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Wechter TO-8428 submitted 2/4/2012
Submitter	kmangelos (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Sweetwater
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	Great for fingerstyle or flatpicking. Perfect, balanced sound from bass to treble
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Wechter plek's all their guitars as they come out of the factory, and the setup on this one is perfect.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Rosewood back/sides, solid spruce top, abalone inlay around soundhole, simple dot inlays on fretboard.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	This is the 3rd Wechter I've purchased and I have never been disappointed by any of them
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	Dealing with Sweetwater or Wechter is easy, they have great customer service. Anytime I've had a question, either Wechter or Sweetwater respond quickly. I even once got a response directly from Abe Wechter himself.
Customer Service	not rated
Components	Hardware and other parts are first class.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I'd buy a second one for alternate tunings if I could
Overall Rating	10

Recording King rd 316 submitted 12/14/2011
Submitter	johnrobel (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	ebay
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	430 ($US)
Sound	This guitar is a great buy. Its tone keeps getting better, I have about 2 hrs total on it. Its sustain is amazing. Its tone is bright and tight and I am sure a couple hundred hrs playing time will really sweeten and mature the sound. From Haggard tunes to foggy moutain breakdown it sounds great. I have played many expensive guitars and this thing stands the test.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	Havent changed a thing. It came with no strings, so I put a set of light (12-54) gauge bronze GHS on it and tuned it up. Action is low and fast with no buzz or fret interference.
Setup Rating	9
Appearance	Onlt thing I dont like about the way it looks is the black pickguard. This I will change to a tortoise shell to match the binding. Finish otherwise is verry nice. No glue blobs or sloppy indications. Nice gloss, no runs or sags,
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	Time will tell about the durability of the finish, but it is evenly applied, not heavy and no flaws. Grover butter bean tuners are nice and smooth with vintage look to them.
Reliability Rating	9
Customer Service	unknown
Customer Service	not rated
Components	Adirondack spruce top, african mahogany back and sides and neck, ebony finger board, bridge, pins and head stock. These guitars are put together with hot hide glue, beautifully assembled . Amazingly light and responsive (like a good tele)
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	Should we call Greg Rich a hero, or an adversary to the big old U.S. companies? I dont know, but I will say this, all the american companies better pay attention, because these are damned great guitars and Rich has done a hell of a job putting this thing together. If they start building nice light tele type axes I would be surprised if US manufacturers survive as we know them.
Overall Rating	10

Blueridge BR60 ce submitted 11/8/2011
Submitter	Howard T (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Priviae sale
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	375 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	I play a lot of Country and bluegrass flatpicking and country licks along with chording. I played it through a PA system and a Fender Acoustasonic Junior. Not to much in the way of special effects. I try to keep the sound as natural as possible, maybe a little to the bass side to keep a full tone on the E and the B strings. As far as amplified, I am a real believer in Takamine electronics but Fishman and Bagg are both OK . This one has a Fishman classic 4T. It serves its purpose. Acoustically the sound was IMO amazing. A lot of spring in the high end and fairly good low end. The low end didn't boom so the guitar did not sound mushy at all. I ended up selling it to my friend who has a Martin D-28 and claims it sounds every bit as good.
Sound Rating	8
Setup	The setup was as well as could be expected except that Ifor me, I felt the neck was to thin and the radius was, it felt like less than 9. At this point in my playing, I prefer a flatter and wider neck. but that is so much personal choice. Adjustment could be made easily with the truss rod if you wanted to, but I would be inclined to have a luthier look after it once or twice a year.
Setup Rating	8
Appearance	The guitar looks great with natural high-gloss finish solid sitka spruce top and laminated Brazilian rosewood back and sides. I am not a fan of the high gloss finish on the neck as it tends to slow my hand down when I start to sweat, so if I settle on a guitar, I will lightly sand the neck in order to remove the Finish. The finish is fine. Over all it is a great looking guitar. I am not ah struck by the beauty of guitars. I want is a guitar that sounds good and plays well. I don't care about the rest.If it looks too good. I'm afraid I might ding or scratch it. But if you like decor, the BR60 has pearl inlay s on the Fret board, nice emblem on the headstock , I look at my guitar hanging on teh wall or on its stand or in its case and I think about all the melodies and notes that have come out of it. That's what makes it look beautiful to me.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	Ask me after 10 years.
Reliability Rating	not rated
Customer Service	I emailed Saga a couple of times re questions about the guitar, but they never respond. I'm not feeling them. In comparison, I have emailed both Martin and Takamine and they have always responded to me. So I am not feeling great about Saga's their customer service.
Customer Service	3
Components	Made in China Nut width: 1-11/16" Bone nut and saddle 25.5" scale length Fishman classic 4T pre amp Black Pick guard White trim Binding. Martin 8/20 bronze medium 13 - 56 m150
Components Rating	8
Overall Comments	The BR60 ce is a great guitar. Looks good sounds great plays fine. The only issue I had with it was that the neck was too think. The thin neck was great for chording and strumming, but I do a lot of picking and my preference is for a wider neck,but that's strictly a personal choice thing. It really is a great guitar for the price. I rate it a 9 in comparison to other guitars of similar value.
Overall Rating	9

