Risa Uke-Solid-Tenor

The Risa Uke-Solid-Tenor is surprisingly easy to hold and play given the odd shape. It seems nigh-indestructible. I would have no worries about packing it in a suitcase as long as I loosen the strings first. It sounds great, and acoustically is very quiet. The overall experience feels more like a solid-body electric instrument even though the strings are plastic. So IMO it occupies a very interesting niche that you don't get even with an electro-acoustic ukulele. For that reason I recommend getting one of these as a serious playing instrument, not just for travel or quiet practice.

I deducted 1 star from quality as there are some VERY MINOR cosmetic issues with the build. The wood on the outer two counterbored string holes (G & A strings) is just slightly frayed. The serial stamped into the back could be cleaner and easier to read. Also a few barely noticeable scratches here and there around the points of contact between the wood body and the metal hardware pieces. Otherwise it's very solid, just as the name suggests.