Ukulele Comparison - Wood Body vs Resonator vs Banjolele

The ultimate ukulele comparison video!
Here we compare a beautiful vintage Martin Style O ukulele, a National Resophonic Resonator Ukulele and a Kemptone Banjolele based on a Ludwig or Abbott design.
Which uke is best for fast Formby style or fingerpicking or strumming?
Do tell us below.
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Resonator History - • Resonator Guitar Histo...
National Ukulele Story & Review - • National Resophonic St...
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Thanks for looking!

[@eddiefarmer4857]

But a Uke not long back but that resonator, what an eyeopener! Thank you!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They’re fun instruments!

[@yi_olde_fashioned]

I’ve been eagerly waiting for this comparison, thanks a ton from South Carolina!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Ha! Had good times travelling through SC. Thanks so much! 🎯

[@fbales]

I’m a beginner uke player, but I’m fascinated by resonator ukes, even though I’ve not tried one, yet. Thanks for the comparison.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Great sound!

[@johnmulligan5479]

That banjolele is the brightest to my ears, and the resonator uke is the most mid-rangey. The little wooden uke has the best tone, although I loved all 3.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Agree!!

[@stevengessner7091]

I liked them all. All had unique sounds. Thanks.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Couldn’t agree more!!

[@warriorsgreatness6182]

Thank you for sharing your expertise. Learned much. Mucho Gracias

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Great!! Thanks!

[@ralphciardella9705]

The wooden one has a warm tone, but the banjolele reminds me of Formby. He was great.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Formby is the best!

[@allancarrott596]

Listening to all 3 ukes the sweetest sound is the wooden ukulele. Banjolele has its place for Irish music for example. The resonator soinds very tinny.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎼🤘🏻🎼

[@Gray_Wolves]

Love your videos.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks again!!

[@zoecruz2673]

I freaking love this band. Greatings from México

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Awww! Thanks Zoe. 🎯

[@Blue_3rd]

Thanks for the video! I don’t have a ukelele but they are very tempting. My favourite was the resonator (my current obsession) although they all sounded very nice in their own way. Cheers from Madrid.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thank you! Ukes are such fun!!

[@paulgoodvibes]

Good video thanks

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks! 🎯

[@juliebrown4308]

Thanks for the comparison. I preferred the resonator

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Lovely! They’re beautiful things!!

[@nationalduo4945]

My favourite is definitely the NATIONAL….sounds great lots of volume, as well as being a functional piece of art !

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I like them all equally for different reasons but I think the NRP will be great live as a stage instrument as it’s very full sounding when played soft and with a touch of extra treble in the PA will do fast strumming well.

[@DannySavageMusician]

These are all gem instruments. The hardest part would be choosing which one to play. Great picks for your collection, and great playing. I love the strumming technique you demonstrated. Are they all acoustic? The hardest challenge I find is finding a decent amplified sound. I own a Lanakai Concert Banjolele, Kala Soprano Banjolele, a Deering Banjolele, and an antique or two as well, along with other ukes. Great instruments

[@TheWashboardResonators]

These are all acoustic and the strumming is the George Formby style. Perhaps I should do a tutorial on that style. I’m about to amplify the resonator so should also do a video about that process and result!

[@gav1nwood]

@@TheWashboardResonators Definitely interested in an explanation of Formby style. Saw it on tv once but the explanation by Frank Skinner went straight over my head.

[@tylerjones7310]

I like the resonator ukulele the most

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Me too! It’s sweet!!

[@tmo7734]

The traditional ukulele and the Banjolele had distinctive, unique sounds. The resonator ukulele, however, didn’t sound different enough from the wooden ukulele to justify purchasing it. The resonator just appeared to be a bit louder.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎼🎯🎼

[@dawdawes]

Love the resonator version

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Good choice 😉

[@Mike-hr6jz]

The resonator has a combination of the two and a sweeter but louder tone .the banjo uke is good for that ragtime you need the volume to be heard over the other instruments in the band. the regular ukulele sweet but soft three separate voices which can be harmonized to create one amazing sound if you know how to produce that correctly .sort of like Crosby stills and Nash do with their voices you could arrange the ukuleles in this format to get a unique sound but it would require Each one doing something slightly different . great videos always thanks.👍

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎯🎯🎼🎯🎯

[@skbrandhofer9950]

Hi there what kind of Ukulele would you recommend for playing Jazz Standards and Blues ? Thanks

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Which ever you like the sound of! A nice wood body Martin or Gibson would be my first choice.

