I bought an AES820 from a friend for a steal, figuring "What the hell, it might make a good beater".

After I restrung it, set it up, and played it, I said "Wow!"

It's a solid chunk of a guitar. It feels great in my hands, and it sounds even better. The pickups are fairly hot, but they're clear and musical throughout their range. It's a great no frills, working player's guitar.

I played a few AES models at stores after I got mine, and they were also sweet.

I really like this "buddy needs money, sell it to me for a song" guitar.