Laminate vs Real Wood Ukuleles. Which Ukulele wood Is Best? 5 Differences between them.
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 12. 2020
- Hey guys! In this new ukulele video we are going to talk about and finally answer a BIG question.... Which Ukulele wood Is Best Laminate or solid wood? Well let's find out because I will tell you 5 Differences between Laminate vs Real Wood!
If you prefer a real wood ukulele you should totally check this video I posted days ago about Which wood is best for you: • What Ukulele Wood Is B...
These ukuleles that I show you in the video and much more are available at my store: store.ukelikethepros.com/
What is your favorite? Which one is better? Let me know in the comments below!
FREE STUFF:
+ Free Ukulele Fundamentals Course
www.ukelikethepros.com/offers...
+ Free Guitar Q&A's Live Community Sessions
www.rocklikethepros.com/offer...
+ Free Ukulele Chord Chart
www.ukelikethepros.com/chords
+ Free Baritone Ukulele Chord Chart
www.ukelikethepros.com/barito...
+ Free Guitarlele Chord Chart
www.ukelikethepros.com/p/guit...
+ Free Uke Like The Pros Worldwide Forum
www.ukelikethepros.com/offers...
+ Free Uke Like The Pros Facebook Group
/ ukelikethepros
LOVE UKULELE AND WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET BETTER? HERE ARE SOME NEXT STEPS!
1) SUBSCRIBE to learn how to improve your ukulele playing!
goo.gl/NYLjUD
2) FREE UKULELE FUNDAMENTALS COURSE:
www.ukelikethepros.com/offers...
3) BECOME A UKE LIKE THE PROS PREMIUM MEMBER FOR 33% OFF www.ukelikethepros.com/offers...
4) READY TO BUY A UKULELE? Check out my store, store.ukelikethepros.com
5) SUPPORT ME ON PATREON / ukelikethepros
6) LET'S CONNECT!
+ Blog: blog.ukelikethepros.com
+ Store: store.ukelikethepros.com
+ Instagram: / ukelikethepros
+ Patreon: / ukelikethepros
+ Facebook: / ukelikethepros
+ Twitter: / ukelikethepros
6) ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GUITAR? Check out Terry's guitar site, www.rocklikethepros.com
Thank you for subscribing.
Terry
#ukelikethepros #terrycarterukulele #ukulele
I have both laminated and all solid wood. The advantage of having laminate is that you don’t have to baby it. They’re also not as sensitive to changes in humidity/ weather conditions.
But there will always be something with all solid- the depth, balance, and sweetness to them.
I would love to hear your comparison between both high-G instruments. You used the solid low G vs the laminate high G, and that’s Apple to oranges.
I am a solid wood, super tenor partisan. I have custom ukes and Kamakas. I am not going to talk smack about laminates. The only thing I will say is that their sound is unpredictable. With my spruce Kamaka, you know the sound you'll get. With my hard wood custom uke, you know the sound you'll get. With laminates, the sound you get is reliant and predicated on the sources of the plies of the plywood and the skill with which those plies are assembled.
All this video did was make me think I want a low g.
