Ways to improve sound on a heavily built ukulele?

[bostoncreampuff]

Hey guys
I have a tanglewood TU2 Soprano! I got it when I was completely noob; chose it because of looks!

What I realise now the uke is very heavily built, very thick solid spruce top and heavy in terms of overall weight! The sound is very thin and punchy... sustain is horrible...

I have soprano Aquila reds on it, the strings feel very sloppy compared to my ohana tenor! Even when strummed hard with a felt pick, I cannot feel the uke body vibrate... (I have tried martin flouro, and nygut before the reds all with similar results!)


I feel like the uke have more potential, I wonder if I put higher tension string (perhaps a tenor or concert set) would it bring out more potential?Is there any other mode I can do to it to bring the sound out?

 

[PhilUSAFRet]

If the intonation is good and you love to play it, I'd probably install a pickup. Many Oscar Schmidts are built quite heavily and are somewhat quiet, but sound decent when plugged in. Doesn't have to be a pricey pickup. Nice setups on Ebay between $5 & $10. I know my OU5 sounded so dead I considered getting rid of it.........until I installed Aquila strings on it. Not loud, but sweet and resonant. Still haven't installed the bone nut and saddle or a pickup yet........can't bring myself to get rid of it.

 

[Manalishi]

The most complicated refurb I ever did was on a cheapie Mahalo
Tenor Ukulele. I set up the action and replaced the stock strings
to start with. Dressed and levelled the frets.Then,finding it was
way 'over braced' I went in through the soundhole and removed
two of the braces/struts from under the soundboard.
What a difference that made! It was suddenly more responsive,
better tone and sustain,in short, it became the ukulele I had
wanted it to be from purchase!

 

[consitter]

My KoAloha tenor custom is the heaviest uke I've ever held or played. Of course, it has a pickup with a 9 volt battery inside. But even without the pickup, it would still be very heavy.

Trust one thing--it sounds sweet. It's loud when I want it to be, and soft as well. It is solid koa both in the body and neck. Fretboard, bridge, and bindings are milo.

 

[anthonyg]

Funnily enough. If you REDUCE the string tension by detuning the instrument then you will get MORE sustain. Higher tension by tuning up will reduce the sustain. Detune the instrument 1 semitone and see what you think.

Anthony

 

[Worker Bee]

I have this Tanglewood TU2 and BostonCreampuff is right,
it sounds thin.
Tried to put in a Low G string to get a little more "Bass" but that made it sound odd.
Was destined to be a wall hanger.

Saw Manalishi suggestion to remove the bracing and thought what do I have to loose.
So out came a long screwdriver, a hammer and after a few heart wrenching knocks, both the braces from the soundboard came off.

How does it sound after that?

Maybe I wanted it to sound better, and I felt that there is now less THNNG and more THUNG.
In other words, it worked!

Now I don't know if the ukulele will collapse tomorrow or next week or next month or 2020.

Thanks Manalishi, now I am going to try this ops on another uke , one that is a little soft but otherwise produces a sweet sound.

Definitely not something for the faint hearted and only for designated wall hangers.

Best rgs

 

[stevepetergal]

Best thing to do is practice, practice, practice. It'll improve in sound enormously.

 

[coolkayaker1]

Try wound strings. Do they make Kala Pearls for sops?

 

[coolkayaker1]

http://www.theukulelesite.com/kala-pearls-strings.html

Yep, they are for sopranos. And here's a review from the late, great Mike on HMS. I've never used them, but wound strings are higher tension and might just rock a dead man from a crypt.

 

[itsme]

Funnily enough. If you REDUCE the string tension by detuning the instrument then you will get MORE sustain. Higher tension by tuning up will reduce the sustain. Detune the instrument 1 semitone and see what you think.

That sounds like an interesting approach. Hope the OP will give it a try and report back.

Try wound strings. Do they make Kala Pearls for sops?

I really can't imagine wounds on a soprano.

But if you want more sustain, a concert or tenor will do that better than a soprano. Low G will add a bit to the sound as well.