I can confirm I got a brand new Paradise uke around 2007 for christmas. Iam pretty sure it was purchased from music mac in Kane'ohe windward mall but it has since been shut down as well. Iam not too certain about others but this Paradise UKE sounds beautiful. Its construction is of really good quality. Still plays like the morning i first took it out of the case no new strings or anything. I love it and for me personally i feel it sounds better as it ages. Id definitely pick another one up if i ever got the chance its special to me. Thats all i know tho i only got this 1 uke and dont look around for ukes much so i dont got much to compare to just experience owning one.