Conclusion: What a fabulous guitar to find at this price point. I really couldn't be happier with it.
Why this guitar? I am primarily a bass guitarist in a pop/rock covers band, but I also play in a duo in which I play 6 string electric and acoustic. Until now my acoustic guitar had been a Takamine which was more than double the cost of this guitar. I had to change because I simply did not get on with the Takamine - the action was horrifically high as was the string tension due to the shorter scale length, on top of which it didn't sound good through the PA without a lot of EQing. So I sold the Takamine and searched for something to replace it. This model was recommended so I bought one.
Plusses: Sounds wonderful - full rounded tone unplugged that comes out of the PA just beautifully with no fuss, everything flat. It looks great, the headstock is often remarked upon as is the colour - looks better in the flesh than in the photographs. The action is nice and low, string tension is fine, it is so easy to play. The thin neck helps me as I am more used to playing a Schecter strat. The blue illuminated control panel when plugged in or in tuner mode is fantastic for live performance when the lighting is often erratic at best, and the tuner is easy to use and really accurate.
Cons: there are a few slightly sharp fret edges which you don't feel playing it, but I will sort out when I change the strings. And the other con is the strings - I haven't got around to changing them yet, but they could be better. The fact that this instrument is entirely made of laminate could be seen as a negative by some, but for me it's not, it has enabled d'Angelico's designers to get the tone just so.
Conclusion: What a fabulous guitar to find at this price point. I really couldn't be happier with it. Much better than the Takamine it replaced.
