Interestingly, your parameters -- specifically, your “$1K max” and “no 'for a bit more' " mandates -- eliminate any Kamaka other than a soprano (a new concert is "a little bit more" at $1,045, and a new tenor is $1,245), any Kanile'a other than the base model soprano ($835) or concert ($915), as a base model Kanile'a tenor is $1,075, and any KoAloha other than a soprano or concert (a KoAloha tenor is $1,075, unless you can find a second at the KoAloha factory. So if you want to buy a tenor, I would advise getting a custom because it appears that you can't buy a K brand tenor new for $1,000 without paying "a little bit more." As for customs, I've heard great things about both Vento ukuleles and Brian Griffin's ukuleles. I bought an "off-the-rack" Willie Wixom for under $600 and I like it, but it's a bit heavier than comparable ukuleles and I think his prices have gone up with an increase in demand just after I bought mine.