river_driver
Well-known member
Something I've been ruminating on for a week or so (and forgive me if it's already been discussed to death).
Seems like more and more of the entry-level uke companies are offering ukes with solid mahogany tops and laminate mahogany backs/sides.
The virtues of solid wood soundboards are beyond debate. My question is, do the back & sides of a uke really contribute much in the way of tone, or do they just serve as the walls of the resonating chamber? Furthermore, even if the sides & back did have a tonal contribution to the sound of the instrument, wouldn't much of that contribution be muted by the fact that you hold a uke against your body, dampening the vibration?
If the back and sides do significantly contribute to the voice of the instrument, should there be something like this gizmo available for ukes?
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TGM1.htm
Discuss. I'd appreciate the wisdom of any of the luthiers among us!
Cheers,
r_d
Seems like more and more of the entry-level uke companies are offering ukes with solid mahogany tops and laminate mahogany backs/sides.
The virtues of solid wood soundboards are beyond debate. My question is, do the back & sides of a uke really contribute much in the way of tone, or do they just serve as the walls of the resonating chamber? Furthermore, even if the sides & back did have a tonal contribution to the sound of the instrument, wouldn't much of that contribution be muted by the fact that you hold a uke against your body, dampening the vibration?
If the back and sides do significantly contribute to the voice of the instrument, should there be something like this gizmo available for ukes?
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TGM1.htm
Discuss. I'd appreciate the wisdom of any of the luthiers among us!
Cheers,
r_d