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Original Post By:
Mike
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Date: 3/18/2013 2:31:59 PM |
| Can anyone out there compare for me the National concert resophonic ukuleles - the nickel plated brass body vs. the steel body. Also can anyone compare the National resophonic ukes to the Beltona resophonic ukes. Any positives/negatives would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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Posted By:
Boswell
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Date: 3/18/2013 2:55:24 PM
(Updated: 3/18/2013 2:56:41 PM)
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The main difference between a NRP brass vs. steel uke is one of tone. The brass has a more bell-like quality, whereas the steel is a bit more blunt, or, dare I say, harsh. Both are very loud. You didn't ask about the wooden bodied NRPs. Their tone is warmer, and not quite as loud. I own a brass and a maple NRP. I prefer the brass. If I try to play the maple too hard, the sound 'bottoms out' on me. But then, I'm performing with them, so I need all the volume I can get.
I presume you are referring to the current fiberglass Beltonas Steve is producing? His older metal bodies are hard to come by. The fiberglass ukes are not nearly as loud as any of the NRP models. So that is one difference. As far as comparing tone, I would say that the Beltonas are 'lighter and thinner' in tone, if that makes any sense. I wish I had one for playing around the house, but I would pick up my brass NRP or my silver Ron Phillips if I'm going to perform with a resouke.
One thing to bear in mind is how available a replacement cone would be. Steve is in New Zealand, so getting a Beltona replacement cone would cost a bit more in shipping than a NRP cone from California might be. Of course, I have no idea where you are.
Does that help?
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Posted By:
jimdville
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Date: 3/19/2013 12:06:23 PM |
| Excellent description of these instruments. The brass Nationals are my favorites for tone, round not sharp. Visit the National shop in San Luis Obispo, CA and you'll see how they produce such a high quality product.
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Posted By:
Mike
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Date: 3/25/2013 8:46:05 PM |
| Thanks for your input, guys. I have done lots of research and watched numerous youtubes, but I am still undecided between the National Brass and National Steel reso ukuleles. Is the Brass model worth the additional $500? Thanks.
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Posted By:
Boswell
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Date: 3/25/2013 11:31:33 PM |
| Yes, it is, in my opinion.
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Posted By:
J Boy Shyne
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Date: 3/26/2013 8:34:57 AM
(Updated: 3/26/2013 9:42:39 AM)
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NO! Shiny silly things that are impossible to keep clean. Many of the early original NRP soprano shiny ukes sounded terrible. While the newer concert jobs are fine, all the same, for NRP ukes, go with the steel which sound much better and are louder! Note: The above does not apply to vintage National Ukes where the shiny German Silver ukes reign supreme.
Incidentally, before you lay out the big bucks for a NRP or National uke, I strongly suggest you try them first and see if they are to your liking. They are not everyone's cup of tea. Also, and of most importance, when sound sampling a resonator instrument (or any instrument), you need to be in front of it to hear the differences. Thus, you need someone playing the things while you listen. Being behind an instrument is not a good vantage point for hearing it.
Oh, one more thing, National was a company formed in 1927 by John Dopyera and George Beauchamp. National Resophonic ("NRP") is a company formed in 1989 by Don Young and McGregor Gaines. NRPs instruments are based on John Dopyera's original designs For more info, see- http://www.bobbrozman.com/books.html
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Posted By:
James Clem
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Date: 3/27/2013 11:46:15 PM
(Updated: 3/27/2013 11:48:58 PM)
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| My main uke is National Koa bodied resonator, but I have played all three body materials. I strongly prefer the tone of steel bodied Nationals over the brass. The steel has a warm, gritty quality (and louder) than than the super bright tone of the brass. On the other hand, you can't beat the "wow factor" of the shiny nickel finish on the brass as the painted steel isn't going to knock anybody out (until they hear it). The wood models are well...kinda woody, but sound great. It is really up to you and what pleases your ear. The fit and finish and quality of the National's is excellent with a great neck feel. If you wipe it down after playing, keeping the finish clean is no big deal. In my opinion the Nationals have a much higher quality playability than the Beltonas. I urge you to play any of these in person before buying online. Hope this helps.
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Posted By:
larryloebig
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Date: 4/3/2013 6:24:43 PM
(Updated: 4/3/2013 6:25:41 PM)
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| I have a blue national soprano and it's almost as much fun as a puppy.
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Posted By:
Mike
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Date: 4/4/2013 11:06:47 AM |
My thanks to all of you that gave me your input to help me decide which National resophonic ukulele to purchase. I took many factors into account and my decision was to buy the National Concert NRP steel ukulele from Elderly. It came yesterday and I could not be happier with my decision. It looks and sounds great, certainly a very top of the line instrument. And it will certainly compliment my LoPrinzi baritone ukulele and Martin 2 tenor low G ukulele.
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Posted By:
J Boy Shyne
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Date: 4/5/2013 7:27:59 AM |
A fine choice, Mike. However, I do find the new NRP headstock rather fugly
New NRP headstock
http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/180N/NCNRPU_front.jpg
Previous NRP headstock
http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/180N/NCUO_front.jpg
Some headstocks on vintage Nationals-
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_style_1_large_cyclops_1.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_style_1_large_2.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_style_1_small_1.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_style_2_large_3.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_triolian_walnut_small_2.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_triolian_polychrome_large_4.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_style_0_small_3.jpg
http://www.notecannons.com/instruments/uke_style_B_small_1.jpg
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Posted By:
Mike
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Date: 4/5/2013 3:17:12 PM |
| J Boy Shine - to each his own, I really like the headstock on my recently acquired National concert steel reso ukulele. Interestingly enough, Elderly (where I purchased my National steel concert reso uke) is currently selling a National brass concert uke Model O - with a different headstock than mine. It is like the headstock on the 2nd webpage you listed. I actually like the vintage steel look to the shiny brass look. And for me the sound could not be any better. Now I just need to learn to finger pick and 3 finger roll on my first ever re-entrant ukulele.
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Posted By:
J Boy Shyne
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Date: 4/6/2013 8:20:53 AM
(Updated: 4/6/2013 8:51:29 AM)
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NRP (I explained the difference in my first post) changed the headstock on some of its line in the fall of 2011.
If you prefer the post-2011 NRP headstock-
http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/180N/NCNRPU_headstock-front.jpg
to the pre-2011 NRP headstock-
http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/180N/NCUO_headstock-front.jpg
then you are the first person I heard say so.
But, like you said, to each their own.
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