Lately I've been enamoured with Cordoba solid top tenors. Sweet tone, great volume/projection, and I just can't get enough of those 1.5" nuts. It's hard going back to smaller nut instruments after playing these. As far as favorites I've never played, a Kanilea K1 tenor is my dream uke.
I have 2 Kalas, 2 Ohanas and I'm looking at another Ohana. I had a Pono and it was a lovely uke but it was a tenor and that's how I learned I didn't like tenors so I sold it. I had a Lanikai starter uke which I sold but I sometimes regret it even though every uke above was a better uke.
If I get to pick, a 1930's Martin would make me happy.
I have 2 1920's Oscar Schmidt's. I inherited one so it has a special place in my heart. I am the third generation owner. They spend most of their time in the humidity controlled curio cabinet.
My daily players are a Cordoba solid top tenor (low G) and a Cordoba concert.
Although I have had good luck with Ohana and Kala, one brand that doesn't seem to get a lot of attention is Eddy Finn. I have their EF-15-S mahogany soprano, with the guitar-style split-shaft tuners and the shark-fin sound hole, and it's really sweet!
Currently my heart belongs to Romero Creations, Outdoor Ukes, Mya-Moe, LFdM, Fred Shields, and my Martin mahogany tenor (not all Martins, just that one).
When I started out, it was Kala, then I got some solid mahogany Ohanas, but decided to splash out on a KoAloha Opio, so it's KoAloha now, closely followed by Ohana, (both long neck concert ukes).
I've tried one tenor each of Ko'olau, Kanile'a, Koaloha, and Kamaka. I'm not convinced the Ko'olau was a good example of the brand, but I think the others are representative. Of these individual instruments, the Kanile'a is by far my favorite, so Kanile'a is my favorite brand. I just love the clean, pure tone it produces, especially on the 1st string.
No question about it, a WWII Martin concert. I Just stick to old stuff but I've been impressed with the current Luthier made, it's the way to go if you have just one.
Cordoba next. I've got two - love the cedar top tenor but I'm not bonding as well with the same series baritone. I have another Cordoba tenor coming tomorrow - all solid hog
I think if I were to "step up" to a "K" brand, I'd likely try a Kanilea as I like the neck carve and ample nut width on my Islander tenor.