Alvarez RU22C Regent Series Concert Ukulele

This is a reasonably decent ukulele for the price, the action is good, the intonation is off by around 20 cents at the 12th fret, and about 7 cents at the 5th fret. However, it's falsely advertised as being made from "quality seasoned tonewoods", listed specifically as: TOP: Solid A+ Sitka Spruce BACK AND SIDES: Mahogany NECK: Mahogany It actually has a PLYWOOD top, back and sides, and a three-piece Okoume neck. Adding insult to injury, what looks like an abalone rosette is actually a sticker. Unfortunately, it looks like the finish was sprayed on over the sticker, so I can't peel it off. Putting a fake abalone sticker on it just cheapens the whole instrument and makes it look like a toy. It's kind of embarrassing. The fact that they so blatantly misrepresented these things makes me question the claims about the things that I can't see, such as the dovetail neck joint. The sound is decent for a laminated instrument, but for about the same price, the Cordoba 15CM (which is laminated mahogany, and is advertised as such) has an inlaid abalone soundhole rosette (a real one) and ABS body binding, and just looks like a better instrument all around. I just ordered one for $75. I guess I'll just keep the Alvarez as a back-up. If I were to rate the instrument for WHAT IT IS, a decently made Chinese laminate ukulele with a reasonably good setup out of the box, I'd say it's a pretty good choice for a beginning or intermediate player. I'd give it a 3.5 or 4. Rating it for what it's being SOLD AS, with the claims about "quality seasoned solid tone woods", it should get a ZERO, since it is not made of solid wood at all, let alone "quality seasoned tone woods". It's plywood. It's disappointing that they've chosen to erode their own credibility and undermine trust in their company in this way.

Entry level instrument for our daughter. Easy to play and learn how to play on. Great tone with a strong sound. Nice length feels good in the hand. good set of tuners.

I bought this Uke at a convention. I had started playing a $30 soprano that I bought for my son. I went to the convention having no intention of purchasing an instrument but played this and feel in love with it. The playability, features, and workmanship are excellent for the value. This isn't a solid top uke or anything super high quality, but for the value it's hard to beat. The tone is great and most importantly, it's fun to play.