Snail SUC-M3 Concert - REVIEW

bazmaz

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Still...it is much more entertaining for the viewer when you don’t like the instrument!

I was just looking online at the Snail brand...looks like they are a version of Amahi—which I don’t understand as Amahi makes entry level (some that seem rough) and higher quality instruments—yet they have the Snail brand, too. I don’t understand that, just as I don’t understand Dean/Luna. Makala/Kala makes sense as Makala serves as the entry level brand.

I’m not seeing this model of Snail on the website. Any chance you received it as a pre-release before the NAMM show?
 
There are several reviews of this instrument online going back a while, so it must be a production model.
 
Still...it is much more entertaining for the viewer when you don’t like the instrument!

I was just looking online at the Snail brand...looks like they are a version of Amahi—which I don’t understand as Amahi makes entry level (some that seem rough) and higher quality instruments—yet they have the Snail brand, too. I don’t understand that, just as I don’t understand Dean/Luna. Makala/Kala makes sense as Makala serves as the entry level brand.

I’m not seeing this model of Snail on the website. Any chance you received it as a pre-release before the NAMM show?

Yes - they are Amahi - what the differences are I am not sure. All I know is you virtually never see Amahi in the UK.

This one might not be on their website - but it's not a pre-release - widely available in most uke shops over here.
 
Can anyone confirm that this model is an all solid mahogany ukulele?

I’m seeing conflicting descriptions online, in which some retailers describe this particular model as having a solid top and laminated back and sides.
 
This is an all solid mahogany ukulele - as it says in the written review and the accompanying video. The SUC-M1 is all laminate, the SUC-M2 has a solid top, the SUC-M3 is ALL solid.
 
Another good review, pointing out affordable good quality. How did you think the snail compared to th VTAB concert. You rated this one higher. I agree the mahogany looks a lot like Pono. Mi have an MTD-SP spruce top but the mahogany looks like a dead ringer for this web site is a bit confusing. I’m also only tenor p,Ayer. Didn’t see an all solid tenor or this mahogany model. I think we need to see the Snails and VTABS in stores and not just on the net. We aren’t seeeing any of these in Canada. Thanks Baz!
 
I did rate this higher than the VTAB, but it is also twice the price!!

There is a SUT-M3 model available - at least over here there is.

Snails are in LOTS of physical stores in the UK.

VTAB have one store dealer in the UK at present but looking to expand. I believe they are setting up terms with a US distributor too.
 
This is an all solid mahogany ukulele - as it says in the written review and the accompanying video. The SUC-M1 is all laminate, the SUC-M2 has a solid top, the SUC-M3 is ALL solid.

Baz

I have an SUT M1 and it has a solid top. It was my first ukulele with a really great set up from the Southern Ukulele store. I really think it's a very good entry level ukulele that is built and finished very well, ideal starter ukulele IMO.

I have seen the SUC M1 advertised as having a solid top and the SUC M2 as an electro acoustic.
 
I think you might be right actually - my bad - thanks Clive!

(nb - made an edit to the review and thanked you for pointing it out!)
 
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I think you might be right actually - my bad - thanks Clive!

(nb - made an edit to the review and thanked you for pointing it out!)

Thanks Baz, I came to research this brand after seeing a previous all laminate Snail review of yours, so thanks for that. One thing to note is that the tenor version of the M1 is 36mm at the nut. 34mm seems rather narrow, though may suit some people fine.
 
Yes it's a bit narrow for me
 
I've noodled around on a few of the Amahi ukes. I didn't care for them at all, they were heavy, the necks felt way to big, and they sounded dull to me.
Then I picked up a Snail (laminate).
I couldn't even tell they were by the same company. The newer Snails are better than they were two years ago!
I think they are competing pretty well around here against Kala and Lanakai.
 
With so many new far eastern brands coming to market it can be really hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. A good yardstick I use is whether they are stocked as a matter of course by the ukulele specialist stores we have in the UK. We only have 3 true uke specialists (SUS, WOU and Eagle). I believe Snail are stocked in two of them. That tells me an awful lot. They wouldn't give them storeroom space if they were no good.

There are literally dozens and dozens of new brands flooding Amazon now - all with a miraculous number of 5 star reviews (yeah right!!) - but virtually none of them are stocked by the uke specialists. Automatic turn off for me and alarm bells ring.
 
Really, Baz.
I just cringe when a newbie tells me "I got it from Amazon."
Amazon's goal is to put everyone else outta business. To hell with them.
 
There was a time that several of the uke specialist stores used Amazon marketplace as a convenient storefront - when those were being sold you knew you were still getting them from the store, not an Amazon warehouse. That made a lot of sense for them and it was essentially like buying from them direct, but with the convenience of Amazon.

I know of at least two real uke stores (who told me directly) who have now ditched selling on Amazon because their products, no matter how good they are, are just lost in the noise of an ever increasing number of 'new' Chinese models. You might say 'well that's just the market' - but it's impossible to compete with a tidal wave, and especially those brands who are engineering numerous 5 star reviews. The good stuff just isn't visible and new players who go there to shop for a uke nowadays are presented with cheap clone uke after cheap clone uke and think that IS the ukulele marketplace. So sad.
 
Another great review, Baz.

I live in China now. I see these and many other Asian brands all the time on Taobao(Chinese Amazon/Ebay).
From my perception, it seems as though there are a few factories that make many brands of ukes to different specifications which has saturated the market.
Ironically, it seems like they keep the good stuff in China though.
Here is a Taobao seller who has 50 (5A rare wood) ACE tenor ukes going for $2000usd each. That ain't cheap!
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5-c-s.w4002-17487927070.49.54022f61shC1v2&id=528316116459
Check out the kid rocking out on the video too.
 
Baz, thanks for another great review.
 
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