Robert, I had started out with two Fender acoustics and my first instructor worked at a guitar shop that sold Washburn and he talked me into buying one of them. I had problems after a short time and it was sent back to the factory to repair a brace, then it came loose again. Well, I had learned a couple of things by that time and tried out several more brands and was convinced that for the money it's hard to beat a TAKAMINE for acoustic-electric. I'm still of that same mind but have found a Taylor to be on my want list someday. I'm so glad to have found this site.