Sound Comparison- 1950 Martin Soprano verses 2017 Koaloha Long neck soparno

uketanzon

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Here is a short sound sample..Battle of the little frail old man martin verses the new Big kid muscle Koaloha....
( 2017 Koaloha Long Neck Soprano Koa 14 fret to body verses Mahogany Martin style 1 1950 12 fret.)

Both have Living waters strings

martin is 1. and Koaloha is 2


Pluck and thumb strum test
( I think the Koaloha wins this, number 2)

https://soundcloud.com/user-670358043/april-26-2018-1-03-08-pm

fast strum test
( i think the older martin wins hand down for sound (1) more complex, richer, janglier and interesting

https://soundcloud.com/user-670358043/april-28-2018-5-04-24-pm
 

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My ear must have really gone south, as I honestly cannot tell ANY difference between the two !! But they both sound good !!
 
To my ear there is not an appreciable difference in sound between the two. It's a draw!
 
I do not know which is the Martin but I like sound sample 2 the best.
 
I think the Martin is the first one, but they sound very, very similar.
 
Answer

Number 1 Martin
Number 2 Koaloha

As the player I think the martin has a bit more sweeter and warmer tone.......and the Koaloha has a bit more clarity, brightness and note seperation and is much easier to play and fret.
 
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Second one sounds somewhat brighter. I think older instruments loose that characteristic a bit.
 
Old man martin (1) held his own against the younger and beefier Koaloha,(2) but did he win the fight? no so sure....ha
would Babe Ruth be the best ball player if he played in todays league...????
 
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Not totally an apples to apples comparison since the KoAloha is a long neck soprano.
 
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