It looks like something a Company would put out as a , nudge, nudge, wink, wink, 'Brian May-style' uke, but not close enough so they get a cease & desist notice. If memory serves, Brian May started off playing a uke, I know I've seen him on stage with one, he's really dropped the ball if he's signed off this one.
Thanks a lot for the detailed and honest review! This is the first ukulele review I watch in years, I was super curious about the BMG uke. I wish they put more effort in the design and details, so as to warrant the asking price. I bet some people would in fact pay even more for a better product with the Brian May name... Cheers, keep up with the great work!
An honest review. When they do these electric copies, why don’t Fender, and the makers of the uke reviewed, make a mini electric ukulele along the lines Flight or Risa? If they want to do something acoustic, they should look at Enya or even the Pete Howlett/Kala Revelator. Kala is bringing out a budget version of the Revelator called the Night Owl I believe. Team up with these instrument makers and you might stand a chance of getting something that looks, feels and sounds the part.
Your question of what could you buy for this price stuck with me this week, since I had just ordered a brüko long neck soprano for just about the same price. It arrived today and revisiting this video, I can definitely see the difference.
Let this review stand as a warning to any potential buyer, it’s very shabby for a ukulele that’s over £50 and at £270 it’s dreadful, a black mark on BMG which could undermine confidence in their brand. If I was in the market for one of their guitars I would be worrying about what corners they cut in the production of those too. As for the ukulele I’d be returning it as ‘not fit for purpose’ and asking for my money back. Cheers👍🏼
Thanks Baz for the review, although my ears did suffer. How on earth Mr May could have his signature on such an over priced, under inspiring instrument puzzles me. I bet he doesn’t even know it’s been made. It will be an exec, let’s get on the band wagon and make some money, decision. I only like the headstock shape. Bet all the decent brands are having a laugh at this one. Great review as always and another instrument I wouldn’t have had a chance to see or hear if it wasn’t for you taking the time to do it. Have a great week.
I wondered for a long time if that ukulele could rock you, well knowing that buying it wouldn't exactly be "doing allright". Stopping Queen's phrases😅 I think asking a luthier to make one to the specs would be better, I'd even think about installing two different pickups (like Godin guitars) and controlling them with knobs similar to Brian's guitar. Thank you for such an illustrative and fun video, I'm a HUGE Queen fan and I love Brian. Youu are the champion 💚💚💚
@@GotAUkulele ok, did! This is ridiculous, far away from being a killer queen, not even an all meh-meh-meh instrument … but rubbish, straight rubbish❗️ Whom is this built for? May should stop this 🛑
Baz, you’re right! I hope Brian sees this review and does something about it. That is an absurd price for this instrument. Maybe a solid top good quality wood with laminate back and sides. Higher quality wood overall would be a great idea. Add the abs binding improve the tuners and put some outward facing dots like the original has. Even maybe stain the wood in the shape of the original’s pick guard if you really want that look. Damn shame… it’s a great idea that missed its mark.
You should send this review to #BrianMay himself by sending to his socials. I’m sure he himself or someone from his team will take notice. I don’t think Brian May would find this “instrument” acceptable. If he signed off on the prototype we’ve all seen, he “May” not be aware that what’s getting sold at this price point isn’t to his standard or able to hold a candle to many of the budget brands. it somehow got to this after the fact (which often happens in manufacturing- factories veered from the Golden Sample hoping the brand who hired them won’t notice). I bet you’ll get a response from Brian himself or someone who will pass this review to him if you try to post it in a way that grabs his attention while voicing your disappointment rather than trying to bash (which I have no doubt you’d do). I know my gifted Dhani Harrison uke, which is roughly the same price point, beats this Brian May by a landslide- while the DH lacks in the volume department unplugged (which I think was intentional being that Dhani plays on stage plugged in and lots of folks want to tone the volume down at home anyway), at least it still sounds like it has a sweet soul, is properly intonated, looks lovely, and is setup to play easily with comfortable neck (for my hands). I know most Fender ukes aren’t that great, especially at lower price points, but even those are better than this, lol. What a shame.
I do NOT like ukuleles modeled on guitars. A ukulele is NOT a guitar. And a cheaply done imitation of a guitar is an insult, as far as I’m concerned. And Fishman? Yuck.
So what do you play? Almost all modern ukulele manufacturers use a guitar shaped body. Even the modern pineapple shape isn't that close to the traditional designs. Fishman yuck? I've never tasted them myself but they work just fine so long as you have good leads and amps they cause no trouble.