In my studio through the studio speakers the laminate is a little clearer with fuller range. The highs are crisp and clean and not muted. The solid is definitely warmer and not as high heavy. Nice sound! When I record, depending on what I am playing (song wise) I record with the laminate because it cuts through. But some times I don’t want that so I go with the solid. Not all laminates are equal and not all solids are equal. Don’t break the bank if you don’t have to. It’s not worth it! Enjoy your instrument!😊😊😊
I agree with you. For me and me keeping motivated the sound means most - so there must be good resonance/sustain and overtones to please my ear and my musicality (playability matters, too, of course). Want to add some points though: a) As a guitarist that lives in a country with really different seasons and needs to play both in and outside, I am used to think, that "in long run" you anyway need two instruments: One for concert /"real and serious" purpose - and another one for "bonfire"/all-around use. When you have put all your money in a real good instrument, you are not so willing to take the risk of braking it when there are more hard conditions. And because of that it is quite wise to start with laminate and it will serve later as a bonfire instrument. So you "win some time" and can start making technical exercises and so on with a laminate one - and get a solid wood one when managed to collect enough money for a good solid wood instrument, and having got more knowledge of which like of instrument you personally want (which wood, which luthier, which size, outlook or brand...) Of course it is advantage on your motivation aspect, if you already know those things, and can buy the best instrument straight at first :) If so, try to get sound examples for comparisions as much as ever possible. There are differences in solid wood ones, too. b) There are laminate instruments and laminate instruments ... the range in quality seems to wary in laminate instruments much more than in solid ones: also the structure of the instrument means a lot! The one Terry played there has really higher quality already than the "beginner instruments" that are sold in so many places. If you have to buy a laminate one, take care of is the mensure ok and how good it stays in tune. If those things are ok, you not necessary loose your nerves right away and stop the playing totally. Also a beginner instrument needs to be tool, not a toy! c) Laminate body and solid wood top is good compromise, too: My family member has a Kala travel baritone with laminate mahagonny body and solid spruce top, and it has surprisingly great sound and playability. Those compromizes does not rise the price of the instrument so much, so why not to take something that kind as your first/beginner instrument instead of whole laminated one if you have not enough money to put to solid wood one? d) If you still loose your motivation to play ukulele/guitar/guitarlele.... and want to sell the instrument to someone, the solid ones keep their value better, if you have taken good care of them ( they in fact start to resonate better and better after been played a while) , when the laminate ones not that much. I myself have bought many of my "real" instruments used - and have been satisfied. Think of Stradivarius-violins ;)
I have solids and laminates but my favorite by far is my solid koa 6 string tenor Kamaka. The minute I picked it up I knew it was the sound I didn’t even know I was missing! So grateful for the skilled craftsmen who create such phenomenal instruments!!
You have a fantastic instrument with your Kamaka
I only started playing the uke and learning about music less than three months ago and the other day I felt I wanted a second, better-looking and slightly bigger uke. I went to the music shop and tried the ten or so models they had and eventually intuitively chose the simplest, most retro-looking one because its sound just warmed my heart. It's a Gretsch G9120, solid mahogany tenor and now I understand why I just fell in love with it. Thanks for this explanation, and everyone please spend your money wisely and invest in yourself and your joy. That will always pay off in the long term.
How much does it cost?
@@estellabignon8754 about €150 in the music shop where I bought it.
Wow...seems cheap for a solid wood uke...
@@estellabignon8754 yes, it's because it's made in China and because it has a classic, simple design, but that doesn't mean it's bad quality or that it sounds worse. I love it and it's super light weight.
that's a laminate instrument, very good binding etc, i own one too @@jupavero
Laminates tend to endure more humidity and the weather in general, while all solid woods sound and look more "aged" or "matured" as time goes by ;)
Playing my KoAloha KSM-02 I purchased from you recently, It's truly an amazing instrument!
You forgot to say that when you have solid wood ukulele you have to take care of them like children because they will brake on you very easily.You have to put a humidifier and always keep the humidity level around 50% you cant bring them outside or expose them to the sun they are a pain in the ass.Laminate ukulele no problem you can bring it everywhere no need to put a humidifier and they are 10 time less expensive.
A good laminate can better a poor solid wood uke.
A cheap solid can often be far too thick, whereas I have a Kala laminate that is thin and vibrant.
My go-to ukes both have all solid bodies, but they are so thin that they sing when I speak.
Liked Koa with low G the best
13:29 Yes, that is exactly how I feel about instruments! When you are a beginner, if you get a cheap instrument - you will be less likely to pick it up. I want to buy something which will call to me to play it!
I’ve got a laminate Flight Tenor. Its sound is pretty much average, but this instrument sure does its job for the money. It also makes a huge deal of difference where exactly you play - over the sweet spot or over the sound hole. Thank you for the upload.
Kala KA 15S saprano ukelele was my first laminate. Indestructible, fun, and got me learning without breaking the bank.
Went to Hawaii and got a handmade concert solid mahagony, there is no competition in sound, the solid wood instrument is better sounding in every way. But it cost 4-5x as much and needs a lot more care and attention (humidifier, storage, etc).
I still use my Kala in the park or beach and travel. The solid wood instrument is for playing at home and playing my fav songs.
Either way don't cheap out and don't buy a toy, go to the music shop try out the ukulele and pick the one that sounds best to you within your budget!