[@sharonhalliday]

Loved them all but particularly the trad uke and banjolele. Brilliant. I am confused! Looking to buy banjolele (play Kala tenor uke) but don’t know whether to go for open, closed back or resonator. Not sure if a flat closed back ‘resonates’ . Would love to be able to try some but sadly don’t seem to be many music shops around now…

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Open back is more plunky. Closed back louder and more percussive.

[@sharonhalliday]

@@TheWashboardResonators Great, thanks so much for your reply 🥰

[@magicelliotth]

Another one that’s worth getting hold off is the Enya Nova. It’s carbon fibre which is really interesting and makes for a completely different sound still.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Interesting. Never heard of that. Off to Google now. Thanks! 🎯

[@magicelliotth]

What did you think? I was a bit nervous when I got mine as I wondered how different it would really be but as soon as I played a chord on it and heard the sound, I knew it was a good purchase

[@TheWashboardResonators]

@@magicelliotth The reviews seem to be amazing. Cool styling. I bet they’re great!

[@johndransfield1265]

I think the Martin has much more separation, nice for melody picking.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Absolutely and indeed. It’s a beautiful instrument!

[@kevinorr6880]

I liked these all equally in that they are so different as to be a different purpose not interchangeable. Third day owning a Uke. I have chosen to learn on the Enya Nova, but only because it was a safe purchase. I should probably get a teacher…

[@TheWashboardResonators]

A teacher is good! Quickest progress by far. Join a group too! The joy is you now get to try many instruments and build a collection!

[@rauze4393]

Like banjolele !

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎼🎯🎼

[@sambsialia]

I wanna add a banjo uke to my bluegrass folk rep. What songs would you suggest?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Rolling In My Sweet Babies Arms, Takes a Worried Man, Cripple Creek etc. 🎯

[@markburgess8338]

What’s the tune that you were strumming? Love it!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

First it’s just G7 to C. Then strumming I do ‘Cleaning Windows’ by George Formby.

[@markburgess8338]

Thanks! I THOUGHT it was familiar! Love GF!

[@gav1nwood]

The resonator sounded best to me. Unfortunately. That means I’m going to have to start saving. They’re not cheap are they?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

The copies are very affordable especially used. £/€/$200 ish. The nice USA made ones are ten times that new. Check out Beltona here in the UK. Hand made to your spec and relatively affordable. 🎯

[@MissMoonshineDance]

how much heavier is the metal than and resonator than martin?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Not much more!

[@MissMoonshineDance]

@@TheWashboardResonators doubt that

[@mikefullerton832]

Are the all concert ukes?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They are.

[@KandMe1]

The rezonator that was a surprise.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They’re great instruments! 🎯

[@KandMe1]

@@TheWashboardResonators Miracles happen, I picked up Mahalo new from a retail shop with perfect intonation up to the 10th fret (I get the impression 10th up each is a little bright because the action is too high off the fretboard & body/bridge). I went in to ask what I would pay for something perfect intonation-wise. I was told $1200 Australian dollars, anything from that price upwards. While looking around and checking the intonation of a few I came across this Mahalo called Mahalo Masters Series with Red Cedar top and Mahogani back and sides mahogani neck. All solid woods no laminates. I looked at the price, $279 AUD and it was new. The body is too shallow in my opinion but it is a very tidy little instrument. I would love to be able to buy a resonator like that national as I use a slide but found most Ukulele resonators seem stiff, little to no resonation from the chamber comes through and tinny and stiff sounding. I designed one, it is what I would call a Bara-Tenor, only got as far as marking out a body template onto plywood board. Had in mind to make a carbon fibre body with a resonator chamber.

[@karennelson8967]

I found the resonator Ukelele seems like the fuller and richer sounding instrument.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They’re great!

[@anthonybrown2143]

Are they all tuned the same

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Of course.

[@charleschamberlain53]

Is that an aiersi resonator?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

None of these are. 🙃

[@charleschamberlain53]

@@TheWashboardResonators look at the aresie resonator and compare it to yours It's the same right down to the palm trees

[@UrsahSolar]

5:03 sounds like a locomotive.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🚂

[@WeirdSnakeGal]

I love how the banjolele sounds like it's an old record is being played, almost like there's a live filter to make it sound vintage.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They’re old time for sure!!

[@saulchapnick1566]

A ukelele when played is supposed to make you feel good. That is its uniqueness. Only the wooden one was able to do that.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

That’s one way of looking at it.

[@Luke-yv6uo]

Congratulations, you have an opinion.

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Like deployed 👍

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Like appreciated.

[@mollylewis7199]

I agree, the National sounds great. It has considerable depth of sound.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Very full low mid frequencies. Perhaps the least top end of all. A very nice tool in the tool box of fun.