I was given a Fender Jumbo, had rosewood back and sides, and it served me well for several years. Never did discover its true value, but sold it to a friend for about 400 dollars.

Fender always has something out there that is great value, but today with so much competition from the babyboomers turning to making instead of playing it is hard to decide.

Today the best value in a new box is probably a Martin w/composite back and sides/ box because the material is 'tuned' unlike natural wood which is unpredictable. These Guitars start around 500 bucks and the better models run on into the 1500 dollar range.

However the thing which sells Fenders most of all is easy playing which might pip a Martin with touchy feely customer, I would certainly LOVE to have the money and the excuse to buy one of those new Fender acoustic electic boxes ...oh yuuuuuummmmmiiieeee so sweet.

Well Ok maybe just maybe I would want a Taylor as well, hell buy em all if you have the money.