OP
OP
Kmetzger
Well-known member
I'll give it another few days and then do the reveal.
And thank you all for your nice comments.
Poll: Can u tell difference - koa vs spruce?
- Thread starter Kmetzger
- Start date
I'll give it another few days and then do the reveal.
And thank you all for your nice comments.
Fred Ukestone
Well-known member
If people cannot pick the sound difference between koa and spruce, why are the prices of koa ukuleles so inflated ?
coolkayaker1
Well-known member
Because I have a spruce tree in my backyard but I must fly to Hawaii to see a Koa tree.
I know where you're coming from, Fred, and I agree with you. I've been on UU long enough to have seen at least three other well-conducted blind sound tests (PDX Ukes vintage versus new Martin sound test, MGMs ten different string test, and HMS Andrew's blinded uke test with Corey playing blurred out instrument brands on a video). The upshot each time: people cannot tell the difference between even what they think are the most glaringly "different" sounding instruments. A Koaloha, for instance. Unique, right? No one could pick it out with any scientifically-significant numbers. It was picked versus other instruments, from Kamakas to Kalas, statistically, no more than pure chance!
Bottom line: We hear with our eyes. The instruments with the fanciest woods and custom inlays sound the best to us when, in reality, they all sound the same. Not "about the same", but "the same". The eyes are the reason why, for instance, normal, sane, working people with regular incomes and electric bills--the ones who shop around for the gasoline station charging one-cent less per gallon-- are willing to pay three to five hundred bucks extra, to a well-known Pacific Northwest builder, for nothing different about a uke beside a "master grade" myrtle--a tree common to many backyards; and front yards, too, for that matter--but with figuring that looks like a melting chocolate bar, or an unshaven prom queen, or a hound dog's loose face! Doh!
Second bottom line: If people want different sounding ukes, there is one sure-fire, indisputable way to get it, yet players are inexplicably loathe to do it, for the most part. What is it? Tune them differently.
Last edited:
Because I have a spruce tree in my backyard but I must fly to Hawaii to see a Koa tree.
I know where you're coming from, Fred, and I agree with you. I've been on UU long enough to have seen at least three other well-conducted blind sound tests (PDX Ukes vintage versus new Martin sound test, MGMs ten different string test, and HMS Andrew's blinded uke test with Corey playing blurred out instrument brands on a video). The upshot each time: people cannot tell the difference between even what they think are the most glaringly "different" sounding instruments. A Koaloha, for instance. Unique, right? No one could pick it out with any scientifically-significant numbers. It was picked versus other instruments, from Kamakas to Kalas, statistically, no more than pure chance!
Bottom line: We hear with our eyes. The instruments with the fanciest woods and custom inlays sound the best to us when, in reality, they all sound the same. Not "about the same", but "the same". The eyes are the reason why, for instance, normal, sane, working people with regular incomes and electric bills--the ones who shop around for the gasoline station charging one-cent less per gallon-- are willing to pay three to five hundred bucks extra, to a well-known Pacific Northwest builder, for nothing different about a uke beside a "master grade" myrtle--a tree common to many backyards; and front yards, too, for that matter--but with figuring that looks like a melting chocolate bar, or an unshaven prom queen, or a hound dog's loose face! Doh!
Second bottom line: If people want different sounding ukes, there is one sure-fire, indisputable way to get it, yet players are inexplicably loathe to do it, for the most part. What is it? Tune them differently.
I love him too Eugene but..............dude needs some sleep. Maybe that is why he can dish out the thoughtful answers, sleep deprivation.
CK1 there is another way for my ukes to sound different, have Corey play them. I have come to the realization that he can make a $150 uke sound like a $1500 uke. I on the other hand can make a $1500 uke sound like a $1.50 uke.
cdkrugjr
Well-known member
I too find that there's most of the shortcomings of my sound are to be found in my fingers than in my 'uke.
Doesn't stop me from wanting one
Doesn't stop me from wanting one
OP
OP
Kmetzger
Well-known member
For those that asked, you can hear other recordings I made with my two Moore Bettah ukuleles at this link: http://m.soundcloud.com/keithmetzger
Ukulele Eddie
Well-known member
May we please have the answer today? Pretty please? ;-)
OP
OP
Kmetzger
Well-known member
Yes - am about to post "the reveal"!
coolcow
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2012
- Messages
- 254
- Reaction score
- 0
If there's a CD with this song, i'll buy one for sure.
OP
OP
Kmetzger
Well-known member
You can hear my other uke recordings here: http://soundcloud.com/keithmetzger
Not yet set up for download.
Thanks.
UkuDee
Member
Wow, what a beautiful interpretation you did of this wonderful song, Keith. One of the best I've heard!
Ukejungle
Well-known member
Ran the output signal through my Rigol Spectrum Analyzer and measured the amplitude which is plotted on the y-axis and the frequencies on the x-axis. From the spectrum analysis dominant frequency, the power, distortion, harmonics, and bandwidth of the signal can be measured to show that the first ukulele is the one with the Koa top. That is all.
Moore Bettah Ukuleles
Well-known member
Ran the output signal through my Rigol Spectrum Analyzer and measured the amplitude which is plotted on the y-axis and the frequencies on the x-axis. From the spectrum analysis dominant frequency, the power, distortion, harmonics, and bandwidth of the signal can be measured to show that the first ukulele is the one with the Koa top. That is all.
Wonderful! Now tell Keith where to send your prize. He's tried of that koa uke now anyway.
BTW Keith, you need to cut a CD. Or an EP at least.
Jim Hanks
Well-known member
Um, did you see the other thread where it was revealed (by OP) that said you're wrong? I'm guessing not.Ran the output signal through my Rigol Spectrum Analyzer and measured the amplitude which is plotted on the y-axis and the frequencies on the x-axis. From the spectrum analysis dominant frequency, the power, distortion, harmonics, and bandwidth of the signal can be measured to show that the first ukulele is the one with the Koa top. That is all.
(I guessed right by the way. )
Ukulele Eddie
Well-known member
Ditto that!
OP
OP
Kmetzger
Well-known member
No - never tired of any uke, and certainly never tired of Moore Bettah! And will never divest! (You will have to pry them from my cold, dead hands when the time comes.)
