Kayouker
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The Schoenhut 5400 has been largely ignored, at least in terms of a fair review in this section. Unfortunately this ukulele gained the negative attention of both a 14 and a 25 page thread, which need not be repeated here. For those who are into politics and are so inclined the threads are here:
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com...ake-Flea-comparisons&highlight=flea+fake+flea
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com...a-clone-for-33-bucks&highlight=flea+fake+flea
Currently we own a Kala KA-15s and a Kala Ukadelic. The 5400 was also compared to an entry level Flea and a Makala Dolphin. Construction and costwise (setup):
KA-15S – laminated mahogany, brass frets, Aquila strings, $84.
Ukadelic – laminated poplar or nato, nickel-silver frets, Aquila strings, $84.
Flea – molded abs plastic body, laminated face, Aquila strings, $205.
Dolphin – molded abs plastic body, laminated face, ordinary nylon (cheap) strings, $65.
5400 – molded abs plastic body, laminated face, with Martin strings, $35.
I ordered the US flag version of the 5400 for $29.95, and knowing I would be changing the strings, a set of Martin 600 fluoro's, total $35 delivered. I ordered the Martins as I anticipated that the 5400, like the entry level Flea would be “bright” enough already. Upon receiving the 5400 I was impressed by the construction, which except for the very flimsy and cheap strings was very nicely done. The finish and fit was good. The neck appears to be a glossy finished maple. The tuning pegs were of the friction type. Like the body, the fretboard, nut and saddle are also precisely molded abs.
The first thing I did was a quick tuneup which immediately confirmed the absolute cheapness of the strings, and my intention to immediately replace them with the Martin fluorocarbons. As has been noted by others the 5400 pegs are delivered a bit loose, but a quarter turn of the Phillips head tuning screws easily and effectively adjusted them. Compared to the Aquilas on our Kala's, the Martins only required a couple of days to stretch and to stabilize.
The action and intonation were both excellent, a credit to quality control, the molded abs fretboard, nut and saddle and to a design which favors such accurate assembly and production. Only the Flea compares in this regard.
Even just strung, the Martins/5400 produced both warm and bright tones (depending on the strum), with good clarity and a nice sustain. As they stretched over the next few days, the Martin driven 5400 became even fuller and warmer. Our first comparison was of course, to our own Kala's.
Ka-15S: warmest of the three
Ukadelic: bright and full, lots of volume
5400: bright and full, clarity and sustain
To be fair, we both found the 5400 more than satisfactory. My partner preferred its sound; I was impressed by the clarity and sustain. I believe the Aquilas – known for their steroid effects – in comparison come across as a little dirtier than the Martins. When thumb strummed, the Martin/5400 displays nice warmth, while a fingernail brings out a clear and sustained brightness. Very nice.
My next goal: to compare the 5400 to a Flea and what should be the real comparison, to the Makala Dolphin (or Shark). With the cooperation of a very well stocked ukulele/guitar store I was able to do just that. When I first walked in, 5400 in hand I lifted it up to show the salesman and asked “Do you know what this is?”. “Sure, looks nice”, he replied. I then handed it to him and had him try it. Without noticing the Schoenhut logo, he played it and replied “Very nice. We have one for sale here.” And got out an entry level Flea, on sale for $205! He never knew.
It was then I revealed that what he'd just played was a Schoenhut 5400 that sold for just $30, and asked if I could try both the Dolphin (stock strings) and the Flea (Aquilas). Quite interested now, he tuned them up and I had at it. With the Flea, I first noted the similarity of the two particularly in terms of the brightness. The string difference was also similar to our earlier comparisons, with the booming Aquilas providing more volume, but being a bit muddier than the sustained clarity of the Martins. With the string difference an exact comparison couldn't be made, but I would give the edge to the Flea, but nowhere remotely near the point that I would consider spending an additional $170 for one, at least now.
Now the real comparison: the Dolphin/Shark with factory strings. The store had five or six of these on display, all of which I examined. All were playable, but the actions were on the high side, while the intonation varied among the lot. As far as tone was concerned, the standard advice – to change to Aquilas – seemed entirely justified. The factory strings seemed both dull and brassy, simply sounded cheap and almost toylike. The sound of the Martin/5400, more like the Flea, was clearly superior as already described.
Summary:
The real comparison for the Schoenhut 5400 is the Dolphin. When buying the Dolphin you will need a setup and good strings, no doubt the Aquilas much recommended for it. Even then the action and intonation may not be perfect, as a low-price instrument will never get more than a basic setup. A Dolphin like this sells for about $65 delivered. OTOH, the 5400 needs no setup, and with Martins was had for just $35 delivered.
At the least I would expect both of these to be quite satisfactory. If anything the shape of the 5400, its easy low action, great intonation, and lovely clarity and brightness will likely be preferable, particularly at its amazing cost. In our opinion, this ukulele is no toy and should be a primary consideration for a ukulele that competes very well with other laminated instruments under $100 (set up). I still wonder though, what it would sound like with Aquilas...
