it's a good question.
i have both an HF-1 and an HP-1.
i adore them both. both very light builds
and both have that beautiful sparkle and punch you'd want in a quality soprano.
also, both have excellent volume and the feel, is a huge thing for me -
slim, fast necks, fantastic playability.
all that said, i do find it difficult to put into words sound differences,
especially w/ sopranos, and these two in particular.
splitting hairs and by very small degrees, i would say
the pineapple has a more open sound, fuller, more volume
(i assume because the soundboard and body cavity is slightly bigger)
and so you get that little bit more sustain
as the notes don't decay so fast. you can play w/ a little less attack
and still get a lovely rich, sweetness that hangs in the air a bit longer.
i am not one attracted to pineapples at all. i have held on to
my kamaka pineapple, only b/c, after having spent way too much money
experimenting w/ myriad sopranos over many years,
the sound is just too good to let go. but i also would say the same thing of
my HF-1. kamaka sopranos are the bees knees to me.
one final thought. the longer you play them, the better they sound. i used
to think all the talk about 'opening up' was bunkem, but not these days.
if i were gonna recommend a soprano to anyone who wants the best, i'd recommend
a kamaka white label. cannons. fullstop!
hope you end up w/ a soprano you love MarTay! cheers.
