it sound like it sounds would be hard for me to quantify. I'd have to ask the luthier.
I suppose what I'm suggesting is that:
1) maybe we should try to widen some of our discussions
2) maybe we should get more opinions from luthiers
It would be great to actually have some luthier-specific insights. Chuck Moore is great at piping in regularly, but for those other luthiers lurking, please do share your wisdom. I for one would be most grateful.
Also for those who have seen a LOT of ukuleles come and go, you probably have the layperson's insight born of experience.
I was going to post something on another thread and thought to myself, "What the hell do I know?!" and decided to shut up. And then decided to shut up publicly.
Hence this.
I'm not a luthier, and I've only played about 10 types of ukulele.
In my limited and under-educated view, a ukulele's sound is based on:
1. Size (including dimensions specific to builder/brand)
2. Shape of body
3. Wood type: back, sides and top
4. Wood thickness (especially on the top)
5. Bracing pattern, type, array, etc.
6. String material
7. String thickness
8. String tension
9. Relation of string tension to soundboard flexibility
10. Fingers of person playing it (skin texture, fingernail length)
11. Relation to body of player (is the vibration being dampened?)
12. Weight of headstock
13. Space/room in which ukulele is being played
14. Differences between samples of same make, model, etc.
When we talk about what a ukulele sounds like, I don't think there's much point talking about 10, 11 or 13. After all, those factors would be different for us. But when we watch a video, those factors might be significantly influencing our view.
Based on observation, we mostly talk about 1, 3, 6, 7 & 8 around here.
I know there's a certain difficulty in talking about some of the other points, but I think we sometimes come to conclusions which are a bit naive (myself included).
My Kala ukulele, I'm convinced, has a sound negatively affected by its top thickness and possibly bracing. That's because I've played some ukuleles a bit like it, and so can compare, and try to work out what's different.
My custom is totally unlike any ukulele I've played. So what makes it sound like it sounds would be hard for me to quantify. I'd have to ask the luthier.
I suppose what I'm suggesting is that:
1) maybe we should try to widen some of our discussions
2) maybe we should get more opinions from luthiers
It would be great to actually have some luthier-specific insights. Chuck Moore is great at piping in regularly, but for those other luthiers lurking, please do share your wisdom. I for one would be most grateful.
Also for those who have seen a LOT of ukuleles come and go, you probably have the layperson's insight born of experience.
I was going to post something on another thread and thought to myself, "What the hell do I know?!" and decided to shut up. And then decided to shut up publicly.
Hence this.