Guild GAD50 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

Feature:
Tweed hardshell case is a great bonus for no charge. Compared to Alvarez MD90 - same construction (solid spruce top, solid rosewood sides and back), same price but you get the free case and a better sound with the Guild.

Quality:
Beautiful wood and great looking MOP inlays on the fingerboard.

Value:
As I said earlier, can't beat this guitar for the price. Similar price guitars with similar construction don't include the AWESOME tweed hardshell case.

Desirability:
Don't know how "Sexy" a standard drednaught guitar is, but the wood on this guitar is beautiful. The MOP inlays on the fretboard are nicer than anything else I looked at in this price range.

Sound:
For the price, nothing touches the sound of this guitar. The solid rosewood back and sides really add a wonderful tone to the spruce top.

Support:
N/A

Overall:
Every few years, I like to upgrade my acoustic guitar (when $$$ permits). Always thought I would someday own a Martin D-18, but after owning this Guild, it looks like I may be in the market for a Guild F50 instead.

Feature:
Doesnt have strap buttons? Comes with an awesome tweed case, has excellent tuners, extremely playable neck. Look, some people like to have all of the intricate Mother of Pearl and abalone inlays and flamed maple this and that. This guitar is all about playability, sound, and durability. You get more than what you pay for in those categories.

Quality:
Only gave it a 9 because there are even better quality finishes out there. For the money though, you will not find a better quality guitar. Building overseas certainly keeps the cost down. If this guitar were made in the USA or by another big name (martin, taylor, gibson) I could certainly see it commanding prices around the 2K mark.

Value:
You wont find a better value. This truly is a topo of the line instrument in both construction, materials, and sound. Terrific value.

Desirability:
As I stated earlier, I've played many acoustics even more expensive than this one, but as soon as I heard the tone of this guitar, I was hooked. You will be too.

Sound:
This is the best part about this great guitar. The intonation and evenly matched sound from each string. Its just a butery smooth guitar. Plenty of volume if you dig in, yet precise and controlled. No fret buzz or other weird sonic artifacts. The Rosewood really makes the sound project well from this beauty. I played many acoustics in this price range (above and below) including Taylors, Martins, Epiphone master builts, Takimini's, etc and none of them could come close. The sound of this guitar is much closer to a Taylor sound than it is a Martin. Not low end biased, but just a warm even tone.

Ease of Use:
For some reason this guitar is one of those that you pick up and just feel "at home" with. It, for whatever reason, is just easier to play. Maybe its the lower action, or the smooth, fast neck. Either way, its a real joy to play and keps you coming back for more.

Support:
Marked a 10 as I've never had to contact them.

Overall:
Gets a 10 for the terrific value, playability, and sound. This is an unbeatable guitar for the price, and a great guitar at double the price. Low action, fast neck, great volume and projection, excellent finish and construction...what more could you ask for ? A free tweed case? Oh yeah, it comes with that too!