Anthony really did hit the nail on the head when he said the builder makes the most difference. I work with Luis of LfdM a lot and he said something that gave me the biggest lightbulb moment about stringed instruments I ever had. He said when when tap toning the top and voicing the instrument he is looking for a certain tone or sound. Guess what ever luthier has a preferred tone. Some might want to achieve bright, warm, punchy, resonant, loud, soft, maybe a Hawaiian sound or maybe a guitar like sound. Interview your builder so their idea of tone matches your.
I love a guitar like tone with projection, sustain and resonance. I have a spruce and rosewood, spruce and myrtle, spruce and cocobolo, spruce and bocote and a spruce and mahogany in my collection. I guess I like spruce. Good luck, having a custom build uke is a lot of fun. You are a good player and will really appreciate the difference.