Mahalo UK-30R Ukulele Kit Red

I'm new to ukuleles, but somewhat seasoned with other instruments as I own a couple violins, a djembe, a couple blues harmonicas, and a very nice rosewood soprano recorder. What can I say? It's adorable! It is bright-colored and playful all over—including dolphins behind the pegs.It seems to be sturdy and well-made, too, has nice strong pegs that stay put, and carries the sound well. A very good deal for the sale price I paid of 27 clams.As a few people have said, it'd be wise to invest in some decent strings. Will be replacing ours soon. You can get a good set from just under $5 to $8. Haven't tried the DVD yet (will add to this review when we do), but we're planning to buy a book and a couple extra picks, too. The gig bag and pitch pipe are worthless. The pitch pipe was seriously out of tune and will end up becoming my daughter's plaything for her music drawer. :) The bag is just plastic. So really the only extra that may be worthwhile is the DVD, but even without the DVD the uke is a good deal when it's on sale.Invest $10-15 for a good padded bag and a good electric tuner—or get a tuning App for your smartphone (there are a few good free ones for the iPhone).Overall, I'm actually happy with this little instrument. A unique and playful first ukulele for someone who's a beginner or has a child who might want to learn strings. A nice little purchase. Will update as I learn to play.

While wandering through India during one of those transitional periods in life, I met a lovely young woman at the Nepalese border. She had come all the way from Istanbul, by way of Iran and Pakistan and had among her possessions a dented, be-stickered ukulele on which she could strum exactly three chords.I don't know, dear reader, whether you have ever had to negotiate an overland border crossing in Asia, but it can be an excruciating bureaucratic nightmare. However, when this lovely young woman pulled out her ukulele, strummed her three chords and made up a cheerful song about how hungry and bored we all were, the clouds parted, the birds sang, and we found ourselves whisked through by smiling guards. It was magical, that ukulele.It was at that moment that I resolved to get a uke of my own. Unfortunately, India suffers from a dearth of ukuleles, but my long-suffering girlfriend (now wife) was joining me shortly from the U.S, so all was not lost.For days I scoured the internets looking for the right uke until I found the Mahalo White Ukulele Kit. Its happy fruit stickers,charming pineapple shape, and included tuning thingy were perfect for my bohemian needs. I imagined holding court among legions of feral hippies, strumming my three chords and singing a happy tune. It was going to be magical.I had it shipped to my girlfriend, who promptly sent me an email with the subject line: "Uku-WTF?" And the opening line: "Did you seriously mail a ukulele to my house? What am I supposed to do with this?" Happily, she grudgingly agreed to bring it to me (did I pick a winner, or what?) and met me at the arrivals area of New Delhi International, pineapple uke in tow. It was a magical moment, when the pineapple uke and I first met. I was, of course, delighted to see her too.Thereafter followed the loveliest two months of that trip - me, my girl, my uke, and my four (four!) chords. Sadly, the uke was left behind on a bus after a hellish 22 hour ride from Manali to Delhi, the details of which I will leave untold, save that a stranger vomited on my arm. My girlfriend was in charge of collecting it while I climbed on the roof of the bus and argued with the driver; while I like to think she didn't leave it on purpose, I do wonder. I sometimes think of that fabulous pineapple ukulele and hope that someone, somewhere is out there strumming their three chords and bringing joy to the world.

I think there are better products on the market for a comparable price. Wasn't expecting much and will be good for a very first instrument for child but anyone looking for what feels like a legit instrument would want to move up pretty quickly to something else.

For some fun, this is a nice little cheapie uke. Suddenly the price has spiked - do not buy this at 40+ dollars!!! It was 29 when I bought it, I had to have it for a trip and I was leaving it there, so that was the right price. I hadn't a way to get Aquila strings at that place, but if you have the time and can pick up a set, it would really do this uke a favor. It comes with your basic fishing line sort of strings. The case is just a sheet of plastic made into a little gig bag, but it protects it from dust. I love the colors and the very happy aspect to this line of ukes from Mahalo. I also love that a DVD, a pitch pipe and a pick come with it! :) All told this little uke says HAPPY! It could give someone the idea that playing the uke could also be more than fun, a really nice addition to another instrument, or a new hobby.

This is a pretty ukulele that I purchased for a gift. It is yet to be played/tuned/watch the DVD that came with the kit, etc. It arrived on time for the holiday as promised. I am disappointed, however, because when we went to place it in the protective cover for the very first time, the zipper is broken. There is no way that I can see (after scrolling all over amazon for over 40 minutes now) on how to *just* return the cover and ask for replacement. I would have to return everything which I do not want to do.

These are awesome little Ukes. Good quality. I haven't watched the video yet on how to play but these little guys way exceeded my expectations. My boys love them and I think they are going to hold up to the abuse they maybe getting. Zipper on the bag fell off on both but that's a minor issue.

This wasn't the right quality instrument for a serious beginner. I'd recommend it for a child's first uke, though. The strings will need replacing at the very least if you're going to go beyond beginner status.

...will see what the gift recipient thinks - a lot more "childlike" than it seemed when I purchased it. It did ship quickly.