18 Dec 2016

Snail UKT-528 Tenor - REVIEW

Another welcome return for a musical instrument brand I have featured before on Got A Ukulele. This time we look at the UKT-528 Tenor ukulele from Snail.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele


You may recall me reviewing the Snail Rosewood Soprano before on the site, and reviewing it quite positively too. Since then, I have been keen to feature this brand again, and thanks to their UK distributor, Red Chilli Audio, I've been lucky enough to have this one on test for a few weeks.

The UKT-528 is a Chinese made  tenor ukulele made from all laminate woods, but those laminate pieces are veneered in striking zebrawood. Snail are actually a line of instruments from parent brand Amahi Ukuleles.

It's a standard double bout tenor shaped instrument with a prominently curved base. That curve on the butt of the instrument is something I am seeing more and more and is a look I really do like. It's just subtly different enough to make the ukulele stand out a little I think. The zebrawood is naturally pretty and is veneered in two bookmatched pieces on both the top and the back. The sides of the instrument are also in two pieces and the back is slightly arched. The whole body is finished in a satin coat that allows some of the wood pores to show through avoiding the 'artificial' look of so many ukes at this price point.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele body


A more detailed word about this laminate though, as I really am quite impressed. A glance at the edge of the soundhole will show you that this laminate is really thin. This is a very good thing! You see, most budget manufacturers tend to use laminate which is little more than plywood and is usually overly thick which just kills the tone and volume. I have said it many times before though - I would take good thin laminate over cheap thick solid wood every day of the week.  I understand why cheaper brands have to make their solid woods thick - it's because solid wood is fragile and if you are building to a low budget it's frankly easier (read - lazier) to just make them thick to stop them splitting. With laminate though, it's much, much stronger than solid wood so there is really no excuse to not make them thin and resonant. Snail have certainly done this here, and rap on the top with your knuckles shows you how resonant this one is. Top marks.

In fact that top is so thin, looking at the sound hole edge you could be forgiven for thinking it was solid wood. The use of zebrawood veneer on the inside of the instrument too may confuse some people. It really IS laminate though - just good laminate!

Adding to that distinctive zebrawood grain pattern, we have cream edge binding where the top and back meet the sides, and this is complimented on the top with some black and white inlaid edging. We also have a black/white/black sound hole rosette, but I cannot tell if this is inlaid or a transfer under the satin coat. Either way, it looks neat and tidy.

Elsewhere on the top we have a standard shaped rosewood bridge plate in a tie bar style, holding an uncompensated bone saddle.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele bridge


A look inside the instrument is pleasing too. We have the makers logo on a wooden plate glued to the back, notched kerfing and really delicate looking thin bracing adding to that light touch on the build and hopefully the resonance. There is no mess, no glue drips and no wood shavings. Good quality control in evidence.

Moving up to the neck, this is made from mahogany and in three pieces with a joint at the heel and one at the headstock. It is similarly finished in satin and I love the exaggerated shaping to the heel which is satisfying to touch.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele neck heel


Topping this is an evenly coloured rosewood fingerboard which is nice and dark but does have a couple of finish marks in the face at the body end. Fitted to this are 18 nickel silver frets with 14 to the body joint. They are generally well finished, but the upper frets down the dusty end of the neck could do with a little more tidying. They are not the sharpest fret ends i've ever seen on a ukulele, but worth mentioning. The fretboard edges are not bound, so you do see the fret ends, but they are partially hidden by some wood stain.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele fingerboard


Fret markers are provided on the face of the fingerboard in pearloid inlays at the 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and 15th spaces, with the 12th being a double spot. Sadly there are no side position markers. An easy fix for Snail to consider I think.

The other thing I would point out on the neck is that it is slightly wider at the nut than most Chinese ukuleles at this price point. It's about 36.5mm across, so whilst not the widest nut out there, it's certainly wider. A more standard Chinese nut width is about 35mm. Believe me - if you find your fingers get cramped on certain chords, you WILL notice this extra width and be thankful for it.

We have a bone nut before the attractively shaped Snail headstock. It's little things like the shaping of that headstock, the curved base and the shaping of the neck heel that I like and makes you think that this isn't just a generic cheap ukulele that came off the same production line as so many others. The headstock is faced in more zebrawood veneer and the Snail logo is engraved.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele headstock


Flipping it over we have another smaller Snail logo engraved in the back, together with a serial number. The tuners are unbranded sealed gears, with all the hardware treated to a gold finish. They work ok, and they have a satisfying stiffness to them with no play. Sadly one of themseems to have a bit of corrosion or staining starting around the cover plate and on the front washers. No biggie though.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele tuners


Finishing the package is a decent padded gig bag with front pocket, shoulder strap and an embroidered Snail logo. The strings provided are Aquila. And for that, the package will set you back between about £110 and £120 depending where you shop. That is a really attractive price.

Construction feels solid and well made all over the instrument with no issues that I can see. But that thin top and delicate bracing means that it feels anything but over built. This is lightweight, and perfectly balanced at the 12th fret when in the hands without a strap. A very nice ukulele to hold.

The setup on this review model was just as I would like it, particularly at the nut which is the more difficult one to fix. No complaints here.

The first two things that struck me about it on playing was the great volume / projection and the pretty decent sustain. This is definitely one of those instruments that gives you a nice vibration into your chest when you play it. This is of course all down to that choice to use thin woods in the construction and I wish more entry level brands would do it.

It's also very clear across the strings. At first you think it is all brightness and zing (and it certainly has does have a punch to it), but there is bass coming through too creating a satisfying mix of tones. It feels comfortable and suited to both strumming as to picking, although slightly more on the side of strumming for me. Whatever I throw at it, it always sounds crisp and never muddy. Trust me, this is a very satisfying ukulele sound.

