here's my review of the lanikai
hey cool to see someone checkin out this thread.
i eventually went with the lanikai. but from additional research, it seems that the lanikai and the kala are virtually identical apart from small cosmetic differences.
overall i am very, very happy with my lanikai.
here's my review link i posted on uu a while back.
http://ukuleleunderground.com/ukereviews/viewReviews.php?modelID=364&manufacturerID=17
i've got 2 reviews of the same uke with slightly diff #'s. why? i posted a review and then it never, ever appeared. i thought i did something wrong so i wrote another one. and without having the first review to refer to, some of the #'s may be a bit different. after a while, both reviews popped up on the site--oh well. but overall i love the uke.
here's some add'l pics of my uke.
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?p=187625#post187625
basically what did it for me was about a $20 difference i came up with in cost and shipping and perceived value. there were both added or seemingly free things tossed in from both top ebay uke sellers. when i added them all up it was a diff of $20. but in the future, i would probably buy from mgm.
my experience on uu, his feedback and rep on here and his presence on here, his generosity to contests and other things on here have really made me into a future customer.
here's what the uke sounds like in a recent video. note that i had to point the sound hole away from the comp so it wouldn't drown out my voice on the comp's mic.
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?p=267485#post267485
i think that if you went with either the lanikai or the kala, you'd be happy. but of course, if you get the chance, try them out first. i didn't get the chance. it was a leap of faith based on the scant handful of ukes i did get to play before going with this one.
good luck in your decision! let me know what you eventually decide.
:shaka: