Same size, wood, strings - but different builders : sound quiz

Doc_J

Doc_J

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We hear a lot of people talking about the effects wood type and strings here on UU. But I think that the real difference in a ukulele’s sound is the builder.

So, here is a short recording of 3 koa soprano ukuleles, each with Martin M600 fluorocarbon strings. The ukuleles being played are:
  • traditionally styled Moore Bettah
  • DaSilva 3K
  • G-String M1

Can you tell what order the 3 ukes are being played?

http://soundcloud.com/doc-hj/3-koa-sopranos-martin-strings

Each sample is about a minute in length.

The order is posted on page 3.
 
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I have no idea which is which never having been in that neighborhood. But I know which I prefer, to my tastes, at least.

I like the sound of #2 best. Seems much more round, mellow and full. More like a concert, maybe... which is probably why I prefer it.
 
only guessing Doc as I've never played any of those instruments. In my opinion they all sounded wonderful, and I'm like the munga, preferred #2, with #3 a close second and number #1 a close third. Would be happy with any of em!

My guess:
#1 Da Silva
#2 Moore Bettah
#3 G String

nice post Hodge, thanks for the fun :)
 
hey Doc...you got a prize for this or what? Does first correct entry get to choose the uke they like the best?

It's cool mate, I'll take care of shipping no probs...he he :p
 
I'm going to guess

#1 DaSilva
#2 G String
#3 MooreBettah

Although I'm an owner of what I think is #1, I have to say I like the sound of #3 the best.
 
nope. I also thought #2 was my preference (warmer, more rounded tones) then #3, then #1.
I'm totally guessing the first is G String, the second is Moore Bettah, and the last sound clip is Da Silva.
 
1)Da Silva....What a Wonderful world, Drop Baby Drop, slipping my mind..ha ha
2)Moore Bettah..
3)G-String...
 
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I think this thread goes to prove just how subjective sound is. I'm fairly new to ukulele and don't have a great music vocabulary. I liked the first sound clip best because it sounded "sweetest" to me. I thought the second one sounded really solid and the third one sort of punchy and brash (not in a bad way, I just don't have better adjectives). I enjoyed all 3 of them and it was hard to hear and quantify differences but something about the first clip made me want to listen to it again.

Doc_J - thanks for doing this!

Nix
 
Moore Bettah Ukuleles said:
Am I allowed to guess? lol
I'll only say to keep in mind that at least one of those ukes is only two weeks old.
Click to expand...

Sure, but I think you have a definite advantage over everyone :) . And you are right, your Honu soprano is still opening up but it sounds wonderful right now. The difference in sound between the ukes is more apparent live than in the recorded and played back samples.

nix said:
I think this thread goes to prove just how subjective sound is. I'm fairly new to ukulele and don't have a great music vocabulary. I liked the first sound clip best because it sounded "sweetest" to me. I thought the second one sounded really solid and the third one sort of punchy and brash (not in a bad way, I just don't have better adjectives). I enjoyed all 3 of them and it was hard to hear and quantify differences but something about the first clip made me want to listen to it again.

Doc_J - thanks for doing this!

Nix
Click to expand...

Glad you enjoyed it and can hear the differences amongst the 3 ukuleles.
 
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Moore Bettah Ukuleles said:
I'll only say to keep in mind that at least one of those ukes is only two weeks old.
Click to expand...
I thought that too...to me the first one kinda sounded like it could be the Moore Bettah for that very reason...still sounded a bit 'light', thinner, somehow not fully resonant, and I knew doc just bought it. But they ALL sounded fabulous...I picked 2 as the Moore Bettah though just because it was my favourite sound and the MB is my dream...aaaahhh
 
Moore Bettah Ukuleles said:
Am I allowed to guess? lol
I'll only say to keep in mind that at least one of those ukes is only two weeks old.
Click to expand...

Wait, so you're saying a new MB uke just got shipped to a fellow UU'er and there isn't a New Uke Day (MOORE BETTAH) thread?

IMPOSSIBLE
 
Doc_J said:
We hear a lot of people talking about the effects wood type and strings here on UU. But I think that the real difference in a ukulele’s sound is the builder.

So, here is a short recording of 3 koa soprano ukuleles, each with Martin M600 fluorocarbon strings. The ukuleles being played are:
  • traditionally styled Moore Bettah
  • DaSilva 3K
  • G-String M1

Can you tell what order the 3 ukes are being played?

http://soundcloud.com/doc-hj/3-koa-sopranos-martin-strings

Each sample is about a minute in length.
Click to expand...

I have only heard one MB and a few G-strings in real life. I never heard a G-String that I actually liked.

So with that said...I am going to go with my favorite was #2 and #3 was a close second. #1 wasn't bad sounding but it kinda had that plinky sound that i find most sopranos have.

I'm not even going to make a guess on which one is which. I honestly liked the sound of all three so you must've gotten a good G-String.
 
haolejohn said:
I have only heard one MB and a few G-strings in real life. I never heard a G-String that I actually liked.

So with that said...I am going to go with my favorite was #2 and #3 was a close second. #1 wasn't bad sounding but it kinda had that plinky sound that i find most sopranos have.

I'm not even going to make a guess on which one is which. I honestly liked the sound of all three so you must've gotten a good G-String.
Click to expand...

John, I did have to go through a couple of Gstring ukes until I got one I really liked. This one is older, not sure if that makes any difference.

@ Lexxy... uhhh, sorry, I did not do a new uke day post, I have been too busy playing it. So, one of these ukes is the new Moore Bettah "Honu" soprano (just 2-weeks old) on Chuck's website. Think of how good it will sound in a few months!
 
Doc_J said:
John, I did have to go through a couple of Gstring ukes until I got one I really liked. This one is older, not sure if that makes any difference.

@ Lexxy... uhhh, sorry, I did not do a new uke day post, I have been too busy playing it. So, one of these ukes is the new Moore Bettah "Honu" soprano (just 2-weeks old) on Chuck's website. Think of how good it will sound in a few months!
Click to expand...

I was also playing them right at the time that the company was going through some issues. That could play a big role in it all. so with that said:

I'll make my guess now:
1. MB
2. DaSilva
3. G-string
 
I wouldn't even be able to guess which is which since all three are out of my reach at the moment (both due to $$$ and my personal skill level playing). What I can say is I enjoyed number 3 the best followed by number 1. number 2 sounded really good too but the other two just sounded more soprano-ish to me (number two sounded like it could have been a concert, very full sounding to me). All three sound great though. You are a lucky player to have such fine instruments.
 
i'm pretty sure that it's
1) dasilva
2) gstring
3) moore bettah
 
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