was wanting to get a good ukulele. right now playing on a kala.
i have around $1000 to spend. looking at kbrands or should i look for a nice used custom either in concert or tenor size.
I have a few thoughts on the subject.
First of all, a used custom uke makes no sense. The whole point is to create a uke to your own specifications.
I think you need more money. $1000 for a custom is inordinately cheap.
The love of my life is my custom ukulele, so I don't want to be discouraging. Go for it.
A custom uke, it goes without saying, will play perfectly; if it doesn't, you better return it. But let's be honest, most of the money spent is all about bling, beauty, and fetish-value. So, realize that and make sure you get the look you want. When I ordered my custom, I told the luthier that I wanted something warm, unique, and with 19 frets. Then i stepped back and let the artist do his thing. In six months or so, I was elated to see my instructions made flesh and I was elated by the poetic license with which the luthier improvised certain aspects. So a custom is worth it.
I also have a special edition Kamaka. It is great as well (although out of your price range). In certain respects (i.e., its sustain) it is superior to my custom. So it is kick-ass and I cannot deny it. But the two of us lack a certain emotional connection since I wasn't there at its birth like I was with my custom uke.
So, it is impossible to go wrong with either of your choices. But I would go with the custom uke because, in my experience, it has been more rewarding.