In many ways, there's no such thing as a bad guitar now. What with seasoning technology, laser cutting and better glues, selecting and standardising for mass production means a Yamaha or Epiphone brand new under ?100 can be fettled to give a good a play as many top end ones of yore.

My old Yamaha SJ180, bought new from CV Berry in Worksop in 1981 for ?80 is now back with me after twenty years with my son. Its all plywood and looks knackered but it often comes with me to folk clubs because it sounds clear with long sustain, great for open tunings. I play it at home, looking at my ?1500 Terry Pack SJRS and wonder why......