Wood or Warmstone?

[Martin Grim]

So I've gotten to the point in my playing where I'd like to get one of the higher end ocarinas. My problem is that I have a morbid attraction to mostly anything hardwood, but the hardwood ocarinas are out of stock whenever I check. But at the same time I want a new one now. So my dilemma is, do I tough it out and wait for a hardwood ocarina, or snag a warmstone now and risk a hardwood popping up after I've bought it?

I was also curious about the sound comparison between the wood and warmstone. The videos I've watched show different sounding ocarinas, but is that mostly just video quality? 

[Harp Player]

If you are wanting a wood one I suggest you call the number at the top of this page and talk to them.  Don't settle for something you don't think you will love.

[kypfer]

curious about the sound comparison between the wood and warmstone.

... the perceived wisdom is that there is very little difference. All of the Mountain Ocarinas use the same (or very similar) internal liners and windway, the Warmstone, Hardwood (or even polycarbonate) finishes are just a cosmetic shell. Any apparent differences in recordings are almost certainly due to the ambience or the technology used to make the recording.

[Martin Grim]

If you are wanting a wood one I suggest you call the number at the top of this page and talk to them.  Don't settle for something you don't think you will love.

I never even thought about calling, that's a great idea harp. And you're right, I shouldn't settle for something less than what I really want. I'll give them a call and if need be, I'll just be patient.

Thanks for the reply kypfer, I was thinking that they all had to sound different due to being made of different materials.

[Harp Player]

I have noticed a slight difference in the tone between the Polly and the Warmstone C, but  it is not that noticeable.  I think that the Warmsone is much more playable for me because I have large hands and the recessed thumb holes makes it hard for me to get a good seal (which could account for the slight tone difference), the increased weight also makes it easier to balance in my hands.

[kypfer]

I was thinking that they all had to sound different due to being made of different materials.

This is a widely held misconception. If an instrument is made entirely of natural wood, which has, if uncoated or unpolished, an inherently slightly rough surface, some of the higher harmonics will possibly be muted, giving what may be termed a "darker", "more mellow", "smoother" etc etc etc tone, but any surface that is hard and shiny will give very similar results if manufactured in the same manner.
As for the "resonance" of the instrument ... well, maybe on something as long as a clarinet or full-size flute you might notice a difference between thin metal and thicker wood, but for something as small and effectively "solid" as an ocarina, the design of the windway and "window" will be the major deciding factor in the tone produced, irrespective of the material used, assuming the finish of the material is similar, ie "shiny" or "not shiny", for want of a better term.
None of this is intended to discourage the purchase of a high-end Mountain Ocarina, they're fine-looking instruments, but they really ought to be bought because they look nice, not because they're likely to sound better or differently to any other Mountain Ocarina, though, as Harp Player has pointed out whilst I'm typing this, the extra weight may make the Warmstone easier to handle ... a point I am considering !

[ubizmo]

Think in terms of looks, weight, thumb hole style, with sound in a distant last place. The difference in sound is so slight as to be drowned out by the difference between players or even a single player from one location to another.