I hope to enjoy many years of use and maybe some abuse with this guitar!

Sound
I think the character of this guitar really spoke to me over others in the same price range. I've been really turned on to the quality, projection and clarity of Taylors over the past few years. I loved Martin's as a kid because they looked so perfect, sounded great and were made near my hometown in PA. However, being such a reputable brand, if not the most widely known and used, has allowed them to hike the prices up. Taylor is still offering great guitars for decent prices. I liked the 110 and 210 for the sound, but the 310 definitely beats it out. I was even ready to shell out for the ovangkol 410ce, but in comparison, the 310ce actually sounded better to me. I love the warmth that the mahogony brings. I do think the midrange could be slightly more present, but the guitar as a whole ranks up there with a D-28 for being a classic in what it does, which is project a crisp, clean sound in the purest form with real woods. It does do fingerpicking very well, but it also performs as a lead instrument and strummer.

Features
Simplicity is the name of the game kids. As another smart guitarist already mentioned, typically a more ornate and decorated guitar is going to lack in sound. Often times the inlays can actually muffle the sound and so can the finish. I find the satin back and sides finish allows the guitar to really vibrate and the glossy… read more spruce top reels that sound back in calmly. So overall it's bright, but controlled. I always am one for tone above fancy-ness, and this guitar has loads of it. It does feature real wood back and sides, even though it's a cheaper mahogony, it's an African Mahogony, which def. has an exotic appeal and look to it. I like better than the American neck it comes with. I love the fact that it has a strap button the neck heel joint, a BIG plus. Expression system is great, although it sounds so much like the real guitar unlugged that I kind of wish it had more of that rubbery sound that a Fishman preamp might give. However, it sounds great still, just a little too bright for my liking at times. Nice pearl dot inlays, ebony fretboard, great guitar.

Ease of Use
Um, this one is pretty easy to figure out. If you play good, you'll sound good. If you suck, chances are, you're still going to suck, but this guitar will make you suck gracefully until you begin playing well. It's a great guitar right out of the box and I've made no adjustments yet.

Quality
Great looking cosmetically, although simple, it still has the look of an elegant and expensive guitar. I love the Elixir strings, in fact, they have won me over and I use them now exclusively on acoustics, despite their $16 price tag. It's worth it! Esp. on the Taylors. It's like PRS and Mesa/Boogie, they always sound good together and seem built for each other. Same with this combo.

Value
I would give it a 10, but it does have slight shortcomings, which are no more than any guitar in this price range. I think they could sell this model for $1,000, but for how much popularity it has, it's gone up.

Manufacturer Support
no repairs have been needed or made, but they do provide a lot of literature and even a DVD on how to use the expression system as well as hydrating your guitar properly. I found everything provided useful and interesting, as well as incredibly relative.

The Wow Factor
the sound is the sexiest part of this guitar. i had the privilege of trying it out with 2 other Taylor models of lesser and greater values respectively. My buddy handed me each one while I was playing and singing a song and it was so great because we could actually hear the difference in motion and in real-time. I really got a great feel of how each model would perform and needless to say, this one won the battle of the "I Want It" factor.

Musical Background:
Active Musician of 11 years

Musical Style:
Alternative/Indie/reggae/classic read less