Martin GC-MMV submitted 10/1/2011
Submitter	barnesc (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Guitar Center
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	1,200.00 ($US)
Sound	I was suspicious of this guitar at first, motly because it was only sold at Guitar Center. I played the whole Martin guitar series and really liked this guitar for the money. I liked the solid wood construction and the ebony fretboard. The sound, while not as boomy as the D-28 or HD-28, still had good bass response and provided great upper and midrange for lead playing. The intonation was clear thru the entire fretboard and the thinner neck was comfortable much like my Deering banjo neck. The neck shape helped make chord intonation excellent.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	The guitar was reasonabley setup. The action was a little high so I filed the saddle down slightly and improved the play-ablitiy. I have not made any other changes and the sound has opened up quite well over the last 6 months.
Setup Rating	8
Appearance	The workmanship, fit and finish is falawless, much better than a couple of D-16 rgts that I considered.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	it a Martin
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	I have not dealt with Martin, but my local Gutair Center store has been top notch. I have a choice of several reknown local stores ( one is the largest Martin dealer) but they could not carry this model. The service that I have had from the GC store has been just as good as the more notable stores.
Customer Service	10
Components	Other folks talk about upgrading the bridge pins, but I see no reason to do so. I expect to play this guitar until I die.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I understand that this model is made only for Guitar Center stores. Don't under estimate this model especailly at this very reasonable price piont. If you look around, there are some very good deals on this model.
Overall Rating	9

Taylor Big Baby Taylor submitted 8/21/2011
Submitter	banjobubby (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Robert M Sides
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	449 ($US)
Sound	The sounds is incredible. Don't let aanyone ever talk you out of this guitar. Some say there is a lack of bass or bottom end in the guitar. But that os so not the case. this this rings clear like a bell.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	When i bought it, or for that matter when i first played it. it was spot on in every kinda way. the action is incredible low and easy to play it was just simply wonderful.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Its a very simple looking guitar. nothing to glamorous, but looks by o means make a guitar sound good. it has a natural finish, the standard taylor red swirled looking pick gaurd, dot marker inlays very nice looing taylor style head.
Appearance Rating	8
Reliability	its seems like a very well built guitar. Of course taylor does not make junk. i think this will last a very long time it seems to be very soid guitar
Reliability Rating	9
Customer Service	i haven't dealt with them yet other than registering it. but from the looks of their website they are more than will ing to help if anything ever goes wrong. check em out.
Customer Service	10
Components	no week or cheap part here. now here are some stand out components. it has a bolt on neck that is very well done. the action was great the sound was nice and warm and very well balances.
Components Rating	8
Overall Comments	This is an incredible guitar for the money. crisp as a bell very well balanced. i love and if you are thinking about buying one go out and do it.
Overall Rating	10

