If you want to get a good ukulele for the stage (I am assuming you want one with electornics). for around $230 you can get the Lanikai S-TEQ, which I have had great success with. Everyone loves the sound. Solid spruce top gives good projection and the laminated back and sides deliver well-rounded tone - not bad on the low end, either, for a ukulele. Don't worry about solid woods unless you're moving to the $800 or more range, as there are grades of solid wood and it matters more what is done with the tops and how they are braced than just that it is solid wood. I played a Pono and I liked it, so if you want that, go for it - Ohana's look great but in my opinion I enjoyed playing the one Pono tenor model I played more (can't remember what models, but they were around $300 or so). All this said, having played each brand in this price range ($200-$500), I found the Lanikai to be more playable, better action and better tone. The best advice is go to a place that sells a wide variety, sit down and play and pick the one you love. That's what happened with the Lanikai for me. My opinion, but that's my advice. Mike