Snail UKT-528 Ukulele back


Of course it isn't a first class tone that you would get from a professional level instrument, as it lacks that sort of character and shimmer, but this is leagues above most other instruments at this cheaper laminate end of the market. And for a shade over £100 that is pretty remarkable.

I think this Snail is one of those nice things from China that occasionally appear - an instrument maker that knows that laminate doesn't need to be thick and cheaply put together and can sound great with a bit of care an attention. I'd take this one over a host of solid wood ukuleles that are marketed at the same sort of price. In fact I'd take this over a host of solid wood ukes marketed at quite a bit more than this.

I think this makes an excellent first ukulele (and yes, this is the sort of price you should be considering for a first instrument that is serious), and certainly a step up for those of you getting frustrated with your cheap Mahalos and the like.

It's an attactive, well made, punchy, light instrument and deserves your attention.  This one really pleased me and I'd buy one!

http://www.amahiukes.com/ukuleles-and-guitars/intermediate-ukuleles


UKULELE PROS

Striking looks
Overall build quality
Nice body shape, and headstock shape
Thin delicate build
Wide nut
Excellent resonance, volume and sustain

UKULELE CONS

No side fret markers
Check on fret dressing if you are buying


UKULELE SCORES

Looks - 9 out of 10
Fit and finish - 8.5 out of 10
Sound - 9 out of 10
Value for money - 9.5 out of 10

OVERALL UKULELE SCORE - 9.0 out of 10


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16 comments:

  1. Great review as always, Barry. I'm not surprised you were impressed; my son has the rosewood equivalent tenor (also laminate) and it is a very impressive uke for the money, with a great sound and very playable.

    Happy Christmas

    Mike W

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  2. Just curious... how thin is the soundboard actually?

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  3. Replies
    1. Are you sure? 'Cause the plywood top of a regular no-name laminate uke is about the same thickness (~2,5mm), and you mentioned that this top is a lot thinner than that.

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  4. Sorry - I was guessing as not at home to measure it. It's visibly much thinner than virtually every other laminate I have played with the exception of high end ones like Kiwaya

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  5. I have one of these with abalone inlays at the rosette and binding. It's beautiful and plays wonderful. Its sound spoke to me when I played it at a guitar shop, and I chose it over ukes from other well known brands that cost twice as much. I've had it for a couple of years, and I love it. I'm handy with a Dremel tool, so I added my own side dots. The gold color plating on the edges of the tuning buttons has started to wear away a tiny bit, and the spot where my right arm rests on it has been polished to nearly gloss because this is my every day uke, but it still plays as well as ever and looks the part of the well loved instrument it is.

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  6. I REALLY like it when my satin finish ukuleles develop shiny spots from being played - shows me that they are cherished!

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  7. Is there an Amahi model equivalent to this available in the States?

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  8. Not entirely sure on this precise model Eric, but I DO know friends in the USA who have bought Snail and Amahi instruments over there.

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  9. Just received one and am very impressed with both quality of construction and sound.
    I think this uke will be a friend for many years.

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  10. Barry - I just received Snail Mahogany Tenor UKT-518, new on Ebay shipped to Arizona. Went with the mahogany vs the zebra, as reviewed here. Other than that, everything is exactly as you described in your review. Great full sound. The wood grain is beautiful. I like the extra width of the neck.

    Will mention, was a bit difficult to find the Snail ukes here, but found a music store from Nebraska on Ebay. Great service, stated that music technician would go over the instrument before sending out, and free shipping.

    Also, I did the new uke inspection, also as you have described here, and feel good that everything is as it should be out of the box - no mfg muffs, all strings are in tune at 12th fret, action is perfect, tuners are solid... Obviously had to make minor tuning and that was it. I'm happy with purchase, especially with price paid.

    ... now back to playing!

    Thanks
    Duncan (AZ-USA)

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  11. I have an ebony Snail concert size which I purchased at a music store in Hudson NY. So to answer a previous post, there is some distribution in the U.S. apart from online. My Snail has the Snail sound hole and a side port as well. It is a beautifully crafted instrument, just womderful to look at and a joy to play. Could ring a little more up the neck but overall I am more than satisfied.

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  12. I'm a lucky guy! My two year old grand-nephew loves his uke. Uses it as uke, drum, stand-up bass, violin, canoe paddle and hobby horse. I would like to impress him by playing one of his favorite tunes. As a complete beginner, I walked into locally owned music store (Cadenza, St. Paul, MN) and saw Amahi and Snail ukes on wall. Walked out with this model, just because I liked the sound, for all the reasons you gave - complex (not tinny), rich, vibrant, and lots of sustain. I can bang on it or caress it and be happy with the sound. Now I read your review and find out I bought a gem. As for his favorite tune, I'm hoping he'll come around to "Hey, Good Lookin'" because thats what I'm working on.

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  13. Took your advice and bought the mahogany version of this ukulele range (UKT-518E) for just £110 with a bag. Fantastic build for the price. Can't find any issues with it apart from the Aquila strings which I'll probably swap out for flourocarbons. No problems with sharp frets and lovely resonant, thin laminated top. Seems well setup already and it's nicely finished all round. Won't be my No. 1 uke but I wanted a value tenor to complete the range (I now have one of each size - no victim of UAS, me). Glad I read your review.

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  15. I bought this based on your review and haven't been disappointed. I think it's really innovative that snail are offering a through body bridge option on the 528, which is what I opted for. I picked it up new from a local guitar guru in Glasgow for£125 and he handed it to me with no gig bag. So, I did point out that they normally come with one and being the gent he is, he threw in a top quality TGI bag for free. I must say, it's really came to life with a set of Martin clear fluorocarbon strings as the Aquila ones sounded quite damp, especially the C which was very bass-ey.

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