Potomac PVD-28-DLX PVD-28-DLX submitted 8/14/2011
Submitter	fdudleys (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	E-Bay - Eastman Strings
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	209 ($US)
Sound	It is a D28 copy, no Herringbone but It suites me fine. I always wanted a Martin HD-28, but no longer. I play with some good 'ol boys with Martin HD28's, they all like my guitar, not enough to trade, one actually wanted to buy one from me for a backup. He's bought a new HD-28 3 mos. ago
Sound Rating	10
Setup	It was set up, I thought about lowering the saddle some, but I am not in a rush.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	It is a great looking guitar, I love herringbone, this guitar does not have it, but I'll get over it. It does have a very tight grain spruce top with lots of bearclaw. A 76 yr old bluegrass luthier friend of mine thought it may be adirondack spruce. The sides and back are solid rosewood all finished with nitrocellulose laquer.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	It is my main acoustic guitar. I love it. Stays in tune great
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	No warranty, It was a close out,
Customer Service	not rated
Components	All first rate bone nut and saddle, ebony pins, forward x bracing... Whats not to love.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	It was a close out, These guitars were built for the Eastman Strings company as a lower end guitar or price point. Somehow the DLX models ( all solid woods) turned out better than expected and they killed this project and sold off all inventory on E-Bay. I bought 2 of the D-28' and 1 of the D18's Magnificent guitars. The day I received them I listed my Eastman AC420 on E-Bay and sold it.
Overall Rating	10

Seagull S-12 plus submitted 8/14/2011
Submitter	fdudleys (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Pawn Shop
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	200 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	It is the nicest, balanced 12 string guitar I have ever owned
Sound Rating	10
Setup	I may have tweaked it a little, I did put new strings Martin light 12's.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	It was used , in a pawn shop, previous owner put a decal on the top of the guitar "KISS" it was a tape on logo that left some marks, It is starting to fade now. One of my favorite things about this guitar is that it is made from cedar and some other aeromatic woods and whenever I take it out of the case I take a big whiff at the sound hole.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	It is not my main guitar, but it is well built and EVERYONE who has played it remarks about the sound and easy play.
Reliability Rating	9
Customer Service	I have no idea.
Customer Service	not rated
Components	No weaknesses that I'm aware of.
Components Rating	9
Overall Comments	Great Guitar, I like it better than the Guild 12 Alvarez 12, two different Takamine 12's and some other lesser 12's I did try out a Taylor Jumbo 12 that was very nice.
Overall Rating	9

mini Taylor Mini Taylor submitted 6/4/2011
Submitter	fiddletune (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Musicians Friend
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	289.00 ($US)
Sound	Accoustic
Sound Rating	not rated
Setup	I have a E and B string buzz I can't get rid of. Looks like I'll have to raise the nut.
Setup Rating	not rated
Appearance
Appearance Rating	not rated
Reliability	Not sure at this point, this is a new model, Only problem it is made in Mexico......yikes, we'll have to wait and see
Reliability Rating	not rated
Customer Service	I used a Lujithier near my home, authorized Taylor guitar repair man.
Customer Service	not rated
Components
Components Rating	not rated
Overall Comments	I played most all the Mini guitars on the market and they all seem to have this buzz problem.
Overall Rating	6

mini Taylor BT1 Mini Taylor submitted 6/4/2011
Submitter	fiddletune (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Musicians Friend
Year Purchased
Price Paid	289.00 ($US)
Sound	Sound is great but I have an E and B string buzz. This guitar have the best sound of all the baby, mini types out there.
Sound Rating	not rated
Setup	Had to take it to a authorized Taylor repair to find out about the buzz. He had to work on flatteing the fretts. That did not fix the buzz and he explained that it was an accustic buzz not a fret problem.
Setup Rating	not rated
Appearance	Nicely made, It has a new type neck. Attaches to the body of the guitar with two screws on top near the end of the neck. I hope it works and lasts.
Appearance Rating	not rated
Reliability	yes
Reliability Rating	not rated
Customer Service	They were very helpfull
Customer Service	not rated
Components
Components Rating	not rated
Overall Comments
Overall Rating	6