I've been playing for less than a year. I have a solid mahoghany enya (probably laminate back I'm sure) with a low g that is practically attached to me most of the time that I'm home. Excellent learner. It gets bumped around for sure. (makes me almost cry every time it gets banged because it's so pretty and I wanted it so bad).
I also have a full solid flame maple (front sides and back) with a low g that is really beautiful and I can tell you, just the weight of it in my hands, and the beauty of the craftsmanship,,, It feels more elegant and like something that needs respect and to be played on properly. I love it. BUT, like your first car with a stick shift that you might call a beater but you end up being able to make it perform like a nice car, my enya 'beater' is awesome and maybe my favorite I'll ever have, BECAUSE it could handle the excessive treatment. BUT, BUT, BUT, the elegance of the solid wood is seriously tangilble and ~ I play more elegantly when I do so ~. More purposeful I guess. Kind of like you would never dare pop the clutch on really expensive car.
It has helped me grow to have both.
I have a Breedlove Pursuit Concert ukulele, which is all around laminate myrtlewood (a specific retailer only model.) Breedlove has the Lua'u version of it with solid top, sides and back laminate myrtlewood. Manufacturer paired both models with Aquila super nylgut strings. I picked my Pursuit model among the retailer store available options after lengthy tries. I love the way my all laminate Ukulele sounds, hence I am playing it daily.
The solid wood ukes have better sustain and far more overtones. I'm thinking the laminates might be more durable, or at least less sensitive to climate variations. I also suspect that the laminated instruments might be easier to amplify and apply effects to, if that's your thing.
Hey, I love these videos they are helpful, thanks so much. One reoccurring theme I have noticed is you getting goosebumps lol. Might I suggest you check your AC settings? 😂
Thanks. Appreciate the video
7:28 The solid wood one resonates more!
4:46 I like the solid with the High G the best (in this case)!
I have a solid spruce top tenor, a solid mahogany top concert and a laminated mahogany tenor. The sustain are similarly long for all of them but the solid mahogany is mild while the spruce one sounds bold!
8:39 Definitely!
I like both types…really depends on model and what you’re looking for. I have been very pleased and disappointed with laminates. Solid ones make me happy until cracks develop…then ☹️. Thicker solid ones that are well sealed hold up well though.
Hello bro...which is better for ukelele...technology wood or mahogany wood?
This video is really a comparison of laminate ukuleles with high-quality solid ukuleles. There are a lot of much cheaper all-solid ukuleles with some sounding great and some not so much.
Do they have a different sound in a dry climate? Would the lamenent be described as brighter when strummed?
this a comparison between solids and laminates and you mentioned solid top ukes. how do they fit in
I’d like to have heard the laminate with a low G. Also you need to mention that the solid wood takes a lot of attention to care!
I really like the sound of the solid wood ukulele. It sounds richer and has more depth. The downside is the price tag and the fact that it cant stand certain weather conditions. I'm planning on buying a solid wood ukelele though. The sound of it is worth it imo.
Right on! Totally agree! We always recommend a solid wood but understand that weather conditions is something to take into consideration. Just require a little more care :) thanks for the feedback!
I was taught "Quality Never Goes Out of Style". This is true in most anything you can buy, as well as how you live and present yourself to others. As a Photographer and Musician, I always strive to own the best quality when possible or practical. Quality is the benchmark that sets an instrument apart. When you own quality, you feel it, you see it, and most definitely hear it. With that said, it will make you play more. And if you ever need to thin the herd, quality never goes out style, so someone else who appreciates quality will gladly purchase it. I have never lost money on an instrument, more often doubled or more, as quality never goes out of style. Even for beginners, I say buy the most you can, that way you aren't left holding a POS that you now realized you can't get half of what you paid.
My first Uke is on the way, wondering how I am going to balance it with my guitars. Very excited to learn a new instrument, already joined and have lessons and chords at the ready. Thanks for the great channel.
I bought a used all acacia wood ukulele, supposedly made in Hawaii. I live in a state with constant fluctuating humidity. One day 70%, to 29% the next day. I was expecting to have to baby it, tune it constantly. But surprisingly, she’s been holding up just fine. Whoever had this instrument before me, took good care of it, likely never played it outside either. That’s gonna change :D
I have KALA KA-15T All Solid Wood Tenor Size. This one has extended bass feels more like guitar
You forgot which one is better in hanling weather, humidity and temperature better.
