I appreciate the info. With all that I read about, laminants are not usually talked highly of. I just cannot afford a huge price tag. I do not see a lot of used ukes on Craigs List in my area. I have a Cordoba concert and love it. Trying to increase my wardrobe.
Don't get fooled about laminates. They are not intrinsically inferior to solid wood ukes, just a little different. They tend to be stronger and more resistant to humidity issues. A laminate top can often be thinner than a solid top of equivalent strength, which goes some way to compensate for its lower resonance. Kiwaya, for example, make some very nice laminate ukes.
I used to be all about solid tops on instruments, but some time ago a luthier friend showed me some things that kind of opened my eyes. I won't name him as he charges an arm and a leg for his solid guitars (sorry, mate!) and
much less for the laminates - although volume and tone wise they seem to me to be very similar indeed.
One thing about laminates is that the sound may change less over time as the instrument matures.
I still prefer solid tops all other things being equal, but I certainly no longer dismiss laminate instruments out of hand.
Oh, and at the extreme bargain end of the market, I think Makala laminate ukes are a spectacular bargain. YMMV.
EDIT TO ADD: Another "oh"... Of course, many cheap laminate instruments are total dogs that weigh a ton and are about as musical as a dead log. It's a matter of shopping around or getting advice from people who are familiar with the various models.