Taylor big baby 306-GB submitted 5/16/2011
Submitter	r miller (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Guitar House of Tulsa
Year Purchased	2002
Price Paid	410 ($US)
Sound	I really like the sound of this guitar.
Sound Rating	8
Setup	I haven't changed one thing since I bought it.
Setup Rating	8
Appearance	Plain round dots, no binding and no gloss. Beautiful natural spruce top and mahogany back and sides
Appearance Rating	8
Reliability	No problems with anything yet.
Reliability Rating	8
Customer Service	Never had to take it in, but the folks at the Guitar House are very capable and helpful if needed.
Customer Service	9
Components	I guess the best thing to say about this instrument is the solid spruce top. It's the cheapest guitar Taylor makes, but it's a dandy to look at, play and hear.
Components Rating	8
Overall Comments	Great guitar, slightly smaller than standard size with a nice padded gig bag, great for camping and bluegrass festivals.
Overall Rating	8

Gallagher 72 Special submitted 4/14/2011
Submitter	JT Foote (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Dream Guitars
Year Purchased	2009
Price Paid	2795.00 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	This 14-fret instrument has the best overall sound of any acoustic guitar I have ever played. The tonal quality is lush, with exceptional warmth. The string-to-string balance leans towards a clear, powerfully resonant bass ... with a rich, harmonically active mid-range, sweet bell-like trebles, and good note separation. There is a wide field of projection that makes the guitar deceptively loud, even off to the sides. Tremendous sustain. The neck profile and nut width allow plenty of room for easy fingering. The guitar is incredibly versatile; it handles both fingerstyle and flatpicking beautifully, and can maintain a fine, deep tone even when capoed on a high fret. I have it set up with a low action, using nickel round wound strings that allows for exceptional flexibility in both hands. Bends, hammer-ons, and pull-offs are a breeze. The top is lightly-braced, and responds quickly to even the most minute of dynamic changes, yet has an unusual amount of clean headroom if pushed.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	The guitar needed some work when I bought it. It was covered with a (still) unidentified dark, sticky film that took several hours to remove. The frets needed leveled and dressed. The saddle had shifted too far forward when the top bellied, so a new slot in the ebony bridge had to be cut, the old slot replaced with similar wood, and a new intonated bone saddle installed. The nut was replaced, and the relief and action set to my preference. The guitar had two holes in the end block, and I had one filled with a strap lock, and the other with an L.R. Baggs Dual-Source pickup and a 1/4" end pin jack. The bridge pins were slotted, so I reamed the bridge pin holes and slotted the bridge. I still use the old bridge pins; I just install them backwards, with the slots facing the rear of the guitar.
Setup Rating	5
Appearance	It is an attractive guitar ... well designed and tasteful. The aged, amber-colored Sitka top has a surfeit of medullary rays (silk), perfectly straight-grained, with almost no runout. There are over 50 grain lines per inch. The nitrocellulose finish is very thin, and goes over the pickguard. The top binding and rosette are absolutely gorgeous pieces of abalone. The ebony fretboard is bound with grained ivoroid. The headstock plate is Brazilian Rosewood, and the tuners are gold Schallers that operate smoothly, with no binding, and the surface metal coating has not pitted or flaked at all. The abalone and mother-of-pearl inlays on the fretboard and headstock are custom-designed Bell Flowers designed by Mr. Gallagher. The back and sides are wild East Indian Rosewood, and beautifully book-matched.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	The tuners have already lasted for twenty years, and I think they will go for at least another twenty! The finish has some thin spots that are down to bare wood on the upper bouts near the fretboard, but they have been touched up. There are a few nicks and scratches, typical of normal play wear, but no cracks or other kinds of damage that would require a luthier's aid. It holds pitch very well; I have never broken a string on the guitar in the two years I've had it, and a backup for this guitar on a gig is unnecessary.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	I've never dealt with the company, but from what I have heard, the Gallagher family is very friendly and wonderfully accommodating to all their customers. The guitar was not under warranty, being used.
Customer Service	10
Components	Specifications: * Type: Dreadnought * Year: 1992 * Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood * Top: Sitka Spruce * Neck: African Mahogany, 1 Piece (Khaya) * Headplate: Brazilian Rosewood * Headstock Inlay: Builder Logo * Headstock Bindings: * Fingerboard: Ebony * Fingerboard Bindings: Ivoroid * Fret Markers: Custom Floral Pearl Inlay * Frets to body: 14 * Cutaway: None * Bridge: Ebony * Pickguard: Tortoise Style * Body Bindings: Ivoroid * Top Trim: Abalone * Back Strip: * Rosette: Abalone * Tuners: Schaller Gold * Case: OHSC Tweed Look * Pickup: L.R. Baggs Dual Source * Condition: Very Good, has second pickup jack hole at end pin allowing for a second pickup to be installed if desired. * Body Length: 19 7/8 in. * Upper Bout: 11 1/2 in. * Lower Bout: 15 3/4 in. * Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 7/8 in. * Body Depth @Tail Block: 5 in. * Scale Length: 25.25 * Nut Width: 1-3/4" * Strings Spacing: 2-1/4" Nothing on this guitar needs upgraded, updated, or repaired. The neck angle is very good, and the dovetail joint is tight.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	Simply put; it is a superior guitar. Great craftsmanship. Fantastic tone. Suitable for fingerpicking a nuanced ballad with a capo, flatpicking fiddle tunes, or for accompanying a vocalist without irritating frequency conflicts. The sound, resonance, and dynamic response are above and beyond. The playability with nickel strings is reminiscent of a good electric, but without a loose feel or sloppiness, and there is no buzz, even with an aggressive technique. Overall, as fine an instrument as any guitar player could hope to have. I got really lucky the day this one fell into my lap. I would have gladly paid twice the asking price for this guitar, and still thought I had gotten a bargain. And a prize.
Overall Rating	10

