I have an expensive electric bicycle I purchased with insurance money when my motorbike was stolen. I see it as a slow motorbike, combined with public transport it is often better for urban use than a motorbike. However, all people ask me is how much it cost, which is very creepy. They never asked how much the motorbike cost or how much my car costs, both cost a lot more and serve the same purpose. Why do you care so much about how much things cost all the time, once you have paid the bill and take out appropriate insurance?
If you buy a nice thing like a well made ukulele, why wont you just use it and forget how much it costs?
Jake the Hive maker makes the ukes to be played, not displayed. He makes them well enough so they can be repaired if they get damaged. I now know several people who have enjoyed 6 or 7 years of ukulele playing and stuff because I took my nice uke to an event and let them try it out. If you want to impress people enough to get them to take up ukulele, letting them play a Hive is going to be a great start. Its like a hook, their first impression of a uke is playing a Hive, think about it. They know that they can't get one straight away, but it becomes a goal to pursue and it adds so much positive value to their lives. Take a calculated risk, and share your fine ukes with others, the benefits are worth a lot more than the purchase price. Obviously if you have several ukes, its horses for courses when you choose which one to take, but sometimes it is nice to be at a well organised festival with some friends and fine food and a very nice uke to share.
