I have Peghed tuners on my Firefly - stays in tune with no issues at all.
As to the laminate vs solid debate, well... Some laminates are superb, some are less than stellar; the same for solid wood. You really need to play them before buying. The Les Paul, for example, has a body routed from solid mahogany, with a laminated top - the same as the Les Paul guitar. it is quiet when played acoustically, but fine when plugged in. Of course, the one I have also had the nut and saddle replaced by a bone nut and saddle, the frets were leveled, and the neck reset (By UU Friend Tudorp - Miss you, Tony!)
My Republic is a laminated Zebrawood - Tony fought with getting this one playable - and over the years it is starting to settle in nicely. I was going to sell it, cheap, but my wife said it was too pretty to let go. The Kala has a solid cedar top, but I'm pretty sure the Koa body is a laminate - but it is a tremendous instrument.
For me, the composition of the wood is less important than what I hear when I play - the Aqulele plastic ukes sound better to the listener than to the player, for example.
My only beef with any of the ukes is the tuners. Some are cheap geared tuners that work, but I want something better. The only friction tuners I have left are on the harmony - the originals are cracked, but I found some original Harmony "Shark Tooth" tuners a while back, and little by little I'm replacing them, which lets the uke stay in tune- and the 1920s Stella Banjo Uke. I just need to take those off and clean them (one of these days), but the frets are set right into the neck, and the neck is really not playable above the 5th fret, so that is one the back burner.
I don't think of recouping expenses - I buy to play, not to trade/sell/invest, and never with the thought of getting rid of an instrument.
And there is no need to explain any obsession to my wife; she is a knitter, I'm a spinner, and we are both beginning weavers - with all of the associated fiber, yarn, needles, spinning wheels, and looms that entails, along with a lack of room for everything.And we are both avid readers - have I mentioned books? We have lots and lots of books, and then some.
Nope, no obsessions in this house.
-Kurt
Hey fellow NYer Ksiegal. I am in the Catskills south of you. Maybe it's a NY thing. actually heading to Florida my winter roost.
I have got a Córdoba 20 TM and a firefly banjo. But now selling all my laminates or partial laminate ukes. Just want solids in my collection. The firefly is nice but is so hard to keep,in tune or get a spot on tuning. Maybe be going by by soon. Eventually when I get tired of buying and selling and trying new stuff I will sget a a mya-moe, Collins or
Top end loprinzi as my skills progress and actually focus on being a better player, not collector, of the instrument. I think the exploration phase is fun, but it can be expensive as you never recoup all the money you spend.....and I am tired of explaining my obession to my wife. she buys one instrument..
And it's a lifelong commitment. We are very different.