Martin HD-35 submitted 4/11/2011
Submitter	ThePicker (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Off an Individual
Year Purchased	2011
Price Paid	$1,800 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	Excellent sound. RIch and bassy. Really Boomy!
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Perfect
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	The best looking of the standard line up!!
Appearance Rating	not rated
Reliability	Very Reliable!!
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service
Customer Service	not rated
Components
Components Rating	not rated
Overall Comments	The best blugrass guitar on the market. You won't go wrong with it.
Overall Rating	10

Martin D18 Authentic submitted 3/5/2011
Submitter	jhpsr (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	My Favorite Guitars
Year Purchased	2009
Price Paid	Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	It is true to the original 1937 Martin D18 specs including a thick neck I love that contributes to its tone and power. It may not be for small hands, so play one before buying. The D18A's that I've played are consistently fantastic in tone and "cut" for flat picking.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	The guitar came straight to me exactly as it was set up at the factory. It plays like butter and has a better action than a 2006 model that I previously owned
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Fit and finish is excellent. The "1937" sunburst turns some folks off, but it is well done and is unique.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	It is totally reliable.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	Martin, Inc. and My Favorite Guitars are both first class outfits.
Customer Service	10
Components	The early D18A's came with a cheap grade of Gotoh tuners. The more recent models come with Waverlies as they should. All D18A's come with a cheesy looking fake alligator hide case that is inferior in function and looks to the Geib type case. The case doesn't matter; I don't use factory cases.
Components Rating	8
Overall Comments	The D18A displaced several Collings D1A models as my primary flat picking guitars. I prefer the Martin D18A tone and the genuine features of the originals including the tee bar non-adjustable neck and hide glue construction. The lack of a varnish option is of no importance to me for the D18A would no longer be true to the original specs. It is among the top two guitars I've ever owned in fifty years of picking.
Overall Rating	10

