I picked up the uke last year and I'm having a blast with it. I currently have two, a Japanese solid mahogony Kiwaya KTS-4 (Martin Style-O copy) and a 40s-50s Martin Style-O. Both can be had under $500.00 if you look. The Martin is absolutely sublime sounding and the Kiwaya is not that far behind. Maybe a bit stuffier than the Martin, but EXCELLENTLY made.
For a first uke, I'd stay with the soprano size. It's the standard, and quite fun.
The "four string farmhouse" section of the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum
http://www.umgf.com/ is a great place to talk ukes.
Good luck, and good uking!
Cheers,
Chris