The low G solid koa sounds best to me. I think it's a good bet most would prefer the all-solid's sound. In my opinion, get what you're happy and comfortable with. While solid sounds the best, I dislike (wood in general) if it's sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Plus there's the price of solid ! My first ukulele is plastic for this reason and hopefully takes wear and tear better. However, I have since bought some wooden ukes as plastic lacks bass and doesn't have the character of wood. What I'd like to hear about is other presumably cheaper woods such as that which laminates are made of - including the inner layers of wood..woods like linden wood, basswood, sapele, nato etc. How do these various woods affect sound? The tones on laminates are determined by which layers exactly and in what percentages?..it'd be good to know. Recently read a comment referring to a surface application called HPL that isn't even a veneer. I'd like to have info about this also. Why doesn't anyone talk about these woods ? Particularly when the bulk of instruments are produced from these woods.
Great points. Most ukulele manufactures don’t give the details on all their laminate wood and the exact layers and % they use. It’s something to look into and see what can be found out.
solid wood is nice, but i sure wouldnt want to be using a $1200 instrument for playing for a bunch drunk people around a fire pit at a party.....what usually happens
The low G was nice
With a laminate ukuleles you can just throw it in your car and not worry about it. It's cheap and strong, you take it where you don't want to take your all wood good ukulele. I have 5 ukuleles but the one I like to play a lot is my tenor Martin Iz model, I play it with wounded c.
Laminate 3:08
All Solid high g 3:44
All solid low g 4:25
I noticed that you use the uke with the low G towards the end of the video where you explain the differences between solid and laminate wood. For me, most of the differences pointed out were due to the low G. When you played the solid wood uke with the high G in the begginning of the video, I couldn't really hear the differences between that one and the laminate wood one. Just wanted to point that out.
My favorite is the cardboard ukulele they have good resonances as long as you have kamaka black plastic strings they make the cardboard sound like a crunchy Kamaka koa ukulele and when you tune it you tune it like this my ukes Chinese
Please check Kadence 23" concert uke. Its described as technology wood. Is that mean laminated?.
I prefer the low g version.
I live at 7500 ft in Colorado and it is concerted “High Desert” so there are real humility questions.
For there it gets dry where you are. A room humidifier will work much better for you.
It depends on the quality of the materials and construction.
My laminate Kiwaya (Famous) FS-5G Koa Veneer goes toe-to-toe with my solid Ohana SK-38.
Price-wise, the FS-5G is actually more expensive than the SK-38.
I have a Concert Uku Donner Model # DUC-100 which is wood.
Alulu all solid
Don't shortchange or fool yourself, solid woods are the way to go. Koa is the best ukulele tonewood.
The laminates sounds brighter. The solid wood sounds softer. However, I know that laminates cost much less than the solids.
😊
im happy with a cheaper one, loving the instrument and happy at the same time without breaking the bank is already good for me for a minimum wage earner in the Asia. a discount on your website would be so much appreiciated. it would add value for my purchase with my hard earned saving to buy the cheapest but the best koaloha for me
🤔
I think you are "cheating" a little bit as in the part of the video where you discuss the 5 differences you are comparing the laminate tenor with the all solid wood tenor with THE LOW G!...obviously the sound its very different.
7:20
At 8:20 you compare the laminate to the koa with the low G string.... not a true comparison FFS.
Not really.a fair comparison as not the same woods
Your content is so good! Trust it. I know you’re trying to get engagement, but people will like your content and comment automatically because of the merit. The whole “leave a comment down below” every few seconds really detracts from the content and puts one off. And that’s sad because I really like your content. Maybe reduce the frequency of saying it?
Kala ka-t tenor, KAI kti-700
Kala=low G
KAI=high G
Too much bla bla and comment and like begging.
Don't care for the brand of uku you used. I prefer the enya uku. I do agree laminate isn't very good. I also prefer the solid
I just got a solid Koa Martin 2K Tenor ukulele. It is without a doubt the finest one I own. Having said that my favorite ukulele is a plain old mahogany laminate Kmise Tenor. When I go to pick up an instrument this is the one I most often turn to for playability, action and tone. That it is the least costly of my ukuleles is a surprise but no cause for complaint. I guess the Martin will eventually replace it as my fave through I will never disparage a laminate. 👨🏻🦳🎶 MikeinMinnesota