Have you ever purchased a uke based on looks alone?

Ziret said:

That's beautiful wood.

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The wood grain was so striking on this one I fell in love with it almost as soon as I saw it. I bought it without ever having touched it trusting the Kala name to deliver a nice sounding uke. I wasn't disappointed when I got my hands on it so I'm very pleased with the purchase.

mikelz777 said:

This is the uke that inspired this thread, a Kala KA-ZCT-C. (Ziricote laminate front, back and sides. Walnut fretboard and a satin finished neck which I love and wish I had it on my other ukes.) I couldn't resist it!

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I think like you! Mine is the tenor version.
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I have to modify my answer. I did buy a gorgeous Kanile'a K-1T Premium curly koa tenor. But i am very familiar with the K-1T and knew it would sound as good as it looks.

These are the seller's photos and they don't do it justice. The colors shimmer and change. It's an orange-brown golden tiger striped effect that changes in the light and angle you're looking at it.

Kenn2018 said:

I have to modify my answer. I did buy a gorgeous Kanile'a K-1T Premium curly koa tenor. But i am very familiar with the K-1T and knew it would sound as good as it looks.

These are the seller's photos and they don't do it justice. The colors shimmer and change. It's an orange-brown golden tiger striped effect that changes in the light and angle you're looking at it.

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Gorgeous! Congrats!

mikelz777 said:

How many of you have purchased a uke based on looks alone?

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How about 80% "looks"? Price and size/scale and availability are limitations that have to be considered. Beyond that, as a beginner I don't really have an "ear" for quality, and the people doing the demo videos for HMS make everything sound spectacular. So after clearing the hurdle of "reputation" we get to desire: beautiful woods and inlays and proportions and details are what makes the money jump out of the wallet.