There has been so much written about how solid wood ukuleles mature and sound better over time, while all-laminate ones don't. I have experience with 2 all-laminate instruments that indicate to me that it might be more complicated than that.
The first is an Aersi zebra wood all-laminate concert ukulele. I bought it nearly two years ago because I wanted a knockabout instrument. It was dirt cheap and had been given a favorable review on this forum. I wasn't concerned much about the sound. I just wanted a playable ukulele with the robustness of all-laminate construction. When I received it the sound was muffled and boxy and I had to strum hard to get any volume from it. I gave it to my sister who liked it and wanted to learn to play. She took it home with her and I didn't see her or the uke again until about a year later When I played the ukulele the sound had changed for the better. It was responsive even when strummed lightly and had a sweet sound with good volume.
The second instrument is a Baton Rouge 8 string which I bought 10 months ago based forum posts here and a favorable "gotaukulele" review. When I received it also sounded boxy and muffled and I had to strum hard to get any volume. I was disappointed and thought I must have gotten a dud. I've played it only sporadically since I bought it, Typically I would tune it up, play a song or 2, put it back in the case ad leave it for long periods of time because I was so discouraged.
I brought it to ukulele club last night, mostly to share it with other members who might want to try an 8 string. I ended up playing it myself for most of the night because it sounded so good. Unlike when it was new it now is responsive, even to light strumming and has a full rich sound with a rich sustain. I will be playing it more in the future. I no longer regret buying it.
I'm interested to see if anyone else has noticed this with their all-laminate instruments. My experience with these 2 instruments contradicts what is usually said about all-laminate instrument that the sound when new will not improve with age.
My limited experience indicates that some all-laminate instruments can change for the better over time and that anyone disappointed with their new boxy sounding muffled all-laminate ukulele might want to wait for about a year before replacing it. They could be be pleasantly surprised.
edit 6:15 pm
I'm requesting that you add a comment only if you have bought a new all-laminate ukulele and whether you have noticed a change over time. Let's not go down the "opening up" rabbit hole
The first is an Aersi zebra wood all-laminate concert ukulele. I bought it nearly two years ago because I wanted a knockabout instrument. It was dirt cheap and had been given a favorable review on this forum. I wasn't concerned much about the sound. I just wanted a playable ukulele with the robustness of all-laminate construction. When I received it the sound was muffled and boxy and I had to strum hard to get any volume from it. I gave it to my sister who liked it and wanted to learn to play. She took it home with her and I didn't see her or the uke again until about a year later When I played the ukulele the sound had changed for the better. It was responsive even when strummed lightly and had a sweet sound with good volume.
The second instrument is a Baton Rouge 8 string which I bought 10 months ago based forum posts here and a favorable "gotaukulele" review. When I received it also sounded boxy and muffled and I had to strum hard to get any volume. I was disappointed and thought I must have gotten a dud. I've played it only sporadically since I bought it, Typically I would tune it up, play a song or 2, put it back in the case ad leave it for long periods of time because I was so discouraged.
I brought it to ukulele club last night, mostly to share it with other members who might want to try an 8 string. I ended up playing it myself for most of the night because it sounded so good. Unlike when it was new it now is responsive, even to light strumming and has a full rich sound with a rich sustain. I will be playing it more in the future. I no longer regret buying it.
I'm interested to see if anyone else has noticed this with their all-laminate instruments. My experience with these 2 instruments contradicts what is usually said about all-laminate instrument that the sound when new will not improve with age.
My limited experience indicates that some all-laminate instruments can change for the better over time and that anyone disappointed with their new boxy sounding muffled all-laminate ukulele might want to wait for about a year before replacing it. They could be be pleasantly surprised.
edit 6:15 pm
I'm requesting that you add a comment only if you have bought a new all-laminate ukulele and whether you have noticed a change over time. Let's not go down the "opening up" rabbit hole
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