Lanikai LU-21T Tenor Ukulele  

it's a tenor uke....

For the price, it's excellent. the action is good all up the neck, it's more easily tunable than most ukes, and I like the strings. And the sound.

the quality/price ratio is very good.

I don't own this, although I believe I'll buy one soon. The National Tour of the Broadway musical "the Addams Family" carries one with them in case the local orchestra guitarist doesn't own a tenor uke. So far, every local guitarist has used this uke instead of their own, and I'm doing the same right now. I like it better than my old one.  It's not an artist instrument, but it's a very decent serviceable instrument with good action and intonation. Good intonation in a uke is like finding an honest man.

The LU-21 is a good value.  There are not special frills, but the parts are well assembled.

I purchased two "used-broken" instruments not knowing what to expect.  Both were in good condition an with some small adjustments look like  they will serve me well.  I'm expect the new ones would be good to go.  I  was intruged with the "nylgut" strings that are stretchier than  standard nylon strings. It takes a little longer for the tuning to  stabilize, but the sound quality an feel is good.

Buying used instruments carries some risk, but the two I purchased worked out well.

Overall I'm very  satisfied.

I bought this tenor uke for my husband, who, at 6'5" struggled with the size of a standard uke. Although the new strings have required tuning up a tad each time he's played it, the uke has a very nice tone and he loves it. 

Nothing to say about dislikes.  We love the look, feel and tone.  Has an easy action, easy to play. Nice uke.  I would recommend this one to friends.

The wood is perfect - the neck hasn't shown any sign of warping, and the sound box is amazing.  I also like the geared tuning pegs.  I've had friction pegs before and these are far superior, although the negative is, they add a bit more weight to the left hand.  It's easy to get accustomed, though and worth the trade-off.  It came with Nylgut strings and at least for now, seems like they will go forever. The white plastic border is OK, but because of my posture, it was a bit sharp against my right forearm - nothing some fine grain sandpaper wouldn't fix.  Also, I added an endpiece.  For a uke this size, it should have been standard.  I've tried the pick-up and amp playing, but I just don't care for it.  That natural, acoustic sound can't be beat.  Maybe someday I'll need amplification, so it's good to know I can if necessary.

For the price, I don't think you'll do any better, worldwide!  If you use a magnifying glass, you might find some imperfections where some of the woods come together (like the neck to the sound box), but not enough to worry about.  I've kept mine in a case and pretty much in a temperature controlled environment, so I can't speak to how the wood holds up in different temperatures, like extreme cold or arridity (I live in humid central).  And I've only had my Lanakai for around nine months.  But so far, quality is good.  It sounds brand new every day.

I think the Lanakai LU-21TE is a bargain.  I've seen many other brands made from supposedly better wood, and I cannot believe they sound any better.  Really.  Take some good, solid wood, make sure it is properly dried, cut it to the proper thickness, then do the magic to cut and assemble, and I'll put spruce against an expensive hardwood any day of the week.  After all, harpsichords were made of spruce for about 250 years.  Expensive wood does not a good uke make.  I'll take knot-free wood and a good craftsman any day of the week.  (And chances are, those great craftsmen are underpaid.)

I think I've said it all by now!  I I've just about covered it all.  The price is great, the tone is sweet and bright, it holds its tuning remarkably, and is absolutely just fun to play.  I find it hard to put it down.  I practice every day after my regular job ends, and I stop when my fingers are too sore to continue.  I'm not a professional, but I'm getting better every day.  It's been a great ride, and this uke is a great companion.