UKELELEJACK here:
I have a friend who is a true grand master guitar player of over 40 years and teacher as well. His advise to me was to get a good instrument as they are simply easier to play. My first one was a spruce Washburn and I got lucky. Mass produced china stuff can really vary, but mine was/is a really good one. Too high when I got it but with some setup and swaping to bone for the saddle and nut it became a low and fast player of the first water...A year later I had one made for me by Dr. Hank Robinson, a Jazz uke, looks like an archtop cutaway, voices like an angel. I lost the use of my little finger, left hand long ago and the uke kept me in the string thing so I have no regrets for the money.
http://www.geocities.com/trobinso.geo/Jazz_Uke.html
This is his site and while he does not make many, if you EVER get one you have a gem. I have met Lyle Ritz in Nashville and had him sign the old Washburn for me so it does not get played much anymore but chordie has been the best site for my song searches of anything...by the way...if you play the harp get a neck rack fot it and try that with your simple stuff...I do declare, they just GO together...keep strumming!
jack