Closer inspection of satin vs. gloss finish on my Kamaka HF3

I originally posted a couple of quick photos showing the difference between the original satin finish and the new glossy finish on my Kamaka.  Here are some more detailed comparisons -- I still think that as a general rule, there is not a huge difference when the satin had been viewed under ideal situations (with fluorescent lights or a flash camera), but in just a glance, or less than idea scenarios, the gloss shows the curl in the koa much more than the satin did.  So I have tried to find photos that show the satin in its natural state -- not an easy task because I usually was meticulous about how I took pictures to best reflect the curl in the koa.

Here are some comparisons taken of the ukulele under the same conditions -- no flash, just the top portion of the face near the soundhole.

Satin top

Glossy top

As you can see, the glossy really brings out the curl in the koa.  Although you do have to account for the brighter sunlight conditions in the second photo, it is that dramatic a difference.

The next set of photos are of the side of the ukulele.  This shows the satin finish under the best possible conditions, with lighting/flash that allowed the curl to show through, so the difference is much less dramatic.

Satin side

Glossy side

Hopefully, this gives a bit of an insight into the difference in appearance between the two finishes.  As for sound, my uke sounds exactly the same as it did during the satin finish. As Fred Kamaka, Jr. noted, there is no difference in sound in their ukuleles in either finishes, they endure the same six bottom coats, it is only the top coat of finish that determines whether the ukulele will be satin or glossy.

As for feel, I did like the smooth, silky feel of the satin probably better than the stickier finish provided by the gloss.  But the funny thing is that my ukulele had originally had a gloss finish on the back of its neck (I'm not sure if that was by accident or design) so the majority of the portion I touched feels the same.  I actually really like that I don't have to worry about sweat/body oils in the portion of the ukulele where my right forearm rests any longer.  That had been touched so often that it was starting to show a shiny spot in that area.  The satin finish was also much easier to damage and the gloss hides more of a multitude of sins.

Chris Kamaka was able to remove the gouge marks and most of the scratches on my uke, leaving her pristine and beautiful.  I don't regret it for a second, even though I do still see the value of a traditional satin ukulele.
So on the whole, I'm very happy with my decision to refinish it, and I can't thank the Kamaka guys enough for taking care of it for me!

Glossy refinishing on my Kamaka HF-3 tenor ukulele

As I mentioned in my last post, I had my Kamaka tenor ukulele refinished from satin to gloss.  Here are a couple of photos that show the difference between the original to the newer makeover version

This is a photo taken of me with the original satin finish ukulele (in Lahaina, Maui).  It did show the curl more when the pictures were taken with a flash camera, or it was reflected in the right lighting.  But this photo is an accurate portrayal of how it generally looked at a glance, when those proper situations were not present.

As you can see from the photo below, the ukulele in its gloss version brings out the curl in the koa a little bit more (taken in my backyard, while wearing my Reyn Spooner official Kamaka Ukulele Hawaiian shirt).

40th Annual Uke Festival and refinished Kamaka

I just got home from Hawaii. I spent a few days in Kauai (at the Castle Makahuena in Poipu) and four days in Oahu (at the Hilton Hawaiian Village).  I'll do a quick review of the Castle in the upcoming days...in short, it was nice to be next door to the Point (where I always stay) and it definitely had some advantages and disadvantages...

The purpose of my trip was so that I could attend the 40th Annual Roy Sakuma Ukulele Festival at Kapiolani Park on Sunday, July 18th.  The concert lineup was fantastic, with performances by Jake Shimabukuro, James Hill, Herb Ohta and many other ukulele artists.  If you didn't get a chance to attend, be sure to check out this webpage, where an attendee has uploaded great videos of the performances. http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?33256-Roy-Sakuma-s-Ukulele-Festival-2010/page3&highlight=sakuma

It was pretty hot, and I didn't plan well (turns out it is pretty hard to sit on the ground for that long).  But it was completely worth it, as in addition to the superstar artists, there were also a number of ukulele groups from everywhere from Cerritos, CA to Japan.  Each of the major ukulele manufacturers had a booth at the festival (I made sure to stop by the Kamaka, KoAloha and Kanile'a booths).

It amazes me that both Joe Souza from Kanile'a Ukulele, and Paul Okami from KoAloha Ukulele remembered me.  I have met Joe on two occasions, and yet when he saw me, he came over with a broad grin and stopped to chat.  (By the way Joe, you look fantastic!  Keep it up!)  And I saw Paul Okami (who I only met once) walking around and mentioned to my Mom that was him, but truthfully, I didn't think he would remember me so I didn't stop to talk.  Instead, he smiled and said, "Hey, I know you!" and then we talked story for a few minutes.  I was also standing at a booth only to have someone else come up and say hi, and was Aldrine Guerrero from Ukulele Underground...again, a guy I met only twice before in the past.  The ukulele world is so small, and so very welcoming.  It really does feel like we are all one ohana.

It was at the Kamaka booth that I first discussed refinishing my Kamaka ukulele with Fred Kamaka, Jr.  My ukulele was a satin finish tenor...it was quite beautiful but it had some battle scars (from an unfortunate accident with scissors while changing strings) and I felt the satin finish didn't do justice to the curl in the koa wood.  I asked Fred if I could have it refinished in a gloss finish, and he said to bring it by the factory the next day and that for $50 they would re-finish it for me, hopefully completing it before my flight home on Wednesday.

I ended up taking it down there, and left it in the very capable hands of Chris Kamaka.  I then spent the next two days as a nervous wreck, unable to sleep or concentrate on anything other than the status of my beloved "Pele."  On Tuesday I called the factory and was told that Chris would have it ready for me on Wednesday, but possibly not before my flight.

So on Wednesday morning, I jumped on the #42 bus from Waikiki, and headed to the factory.  Even though I was told to call first, I had a very short window of time before I had to be back at the hotel to check out and catch my shuttle to the airport.  I figured it was worth the risk on the off chance it was ready.  Lo and behold, just as I got off the bus and was walking the couple of blocks to the factory, my phone rang and it was none other than Chris Kamaka telling me the ukulele would be ready in a few minutes.

I was then presented with a newly finished, now unmarked, beautiful ukulele.  The gloss finish does seem to make the curl in the koa pop more, and while it does have the smell of lacquer still, that only adds to the new feeling of my uke.  The best part is, those horrible gouge marks are now gone.  Chris was able to remove them, leaving a pristine Kamaka in my hands.  I almost jumped across the counter to hug him I was so happy.

I need to take some photos and I will update this with the before/after pics -- hopefully tomorrow, but I do have the inlaws coming over for a barbecue, and some furniture being delivered so if I don't get a chance to do it then, I will be sure to do so on Tuesday or Wednesday.

All I can say is, while people often speak of the customer service of Kanile'a and KoAloha (both of which I completely agree with), the guys at Kamaka really went out of their way to make me happy. Chris worked incredibly fast, even though they don't do rush jobs, to ensure that I wouldn't leave his island without my beloved Pele in my hands.  I can't thank them enough.  Mahalo nui loa.