buddhuu
Super Moderator (Retired)
Last few months I've played a couple of Snail ukes. They were great and I was beginning to think of them as a potential Kala-killer: inexpensive but good quality. So, I ordered a tenor with a solid koa top.
The instrument that arrived was not as depicted in many of the pics being posted by dealers. The model I ordered has usually been shown with gold hardware and a tie bar bridge. The one that arrived had chrome tuners and a through-strung bridge. Furthermore the bridge was lifting slightly and the A string intonation was out with no scope left in the compensated saddle to correct it.
The dealer, Nick at Cantabile Music, has been very responsive and helpful. He was told recently by the distributor that the Snails are now being made in a different factory. Maybe we're just seeing teething problems, but these unexpected changes in spec and quality don't impress me. The uke is going back and I'm probably going to go Pono or for one of the better Kalas for this current purchase.
Based on the two I played before, I had been recommending Snail. For the moment I withdraw that recommendation. I'm happy to sing the praises of Cantabile's customer service. The new generation of Snails though? Meh.
The instrument that arrived was not as depicted in many of the pics being posted by dealers. The model I ordered has usually been shown with gold hardware and a tie bar bridge. The one that arrived had chrome tuners and a through-strung bridge. Furthermore the bridge was lifting slightly and the A string intonation was out with no scope left in the compensated saddle to correct it.
The dealer, Nick at Cantabile Music, has been very responsive and helpful. He was told recently by the distributor that the Snails are now being made in a different factory. Maybe we're just seeing teething problems, but these unexpected changes in spec and quality don't impress me. The uke is going back and I'm probably going to go Pono or for one of the better Kalas for this current purchase.
Based on the two I played before, I had been recommending Snail. For the moment I withdraw that recommendation. I'm happy to sing the praises of Cantabile's customer service. The new generation of Snails though? Meh.