Ibanez UEW20SM

The patterns in the Spalted Mango wood here is the result of a fungus being in the tree before it was cut down. It gives the very pretty pattern in the grain without seriously affecting the structure of the wood. That said, this, and I believe a lot of the other Spalted Ukuleles are laminate and only have the decorative wood as a top veneer.

Like all Ibanez Ukuleles this one was made in Indonesia and it is very well made. All of the fittings are top quality and there is a good high gloss varnish to protect and show off the wood. It also came with a Ibanez gigbag. Playing wise, it came with Aquila strings and quite a high factory setup that I had to lower. Even so it is still not a easy play and sometime can sound quite ordinary to poor. When I get it right though, it has a very nice warm sound with plenty of sustain and an average acoustic volume (always the way with High Gloss)