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com...ake-Flea-comparisons&highlight=flea+fake+flea
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com...a-clone-for-33-bucks&highlight=flea+fake+flea
Currently we own a Kala KA-15s and a Kala Ukadelic. The 5400 was also compared to an entry level Flea and a Makala Dolphin. Construction and costwise (setup):
KA-15S – laminated mahogany, brass frets, Aquila strings, $84.
Ukadelic – laminated poplar or nato, nickel-silver frets, Aquila strings, $84.
Flea – molded abs plastic body, laminated face, Aquila strings, $205.
Dolphin – molded abs plastic body, laminated face, ordinary nylon (cheap) strings, $65.
5400 – molded abs plastic body, laminated face, with Martin strings, $35.
I ordered the US flag version of the 5400 for $29.95, and knowing I would be changing the strings, a set of Martin 600 fluoro's, total $35 delivered. I ordered the Martins as I anticipated that the 5400, like the entry level Flea would be “bright” enough already. Upon receiving the 5400 I was impressed by the construction, which except for the very flimsy and cheap strings was very nicely done. The finish and fit was good. The neck appears to be a glossy finished maple. The tuning pegs were of the friction type. Like the body, the fretboard, nut and saddle are also precisely molded abs.
The first thing I did was a quick tuneup which immediately confirmed the absolute cheapness of the strings, and my intention to immediately replace them with the Martin fluorocarbons. As has been noted by others the 5400 pegs are delivered a bit loose, but a quarter turn of the Phillips head tuning screws easily and effectively adjusted them. Compared to the Aquilas on our Kala's, the Martins only required a couple of days to stretch and to stabilize.
The action and intonation were both excellent, a credit to quality control, the molded abs fretboard, nut and saddle and to a design which favors such accurate assembly and production. Only the Flea compares in this regard.
Even just strung, the Martins/5400 produced both warm and bright tones (depending on the strum), with good clarity and a nice sustain. As they stretched over the next few days, the Martin driven 5400 became even fuller and warmer. Our first comparison was of course, to our own Kala's.
Ka-15S: warmest of the three
Ukadelic: bright and full, lots of volume
5400: bright and full, clarity and sustain
To be fair, we both found the 5400 more than satisfactory. My partner preferred its sound; I was impressed by the clarity and sustain. I believe the Aquilas – known for their steroid effects – in comparison come across as a little dirtier than the Martins. When thumb strummed, the Martin/5400 displays nice warmth, while a fingernail brings out a clear and sustained brightness. Very nice.
My next goal: to compare the 5400 to a Flea and what should be the real comparison, to the Makala Dolphin (or Shark). With the cooperation of a very well stocked ukulele/guitar store I was able to do just that. When I first walked in, 5400 in hand I lifted it up to show the salesman and asked “Do you know what this is?”. “Sure, looks nice”, he replied. I then handed it to him and had him try it. Without noticing the Schoenhut logo, he played it and replied “Very nice. We have one for sale here.” And got out an entry level Flea, on sale for $205! He never knew.
It was then I revealed that what he'd just played was a Schoenhut 5400 that sold for just $30, and asked if I could try both the Dolphin (stock strings) and the Flea (Aquilas). Quite interested now, he tuned them up and I had at it. With the Flea, I first noted the similarity of the two particularly in terms of the brightness. The string difference was also similar to our earlier comparisons, with the booming Aquilas providing more volume, but being a bit muddier than the sustained clarity of the Martins. With the string difference an exact comparison couldn't be made, but I would give the edge to the Flea, but nowhere remotely near the point that I would consider spending an additional $170 for one, at least now.
Now the real comparison: the Dolphin/Shark with factory strings. The store had five or six of these on display, all of which I examined. All were playable, but the actions were on the high side, while the intonation varied among the lot. As far as tone was concerned, the standard advice – to change to Aquilas – seemed entirely justified. The factory strings seemed both dull and brassy, simply sounded cheap and almost toylike. The sound of the Martin/5400, more like the Flea, was clearly superior as already described.
Summary:
The real comparison for the Schoenhut 5400 is the Dolphin. When buying the Dolphin you will need a setup and good strings, no doubt the Aquilas much recommended for it. Even then the action and intonation may not be perfect, as a low-price instrument will never get more than a basic setup. A Dolphin like this sells for about $65 delivered. OTOH, the 5400 needs no setup, and with Martins was had for just $35 delivered.
At the least I would expect both of these to be quite satisfactory. If anything the shape of the 5400, its easy low action, great intonation, and lovely clarity and brightness will likely be preferable, particularly at its amazing cost. In our opinion, this ukulele is no toy and should be a primary consideration for a ukulele that competes very well with other laminated instruments under $100 (set up). I still wonder though, what it would sound like with Aquilas...
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