I have a Sigma, Model GS2GCR-7. Serial # is 21xxx (I can't remember it off the top of my head). It has the gold stamp SIGMA with the M on it. It was purchased new in the fall of 1978 for either $200 or $250. (I remember trading in my classical guitar and getting $50 for it, which I though was pretty good since we had spent only $70 on it four years earlier.) My mother bought it as a combination birthday, Christmas and high school graduation present. It seems like it's still in pretty good shape, save two scratches on the back of it. It's spent summers in the woods and been dropped more than once, but there's no cracks on it. It still has the original paper information inside (very readable, good shape). I think I had the nuts changed at some point - there's nothing descriptive on them.

If Sterling is still around can you tell me what you mean that these GS2 models were made of some pretty strange laminates? I took it to buy a case for it last weekend and the guy turned his nose up at it and tried to get me to buy a Martin for $915 (you know - I'd have a new case with the Martin, yada yada yada.) He basically told me that the Sigma is worthless. That, of course, is up to the person playing - to me (granted, I'm just a weekend plunker), it seems like it plays pretty well. One of my high school chums actually used it for a recording session in NYC. I had it restrung some time ago and it rarely needs retuning. Since I'm having a Guild 12 string F112 literally rebuilt, I don't think I want to spend $1000 on a low end Martin if the Sigma does the job.

If anybody can offer thoughts on the guitar itself as well as value, I'd appreciate it.