Okay this didge and #497 look almost identical however slight deviation in boreshape gives them different characteristics. I'll often compare my didges to cars, and I'm going to do it again right now. These are sports cars. Choose your marque. This one here is a fine tuned model direct from the factories team of highly qualified designers and engineers who knew exactly how to find the correct balance and comfort matched to the speed and ferocity that exists in the engine and suspension. #497 is the very same car with fast wheels, a little stiffer suspension, dropped, and an open flow throaty exhaust. It's louder but that engine is sweet music to your ears. The guy in #496 is 45 years old and has 15 grand in his wallet. The guy in #497 is 25 years old and has 15 grand wrapped up in aftermarket parts and car stereo. The top ends look tight like they might squash vocal articulation but the walls up top are extremely thin for responsive action and so it's more open than you'd expect. Alder is a softer wood which gives a warmer tone allowing me to make these agressive shapes that yield a pleasant comfortable tone.The trumpets on this one are well matched to the fundamentals volume level, as is the overblown, and the first trumpet comes in under an octave making it very easy to hit and utilize in compositions. # 497 also has super easy trumpets, the first coming in just over an octave that's bright to the drone. The overblown note can also be slightly bright and/or extremely over the top explosive, however you choose to push it. That quality makes it perfect for a busker looking for volume , range, and plenty of wow factor with ease. #496 is a comfy fit on a professional stage and in the recording studio.