UAS too
today I just got home from a business travel trip in Norway and I found three cheap ukes were delivered to my house while I was gone that I had ordered sort of compulsively but I really did want them!
Actually I ordered FOUR ukes but the dolphin did not show up yet as they are on backorder. I might should cancel the dolphin maybe... its thirty two bucks delivered.
So, I got a Luna Honu. It comes with Aquilas, a gig bag and a pitch pipe delivered from Musicians Friend for 69 bucks. When I got it, the intonation relative to the harmonics was perfect but the action was a little high so it was sharp when fretted. In about fifteen minutes I had the thing set up perfectly using my file on the nut and saddle (I also removed the shim under the saddle) and it sounds very nice. It has a few scratches on it right from brand spanking new but generally looks nice and has a lovely tone with the aquilas.
I also got a Makala Pineapple. This thing has a super thin laminate top. It costs 39 dollars delivered. It needed the action fixed and I did that. It also needed a new set of strings as I did not like the black ones that were on it so I put some Martin Fluorocarbons on it. It is a decent uke! It has a flawless finsih for what it is.
BUT NOW THE BEST OF THE THREE was a Mahalo Les Paul! Mine is cherry sunburst. Wow this one is the nicest looking by far. There are some slight imperfections in the finish if you want to be picky but it is SUPER WELL WORTH THE PRICE. Of the three instruments, it is the only one that did not require any setup. It was setup perfectly at the factory. It comes with aquilas and a gig bag delivered for 52 bucks and has an awesome tone for a laminate in my opinion. Sounds different than the honu but not worse sounding at all. It sounds great and I would recommend this ukulele to folks for a cool sounding uke for 52 bucks for sure. Unlike the Makalas, you don't even need to buy a new set of strings as it comes with aquilas but they don't brag about it because the instrument does not come with that tag on it saying it has aquilas on it but that is in fact what comes on it. Of the three, I am the most pleased with the Mahalo. I don't know why they get such a bad rap. Maybe they are trying harder with this one... I don't know but it is real nice.
My wife says no more ukes should come in the house lol.