Incredibly responsive, warm, rich, balanced tone. I own several high-end guitars, from the names you would expect, and this AC5M is at least as good, if not better in all the ways that count.Needed no setup out of the (incredibly nice) case. Wonderfully low action at every position on the fretboard, with no dead notes and no buzzes where there shouldn't be. Playability is TOP NOTCH. My Taylor has nothing on the Yamaha. Fit and finish is as you would expect from the craftsmen in the Japanese shop. Flawless finish, and detail that I marvel at every time I pick it up.The sound, however is the real star here. Projects super well, with astounding sustain and the warm, rich, woody tone is stunning. Several of my guitarist friends were absolutely floored with the tone.For the money (and for any guitar for under around $2500) I can't think of anything that beats this.