So not an sg but still a guitar ukulele lol. £270 for that is crazy, you can get some really nice ukuleles for that kind of money (i assume, I'm American but i doubt your prices are so much worse). I do like the large lower bout though
What a pity. It's not Flash, that's for sure! It really comes across as a cynical cash-grab. Don't think Bri's dad would approve either, judging by a quote of his; "If a thing's worth doing, it's worth overdoing". Nice shirt, not a coincidence? 😀
I like Brian May but not enough for me to buy this, fortunatly I suspect he is not hurting for cash and can probably get by without me buying it. Fun review though!
Loved all the Queen references and the mustache (Freddy?). In any event does look like a cheap uke and sad that it has Brian’s signature on it - kind of like that cheap Beatles uke you reviewed I think last year. All name no substance. Enjoy your week!
@@GotAUkulele Zero, but your review of the Risa ukulele some years ago was a big factor in me getting the long scale soprano (basically a concert) - rather than the more common tenor. Much appreciated. Still loving it.
I'm not surprised by the price, but I am disappointed. I love the look of it and I think it sounds ok. But that build quality, especially the intonation issue, doesn't seem much better than Mahalo. I'll stick with my Flea.
Can I ask why you are not surprised by the price? I ask as there simply isn't anything on the bill of materials here (bar the pickup) that is of any great quality. It's cheap fitments at every turn.
@@GotAUkulele Because of the name. Signature models are always overpriced and even though May isn’t a uke player, he’s extremely famous and his name alone will move product. I strongly suspect that it’s aimed st hardcore Queen fans looking for a keepsake and guitar players looking for a novelty, much more than serious uke players.
@@johnhmaloney I'd agree - but this price is off the scale for what you get... Fools and their money I guess.... (May IS famously a uke player though - has played one on stage with Queen and there's a uke song on Night at the Opera!)
I like it but the box seems a little large for me. I really don’t like ukuleles looking like electric guitars. The color is a little cheap looking as well. The color wouldn’t be bad on a parlor guitar. The neck should be darker. Looks just above a toy quality. I thought it would be about $90 $280 is horrible! To me it sounds shallow and boxy. Good review and thanks as always…DOC
Sadly disappointing and only a passing similarity in looks to the guitar. Thanks for the review. Perhaps they'll revisit the uke and come up with something that will wow us (electric steel string perhaps?)
They are very well regarded - imagine them making a solid electric uke! This is the same criticism I level at Fender - they don't take the uke seriously.
@GotAUkulele for sure. I hate to say it but it's because they just want money and marketshare instead of making the quality offering they're definitely capable of making
Excellent review of what appears to be a very overpriced ukulele. You found many faults and I hope that they see your review and take action to improve things quickly.
I can't help thinking they've missed a trick here, if I liked it I wouldn't pay more than £150/180 but if they had made it more authentic and solid body uke then there would be a massive market for it. Looks awful as it is. 😳
Agreed - go solid electric or.. repeat the binding and fret dots - gloss the body. Either way may make it worth the ticket price. But they've gone for cheapest specs in pretty much every core department.... Shows to me that the uke is not 'serious' to them. Bit like Fender.
Sigh. 125 quid max, I'd say. The 'agricultural' look does not combine well with an acoustic uke modeled to be like a signature electric guitar (which I don't tend to like anyway, even if blinged out). Simple decor is great otherwise, but yes for this the company would be better off with gloss and binding and crazy dots. That heel is especially awful! Sound is mediocre to problematic given the intonation issues with this instrument in particular.
I am a big Queen fan, but i find this uke appalling...😢 My Flight TUS50 travel uke sounds and even looks better and for about the same money i bought my Flight Princess Victoria CEQ, and thát looks and sounds a hole lot better! There is absolute no character to the sound... and body..... I find it something totally out of character to Brian May and his wonderfull electric gitar with it's recognizable Queen sound. Sorry, but i find it not worthy of his name.
I've got a tenor ukulele that's as good as, or is probably better, than this - both sound wise and construction / quality control wise - for less than £40 ! I wonder why Dr. May would put his name to such a poor instrument ?
Wow, hard pass on this piece of junk. Worth maybe 90 tops. Actually, I wouldn't want it at 25. It just sounds lifeless to me. No character at all. Just another guitar maker trying to cash in on the ukulele market with a cheap instrument. They think putting their name on it makes it better. LOL!
