I bought a Yasuma WG130 new around 1980 from a local music store in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It was a toss up between that and the Yamaha but I fell in love with the beautiful mellow tone and abalone detailing. It's been a constant companion for over 30 years of actor/musician touring and bedroom noodling and sad (but true) is perhaps my most prized possession. It sounds amazing with new extra light strings, it keeps great tune in all weathers and I haven't replaced or repaired a thing in all those years. I don't know a lot about the pros and cons of expensive guitars such as Martin. My Yasuma wasn't any more to buy than a Yamaha but is it really as good as an equivalent Martin? They don't seem particularly collectable but I think my Yasuma is beautifully made and has got better with age. Isn't that the sign of a great instrument?
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