I have to disagree with Artful Codger. The under $100 ukes can be suprisingly good. I have a Kala Soprano that I am very fond of- it plays well all the way up the neck, and has quite a good fretboard, and a pleasing sound. Not quite as good as an old solid mahagonny Martin, but neither are those $200-300 instruments. I have heard good reports on the Lanikai beginners models as well.