The Lu-21BEK is based on the best selling Concert Ukulele offered by Lanikai with added professional grade Fishman Kula electronics for playing in louder environments featuring an on-board tuner and three band EQ. This handcrafted ukulele is made with Nato wood (otherwise known as Eastern Mahogany) on its top back and sides. When this wood choice is paired with the Rosewood fingerboard it brings out a mellow tone with an enhanced midrange that is often missing in instruments in this price point. The LU-21BEK also comes stocked with die cast tuning machines geared 14/1 for easy tuning. If you have never played ukulele before get ready for a world of fun. The ukulele is an addicting instrument that can and will be taken everywhere. The standard tuning on a Soprano, Concert, and Tenor ukulele is GCEA, and on a Baritone DGBE. If you can play one ukulele you can play them all! With the easy playability, and included instruction booklet written by Mary Lou Dempler you will be playing in a matter of minutes then you'll see why people are saying Lanikai Makes Me Happy!
J**R
Quality Control Issues
Lanikai's new line of instruments are made in countries like China and Indonesia. I own various Lanikai instruments I've purchased over different years. This new line of instruments are very poorly crafted. My first ukulele was so bad, it was returned. The second, replacement instrument was hardly better. The problem is quality control in the manufacturing process. In both the products I received, there are serious imperfections in the wood assembly, many finishing problems, and even glue fingerprints, scratches and dents. The instrument has an action so high, it can't be played properly. This was on both instruments. This may be due to neck bowing, or just poor design. I have heard that some ukulele makers put the action high for survivability during the long shipping journey. The instrument is subject to major "buzzing" which prevents proper play. For the price point, this ukulele is far inferior to many other mainstream ukuleles you could purchase for the same price. Also, my two instruments I received are poor quality in comparison to Lanikai's previous products that I already own. My review applies to both their Baritone model and their Tenor model, both of which I purchased. The VENDOR who sold me my instruments is NOT included in this review, and did a fine job selling, returning, and handling my order.
B**L
good uke
good sounding uke, plays well and in tune in all neck locations. only problem was the strings were very old, and the d string snapped on the second or third tuning of the instrument. new strings really brought the uke to life.