Martin D-16rgt submitted 2/21/2011
Submitter	Fireonthe5string (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Local
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	1200 ($US)
Sound	I play bluegrass and i bought this as a "festival" guitar and iv been quite impressed with it.Its solid rosewood back and sides sitka top and micarta bridge and fretboard.With the stock micarta saddle it sounded decent..a bit bright for rosewood but after a switch to john pearse phosphor bronze mediums and a properly fitted bone saddle and ebony pins this thing came to life..good on the highs wich are seeming to still be sweeting up nicely but the lows really became more promenent as well as more complex overtones.now with the saddle this thing became a true cannon and on leads it cuts very nicely through the mix of a full band and has thar nice martin boom in the low end when playing rythm after some slight modifications this thing stands up very well to my HD not quite the same but this guitar hasnt any age on it or has yet to be played in.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	The action was very low out of the box but with my heavy hand i got some buzzing so i raised it a bit with the taller bone saddle and that fixed things leaving a very comfortable action and an increase in volume.Definately recomend the saddle upgrade first thing and ebony pins really seemed to round out the trebles nicely.Also i personally dont like the martin coated strings that came on it and i tried exps and they sounded good...elixers were horrible and i tried the john pearse and the guitar loved them btw these were all medium gauge.
Setup Rating	7
Appearance	The gloss top is beautiful and the satin back and sides have really grown on me its kind of a simply elegant looking guitar..mine has a very nice looking piece of spruce for the top lots of "silking" in the grain. and the heringbone rosette is a nice touch
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	Its a Martin....
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	out of 15 years owning martins ive never had a problem so i cant say anything here.
Customer Service	not rated
Components	As stated bone saddle,ebony pins..the tuners could use an upgrade but theyre fine for now
Components Rating	8
Overall Comments	I was skeptical about this guitar but after $35 of easy DIY upgrases this has become a very toneful instrument and i can say im quite happy with it.
Overall Rating	9

Guild D-40 submitted 1/18/2011
Submitter	bbjork (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Long Island, NY
Year Purchased	1967
Price Paid	180 guess ($US)
Sound	Great sound for flat picked bluegrass rhythm and lead and also fun to finger pick. This guitar loves a dropped D tuning.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	Haven't had to do anything in 43 years. Action is perfect, very easy to play.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Looks good not real fancy just a standard Hoboken manufactured Guild D-40. Mahogany back and sides, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, great Guild headstock. Top has darkened up to that nice honey antique look after all these years.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	This guitar has been on a couple of extended Navy cruises with me and survived a Vermont winter in a dormitory when I was a Ski Bum in 69-70. It's also survived hitchhiking in the rain on occasion. Plays better today then yesterday. The varnish is worn off the back of the neck and I had to have some minor repair work to correct a split bridge, but hey it's 43 years old.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	Haven't had the need to contact the company but now that Guild is owned by Fender and manufacturing has moved about 30 minutes away from me in New Hartford, CT I may take it over there for a look see.
Customer Service	not rated
Components	Haven't had to replace a thing
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I could never replace this guitar because of its sound, reliability, memories (old ticket stubs in the case from 60's Newport Folk Festivals, Woodstock etc.) and needless to say my son would disown me if I were to sell it.
Overall Rating	10

Martin D-28 submitted 9/21/2010
Submitter	brokepick (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Used
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	1300 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	The D-28 sound is what has made it the standard for a rosewood dreanought. Bright trebles, edgy bass, punchy "in your face" kind of sound. Clear and distinct, and yet complex. Play it softly, and it is quiet. Play it hard, and it is LOUD. Ideal for lead and flatpicking. If you must have amplification with it, put it in front of a mic. I can find nothing to dislike about its sound. This 21 year old example has matured Very nicely.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	The setup on this guitar was what I consider ideal, however this is a twenty-one year old guitar, so it doesn't have its original setup. Martin's initial setup is what might be considered at the high limits, at the nut and at the saddle. Their rationale for this is that the nut and saddle may be cut down to suit the new owner's preferences.
Setup Rating	5
Appearance	Standard Martin appointments. Semi-gloss neck, high gloss body. You won't find any finish flaws on a new one. Built for function, with minimal "bling."
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	It's a standard Martin. Everything on it will last if properly cared for.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	This guitar was purchased used, and has no warranty. Martin warrants their guitars for a lifetime to the original owner, and they have a full customer service network for warranty and non-warranty repairs. I have no direct experience with Martin's repair department, but I have not heard any complaints about them. Their customer service has been very helpful in answering my inquiries.
Customer Service	10
Components	I can find nothing to dislike about any component of this guitar.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	The Martin D-28 is the standard by which all dreadnought guitars are measured. Someone who is not satisfied with a D-28 is going to be quite hard to please. It would be unreasonable to expect a brand new D-28 to sound as exceptional as this 21 year old example. All solid wood guitars can sound "tight" or limited when they are new, and the D-28 is no exception. A period of breaking in, or "opening up" can take years, before the guitar's tone really begins to become prominent.
Overall Rating	10

