Noobie
Well-known member
It's generally accepted that solid has better resonance than laminates, and to keep costs down a lot of manufacturers use solid tops and laminate backs and sides, since the soundboard is so crucial to the sound.
Recently someone mentioned the Tone-Gard and suggested how it greatly improver his volume by freeing up the back of his instrument--they're very popular with mandolin players. It prompted me to try moving my Big Island traditional away from my body, and sure enough the volume increased quite a lot just be making sure it had no contact with my body (I don't hold it close or smother it, but it seems any contact with the body at all affects the resonance).
I guess I'm just questioning whether ukes with laminate backs are inherently more stifled than solid woods?
Recently someone mentioned the Tone-Gard and suggested how it greatly improver his volume by freeing up the back of his instrument--they're very popular with mandolin players. It prompted me to try moving my Big Island traditional away from my body, and sure enough the volume increased quite a lot just be making sure it had no contact with my body (I don't hold it close or smother it, but it seems any contact with the body at all affects the resonance).
I guess I'm just questioning whether ukes with laminate backs are inherently more stifled than solid woods?