Don't be put off by other reviews, but do be prepared to change the strings. As with most cheap ukuleles, the strings they come with are very poor.I was bought this as a novelty present by a very good friend. Generally, I play much more expensive ukuleles, costing £100s of pounds rather than the £20 this one goes for, so I am used to the sound and intonation of good instruments. Don't expect the sound of an old Martin ukulele or of a modern hand made instrument with this one. However, given the modern use of computer aided design and manufacture, even cheap instrumnets these days can be expected to have decent intonation, and this one does, playing in tune right up to the 12th fret. The tuners are decent geared machines and will hold the tuning of the instrumnet well, although you may have to tighten the adjusting screws on the machines a little if they have rattled around in transit.Now to the strings. The ones this ukulele came with are terrible. They are dull in sound and rubbery in feel. Take them off. Buy a good set - I recommend Aquila Nylgut soprano strings for this instrument - and you will be rewarded with a vast improvement in the sound. Other reviewers have commented on the terrible sound and the poor harmony of the chords - it's almost certainly down to the strings. If you are new to stringed instruments, be aware that the strings will take a while to settle down once you have brought them up to pitch - buy a tuner, too! - as they stretch and settle. But after a few days' playing, you will find you have a perfectly playable and attractive little instrument that will give you hours of pleasure and which won't mind a day out at the beach - where my more expensive instruments would never go!