Blueridge BR-43 submitted 5/22/2010
Submitter	Bizdoc (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Individual
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	$275 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	Has a very good full bodied sound, rich and plenty of volume.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	needed action lowered for my liking, however others that played it liked the action as it was. I had the bridge shaved slightly and changed to extra light strings.
Setup Rating	9
Appearance	Beautiful guitar, very nice looking wood, head has very nice inlays, no flaws anywhere. Finish is high gloss, a very attractive guitar
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	Seems to be a very solid unit, all parts appear to be quality, I have had no issues.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service
Customer Service	not rated
Components
Components Rating	not rated
Overall Comments	Really like this guitar. I spent a considerable amount of time researching guitars and wanted this unit prior to purchasing, but a new unit was closer to $400.00 and I was more in the $300 range and almost settled for an Alvarez, then found this on craigs list. The person who had it took 6 lessons and gave up. I was very fortunate to get this guitar. Its a real keeper. You'd be hard pressed to find a better guitar in this price range. It will hold its own with guitars costing three times as much
Overall Rating	10

Blueridge BR-40T submitted 5/22/2010
Submitter	Bizdoc (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	345.00 ($US)
Sound	Good sound, full sound for a Tenor Guitar
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Unit was set up well, good action and strings
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Very good looking guitar, has nice head stock inlays, high gloss finish. no flaws good wood quality.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	Good hardware, good finish, quality unit
Reliability Rating	not rated
Customer Service
Customer Service	not rated
Components
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	Very nice guitar, good quality, good sound, great looking unit, nice action. Excellent Tenor Guitar.
Overall Rating	10

Washburn D17CE submitted 4/21/2010
Submitter	ukuleleph (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Narrabri NSW Australia
Year Purchased	1997
Price Paid	$800 historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	Great sound. Very rich & warm with a bit of an edge. I have used it mainly on church sound systems. Good balance between bass & treble tones.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	Can't fault the action at all. its easy to play. The only thing I had to do was replace one machine head after 10 years as the thread wore out. They are gold die cast machineheads and all the other machineheads work perfectly.
Setup Rating	8
Appearance	It is totally black. It has a lovely finish. Solid spruce with beautiful inlay work.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	The serial number starts with 92. That means it is a 1992 model, but just sounds better with age. It has an Equis 11 pickup which sounds great. Solid spruce top still in tact after 18 years of being in the Australian outback (harsh dry summers). The reason I make that point is that Australia makes great guitars through the "Maton" company; but sometimes when they hit the Aussie outback, they may crack due to the extreme dry heat. Not here with the Washburn. (not yet anyway).
Reliability Rating	9
Customer Service
Customer Service	8
Components	Besides the machinehead on the G string, everything else is great. It has a mahogany neck & rosewood fingerboard. The fretboard has fancy looking mother of pearl, and has a rosewood bridge.
Components Rating	9
Overall Comments	The only other comment to make is that in early 2010, the strings started to break at the saddle. I just used my wife's nail file to file the saddle where the strings cross it. Bingo - problem solved. Back to being a very good guitar again. These are hand made are excellent value for money.
Overall Rating	9

Aria 951 submitted 4/20/2010
Submitter	ukuleleph (see all reviews from this person)
Where Purchased	Palings, Liverpool, Sydney, Australia
Year Purchased	1976
Price Paid	$60 historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	For a guitar at this price, this is a very good guitar. It has a rich sound.
Sound Rating	8
Setup	The action is good for a guitar of this price. There are no pick ups. The strings always stay in tune.
Setup Rating	8
Appearance	Easy on the eyes. It has a slight "Spanish" look about it, but still looks like a flat pick/folk guitar
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	The guitar is 34 years old. It has stood the test of time
Reliability Rating	9
Customer Service	Good service
Customer Service	9
Components	I have only exchanged the machine heads about 15 years ago.
Components Rating	8
Overall Comments	A fine guitar. Great sound.
Overall Rating	9

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