My question for Don Meixner is when? Because they were reputed to have had a few problems when they first came out years ago. And I wasn't suggesting to 'hasten the departure of wood'. I was simply blown away that it played AND sounded THAT much better than guitars 50 years older and 10 times the price.

LIKE Mandotim I've owned alot of different guitars...one even handmade to the specs of the prototype Ditson D1 or D2. 12 frets to the body, dreadnaught, slotted head, black walnut sides/back, mahoghany neck, red cedar top, light bracing, etc. Had a Gurian S3M and a 57 D-18, 64 D-18S...you get the idea. I've played Olsens, Loudens, Santa Cruz, etc.

Right now I've an Alvarez DY-39 w/a solid top/lam sides and back w/a Baggs system. Great sound for a 550.00 investment. The JM1000 is perfectly suited to my playing style(s) and will be impervious to humidity/temperaure changes when working internationally. Too bad they don't make a line of celtic/bluegrass instruments like the mandolin, mando-cello, mandola, octave mandolin, irish bouzouki and cittern. I think they'd make a dent for ease of transport. Wonder if they'd consider making an acoustic bass similar to the Guild B50 or B30. Time to start saving and selling...

BTW, Dean makes a Flying V acoustic...sounds like shit, but looks totally cool.